More people should be able to communicate with animals. Before people criticise me for being some sort of liberal nutcase I’d like to say that I am not referring to communicating with animals in the English language à la Dr Dolittle. I am referring to communicating in the very many other ways that animals and people can get the message across. If you have travelled a lot and been to countries where you can’t speak the language you will realise that you can still communicate successfully with people through actions, signs, pointing and sounds 😉 It works.
Here is a picture of a robin that has been my companion for about 3 years. He or she comes to my bedroom window, looks up at me and asks for his breakfast. Of course I know he is asking for food because it is written all over his face. He cocks his head to one side so that he can get a good look at me and make eye contact. I can see that he is looking at me. On one occasion he actually deliberately flew into the window pane to make a noise to catch my attention as I worked at my computer.
If you look at this picture you can see that his is looking at me.

In the case of this robin, we are communicating. I regard humans as another animal on the planet, all of which are part of all creation. All are equal at a fundamental level. There are numerous examples of animals of different species forming friendships. I have recently mentioned two (a) orangutan and cat and (b) iguana and cats. If people are more sensitive and empathetic to other animals it is possible to tap into the way they think to a certain extent and this allows us to live more harmoniously with other animals.
I am not boasting about the fact that I am open to a form of communication with a robin. It is not unusual. What I am trying to say is that cat caretaking can be significantly enhanced if the cat owner is aware and alert to all forms of communication from their cat. A lot of the time it comes down to body language and routines. Cats can also vocalize requests, likes and dislikes very successfully.
When you respond to a robin’s request for food on a cold winter’s day when he presents himself to you, cocks his head to one side and looks you in the eye, you are talking to the animals in the style of Dr Dolittle.
It is beautiful that this robin recognizes me and knows that I am friendly and provide food. But I see something in his eyes that tell me it is more than that and I am not being silly or soppy. I feel it is more than just about food.