Who’s Training Who?
June 5, 2008
If you’ve visited here regularly, you’ve met my companion Lulubelle. I’ve written about several adventures we’ve shared: a day trip of fun and history, a spread in the local newspaper, and enjoying the grounds of my ancestors’ church on a research trip. I’ve even offered an autographed picture of Lulubelle.
I’ve been training her … then one day, I realized who had been training who.
- Promptly at 5:00 PM, Lulubelle comes to my desk in my home office and lets me know it’s time to quit work for the day. Not for my benefit, you understand, but because 5:00 PM is time for me to feed her.
- After dinner, as I’m watching TV, Lulubelle goes and gets her leash, puts it in my lap, and sits on the floor in front of me. She sits there looking at me until I get up and take her for a walk.
- When she wants to go outside, she bumps the doorknob once with her nose as a signal for me to open the door. When she’s ready to come back inside, she bumps the outside doorknob for me to let her in.
- If I fall asleep in the chair, Lulubelle wakes me up to let me know it’s time to go to bed.
Animals of all kinds communicate with humans who take the time to understand them. When I ranched, I could always tell when something was wrong with one of my cows. I’d take the animal to the vet. When asked what was wrong, I would reply, “I don’t know, but something’s not right.” Sure enough, the vet would examine the cow and find a problem that wasn’t readily apparent.
The communication is nonverbal. The look in the animal’s eyes and the way it hold its ears deliver a message. If people can’t communicate with animals, it’s not the fault of the animals – it’s because the humans haven’t taken the time to learn.
I get annoyed with folks who talk baby-talk to their pets. Dogs and cats don’t understand language – not adult language and not baby-talk. They do understand gestures, motions, and emotions.
Lulubelle and I don’t talk politics or the affairs of the world. She’s teaching me what’s important: quit work and relax when the day is done, eat regular meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of rest. And, most importantly, share your life with a loving friend.
I’m still working on Adam’s Daughters, then I’ll write Rebeckah, the last book in The Westward Sagas. My next project will be a book in Lulubelle’s voice in which she teaches a young pup how to train its master. Here’s a sneak preview:
When they bring you home from a trip, look for the most expensive-looking rug in the house to do your business. After that, they’ll remember to let you outside as soon as you get home.
(Note: This post is my entry in the What I Learned From Animals Group Writing Project at Middle Zone Musings and the High Callings Blogs.)
[tags]What I Learned from Animals, Lulubelle, pets[/tags]
Comments
15 Responses to “Who’s Training Who?”
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Logo Credit: From the Imagination and Graphic Artistry of K.A. M'Lady & P.M. Dittman
Great lessons, David; sound like Lulubelle’s got it down just right.
Hey, I’m glad you joined us for this month’s writing project! Why not join us again for the next one?
Cheers!
Robert,
Yep, Lulubelle’s got it down just right.
I’ll see what the next project is and see if I (or Lulubelle) have anything to say on the subject.
[...] Who’s Training Who, Anyway? by David Bowles at Writing the Westward Sagas [...]
Lulubelle has someone wrapped around her finger, and it doesn’t sound half bad!
Brad,
I kinda like being wrapped around Lulubelle’s finger.
[...] Who’s Training Who, Anyway? by David Bowles at Writing the Westward Sagas [...]
That’s cool. Good post.
Thanks, Pete. It’s easy to write about Lulubelle.
Lulubelle is a beautiful friend! I also think our four legged friends train us sometimes better than we train them! Thanks for sharing.
Wendy,
You’re right. I’m probably in good company of humans trained by their pets.
Yes, it’s highly difficult to say who the boss is!! That was a very cool post. Thank you for sharing!
meghanak,
I’m glad you enjoyed reading about my experiences with Lulubelle training me.
[...] Who’s Training Who, Anyway? by David Bowles at Writing the Westward Sagas [...]
[...] Who’s Training Who, Anyway? by David Bowles at Writing the Westward Sagas [...]
[...] Who’s Training Who, Anyway? by David Bowles at Writing the Westward Sagas [...]