A long time ago, in a place far from here, I learned what it was like to enjoy critters. If they were intelligent life forms alien to the suburbs, I would be drawn to hanging out with them. For all the others, it seems like this affinity crossed the boundaries of real estate. Localized animals were just as enjoyable.
Horses, goats, rabbits, cows, chickens – normal farm animals.
Cats, dogs, birds – normal suburban animals.
And other strange wildlife that dotted the landscape, except for snakes…crocs…turtles…and the like.
Think about it. Hooves, claws, teeth, and beaks. At any time, their response to any of us could be dangerous.
If I’m drawn to animals, there’s something about me that animals respond to. One owner said it was my voice. Someone suggested it was my hands that loved to pet the animals. Still, I like to think it’s my calm, non-threatening manner.
We had a stray cat, and still today, another stray cat. The one I remember could not stand being touched, but he liked to roam around our feet and yearn for a stroke. Someone must have abused him in the past. One day, I was sweeping the porch, and Diablo (yes, that’s our name for him) was at my feet. I reached over and stroked him from head to tail. At first, he was alarmed, but then he walked back and forth under the broom. Eventually, he sought out the touch of the broom, and we always kept one handy.
I had an uncle, Clyde by name, who had once owned a pet store, and when he shut it down, the remaining animals migrated to his little one-acre treasured jungle-style backyard. A myna bird (??) stayed inside and could mimic sounds that sounded like words.
Clyde was mom’s dad’s brother. Even Granddad seemed to connect to wildlife. We weren’t allowed to play with his pet raccoon due to its sharp claws, but that silly animal would crawl all over Granddad!
Lately, I’ve been drawn to videos of baby elephants. I could imagine saddling up to one and enjoying the experience.
Besides enjoying their connection, I realize all animals have a place in the world around us. Life would be less enjoyable if we did not treasure, protect, and allow for their existence.
This Morning
I wondered about creation and Adam’s relationship with the garden animals. Since he lived in Eden, all the creatures were common to his home. Could it be he doted on them a little?
Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air,
and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them.
And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.
So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field.
But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
(Genesis 2:19-20 NKJV)
Maybe they were not touchy-feely with Adam, but I imagine some could abide by his approach. Would he reach out to them? Stroke their fur? Talk to them? Or, did they follow him as a “chicken whisperer,” I happen to know – when it came time to put them up for the evening, he simply walked among them, and they followed him to their coup. (Yes… Me…)
Maybe this is the attitude of life that finds calm success. Can you connect to the animals? If you can connect with someone who cannot understand you or speak your language, then you should be able to connect to other humans. Right?
I’m not Dr. Doolittle, but I think there is a good way of connecting to people as we connect to animals. Not as a Lion Tamer, but as a friend. A connection. Yes, even a resource during troubled times. As with animals, we must be patient. Some connections take time.
Some fear animals, but they accept people. Hmmm. What’s the problem here? Questions arise! How can we trust them? Will they hurt me? Must I be on the defense? What’s their hidden self like? What’s their motive? Are they telling the truth?
As with some animals, we put up our defenses and prepare to be hurt or to attack. But for the most part, I like to accept people as they present themselves to be – and not worry about their hidden or other self.
That’s not always good. It doesn’t always turn out well.
But I’m willing to live with the consequences.
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