The Illusion of Natural Differences
Dogs and cats are supposed to be natural enemies. Certain groups of people are expected to be at odds with each other, too. Race, politics, religion, or any number of differences seem to be insurmountable barriers that separate us from one another.
Prana, our gentle golden retriever, whose name means "breath of life," is no longer with us. But in her short life, she taught our family about how to transcend differences in ways that constantly amazed us.
Prana befriended the kitten Feisty we adopted from a local animal shelter. Their relationship demonstrated the power of love to crumble illusory walls that keep us from experiencing our deeper connections with each other. Prana and Feisty shared our home and inspired us with their selfless love and unstinting devotion. We'd look at each other and say, "Why can't everyone be more like them?"
Gently playing with and mothering Feisty, Prana raised him with unwavering patience, kindness, and consideration. Prana cherished the chew bones we'd give her in the evening. She'd sit by the television set chewing them in a state of pure ecstasy. When Feisty came over, without hesitation, Prana would readily share her precious bone by holding it between her front paws for the kitten to lick.
As the kitten grew into a cat, these two friends became inseparable, even sleeping next to each other. Prana often slept on her back with her mouth open. Feisty would stick his head into her mouth, waking up his playmate.
When have you observed animals transcending the illusion of difference? What has it taught you about unconditional love?
Categories: Observations, Amazing Angel Animals
Your Prana reminds me of our first pug, Missy, and the relationship she had with my mother's grey tabby cat, Benny Hill. Since they were mere babies when first introduced, each considered the other to be a long lost litter mate.
They used to spend entire afternoons playing together in my mother's backyard, even taking naps with my mother and son on the weekends that I had to work and she would baby Michael, my son, and Missy.
More than once I caught Benny Hill hiding in my car, attempting to go home with Missy...He would sit at the front door and cry like a baby when she would leave him!!!
One of the cutest things I have ever seen was the two them asleep in my mother's backyard one late summer afternoon. Missy, sound asleep and snoring her heart out, had Benny's head propped up against her side while he was licking her, much like a mother cat would do her kittens. By that point Benny had already been neutered and should not have had a paternal/maternal instinct left anywhere in his body...
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My dog Madison took in my foster kitten, Rufus, as his baby. Madison was always considered aggressive towards people he didn't know and other animals. To see him with this little kitten showed to me that he really wasn't aggressive, only that strangers scared him. These two little souls were very close for several years. Madison passed away 5 years ago tomorrow (it was actually Feb 29). That last day before I had to let him go Rufus sat right next to him giving him the support he needed. Madison also liked to play with my mom's cat Lucy. Lucy came to live with us when my mom became sick and she was never able to go home. They had a lot of fun together over the years after Lucy learned that he just wanted to play with her. Lucy is featured in your Angel Cat book. She didn't like the dogs at first but learned that they were good to have around. Both she and Rufus missed Madison for a long time after he was gone. They truly grieved with me for our loss. I think if animals are introduced and given time to adjust that many can learn to leave together.
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