Saturday, July 6, 2013

What We Can Learn From Animals



Meeting in the Park

Our sleek black and white cat daily was let outside  to roam and play, even to catch a mouse…and one time a snake to bring home!  A couple blocks away, Tommy discovered a park.  From here he could observe the birds, watch  the flitting butterflies and snooze in the sun.  A ginger small curly haired dog happened by the same park. She hadn't been claimed by a family so was on the hunt for food and company.  Feeling a kindred spirit with Tommy, she wagged her tail and pricked up her ears...longing to lay in the soft green grass beside him.  Tommy purred and turned onto his back as an invitation.  Ginger gently approached him, and with sniffing noses, companionship was accepted.  They spent a happy hour together...he purring with contentment and Ginger stretched beside him with nose on her forepaws; gentle brown eyes and twitching of tail, now comfortably free of stress, she silently communicated. 

Since that sunny day, the neighbours soon noted that every afternoon, Tommy trotted along sidewalks and grass to reach the park...and coming from another direction was Ginger ~  hustling at almost a gallop to meet his newly found and forever friend. This ...was their tryst!

Wouldn't it be great if humans could do likewise?

Will Joel Friedman, Ph. D.
is a seasoned clinician in private practice in California
in the east San Francisco Bay area.
He specializes in Presence-centered therapy
principally with adults and couples.
He writes the following:

Undoubtedly it is our excesses and not necessarily our deficiencies which help create our ill health and  pain, dissatisfaction and unhappiness.  This results in less  health, pleasure, fulfillment and zesty, juicy living.  When we honestly decide and commit in actions to release and buy out of excesses, our blockages to well being...dissolve like fog  meeting bright sunlight. 

Is being a good animal in taking care of our daily needs as mammals and human beings so difficult?
Bears, deer, rabbits, mice, dogs and cats know how to do this far better than we apparently do.  When shall we humans question this?  It is essential to life...if nothing else is.  What exactly does it take to be a “good animal” for us humans?

In the wild, animals know to eat when they are hungry and eat only foods that are good for them, and show little if any interest in foods not good for them.  An animal would no longer eat according to what the clock says, advertisements sell or because other animals want them so then they would dance the waltz. In the wild, animals know to not eat more or carry any more weight than what best serves them for meeting their bodily needs and self-preservation.  To do otherwise, would risk their survival, which they simply will not do.

Animals drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated.  This aids their  digestion functioning normally, the cleaning of toxins and general well being. Animals know to get plenty of exercise and healthy physical activity in daily survival and living. It's critical to their survival, breeding and staying well.  Animals know to answer the call of nature.  When they've got to go, they go wherever they may be so long as they won't get eaten.  No if's, and's, but's, maybe's or perhaps about it.

Animals know better than to do their business upstream from where they drink.  Animals aren't stupid.  Most animals travel in social groups for protection, procreation,  social support, intimacy and companionship. Mating is often for life with great care given the raising, nurturance and safety of their  young.  Animals know to keep their nest and environment naturally clean, replenished and in good order.  Animals know better than to fowl where they live.  They would no longer get in-between another animal and its young, or a hungry animal and its food...than go to the moon.

Animals know to rest when they are tired, sleep when their body informs them to get their sleep and pace themselves well.  Animals listen and decode the messages from their body and would no longer fight their body by denying themselves sleep and over-doing or under-doing than they would defy nature itself.  Animals know to appropriately plan for leaner times.  Animals regularly store up food  supplies in anticipation of a cold winter with meager food available.  Animals have instinct which demands it be done.

Animals know to detect danger, leave immediately and use any means necessary to protect themselves and their young.  Animals know better than to be around other animals that are their natural predators or to be in environments they simply do not belong.  Animals in the wild know how to “live in the present” and in fact, seem incapable of living in any other way!  Most animals know all this...and more  driven by instinct. 

As humans can over-ride instincts by using their ego-minds,
how can we be as wise as beasts?
(Anonymous)

My Dog’s Secret

My dog sleeps about 20 hours a day.  He has his food prepared for him.  He can eat whenever he wants.  His meals are  provided at no cost to him.  He visits the Doctor once a year for his check-up, and again during the year if any medical needs arise. For this, he pays nothing…and nothing is required of him.

He lives in a nice neighbourhood in a house that is much larger than he needs, but he is not required to do any upkeep.  He makes no contribution to the running or maintenance of the house.  If he makes a mess, someone else cleans it up.

He has the choice of luxurious places  to sleep.  He receives these accommodations  absolutely free.  He is living like a King, and has absolutely no expenses whatsoever.  All of his costs are picked up by others who go out, work hard and earn a living every day.

I was just thinking about all this…and suddenly it hit me like a brick in the head!
I think my dog might be a Canadian Senator!
Isn’t it the truth???  Just picture him…living in the lap of luxury!
(Author Unknown)

“Pearl of Wisdom”
My goal in life is to be as good a person
as my dog already thinks I am.
(Author Unknown)

Crafted by Merle Baird-Kerr … May 24, 2013
Comments Welcome...scroll down...may sign in as “anonymous”
or e-mail...inezkate@gmail.com

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