What We Learn From Animals

Usually we humans think of ourselves as different from animals. In our eyes, it’s up to us to teach them things… but in reality, it’s just the opposite!

The lessons that can be learned by observing our animals, of any species, are generally very valuable.

Maybe you have a dog or a cat in your house; in this case, it will be easier for you to understand all the things that animals can teach you.

Indeed,  the animal kingdom hides many learnings. You want to know more ? Then read the rest of this article where cows, hamsters, geese and salmon among others are in the spotlight!

The company of dogs

Humans can learn great lessons from the attitudes and other ways of living in dogs on a daily basis; they are the “pets” par excellence.

First of all, dogs teach us about loyalty and companionship. They never separate from their masters.

A dog has a single master that he follows everywhere at all costs, even if the master in question is not interested in him.

You have surely already noticed this when you returned home; your best friend was waiting for you there behind the door wagging his tail.

If you decide to take a dog, then you will never be alone again. Your dog will always be available for you; it doesn’t matter how tired you are, or what time it may be.

If you spend part of the night studying or working, he will always be there with you. If you are sick, he will stay by your side. If you watch TV, he will lie down at your feet.

In addition, dogs have the ability to understand what a person is feeling without even having to say a word.

So the next time someone you love is feeling down, tired, or overwhelmed, offer them your company, just as your dog would with you. Maybe that is the support this person really needs …

The wisdom of geese

If you need the motivation to work as a team, then consider the flight system of geese, which move in flocks to get to their destinations.

To begin with, the geese fly in a “V” shape; thus, the resistance to the wind is less, and they have less effort to make to go further.

When a goose withdraws from training, it immediately returns to the group, as it realizes that it cannot fly on its own.

The goose that flies forward is the one who gets tired the most, because it is she who receives the wind in her face and who is responsible for guiding the rest of the group.

As soon as she no longer has enough strength to continue, she goes to last position, and the second goose takes her place. No goose questions this system; all are content quite simply to follow the established order.

Geese flying in the back make sounds meant to encourage those in the front of the formation.

If one of them falls ill or is injured, two of her companions will then take care of leading her to a safe place, and will not return to fly within the group until the sick or injured goose has recovered, or die.

Thanks to geese, we realize the importance of the role played by our loved ones in our life; whether it is our family, our friends or our co-workers.

A strong network of loved ones allows us to move forward as a group, and with leaps and bounds.

The overtaking of cows

Often your brain will tell you “stop” when you want to learn or read something.

However, if you manage to overcome this initial obstacle and acquire new knowledge, then you are overcome by a magnificent sensation which scientists call the “reward system”; we savor the newly obtained success.

It has been proven that cows are emotional when they experience success; if they improve a task or accomplish new things, their heart rate increases, and their movements are faster.

It is as if, once they have come to the end of a difficult task, they say to themselves “Eureka, I did it!”.

So, let’s take a cows example, and be moved by our successes.

Victory is a tough battle, and when we come to the end of the road, we deserve to celebrate this accomplishment, and to recognize our effort.

Friendship of sheep and dolphins

If you think the relationship you have with your best friend is the strongest and longest lasting in the world… it’s because you don’t know friendship in sheep and dolphins!

Dolphins and Riders have a great sense of friendship, and they continually demonstrate it. They are even willing to suffer or die for a friend.

On a daily basis, they do not let those who are tired or injured work; instead, they feed them, and protect them from predators as well as dangers.

In sheep and dolphins, some friendships last for years and years. Cetaceans give us a great lesson in friendship (it is not for nothing that the dolphin symbolizes true friendship).

On the other hand, when summer comes, hunchback whales get together with friends! Did you know ?

Altruism in chimpanzees

Surely you remember the famous and incredible story of Tarzan , that baby who was saved by a monkey who found him in a cradle after his parents were murdered in the jungle.

Beyond fiction, what is certain is that primates have a great altruistic capacity; in other words, they give, regardless of what they give or who they give it to.

For example, they can come to the aid of a companion paralyzed with fear, raise a baby whose mother has died, stand by the injured, or even have compassion for those who are suffering or who are about to die.

Some advice animals could give us

Finally, read these few tips that animals could certainly give us (if you understood their language, or if they could speak ours) and which would help you to mature, both personally and socially:

• “Don’t throw in the towel too quickly” (the salmon)
• “Daily exercise” (the hamster)
• “Take more naps” (the cat)
• “Work hard” (the ant)
• “Do not judge, and do not differentiate” (the dog)
• “Take care of your children until they can fend for themselves” (the bird)