Hunkering down with the Ferals
Hunkering down with the Ferals, and what They are teaching me. fe·ral /ˈferəl,ˈfirəl/ adjective (especially of an animal) in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication. "a feral cat" I provide some food and shelter for a family of feral kitties living in the cul-de-sac. This is what I'm observing, and learning: 1. They take turns being sentinals for eachother (protection, sharing). 2. They eat their food delicately, even when they are very hungry (non-dominance, non-greed). 3. They keep eachother warm (sharing heat). 4. They greet eachother by bumping into one another with purpose, shoulder-to-hip, in a side-swipe (recognition, hospitality). 5. The pack is a matriarchy, and she eats first (respect for the mother, for elders). 6. They are more comfortable when I hunker down at their level (equality, meeting them at their level). 7. They have sensitive hearing (vigilance, awareness of surroundings). 8. They like sleeping on leaves (naturally-lea...