JUST LIKE ME

I was sent this photo, along with a few others of this mare and foal. Why do we find this so adorable? I think it is because this is a great representation of a human characteristic. We can replace a Mom and baby in this photo rather easily. But to see a horse and her baby foal in such a position is surprising and inspiring. It touches a spot in our hearts that makes us think that, perhaps, animals have some of those characteristics of human beings that are good and pure and true. No one can argue with or condemn a mother's protectiveness towards her baby, or a baby's dependence on his or her mom. It is just as it should be.

I know people who like animals more than people. I can understand this. Animals do not talk back. They are adoring, committed and loyal. I recently read a story about a boy whose old dog had to be euthanized. When his parents and vet were talking about why animals lived a much shorter lifespan, the little boy answered it well. "You know how people spend their lives learning how to get along and how to love people? Well, dogs already know that stuff, so they don't have to live as long."

The answer is a bit more complex, I maintain. How do we treat our animals? If you are reading this blog, you treat your animal with patience, care and love. How do they respond? The way the people in our lives would respond if we treated all of them with that same patience. care and love. It gets down to who will act first?

Do a psychology experiment: Act first. Treat the people in your life with the same patience, care and love you give to that beloved pet. Don't give up until you have given this experiment at least one month. We'll check back to find out the results...