Kids and Pets

I find it amazing how children and animals relate to one another. There is an unspoken relationship that cannot be defined. They just "get" each other and relate accordingly. As I watched my three year old granddaughter and six year old happy mutt romp in a field, I was stunned at how they played. I had always been afraid that this crazy pup would bowl her over with his perpetual enthusiasm and she would be hurt. The child loves to run, the pup loves to run... I wondered if the attempt at co-enjoyment of this shared love could be made. The result was fantastic. The mutt seemed mindful of the child's un-dog like limitations and adapted his behavior to accommodate her. And, interestingly, the child seemed to adopt some dog-like behaviors. The child would suddenly drop to the ground and roll around, pup would circle back and drop to the ground and roll around with her. She loved it! As did he! Then up they would go and run again, she, giggling away, and he, wagging his tail and sticking right by her. So very sweet!!!! Even while walking on the path the child would walk for a great deal of time on all fours, seemingly oblivious to anyone around her. It was not for any kind attention from the humans in attendance- just between child and dog. The ability to remain in the "here and now" is something that most of us adults lose. Kids and animals remain there and have no social inhibitions of any kind. We all need to take a lesson in the pure joy of having fun and letting ourselves go.. even just a little bit.