Nature is all around us and never so personally connected as our pets. One of the participants in the SWAN Nature Aware project1 mentioned how pets are Nature’s way of keeping that connection with us alive. That is because pets are our constant companions for most of their lives and a big portion of ours. In many ways, they are a part of our family. However, many times, we forget that they are not human while we attribute human characteristics to them. We force them to live according to our narrow interpretation or confines of how we expect them to behave. But they are not human and we can learn much from observing them.
The two most common species as our pets are cats and dogs. Other common species are birds, fishes, and small mammals like rabbits and hamsters. I have been blessed with the company of many cats in my life. I have also been privileged in caring for birds, rabbits, and fishes and learning from them. I have never felt that I was their owner, only their carer and more importantly their friend.
Due to their proximity, it is easy to observe pets and reflect on the observations without needing to actually be still or silent. It does help though to observe them from a distance as then they are not directly influenced by us. As I observe and reflect on their behaviours and interactions, this verse from the Quran in 6:38 continues to resonate.
And there is no moving creature in or on the earth, none that is a fowl flying with its two wings, but they are communities like yours. We neglected not anything in the Book. Again, they will be assembled to their Lord.
Engaging the senses
For this section of the blog, I will concentrate on my observations of cats. Part of the reason is due to them being the most common pet and so most people can relate. The main reason though is that they have taught me so much.
Communication
As I am writing this, my cat Pippin is lying beside me, pressing against my leg, and sleeping. Usually he sleeps downstairs but when I asked him tonight, he told me he wanted to sleep with me. Not so much in words but through his actions and body language. There are cat videos2 out there where cats use buttons with words to communicate with their human companions. But in general, cats have a different way of communication than we do. A flick of the ear or the tail is a form of communication between cats. Like in the short clip below, where Chewie (sitting down) and Anakin were communicating with each other. Chewie was looking to Anakin for reassurance and with a flick of his head, Anakin did.
Or in this one where Anakin was telling Chewie that he’s not bothered nor care if Chewie would attack.
I am ever fascinated by the ability of cats to communicate without words. It reminds me that God has created each of His creations with their own ‘language.’
Tactile Senses
As I have mentioned in my other posts, I am sensitive to touch. I prefer strong pressure to light touches and the cats in my life really delivers. When Anakin and Chewie were alive, I didn’t need a weighted blanket to nap. They were my weighted blankets. Chewie especially loved sleeping in my arms as in the photo below.
I remember my first cat and the game we played. I used to hide under the blanket and she would try to dig in order to ‘rescue’ me. I loved having her full weight above me even though she was almost as heavy as I was. I notice that cats love to share warmth and cuddle together especially if they are from the same litter. Below is the evidence as Merry and Pippin cuddled each other in their sleep. Once again, it reminds me that everyone of us need company – we are not made to be alone.
There is also delight in stroking their soft fur. Of course, every cat is different – some are not as tactile. In my experience, it is usually my female cat companions who are less affectionate than the males. God has made them, just like us, all with different personalities.
Sound
Just as much as I love listening to the bird songs, I love listening to my cats too. Some of them were champion purrers, like Anakin. This link here is the last recording of him purring as he settled himself on my chest. The combination of sound and vibration on my chest was so calming and relaxing. It is also the sound of love and trust.
Cats tend not to vocalise among themselves so it is a privilege that they do so with us. Of all my cats, Chewie was the chatty one. He loved talking to me to the point that I understood what his different sounds meant. It felt good to be able to communicate with him even though we were speaking two different languages. I think that it is a mercy from God that they can understand us better than we understand them. I shudder to think what they actually tell each other about their peculiar non-furry companions. The ones who only speak their own language and do not make the effort to learn cat language.
Sight
Watching my cats is one of the ways I relax because it reminds me of the innocence of childhood. The way they play without a care, living in the present moment. Yet they are alert and agile. Below is a video collage of some of Chewie’s playful adventures in the garden. As long as they feel safe, they are happy to explore.
This is similar to what I have observed with the wildlife. Pippin’s friendship with the wild fox has made the fox feel safe to be near me. In one of our latest encounters, he came up, sniffed, and chewed on my fingers. It was such a privilege.
Reflection
My observations are no different from anyone who ever had cats for companions. There are a lot of cat videos out there capturing their antics. Beyond just observations, it is what we can learn from them and other pets that is important. These past two years, I lost first Chewie, then Anakin, and lastly Merry. Yet for the short time they were in my life, they taught me an important lesson – to know is to love.
Through my interactions and observations of them, I got to know them intimately. Through that knowledge, my love for them grew and that love is reciprocated. Similarly, to know nature is to love it. And ultimately to know God is to love Him. The path of knowing God is through knowing His creations, the natural world. For nature embodies His attributes. My cats love for me and mine for them is a reflection and manifestation of God’s love.
Another important lesson is that everything in creation need to feel safe in order to thrive. I certainly could not keep them from getting hurt or from death, but they felt in secure my home. It spurs me to try to help others, both human and others, feel secure too.
But the most important lesson is that my cats, and all of creation, are gifts from the Most Gracious. They are a manifestation and reminder of His Mercy. Do I then cherish these gifts or take them for granted?
Practice Session
As mentioned in my post, ‘Framing the Project Part 2,’ the following are some of the techniques you can use to build your connection with nature based on the three principles.
- being still
- observe
- reflect
For this session, the second and third principles are more important than the first.
Observe with your senses
Next, choose a sense that you want to practise with first. Once you have become practiced with one sense, add another sense. Continue adding until you are observing with all your senses. These exercises will help you build a lifelong appreciation of an intimate insight nature is giving you.
Sight
Watch your pet’s antics from afar. How do they behave when not influenced by your presence? How do they behave with others of their own species? What about their interactions with other species?
Sound
What do they sound like? What is your reaction to their way of communication? Do you think you are able to understand them?
Reflect
What insights have you learned from your relationship with your pet? What have they taught you?
Through my relationships with the various pets I had, I have learned to accept death. Death is the one constant that none has ever been able to stop. However, death is not just an ending. It also signals a beginning; to make room for another being.
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