My wife was feeding peas and corn to Fig the other day. Fig loves corn, but she is not a huge fan of peas. In fact to get her to eat them I have to mince them up, and mix them into rice with a bit of fish or chicken.
Anyway, my wife was offering Fig a corn. And Fig would take it, and say thank you.
Then she was offering her a pea, and Fig would stand there, and shake her head, no thanks.
So this was giving my wife a good laugh.
Then my wife started offering Fig a pea in one hand, and a corn in the other with some distance between, and switching hands.
Of course, Fig was choosing the corn every time, and neglecting the peas.
This scientific method game my wife was engaged in is something that just happens naturally when you live with a Crow. One of the many reasons it is fun to have Fig in our family is because she is such a clear communicator, as in this instance.
Another example, is when Fig does not want to do something. For example, if she does not want to watch TV, she will simply refuse to cuddle. She'll jump to a chair, or my shoulder, or my knee, but she will not agree to come in close for sit still, hug time. I always listen if she expresses for any reason that she is not up for something. It is not a good idea to boss a bird around.
Fig can clearly communicate that she doesn't want, or that she wants, and with pretty exacting specificity. And she can initiate the activity she wants to do, be that a shower together, playing, or cuddling.
Now, our cat will bring a ball, and ask repeatedly to have it tossed. And the cat can ask for food, though not for water. And the cat can initiate intimacy, too, but she doesn't differentiate between talk time, petting, cuddling or a shower (which she would never ask for) with such clarity or success. So there is simply a higher level of communication going on with the Crow than the kitty, and much of that success lies in the fact that the bird is simply more vocal, more engaged through eye contact all of the time, and generally tuned in to communicating constantly. Predators on the other hand spend most of their time lounging, sunbathing, sleeping, and resting up for their next sprint after the cat bowl.
Don't get me wrong. I love our cat equally as much as the Crow, and the cat is well aware of this. This is why the cat gets jealous if I spend time with the Crow. The Crow, however, never seems to get too jealous if I spend time with the cat. She just looks at me quizically, as if to say, You can't be serious?
All animals express a full range of moods, states of mind, states of being, states of energy, and their desires, and needs; we have only to be better listeners, and better communicators. It is very important to make regular time to touch, play, cuddle, talk, relax, and connect with our animals; doing so benefits us as much, if not more, than them. Our relationships with animals are few, and fleeting since we've come indoors, away from nature. It is natural to have relationships, friendships, connections, conversations, interactions with animals. We have forgotten that to a large extent. This is one of the saddest things about modern times, because once we lose that connection, we lose respect, we lose love, and eventually, we will lose the animals, and then most assuredly our very selves.
Anyway, my wife was offering Fig a corn. And Fig would take it, and say thank you.
Then she was offering her a pea, and Fig would stand there, and shake her head, no thanks.
So this was giving my wife a good laugh.
Then my wife started offering Fig a pea in one hand, and a corn in the other with some distance between, and switching hands.
Of course, Fig was choosing the corn every time, and neglecting the peas.
This scientific method game my wife was engaged in is something that just happens naturally when you live with a Crow. One of the many reasons it is fun to have Fig in our family is because she is such a clear communicator, as in this instance.
Another example, is when Fig does not want to do something. For example, if she does not want to watch TV, she will simply refuse to cuddle. She'll jump to a chair, or my shoulder, or my knee, but she will not agree to come in close for sit still, hug time. I always listen if she expresses for any reason that she is not up for something. It is not a good idea to boss a bird around.
Fig can clearly communicate that she doesn't want, or that she wants, and with pretty exacting specificity. And she can initiate the activity she wants to do, be that a shower together, playing, or cuddling.
Now, our cat will bring a ball, and ask repeatedly to have it tossed. And the cat can ask for food, though not for water. And the cat can initiate intimacy, too, but she doesn't differentiate between talk time, petting, cuddling or a shower (which she would never ask for) with such clarity or success. So there is simply a higher level of communication going on with the Crow than the kitty, and much of that success lies in the fact that the bird is simply more vocal, more engaged through eye contact all of the time, and generally tuned in to communicating constantly. Predators on the other hand spend most of their time lounging, sunbathing, sleeping, and resting up for their next sprint after the cat bowl.
Don't get me wrong. I love our cat equally as much as the Crow, and the cat is well aware of this. This is why the cat gets jealous if I spend time with the Crow. The Crow, however, never seems to get too jealous if I spend time with the cat. She just looks at me quizically, as if to say, You can't be serious?
All animals express a full range of moods, states of mind, states of being, states of energy, and their desires, and needs; we have only to be better listeners, and better communicators. It is very important to make regular time to touch, play, cuddle, talk, relax, and connect with our animals; doing so benefits us as much, if not more, than them. Our relationships with animals are few, and fleeting since we've come indoors, away from nature. It is natural to have relationships, friendships, connections, conversations, interactions with animals. We have forgotten that to a large extent. This is one of the saddest things about modern times, because once we lose that connection, we lose respect, we lose love, and eventually, we will lose the animals, and then most assuredly our very selves.
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