ANIMALS

by bartermn

   I like animals. From the time I was five and catching frogs at Uncle
Frank's pond to now, 35 years later, I've felt a bond with them, as though
we are brothers on this earth. I learned to imitate the whistles, snorts
and moos from Dad, who could call a grey squirrel down from a tree or a
woodchuck from it's hole.
   Some folks don't feel the same. When Gin's city friends came to visit
they got a kick out of the turkey, saying, "Oh, what a beautiful bird,
look at all the colors in his feathers." Tom strutted over, his red head
turning blue. I knew he was about to become a nuisance, butt someone with
a puffed out chest, wrap a big wing around someone's leg, or even stomp on
some toes. He proved me right again. I also know that he won't really
hurt anybody but our guests didn't. One of them jumped onto the hood of the
car. I held back a grin and guided Tom back towards the barnyard.
   We sometimes give the proverbial nickle-tour to these friends, a walk
to the barn and back. One morning we stopped at the garden and I was
pointing out the various herbs to Gin's co-worker when the lady's face
turned blue. A small garden snake was sunning itself next to a patch of
bee balm. I thought she was going to faint, (or puff out her chest and
wrap a wing around me). She spun around, looking for the gate, I walked
over to the snake and it slid under the mint.
   I tried to explain that the snake was a natural method of pest control
and along with toads and praying mantis' helped us to keep from using
chemical pesticides. She just wanted out, she didn't want a lecture.
   At the barn, the favorite critters are the rabbits. Everyone wants to
pick one up to hold. I will sometimes let an adult find out for
him/herself that these cute, cuddly bunnies can kick like a mule and have
sharp claws on those furry little feet. If a child wants to hold one, I'll
pick one of the more gentle rabbits and show how to carry it correctly. No
need to make a youngster afraid of animals. I try to teach them to respect
them though. If a kid sees his father get kicked and scratched by such an
innocent creature it will leave a lasting impression.
   Remember your first experience with baby chicks? Probably in elementary
school when the teacher hatched some in an incubator for the class. You
stood in awe for a while, then slowly stuck out your finger to one. Soon,
you wanted to hold it, maybe the next day wanted your own. Many people
think chickens are dirty, smelly critters with lice and diseases. I keep
the coop white-washed and disinfected. My small flock is turned loose
daily to take dust baths and eat bugs and greens. I think diet and lack
of stress keep them healther. They also make great landscape ornaments,
colorful, moving decorations to catch your eye as they turn the fallen
leaves to mulch.

   Trying to make a large animal like a cow or even a hog go where you
want it to can be tiresome and in some cases, dangerous. I've never been
frightened of them though. Grandpa used to give us rides on his pair of
huge mules, Tom and Jerry. They stood fifteen hands high, when riding
next to my Uncle Marty on his pony I felt like I was truly above it all,
the Lone Ranger with his sidekick. Grandpa would lead my mule to the gate
and if it balked, he knew just what to say to make it walk me slowly
around the pasture.
   Some people think all wild animals should be kept in a zoo or at the
circus. I've had the pleasure of seeing bear, bobcat and coyotes in their
natural surroundings. The chance sightings took my breath away for a moment
but the memories will surely last a lifetime.