| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| frannie |
Posted - Jul 01 2008 : 08:01:29 AM
nada is the last of the abandoned kitties who came to the farm to call it home. she is an "old lady" now by any standards, the only cat left in what has become known as the great cat masacre here at the farm.
we were suprised that nada the old lady of the group was the kitty who survived, she is not quick, she has always been ostraczed by the other kitties here, often mistreated by them.....
.....when nada was just a little kitten, she had horrible accident that left her disfigured, well, it left her without the lower lip and a constant "grin" a sardonic appearance that made most folks look away from what was once a very cute little black kitten with pale jade green eyes.
of course, the injuries kept her from being able to eat, she had no lip closure whatsoever and whatever went into her mouth would just come back out. so of course i felt the need to intervene. she would be handfed puried food i decided until the injury was healed. it took time and effort and the injuries healed, but nada was not the same kitten, she didnt have the same spunk she once had, and those eyes she would look at me with a pleading look that seemed to say, feed me, feed me.
but of course i was feeding her, and her injuries were healed and i still couldnt understand, why is she still wasting away, she is surely getting enough nourishment?
and then one night in desperation, she was weak and i had just finished feeding her and she began looking at me with those pleading eyes, and i didnt look away....i searched in them for some kind of answer, and then in total desperation i began to plead with the little kitty and cried and cried, "you are such a sweet kitty please dont die, please, you are sooooo sweet and good and ...so pretty ,....
and then a look of recognition or something went across her face.
"yes, i said, you are my sweet pretty little nada, such a good girl"
i cooed to her.
and this is how i learned the first of many lessons from nada, i had been feeding her body but i was treating her differently and i had forgotten all about feeding her soul. her grotesgue physical injuries had made me look away from nadas real beauty the sweet playful beauty that was in her soul.
from that day on, nada began the real healing, and while it is still possible for you to notice that she has a different profile than most cats, she has a real beauty in her soul that comes from knowing the lessons of life and having the wisdom to share those lessons with others. if you really look at another being, i know now that you can see their heart and soul, this is the lesson of nada.
i would love to hear other lessons from farmgirls that they believe they have learned from our animal friends, i believe they have much to teach us if we just...listen.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/) |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| frannie |
Posted - Jul 03 2008 : 9:50:38 PM
thanks tracy, something to think about for sure. i'll keep ya posted on my progress, if i decide to jump in there.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/) |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jul 03 2008 : 3:37:31 PM
When I was in Junior High, I used to help care for the horses used for the "Handi-Riders" program after school. They were WONDERFUL horses! They were so good with the kids. They got lots of attention and it did my heart good just to be around them. My favorite was a little Sorrel mare named "Penny." Those therapy horses are the BEST Frannie!
They are usually horses that are "past their prime" (in other words-- old and pokey!) and are the perfect speed for handicapped children and adults. They are kind and gentle and are not prone to spooking--- that's why they're used in the programs. They are chosen SPECIFICALLY for their "unflapability." They are not "Nervous Nellies" and they certainly don't get upset over much--- if anything at all!!! I think they would be very theraputic for your gandchildren, and for YOU as well! If you spend a little time with them, they might help you get over your fear of horses. Just something to thinkg about. After all, the only way to get over our fear of ANYTHING is to FACE IT HEAD ON!!!! Hugs to you~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| frannie |
Posted - Jul 03 2008 : 08:10:37 AM
rene! thank you so much for you sweet words!
i wish i wasnt afraid of horses cause i love them, they are so beautiful, and at one time i wasnt afraid of them. in my mind i can see myself riding a beautiful horse and having one as a friend. it is right next to my fantasy about being a great dancer.
my fear of horses started when i was about 12 and is related to a particular incident. and well, since i wasnt likely to ever have a horse and didnt come from a family of horse folks, i just never had a chance to work that out.
what i have tried to do is not instill that in any of my children or grandchildren, but honestly if i get around horse as soon as they see me they react in a funny way, so mostly i have just avoided them.
in our area we have a "hippotherapy" place and i have been eager to take the grandkids there, two of them would qualify because it sevices children with some kind of disability or another, but i dont know if i should go with them, or just stay at home when the family goes, i would really like to see the kiddos ride the horses and the fun they would get from it, but i dont want to have the horses reacting to my fear as they usually do when i am around them.
any advice on body language etc that i could use to stop sending these messages out to the horse.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/) |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jul 02 2008 : 7:24:53 PM
Horses are VERY sensitive to body language and human emotions. Fear in a human = fear in a horse. Not a good situation.
