Like many people, I always loved animals and had many different pets to teach my children valuable life lessons. In this photograph you see my daughter hiking in the Swiss Alps. On her trails she was greeted by a Seedenhund, one of many Swiss Mountain Dogs. She has a way with animals that are always positive. They connect easily. As a family, we traveled to many places and always seemed to discover new life lessons about animals. Here are some of the life lessons you may have also learned. If you have more, I would love it if you shared:
BIRDS
They say the early bird catches the worm. It sings at the break of dawn when the sun is just about to rise. It eats only what it needs and spends the rest of the time flying in the sky, usually coming down from tree to tree. If you come to a crossing light, and you notice a storm is coming, you'll see a row of birds on an electric line. They are distancing themselves for an easy wing take-off. When the weather is hot, you'll find a bird cooling off wherever there is a water source. But don't be fooled, even when it is the coldest weather, they need water too. A bird has cognitive abilities to build a nest using their beaks as tools to pick up thin sticks, dried grass, and animal fur too, to line their nests. As we know, birds of a feather flock together. When there is seasonal change, they fly in V-formation following the leader. What are the learning lessons?
1) Make a routine and get up at the same time
2) Eat moderately
3) Give others their own space
4) Stay hydrated
5) Use cognitive skills wisely
6) Build a home for your family
7) Be social
8) Respect the leader who successfully leads
The bird in the photograph was taken when I went with a group of local people to do some bird watching in nature. For me, it is easier to spot a bird in the sky than a tree. This was a lucky day!
DOGS
When it comes to dogs, society has changed for the better. There was a time when dog catchers took stray dogs off the streets and took unwanted dogs to the pound to be killed. Today there are dog rescuers and pet shelter. Many dogs are saved regardless of age or health conditions thanks to pet adoptions, vaccines, and animal shots.
Because of war veterans and violence, PTS (Post Traumatic Stress) is now recognized and many rescue dogs are trained to provide support. They do things to assist their owners in tasks that otherwise would be impossible or dangerous. We no longer say a person lives with a dog but rather the dog accompanies pet owners. For many dogs, a doghouse is an owner's investment in property. The benefits of both are greater than one might imagine.
A dog has an automatic alert instinct. They know when there is danger. There is enough testimony to prove dogs rescued people from fire, stranger-dangers, being lost in the woods, or to keep intruders away. A dog can sense good from evil, animal lovers or abusers. There are Police Dogs and other working dogs that have a keen sense of sniff and bark to keep communities safter.
Thanks to animal protect laws, there are healthier dogs and people. Today there are less worries about disease, fear of rabies, and safer products on the market. People who own dogs are always testing food products. Veterinarians are better trained, and some are better than others. Bad products are reported and people are aware of harmful ingredients. When it comes to dogs, Landlords must now comply with the law. Lessons learned?
When I visited my son last year, and the rest of the family was working or going to school, I stayed at their home reading a lot of books. My granddog adapted quickly to my life style and never chewed up a book or anything else. Dogs make great first impressions and companions, even to Grandma from out of state!
1) Today, more dogs are rescued and saved
2) Good health and nutrition saves lives (human and animals)
3) Did you know it is a fact that many dogs detected cancer in their owners?
4) Did you know if a dog licks him or herself there is a problem?
5) Did you know if an owner has a serious fall, they will be there for you?
