Learning From Animals

Part of the reason why we moved to a more rural environment was to give our children the opportunity to have and look after animals. Pearl has always loved birds and for her eighth birthday she was finally allowed to have her own Cockatiel. This has been a great learning experience for her. She has been researching how to care for her bird for quite sometime. Before getting her a bird, she had to make a list of all the things she needed for her bird, as well as what type of food it ate, and write about how to care for it. Now that she has her bird, it has been such a great experience. Her little cockatiel Tori, (which means bird in Japanese) is a very good first pet because he is quite an assertive little creature. So it is easy to understand his needs and wants. He lets you know when he is hungry, wants cuddles, and wants to be left alone. At times it has been a bit disappointing for Pearl, as she has been bitten. But it is good for her to learn that he is not a toy, and he has his own wants and needs. I feel that this is helping her to learn empathy and better understand relationships with other people as well. We have talked about it a few times, and while it is hard, she is learning to be patient, and respect what her little bird is trying to communicate.
Pearl is also now doing riding lessons with our neighbours at the North River Horse and Humanship Centre. At the centre, students, learn how to better understand their horse and as they say, "become a better person for your horse." They teach in a non traditional way, not using bits or stirrups, and using alternative, non forceful methods to get horses to cooperate. Pearl is also learning how to groom and care for horses. She has to carry her own saddle and tack bag, and brush down her horse at the beginning and end of each session. It has been good for her to learn these responsibilities and it has also given her confidence.

She has also been looking after a sick chicken, who she has lovingly named Boba. Boba has had a sniffly nose since we got her. Pearl insisted that we take her to the vet. So she caught Boba and came to the appointment. She did the talking and all of the handling. The vet was very good and even let Pearl listen to Boba's heart beat.

All of these experiences are helping Pearl grow respect and feel responsibility for the natural world. She is learning Kaitiaki, which means guardianship, or stewardship.