That mare was NOT a rescue horse, as far as I know (though her personality reflects some mistreatment in her younger years-- mostly neglect I think) -- my husband traded a truck load of hay for her last March. I think she's more of a mans horse because he never had any problems with her. I, on the other hand, almost lost a piece of my hide because of her!!!
An aggressive horse is a recipe for DISASTER if they are not dealt with INSTANTLY!! All I did was reach over the fence to pet her. (we'd had her a week at that time) I saw her pin her ears (a warning), and I pulled my hand away and started to turn away from her (I was also on the other side of the fence). I never expected her to reach across that fence and grab a mouthful of my sweatshirt!! It scared the HECK out of me-- truth be told-- but I COULD NOT let her get away with it!! I had no choice but to go after HER and give her a good whack-- that's what another HORSE would have done. Had I not, she would have established HERSELF as "herd Queen" and she would have been impossible, maybe even DANGEROUS to deal with. I think that's why her last owners got rid of her after only 3mos. She had a very questionable attitude. Since that incident though, she's been just fine. SHE knows who's boss-- and it AIN'T HER!!!
Two of my other horses WERE rescues-- in one sense or another. I've had my Morgan for almost 18yrs (my 1yr anniversary presant). He was nearly starved to death by his first owner when he was just a baby. We bought him from the guys father, who had taken the horse away from his son and fattened him up. He grew into a well mannered, LOVING, gorgeous horse and my best buddy for all these years. The other Mare we got this past March DID come from a rescue. She has all the physical scars that speak of a hard life, but she's got the SWEETEST, KINDEST personality!
There are so many animals out there that need good homes. If I can take in even ONE of them and give them a better life-- than I'm more than willing. They do so much for ME, it's the least I can do for THEM!
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| ruralfarmgirl |
Posted - Jul 02 2008 : 07:09:05 AM
I dont know if I could have survived my childhood without a pet & a journal....Together they are the best phycologist money can buy.....
I lost my sweet little Abby (schnauser) a couple months ago.. and havent had the heart to find a new one... I do have my Grand-dog living with me while his dad is in the coast guard.. and he is certainly my Son's dog.....which generally keeps me laughing! Thanks Frannie... God made you with a deep, deep "well"....and you are always so refreshing!
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
" Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. Hosea 10:12 |
| frannie |
Posted - Jul 02 2008 : 06:55:35 AM
your right tracy, brave girl to tackle an abused animal that is as big as a horse.
i tend to tackle the smaller animals for rescue.
okay, so i am actually one of those folks who is afraid of horses, and they know it and act accordingly. at least i believe that horses can read if you are afraid of them.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/) |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jul 01 2008 : 4:21:19 PM
Medical Doctors are finding that animals are the best stress relievers for people with certain health conditions. (DUH! Ya think? People who've had pets all their lives could have told them THAT!!!) It's not surprising that your bp went down after cuddling your beloved kitty. After a hard day at work (in a Doctors office!) I would go out and spend some time with my critters. Whatever stress I may have carried home with me was GONE! I could relax and enjoy my evening and get a good nights sleep after my "Pet Therapy" sessions. Now that I'm no longer working, well, I get to enjoy them ALL the time!!!
As for Millie-- well, sounds like she was the classic case of a "dependant" personality. So many people are like that. They cling to things because they are afraid to let go of them. They stay in abusive, unhealthy relationships with others because they fear being alone. Millie probably WANTED to trust in you and Cosmo but was afraid because of the things that she had seen in her life up to that point. So many outside influences shape the personalities and characters of living creatures. It's hard to know all they've been through and each one responds so differently to the affects of those things.
We have a horse that was mistreated at some point in her life. Only she was a BULLY because she's a BIG gal and CAN BE! I think her last owners got rid of her because THEY were afraid of her. She tried to pull a few things when we first got her, but with a bit of correction and a lot of patience and love she's finally come around. She knows that she won't get away with bad behavior, but she also knows that she's not going to be starved, or locked in a stall or beat (though she DID get clobbered when she tried to bite me that ONE time! That butt of hers was a big moving target.. but she hasn't tried to bite me since!) Now if she gets out of line, all I have to do is make a certain sound, or say one word to her and she corrects her attitude right quick! She knows then that she will get a pat and words of praise. And maybe even a COOKIE!!! She's with us for the long haul (she's in her late teens, early 20's), so we're learning to get along well with one another. It takes a lot of love and patience to gain the trust of an animal (OR a person!) that has suffered from mistreatment at the hands of others.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| frannie |
Posted - Jul 01 2008 : 09:56:48 AM
your little mab sounds wonderful and just the right medicine for you. i think when we help them out they are always there for us.
when my middle daughter annie was a little girl, she was fascinated with all things medical. after my heart attack i had to have a blood pressure machine here at the house, and one day i was having palpitations, let me check your blood pressure annie said to me. so she put the cuff on me, and after she took it, one of my kitties jumped up on my lap. i started petting the kitty and after a while, annie said, lets take it again. my blood pressure, pulse, everything had returned to normal, no more palpitations. we tried this little experiment several times over time always with the same results. ....who knows?
