By Tatiana Garrett
Animals can change the way we see the world around us—if we just let them. Tuning into other species can make us more aware of our surroundings, it can increase our capacity for empathy, and it can help us live more harmoniously with nature. These benefits (and more) can come from observing wildlife and our pets at home.
About fifteen years ago, I spent an amazing summer observing wild dolphins off the Australian coast. Much of my days were spent scanning shimmering blue waters, focusing on everything that broke the fluid surface in hopes of finding a dorsal fin among the small white-capped waves. My mentor had to teach me to train my eyes to tune into subtle differences in that vast seascape. I whole-heartedly believe that experience has forever changed the way I see the world around me.
The same lesson can come from spending time in nature. Even if you live in the city, spend some time outdoors. Scan the trees of a nearby park in search of branches that shift beneath the weight of their feathered visitors; listen for rustling in the grasses and low bushes as it can indicate furry friends afoot. These exercises are a great way to simply heighten your senses in general. Don’t be surprised if you eventually find yourself more aware of people and other aspects of your surroundings too. Think of nature as a huge game board in which to find hidden images (much more exciting than playing similar games on a computer screen).
Once you start noticing animals around you, it is possible that you can begin to feel more connected to them as well. Like wild animals, pets have some pretty amazing behaviors. Happy pet rabbits will literally kick their heels in the air in a gleeful dance-like jump known as a “binkie.” A cat that gazes at her human and gives a soft blink is signaling trust and affection—it’s like an ocular “I love you.”
Learning the languages of the animals around us can make humans more in-tune with when pets are feeling good or bad. Since companion animals can’t speak to their caregivers, it is so important to observe their behaviors to know how they are feeling. People can provide optimum care for their pets if they can report changes in behaviors to the veterinarian, but they can also learn to understand the individual personality of their pet better by simply dedicating time to observations.
Purposefully observing animals with the intention of learning more about them is a great way to increase empathy. In interactions between humans, people often forget to quietly listen and observe the ones they care about. Care, empathy, and compassion are all about doing something positive for another being, but first you have to find out what the other being likes or needs.
Once you’ve noticed all the animals around you and respectfully observed their behavior to learn about their needs, the final benefit of “learning to look” is finding all the connections between humans and animals. The famous naturalist, John Muir once said, “When we try to pick out anything by itself we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” The health of every animal species, including humans, is dependant on our shared environment. Animals such as birds and amphibians are indicator species, and problems in their populations should be taken as a warning sign for people. In general, humans will lead better lives if they are respectful of all the animals in the world.
There are so many valuable lessons all around us each and everyday—we just have to be open to receiving the messages. Animals definitely carry a power and magnetism that humans can greatly benefit from, but the relationship should be one of mutual benefit. Look for animals in nature and observe them and the pets in your care. Make life better for animals and you will likely benefit too.
Tatiana Garrett grew up with Borzoi, a rescued Standard Poodle, cats, hamsters, parrots, rabbits, guinea pigs, and an iguana… just to name a few pets. She began her professional career with animals in 1995 at Brookfield Zoo. She has studied wild dolphins in Australia and rescued wildlife in Florida, but people are truly at the heart of her work. If it walks, hops, or slithers, Tatiana cares about it. She currently oversees the Humane Education programs at The Anti-Cruelty Society and hosts “Chicago Tails” on Watch312.com.