Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships with Dogs Read Free Page B

the
dogs' latest adventures. While sometimes
impressed by my knowledge of animals and their ways, many people
are bemused by my insatiable lust for an ever-deeper,
fuller understanding. For them, it is enough to have a pet, to
"love animals." And they leave our farm with an
incomplete view of our life and of who I am.
I am not an animal lover or a pet owner. I
am, perhaps, an animal husband
in the oldest sense of the word, but it is much more than
even that. These animals are my friends, my partners,
my fellow travelers on life's journey. I do
not "h" animals as I have collections of art or
books. I have relationships with each animal; some
are more intimate than others. I try to listen as
carefully to each animal as I would to any human
friend.
    To be sure, tending to the needs of so many creatures
gives shape and rhythm to my life and to my
husband's. Our plans and goals are often delayed
or altered in response to crises as simple as
an unexpected puddle on the floor or as
complicated as caring for a critically ill or dying
animal. There are times when we chafe, individually
and together, against the constraints of a life with so many
animals in our care. But the immediate and undeniable
reality of the animal world grounds us in ways we cannot
fully articulate though we can feel it working its
peaceful magic deep within our hearts and minds.
Fortunately, my husband understands that he did not
marry an "animal lover" but someone who travels
daily in the company of animals, forever trying to be
open to the places they may take me, to the sights and
sounds I might have missed were it not for them.
To travel in the company of animals is to walk with
angels, guides, guardians, jesters, shadows and
mirrors. I cannot imagine how it is to travel
bereft of such excellent companions. In my
journey, seeking to know animals more fully, wandering
in their foreign lands, struggling for fluency in these other
tongues, I found much more than just the animals
themselves. As all travelers do, no matter how far
they may go, no matter how exotic the terrain or
bizarre the culture, I discovered myself.
The thirst for a deeper understanding of animals and the
desire for relationships with them is not unique to me.
    Everywhere I go, I find others who are
equally passionate about animals, who want to know
more. With great joy, I have made it my life's work
to help others better understand the dogs with whom they
share their lives, and to help them explore new
depths in their relationships with animals. This is not
a onesided process of simply explaining the
beautiful nuances of canine communications or the
structures and protocol of canine culture. It
is important to understand how and why our dogs behave
the way they do and to open ourselves to a different
perspective on the world: the dog's perspective of life, love and
relationships. This book offers the reader the knowledge that is
necessary to more fully appreciate these gentle
predators who share our beds, and with this knowledge comes new
insights and greater awareness.
But more than that is needed. Relationships-if they are
to achieve the depth and intimacy that makes our souls
sing-are built on far more than good information about how and
why others act as they do. As with any relationship, a
fuller understanding of ourselves and what we bring to the table
is necessary. Of all the gifts that animals can offer,
perhaps the greatest is this opportunity to delve deep
inside ourselves. Without judgment or timetables,
with patience and an amazing capacity for forgiveness,
animals are the ideal guides through our inner
landscapes. In moments of glorious agreement as
well as moments of frustrated disconnection, our
relationships with our dogs serve us well, gently
nudging us to a greater understanding of the dynamics of two
beings in willing partnership and to new insights into who
we are. Once we begin the journey toward