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/) |
| electricdunce |
Posted - Jul 01 2008 : 09:44:56 AM
What a sweet kitty. And a smart one too. I have too many kitties, but I take good care of them and they are loved. My daughter's little Siamese, Mab, lives here too. She is a very energetic kitty and always wants to escape to the great outdoors (too dangerous here, fast cars, coyotes, fishers, owls, etc. She was an outdoor kitty at the house my kids grew up in.
One night she escaped and didn't come home, i didn't worry too much because she'd done this before, but the next morning, no Mab. We called and looked everywhere. Later that afternoon Mab came ataggering up the driveway, she had been hit by a car, one eye was completely bloody and she could barely walk. We took her to the vets, she had a broken jaw and her eye was probably not going to last, but after five days at the vet's, hey jaw had been wired, they decided her eye was probably going to be fine. Whe couldn't eat so we got baby food jars of chicken and things like that, She wouldn't eat unless the food was on a finger, but she purred after she managed to eat, and she would only sleep in my bed.
She is a cat who loves to be cuddled and she echoes what you say to her sometimes.. one night when I just couldn't get comfortable , fibromyalgia and arthritis festival symptoms and there was little Mab, sitting on the end of my bed. I picked her up and cuddled her and said in a soft voice oh mabby I can;t get comfortable, I just can't stand it, and she chirruped back at me as if to say, I know. She is just a special little being. I think our animals are our family, they are just such fascinating creatures. I love dogs too, my kitties don't, but I feel blessed to have this little menagerie in my house.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
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| frannie |
Posted - Jul 01 2008 : 09:43:25 AM
wow, tracy, quite a bit to think about! and ponder over.
i do admire the qualities that animals display and some of their interesting and at times quirky behavior.
i miss the "herd" of kitties that we once had here. darn racoons! but i guess they were just being racoons, and well cosmo
 the wonder dog had really retired from the world of guarding, and we just didnt realize it.
anyway, one of our first,hobo kitties was millie, named after the millenium because she showed up onjan.1, 2000.
she was a tiny very fearful kitty who had been dumped out here and she came out of the woods, crying in fear. it never stopped the crying crying crying, and when cosmo, the before mentioned wonder dog came up to sniff her out she cowered and trembled. she was a fear driven animal for sure. i stayed up all night with her, because when i held and pet her, she would be quiet and just cower and tremble, and dh pointed out to me that he really needed some sleep.
the really weird thing i learned from millie was that although she was so afraid of cosmo, she was also drawn to her. she was so starved for attention and affection and so driven by fear that she couldnt seem to stay away from cosmo, even though she seemed so afraid of her, trembling and cowering the whole time. it made me wonder,what coping skill is at work here?why would an animal be drawn to something it so feared and somehow knew would be able to hurt her, and yet couldnt seem to fight the urge to be around the one thing she feared the most.
i thought about this for days, and tried to come up with some sort of explanation. do humans do this? i also wondered.
well, yes, i decided. isnt this alot like the addict who knows th destruction it can cause but is somehow so driven to it anyway?
so i wondered, are addictions driven by fear, and the need to have contact, any kind of contact that might feel better than fear and isolation? wasnt that what i was seeing with little millie?
that she would rather be with the thing she feared most than to be alone again in the woods with all the fears there.
i still dont have the answers, just so many questions, and wonder if you have any thoughts on little millie.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/) |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jul 01 2008 : 09:00:44 AM
Oh, where to begin Frannie! I know one thing is certain-- My aniamls have taught me PATIENCE!!! It seems they are good for a VERY long time, then one day, TOTAL CHAOS!!! It's so well synchronized that it HAD To be PLANNED!!! (Ever seen the movie "Chicken Run?" Oh that is SOOO my critters! And not JUST the chickens!)
They have taught me perserverance and patience --- Like with Nada, I have had a few illnesses and injuries that have required extensive, long term care. Without it, there was no chance of a full recovery (which I'm happy to say we have ACHIEVED!!!)
