“I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.”
― Albert Einstein
Some basic rules for healthy relationships, good or even decent communication and peaceful coexistence, apply both to humans and animals. Somehow the core of the "code"of both kingdoms is the same.
However since us, humans are more complicated as we use logic, emotion and more rarely instinct, it becomes more difficult to find the key to balance. All kind of fake reactions and actions disorientate us. We lie to one another to become more loved and liked and that makes things between us more complicated. In the animal world though things are more straightforward. Animals do know instinctually the code and those who follow it, survive.
You may find it weird but my dog "taught" me or showed me more clearly what is important in all kind of relationships. RESPECT. This word sums up mostly everything. RESPECT includes trust, boundaries and limitations. Only by respecting someone you can create an honest relationship with him. Respect is also much appreciated by everyone. Even more than love. Besides, how can you love someone without respecting him?
For me respect is like a tacit social obligatory rule because it addresses one basic human need; feeling safe. If we all learned to respect one another, the world would be a better place...
