Communication With All Life by Joan Ranquet

Author:Joan Ranquet
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Hay House
Published: 2010-08-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

SETTING THE TONE

Of all God’s creatures there is only one

that cannot be made the slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If

man could be crossed with a cat it would improve man, but

it would deteriorate the cat.

— Mark Twain

Recently my dog, Olivia, and I took an agility class. I knew that Olivia would have great skills in this area, and I only hoped that as her leader, I could be as good! During the introduction to the class, the teacher actually told us to always keep a smile on our faces and to never get after the dogs with a harsh tone of voice.

I thought, Of course we’re going to smile—this is fun. In no time, though, I saw why she had to give us this reminder. We humans wanted to get everything right so badly that our frustration and emotions went up, and our understanding and intelligence went down. In that case, what’s the payoff for the animals? Why should they perform for us?

When the humans in the class were excited, the dogs shot through the various tubes, poles, and hoops with very little instruction. It was as if they’d been home watching a “How to Do Agility” video while we were at work! If we set the tone with enthusiasm, they were happy to go along with us, entertain us, and be team players. It wasn’t the extra-special treats I bought for the occasion that inspired Olivia; it was being part of that fun activity with me.

Of course that seems like a lesson in: “Hey, Joan, be aware of the obvious!” But how many times do we drop the keys when we’re in a hurry, and while we fumble for them, the cat shoots out of the door? Frustration then keeps us at arm’s length as she has a field day running just a few steps ahead, apparently knowing that we’re late. Or consider if you have a follow-up call with the human-resources department for a fantastic new job. You’re nervous, and that’s the day the bird sits and screams as if your home is a torture chamber. The animals aren’t trying to sabotage us . . . they’re simply picking up on our moods.

Our horses (usually) graciously accept us as the leader. Then at the show, when we get distracted by a competitor’s new animal, we’re surprised when ours suddenly isn’t partnering up with us in the ring. Or we get preoccupied with barn gossip, and the wheelbarrow we pass every day somehow surprises our horse and it spooks. The animals aren’t the ones who are distracted— frequently we are.

Whether its original genetic predisposition is to be predator or prey, every life-form is out for safety and survival. In our modern overstimulated society, most of us don’t struggle for those basics of food, water, and shelter anymore—we’re perfecting comfort. We do seek approval and control, but all of us varied species have a new set of things that can trigger the “fight, flight, or

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