Fate is still on restricted duty, but I am taking her out to the pasture to work on testing the sheep and giving some eye to them. I’m not letting her run and she is being very good about that. Just working a bit seems to steady her and calm her down. Today, she went into one of the classic border collie working stances, it is exciting to see her mature and gain confidence and stature.
In recent years, I’ve come to see that many people deride “stupid animal tricks” as being demeaning, exploitive or cruel. In fact, the war against “stupid animal tricks” will almost surely be the death of scores of Asian elephants, who have been uplifting and entertaining humans for centuries. And many horses and ponies. Apparently, it is better for animals to die and vanish from the world than make children smile. To me, the idea of the “stupid trick” is one of those elitist notions that has infected the animal world and our own sense of joy and wonder at the creatures with whom we share the planet.
I think of all of those countless human spirits over the years whose lives have been brightened and warmed by the dumb tricks animals have learned to do. So we are doing some here.
I have a different view of animal tricks, of course, they are an elemental part of training and communicating with animals, with knowing them. These interactions are part of the language that connects people and animals, they are one of the very best ways to know and understand the true nature and spirit of animals, done humanely and with patience.
There is no better way to understand an animal that to train with it, work with it, teach and learn with it. It makes us better, closer, more patient.
Many people who profess to know animals and rescue them fro us don’t know this, but working with people is something domesticated animals love, just think of any therapy, agility or working dog. I feel for the horses and the elephants, they will pay for our ignorance.
Our friend Pamela Rickenbach sent Maria a list of “pony tricks’ to help her get to knew Chloe and learn how to work with her. The first one is “down,” making equines lower their heads to get a treat. It was fascinating to see Maria and Chloe and Lulu and Fanny begin to lean this “stupid trick.”
The donkeys loved it, got into it right away. The third or fourth time Maria said “down” and lowered her handful of treats to the ground, the donkeys already had their heads down waiting for her. Chloe was a bit slower, she wanted the treats right away, but i see this is a great way for Chloe to learn patience and obedience, a great way for Maria to build her own confidence and connection.
And there is nothing in the least abusive or cruel, there is nothing more fun than to put your head down and get an apple or cookie for it from a person you know and love. This is how the best relationships with animals are often built.
There are a score of “stupid tricks” on Maria’s list. I will hope to chronicle all of them and share them with you.
