To all-What are our critter friends here to teach us? nt

[hangemhigh]

[Longhorn]

1. Unconditional love. n/t

[auburngrad82]

2. Patience

If you've ever tried to train a puppy then you must have unlimited patience.

[livetohike]

3. How to find joy in the simple things in life

:-)

[ernstbass]

4. Living in the moment

unconditional love, loyalty

[Eurobabe]

5. how to love, and how to be loved

gosh what a sweet question, you made me cry!

[demnan]

6. That every living thing has worth

n/t

[mermaid]

7. Someone Already Beat Me To It...

Unconditional Love.

The concept Jesus tried (and failed) to teach us humans about. We claim to be a superior species...yet, this oh-so-simple concept of universal, unconditional love...we cannot seem to grasp it. Yet dogs have no trouble with this concept.

I ask you truly...which of us is the superior species? I believe, without me stating so, you can figure out what MY opinion is to that question.

[Lorien]

8. Well, Dog IS God spelled backwards

;-)

[mermaid]

13. Yes. Leading To THIS...

The Creation of Pets - Anonymous

It is reported that the following edition of the book of Genesis was
discovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls. If authentic, it would shed light on the question, "Where do pets come from?"

And Adam said, "Lord, when I was in the garden, you walked with me
every day. Now I do not see you anymore. I am lonesome here and it is
difficult for me to remember how much you love me."

And God said, "No problem! I will create a companion for you that
will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so you will know I love you even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish and unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself."

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam. And it was
a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and he wagged his tail.

And Adam said, "But Lord, I have already named all the animals in
the kingdom and all the good names are taken. I cannot think of a name for this new animal."

And God said, "No problem! Because I have created this new animal
to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him Dog."

And dog lived with Adam and was a companion to him and loved him. And Adam was comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

After a while, it came to pass that Adam's guardian angel came to
the Lord and said, "Lord, Adam has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock and he believes he is worth of adoration. Dog has indeed taught him that he is loved, but no one has taught him humility."

And the Lord said, "No problem! I will create for him a companion
who will be with him forever and who will see him as he is. The companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not worthy of adoration."

And God created Cat to be a companion to Adam. And Cat would not
obey Adam. And when Adam gazed into Cat's eyes, he was reminded that he was not the Supreme Being.

And Adam learned humility.
And God was pleased.
And Adam was greatly improved.

And Cat didn't care one way or the other.

[bvar22]

17. Cats teach humility!

[Orsino]

9. Doggies are here to teach us about loyalty and love...

...and cats are here to teach us humility. Or just to p-ss us off, I guess. :-)

[SiouxJ]

10. They are here to teach us not to be such wimps

(among other things).

Ever see a dog with 3 legs? Or a blind cat? They just carry on and accept the condition they are in without even thinking about it. It's like darn, lost a leg, ah well, whatever. Every time one of my dogs gets injured, it never seems to phase them. They don't suddenly sit down and think, "oh, somebody help me" or, "why did this have to happen to me?" They just go with it. Mine usually want to keep on playing, no matter what. Animals were never taught to ask for help, they just adapt.

This really hit home about 5 years ago when I found out I had MS. I was having a flare, and because of the symptoms (double vision, vertigo etc.), I couldn't do much except sit on the couch. I watched a lot of Animal Planet and they'd always have these stories about handicapped animals and the wonderful lives they lived, carrying on as if they didn't have a clue that anything was wrong. It really helped me to stop feeling sorry for myself and just accept the situation.

Luckily I have since recovered from all those symptoms (you wouldn't even know I have the disease) but every time I see a 3 legged dog running around, it reminds me that even if those symptoms were to come back, I'd find a way to adapt. I'm always striving for that attitude that our 4 legged friends have with regard to dealing with injury, or just unfortunate situations in my life.

[Freebird12004]

11. how to forgive when something you love hurts you

I live with 3 parrots, sometimes they bite - but I do still love them. Biting is one of the ways they communicate. Parrots also teach "pay close attention to every detail, every nuance of movement".

[mermaid]

12. Parrots Are Also

attracted to bright, shiny things...like metal framed glasses or metal watches.

They will nip at these.

[Freebird12004]

14. no jewelry for me

My wonderful Blue & Gold Macaw has always thought it was a great game to remove and toss my glasses. I do wear jewelry but I put it on after I return her to her cage just before I leave home. She hasn't broken anything, yet.

[mermaid]

15. Smart Girl!

You already knew this about parrots, apparently.

But they ARE attracted to bright, shiny things...like glasses, jewelry, and watches. And they will nip at them.

[Freebird12004]

16. Yes, you are right

and buttons, they love to break buttons.