So many humans get animals and try to “train” them into what they want them to be. Many humans hope the animals will be perfect and easily settle in and have all the traits and behaviors they find ideal.
But, If you want them to be what you hope for, try your hardest to be what they hope for? A best friend with pure love, endless patience and kindness, and lots of fun? Animals have hopes too.
Humans have hopes for what they want animals to be. I see it in horses all the time. A horse doesn’t want to jump or do dressage but the human sees talent in the horse, even if the horses doesn’t have interest.
But let me tell you animals try their hardest to be what their humans want them to be. But, it’s not always easy for them.
What we should be doing is accepting the animal for who the animal is. Sometimes that means changing our expectations or changing the job we want our animal to do, for the animals happiness.
You don’t like going to a job you dislike, neither does your animal.
This doesn’t apply to just horses, it applies to all animals. It’s just more frequently seen with horses. If you have a dog or cat, their lifestyle is considered their “job”. Are you asking them to live a lifestyle that isn’t enjoyable for them? Or to be someone they aren’t naturally?
Even if you are, whether a horse, dog, cat, rabbit, etc.… I can promise you, your animal is going to try their hardest to be everything you want that animal to be. Even if it means changing.
Animals have the same hopes and dreams when they get a new human. They hope for love, acceptance, kindness and fun! They are optimistic about Their new human and enter day 1 thinking the best life is ahead of them!
When you get a new animal can you try as hard as they do? Can you try to be the person they hope for? The one that just is fun and happy all the time? The one that loves so deeply through every mistake, difficultly, or challenge? Can you be the one that includes your pet in everything you do? Makes time for them? Always has patience? Takes things slow? Offers comfort and reassurance when needed? Can you be the one that never gets mad, never yells, never uses force? Can you be that person for your animal?