Yes, I do this. And yes, I am absolutely shameless about this. Defined, this is saying what one thinks a given animal is thinking. It’s considered to be a derogatory term because it’s lacking in truth. Me, I see the term in a more positive light. I intuit what all my animals are thinking.

My communicative basis is based on what they are telling me through their use of body language. I also “Hear” what they’re all attempting to tell me.

Ruth Bader and Ginsberg with Ketche

The horses: Raudi has opinions, Tyra has a finely honed intellectual curiosity, and Hrimmi thinks things through. They all have wishes, dreams, and aspirations. So the conversations that I have had with them, which are the ones that I’ve written about – they are accurate.

Tyra says she’s up for an adventure, Raudi wants a foal, and Hrimmi really would like to learn to paint.

The dogs: we live with them. Shadow clearly is happiest when she’s spending time with us or running in the woods. Ryder enjoys running in the woods and sleeping. Ryder did, when we first acquired Shadow, say that we should get rid of her. She still finds her to be annoying at times; however, she does consider her to be her trail buddy. Ryder agreed with me that if we hadn’t gotten Shadow that she would be a much lazier dog.

They both agree that we ought not get another dog. There would then be too much competition for our affections.

The goats: I recently renamed Swamp Thing Lilac. She was pleased with this, and yes, I have seen a change in her attitude since giving her a new moniker. She just seems happier. When on vacation, she lost most of her coat, most likely due to stress. The new name combined with her being home has been reassuring.

Both would like to have babies, because as I’ve repeatedly been told, giving birth is what goats do.

As for Sastrugi, aka Sassy. Well, this goat was given the perfect name. She’s happy, but like Hrimmi, would like more training challenges. I’d like to teach them both to pull carts.

The chickens: Ruth, Bader, and Ginsberg, acquired on the day that Ruth Bader Ginsberg died. They are three red, nearly identical chickens, with Ginsberg being the smallest. I tried to determine which one was Ruth, which one was Bader, and which one was Ginsberg. I eventually realized that this was nonsensical. They are inseparable, so they are all of the same name.

All have become rather fond of me and were confused by the slight change in routine when I was gone.

I suspect that those who consider animals to be beasts of burden don’t anthropomorphize. It’s far easier, then, to beat them into submission because there’s then no communicative exchange. It’s just the opposite here.

The animals here, and maybe elsewhere, and me too, communicate using all our senses. The horses, they can even smell it when I’m pissed about their doing something wrong, like barging out the gate.

Had a good ride this evening, back to thinking that I will be able to do the CTR.

Next: 191. 7/13/24: Raudi Speaks