I know that optimists can make the world nuts at times like this. We deserve to be frustrated. We are allowed to feel defeated. We are entitled to this helpless feeling. BUT what if our pets, our furry and finned friends were trying to tell us something? Are we listening? Get ready for an Ah-Ha kind of moment, brought to you by….the animals!
Like many Daytonians, I am an animal lover. I have had dogs all my life, played with multiple barn cats in my youth, raised a couple rabbits and still have a Koi pond for good luck. And that’s what inspired this article. The Koi, at least to start.
Fish are jumping back to life!
I was feeling a bit overwhelmed yesterday realizing the world is now isolated. Direct socialization is unattainable. Hugs are a major no-no. As I was enjoying the one warm day we’ve had in a while, I wondered by my Koi pond, looked down and was awe-struck. They were moving, frolicking in a fountain, enjoying the day! “So what?” You may ask. The ‘What’ is the fact these koi have not moved since late October 2019. No playing, socializing, fun or food. Five and a half months they have laid still in the bottom of the pond. Nothing going on. They survive with only a notion that someday, they will return to life as usual. They will rise from the depth, disoriented and unsure, to find their world is ‘right’ again.
WOW! BOOM! Just like that, I thought to myself, I’m going to survive this.
We are all in this pond of sorts…in a suspended animation, awaiting our Spring, our chance to snap back to life. We are like those Koi…within feet of each other, but miles apart. Maybe they are trying to tell me something.
Walk them dogs…its therapy, and its healthy!
And if the fish are talking, my dogs, Uncle Arthur and Gladys Cravitz, are barking out advice! “Let’s play. Let’s snuggle. Let’s walk, Let’s drink lotsa water! Let’s do absolutely nothing!” And, most importantly, “Let’s have a blast making a mess. What the hell else do we have to do right now?”
And then the rabbits chime in…”Hop to it! Look cute at all costs. Remember it’s ok to be silent!”
Lessons from the felines!
And, of course the cats call out…”Being alone ain’t so bad. Live in this moment. Determination will get you places.”
Wow….I get it!
Look, they are simple lessons in difficult times. They are tiny goals we have likely needed reminded of for some time. And there are many, many more lessons animals can provide.
Take a minute, or an hour, a day…or however long it takes to be still (like those Koi). Then, when it’s time, you too will resurface, and the world will be RIGHT!
