Today’s $40 word (there are no more $10 words available; I checked) is anthropomorphism, which means giving human feelings, behavior or characteristics to non-human creatures and things.

In addition to clever photo editing, that’s what’s happening in this image of a dog in sunglasses with a stylish sweater, scarf and sport coat. We see it in children’s literature when animals dress, live and act like humans to entertain or make a point.

Probably little, if any, of this is done with intent to disrespect animals or miseducate young humans. However, it’s all too easy for humans of any age to project a human motivation or emotion onto a companion animal’s behavior. It also misses an opportunity to see something from the animal’s point of view.

My job as an animal communicator is to go into any session with knowledge about the species I’m working with. For example, when I began doing farm work I read up on the health and behavior of pigs and goats. That helped me understand a former house pig with some adjustment issues, and I learned about polioencephalomalacia (sometimes known as goat polio) while working with a rescued, malnourished goat.

Regardless of species or issue, it’s most important to actively listen to what this animal is telling me about his or her world. Learning to blend knowledge, skill and presence this way reminds me very much of my seminary education.

The code of ethics I follow also calls interspecies telepathic communicators to “walk in humility, willing to recognize and clear up our own errors in understanding others’ communication (human and non-human alike).”

That is, until a young rabbit pillages your garden and leaves behind part of his wardrobe as evidence (I see you, Peter Rabbit and friends).

(Image by Taras Yasinski from Pixabay)