[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by tdogg

At the risk of going off topic, I actually can understand some of what the animals say. They don't speak in human language, but their is slightly understandable if one takes the time to 'connect' with them. This isn't limited to my pets, but more apt to happen with them.


I am not surprised. I would expect you to have an empathic connection with animals. Hubby is like that, too. He 'reads' their communication signals very well. Heck -- animals are always approaching him. Animals, and little children, just love him and are always gravitating.

For most people, I believe 'reading' the communications from animals is not so much something they invest in. Pet-owners and sometimes others have a talent for it, and when I had a dog, I recognized the difference in sound between his "I want water" bark, his "I want a walk" bark, and his "There is a stranger at the door" bark. But on the whole, it seems animals are more apt to understand what we are saying to them, than the other way around.

Regarding Rick's donkey comment, it occurred to me yesterday that there's a way of defending the literal interpretation of that donkey episode. Just claim that the person the donkey was talking to was gifted by God with the ability to understand the braying of donkeys.



The Haggard story is sad. Because other lives were affected. Mainly because Haggard's religious beliefs are the cause for his misery, and that of so many other people. When folks concentrate on the ugly, scary, hateful parts of religion made up by humans, they forget the beautiful, loving and kind parts fueled by love for God and all living things. I feel sorry for this man and the others he hurt. I hope he finds peace with who he is, instead of continuing to hurt others and spread this kind of misery.

Well, maybe I feel a bit sad for Haggard. It's complicated by the fact that he has engaged in actions which harm many other people, and whatever feeling I had has been greatly diluted by his behavior of lapping up media attention. That's a turn-off. The more he keeps that up, the harder an internal U-turn is going to be, because he's putting bricks in his wall.