There are so many things our animals don’t understand about our human world. Yes, we ask them to understand. In fact, many humans just expect and assume they understand.
We live in a world of instant gratification. Animals don’t work that way. They don’t show up knowing how to be a well-mannered, human world adapted being. They need to be taught with kindness, love, patience and TIME.
Animals can’t be rushed. They don’t understand “hurry”. It’s very confusing to them. They aren’t on a time schedule like we are. They live in the present and the celebrate every small thing that happens in their day. They don’t have any desire to rush through their day, like humans do.
When humans try to rush animals it can scare them or frustrate them. It can cause stress and anxiety because they feel YOUR rushed energy. That feels chaotic to them. At the LEAST it will confuse them.
Don’t rush them! Just because you’re in a hurry, don’t assume they are. I can guarantee they aren’t. In fact, maybe they are here to teach us that taking our time to notice and celebrate all the little things in our daily life is the best way to be happy.
Maybe they’re here to slow you down. To make you notice the things in life that really matter. Like the extra time you took to play with your cat. Or the walks you took with your dog. Or maybe that trail ride you took your horse on. Or just not rushing your pet out the door when it’s time to leave because youre running late for their vet appt.
Animals do not understand rushing or hurrying or “being late” and that will never change. Those are human problems not animal problems. So if you want to be the best guardian you can be for your pets, don’t rush them, don’t hurry them. Let them move at their pace. Because I can tell you their pace allows for a fuller and more beautiful life with less stress.
