Denying The Obvious

by Joyce Leake

My everyday job is a real treat. I have the privilege of communicating with animals. I mean, I get to be a receptor for their thoughts. Using my senses, I learn how animals view the world from their perspective. What do they think of their life? How would they change things? Or, do they even want to? Their answers are honest and straightforward, sometimes surprising, but always filled with optimism and lots of love.

The next step is passing their thoughts to the person who lives with, loves, and cares for these creatures. Therein lies the opportunity and sometimes the challenge, to improve upon an animal/human relationship.

Most of the stories I hear are happy ones, some are sad, and then there are the problems, many minor and easily remedied, and some major, requiring a lot more work.

The stories I find the most intriguing are those that center around an animal's frustration about being asked to live a life out of the realm of his present interest or current capability. Yet, because of special attributes, such as breeding, confirmation, or appearance, he finds himself wrapped up in a goal he would not have chosen for himself. I use the terms present and current, because as we people know, changing our minds is surely our prerogative, and we tend to do it quite frequently, oftentimes on the spur of the moment. Animals, as well, will choose to change things if we just give them that chance.

When it comes to our animals, it's not that our intentions aren't good. Sometimes it's our own interests and goals that cloud the best judgment, thus putting our animals in a position that makes attaining specific goals difficult, if not impossible.

So, we seek advice and counsel from others, be they the trainer, spouse, teacher, instructor, or friend, to help us decide if we are on the right track. After all, we are only humans. We try to see things objectively, but because we are so close to both our animal and ourselves, all too often, we fail to see the whole picture. If we would simply take some advice from the one closest to the situation, the animal, it would help all concern fade away quickly. There would be no need to agonize over right or wrong, good or bad. If we would only be willing to listen and see life from our animals' perspective, perhaps we'd "get it" quicker, sooner, and with less hassle.

But because we are "only humans", our main stumbling block is just that; a block. It is one that we hold closely, deep within us. It is a great preventative to learning, because with it we can stay in our comfort zone of non-action, yet if we consider giving it up, then what? We may open ourselves up to other opinions and options. What's wrong with that? Perhaps nothing, it may mean exploring other directions, and may even require us to make changes, but the worst that could happen is that our perspective could improve.

Take the step, let go of your blocks and perceptions, just long enough to ask the question.

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