6) Companionship between humans and dogs are a healthy choice
7) Dogs can be trained and drawn by instinct to protect and to serve
8) Dogs can be trained to obey commands
9) Sometimes a dog knows a human better than they know themselves
10) Dogs have a keen instinct and smell to know who is good and who is bad
11) Dogs and people who coexist are often happier and safter too
12) Dogs do not cry but know when people are emotional
13) Dogs respond regardless of language or type of communication
14) Dogs respond favorably to love and attention
15) Dogs respond unfavorably to aggression and cruelty
16) A natural bond forms when there is mutual trust, respect, & understanding
17) Dogs reduces loneliness
18) A dog lets you know when they need food, water, or a walk
19) A dog doesn't care if you need a bath or if you look good
20) A dog accepts you for who you are
21) A dog will stay if you are good; if not they will run away
22) A dog nudges you when you sat too long behind the computer
23) A dog understand humans at the simplest levels and is loyal
24) A dog knows when a woman is an an abusive relationship
25) A dog provides companionship and lots of TLC
26) A dog makes you walk around and move out of your chair
27) The best exercise is when you do it with a dog who is not judgmental
CATS
Cats have an intelligence many un-cat people don't understand. Those that do understand are better owners. Cats are independent thinkers. You never know what is on a cat's mind. They are not needy, but they need human intervention when instinctively they know it. If they want to be touched, they will touch you first. When they are done being petted, they are done. Bribery does not work. They let you know when they want to be left alone. Stimulation helps cats to view the world from a distinct perspective. Cats need stimulation and a view, or they get bored easily. A human cannot force a cat to be petted, or to play with a cat toy, or to eat fancy food the owner thinks they will enjoy. Cats are finicky eaters. What they like today, they many not touch later or ever again. Unlike humans, they don't have a favorite food. To a cat, restaurants, brands, and cost does not matter. If they want to be entertained, they will hang around and play longer. Cat eyes, no matter the color, breed, domestic, or stray, their eyes are spellbinding. Lessons learned:
Meet Lucy when you visit The Rockvale Writer's Colony. She loves people. Is very entertaining. She does not come indoors. She will keep you company if you let her. She takes great photographs! Lucy was the first creature that greeted me every day in Tennessee.
1) Between a cat and a human there is no such thing as a copy cat
2) A cat's brain is unique and not all cats are alike
3) People seem to need cats more than cats need people continuously
4) Cats meow - Dogs bark - People make all kinds of raucous
5) A cat benefits by stimulation and chooses to their liking
6) Cats are independent thinkers
7) When it comes to food, cats can survive without humans
8) If you try to outstare a cat, you will lose.
9) Cats are like magic, you never know what you're going to get
10) Cats can lower a person's stress
11) Cats are low maintenance
12) Cats keep mice away
13) Cats catch insects when they come indoors
14) Cats are quieter than humans
15) Cats reduces loneliness
16) Cats can live with or without humans
17) Cats don't mind if you use a computer but will walk in front of your screen
18) Cats understand when they need food, water, or to be let out
19) Cats cuddle when owners are sick or injured
20) Cats know when you or they need some extra loving
21) Cats don't care if you're wealthy or not
22) Cat's don't care what you look like or what your size is
23) If you feed them, care about them, and love them, they will come
24) Cats are not judgmental
REALTORS®
Pets make life more interesting for Real Estate Agents. Every REALTOR® homeowner, and pet are different. Dogs may be friendly when owners are home. They are rarely, if ever friendly when a REALTOR® shows property. When an owner says, make sure the cat doesn't run out the door, the cat will probably run out the door. When owners say, don't pet the animals, invariably someone will try to pet the animal. Renting a property can be very challenging to people with pets and those that own makes the house rules.
I met a lady at a class last week and we started talking about the Marriott Hotel in Flower Mound. She said it was the worst hotel and she would never stay there again. I asked her why? She said because when her pipes froze and had no heat, they tried to book a hotel, but the Management does not allow dogs and they had to board their dog. The woman was furious and would never stay there again.
I told the lady, I understand how mad she must have felt; however, I don't think it is a new rule, explaining to her that a long time ago, in a different state, I tried to book a hotel with my son and dog because we had a house fire. No hotel back in the 1990's would allow a dog because of liability to other guests. Did you think about that, I asked the lady? She did not answer.
Animals and people were born with a brain. Understanding how the brain works and how people think is always interesting. The brain is complex. People are too. Sometimes I think dogs and cats understand people better than people understand themselves. I would love to know what you think! As for me, I'm still learning!
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