{"id":2140,"date":"2025-04-10T07:06:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T06:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niekbrouw.nl\/literature-audio\/on-living-with-pets\/"},"modified":"2025-04-14T08:06:57","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T07:06:57","slug":"on-living-with-pets","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/niekbrouw.nl\/en\/literature-audio\/on-living-with-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"On Living With Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Relationship Between People and Animals in Freedom and in Health<\/em><\/h3>\n

For thousands of years, humans and animals have lived together for many purposes. As our society and consciousness evolve, we continue to share limited common resources \u2014 space, time, and our natural energy. The meaning of having an animal differs from person to person, culturally and individually. In Western cultures, animals are increasingly seen as essential to life satisfaction and relationship.<\/p>\n

When we live with animals by choice, it’s usually to fulfill a certain satisfaction \u2014 conscious or subconscious. Sometimes it\u2019s emotional: it just feels good to have a soulful dog nearby. Sometimes it\u2019s spirited: we want to share adventure and movement. Other times, it satisfies our form: we feel more complete with an animal that looks or acts a certain way. When our relationship includes all these dimensions \u2014 emotion, spirit, and form \u2014 both we and our animals grow. We enhance our experience as human animals on Earth.<\/p>\n

As society has modernized, we’ve become consumed with knowledge and technology. In the process, we’ve drifted from our own nature. While our animals are influenced by us, they tend to remain more connected to their instincts. They adapt \u2014 sometimes out of necessity, and sometimes in unhealthy ways. We are often more powerful than they are; it is our world. And unfortunately, we may suppress them physically, emotionally, and spiritually.<\/p>\n

Our relationships with animals may become limited to play and exercise (spirit), obedience and behavior (mind\/form), or feelings alone (emotion). But when we embrace their individuality, we can learn deeply about them \u2014 and about ourselves.<\/p>\n

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Understanding Animal Nature<\/strong><\/h3>\n

All animals have different natural inclinations. Dogs and horses are eager to learn \u2014 or can be forced to. Cats are different. They love people, but they rarely suppress their nature for them. Cats are deeply emotional and less likely to adapt unnaturally. Dogs, more rule-bound, often suppress their emotions to meet expectations. Horses often live in isolation, serving human purposes, and rarely experience natural movement or choice.<\/p>\n

A natural, healthy relationship comes from development that respects emotional and physical needs \u2014 safety, nourishment, connection. Yet in modern society, animals are often abandoned, removed too early from mothers, or neglected \u2014 leading to insecurity and unstable behavior.<\/p>\n

We, too, carry developmental disruptions. So sometimes, the bond between human and animal can be healing \u2014 or it can be a painful collision. But when we meet them in honesty and presence, healing happens on both sides.<\/p>\n

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Emotional Relationship with Animals<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Many behaviorists say animals don\u2019t care what we think<\/em>, but how we feel<\/em>. If we are angry, they become insecure. If we are relaxed, they feel safe. If we are afraid, they feel it too.<\/p>\n

Animals depend on us for healthy survival. Culturally, we are only beginning to grasp what true relationships with animals can reveal \u2014 about them, and about parts of ourselves that only they can reflect.<\/p>\n

In places like Northern California, veterinary medicine has evolved with remarkable advancements: 24-hour care, MRIs, CT scans, and organic food. Yet amidst this progress, something essential can be lost \u2014 the wholeness of the animal, the feeling individual<\/em>. Treating them like machines distances us from their nature, and from our own.<\/p>\n

Despite all our efforts, many animals \u2014 and people \u2014 still lack emotional relationship. We may sense something missing but can’t name it. This can lead to isolation, frustration, and unresolved behavior. Often we adapt to difficult animals and suppress the relationship \u2014 which over time can create resentment.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always felt most fulfilled simply being<\/em> with animals. I don\u2019t need them to do<\/em> anything. My happiest moments are when they’re content. Many of my clients feel the same. The emotions between humans and animals are mostly non-verbal, often beyond words.<\/p>\n

By surrendering our thinking, and being open to pure experience, we connect more deeply with our animals. The result? A more complete bond.<\/p>\n

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Psychomotoric Development<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Early in my career, I was fortunate to study with Niek Brouw of the Netherlands. His work focuses on motor development \u2014 beginning in the womb and continuing after birth \u2014 and how developmental gaps can become the core of emotional or physical issues.<\/p>\n

Applying Brouw\u2019s psychomotoric exercises to animals, I saw improvements in their stability, health, and overall wellbeing. These exercises restore the optimal tension in muscles and joints \u2014 bringing back happiness and functionality.<\/p>\n

We should reflect:<\/p>\n