They have taught me compassion-- no one wants to see one of Gods creatures suffer! And no one wants to see someone rejected and humiliated, mistreated and unloved. I have a few critters here who did not come from the best circumstances, but have thrived with love and attention-- and good FOOD!! (it's the same with people too though! I help others whenever, and HOWEVER I can-- though I know who REALLY is in need, and who's just looking for that free ride or a hand out. Those people really DON'T get my sympathy or compassion, but I still treat them with kindness.)
They have taught me to enjoy the "Little" things in life-- which in the long run turn out to be the BIG things-- those warm little memories, just a single moment in time, a brief glimplse at something special-- that bring a smile to my lips-- or even a GIGGLE!!! So many things pass away, people and pets that we love, friendships that just drift away with time, precious momentos that are lost or broken-- but those memories stay with us our entire lives and no one can take them away from us.
So many things can be learned by those around us. Not just from the animals, but with them is where it REALLY starts. They teach us to not be so selfish, or in such a rush all the time that we miss out on so many things. They teach us to stop and appreciate the small blessings that God has given us. They enjoy life and make the most of it. They are never in a hurry. They take a nap at the drop of a hat and can sleep ANYWHERE (like my sister! LOL). They ENJOY their food-- and if they get greedy and inhale it-- they throw up! (how many of us need to learn THAT lesson? LOL!) They create bonds of friendship that last a lifetime-- however long that lifetime lasts. They take pleasure in giving love to others and they are forever faithful, no matter WHAT cards life deals them.
I think we can all say that we DO know at least ONE PERSON like that. (and it is the kind of Person I strive to be--- sound familiar anyone?) If more of us would take life's lessons from the animals, how much more wonderful would this world be? (yes, I know, they DO eat each other on occasion, but hey, that's why WE have the bigger brains! LOL!!) Blessings, love and joy to all you ladies-- from Me.....AND the animals! ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| frannie |
Posted - Jul 01 2008 : 08:33:29 AM
hi, jonni, your words mean so much to me. thanks, you my farmgirl friend are wise beyond your years, you young old soul you!
anyway, good to hear from you and i am having a better day, thanks to jus"s sweet music. trying to heal from my own mouth ordeal.(2 abcessed teeth, boohoo for me). please let jus know his words are good medicine for me and helping me fill the farm with some good healing vibes.
hugs
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/) |
| frannie |
Posted - Jul 01 2008 : 08:24:52 AM
thanks for responding. i have had this story of nada in my head for a long time, and have told folks about it, but today i went out on the sleeping porch and she opened her eyes and i was just filled with the need to really share it.
then i realized this is the perfect place to do this, cause i just knew there would be other farmgirls here who listen to their animals, which as you know is quite different than talking to them.
...and yes tracy, i too think that animals can teach us about people as well.
later, i will share with you about a little kitty who taught me alot about addictive behaviour. it was very fascinating to watch.
but please, tell me more about your thoughts on what animals have to teach us.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/) |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Jul 01 2008 : 08:20:33 AM
Oh, Frannie...you are a wise one, indeed. I truly am humbled each and every time I read your words. Little Nada...she has tought you well, and the lessons that our animal families teach us are long reaching. I will never be without, and tend to choose those souls like Nada...I'm so glad that you have this lovely girl to guide you, Frannie :)
Thank you for posting this...made my day.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jul 01 2008 : 08:16:31 AM
Oh Frannie-- how touching. Yes, I "Listen" to my animals every single time I'm with them. They DO "Speak" to us in ways that we can understand if we REALLY listen. I know when they are hungry, I know when they are sad, I know when they just need to be with me, to have me pet them, and talk to them and just be near them. I think, that being so in tune with the animals around us, we learn how to deal with other people as well. The animals have taught me, like Nada has taught YOU, to look inside the soul and see the person for who they REALLY are, not just what they look or act like on the surface.
I have become so sensitive to others around me (both 2 legged AND 4), that I can actually FEEL their moods, their hurts and their frustrations, their joy, and all the other emotions that go along with being one of Gods living creatures. It helps me to deal kindly with them, and, if necessary, to put them in their proper place. Some people never tell us when they are hurting, some people never speak when they are angry, but if we just pay attention to humans like we do to the animals, then we will learn so much about them. Thank you for sharing the story of your beautiful Nada. It makes my heart so happy to know that there are others who ALSO believe that the animals around us have SO MUCH to teach us!!! If we just LISTEN!! HUGS to you and Nada ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Jul 01 2008 : 08:16:01 AM
aww such a darling sweet kitty..thanks for sharing the story Frannie.Nada is a wise one for sure.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
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