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Political Watch Team |
Nature As Our Teacher and The Wonder of Animals
"I’m really interested in the idea of nature as our teacher. I love how animals teach us. They can sense when you’re genuine or not. We can learn to communicate non-verbally with them. They can sense who you are by our presence."
"He had always been really uneasy around cats. When we visited people’s houses and their cats would rub against him, he’d ease away, unsure of what to do! He gave in when we had an infestation of mice." "It took J.R. a day to settle in with Wellie. I went out on the day after we brought Wellie from the cat adoption home. When I returned Wellie was howling and J.R. was crying. Poor Wellie was so ill and J.R. was distraught. We had to rush him to the vet. We didn’t know if he’d live or not, his stomach was totally infested with worms. We had to starve him, worm him, and then nurse and feed him chicken broth. J.R. was beside himself - he had fallen head over heels in love!"
"The sheep came because I wanted the orchard to be mowed. I’m very fond of them. Socks came already named.
"It has been an absolute pain keeping the heron away from the fish. Now I’ve built a barricade and he will never get to them again. It’s been a challenge and worth it to sit by the pond in the summer and feed and watch the fish. "We have just brought into the flock a trio of guinea fowl - a cock and two hens. I love them! They are gorgeous and have fitted in with the hens great." "Next for our growing family is a miniature donkey or two, I hope. Also, we are currently enclosing the wild pond in the orchard – where the two geese currently live along with the visiting wild Mallard ducks and family of wild Moorhens. The pond will be fox-proofed with electric wiring and then I will have some indigenous water ducks and geese to home there. A neighbour breeds them and I have already got my eye on some pairs of fantastic looking diving ducks!" "Please feel welcome if you are in the area to contact me and stop in for a visit and a cup of tea: jbw@worsleys.com or 07810 508815. Next door is a twelfth-century Church, also well-worth visiting."
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10/23/2007 – by Gabriella Doran: When I go up to Leamington Spa for consultation days, I love it when there is the opportunity to visit Judy at home with her beloved animals. Since many of our MAP™ members don’t have this opportunity, I’ve put together the following photos and stories from Judy about what living close to nature and her animals means to her.
"We have to learn to accept that nature has got its own order. Birds eat worms, birds eat other birds, and so on. Everybody has their predator. We use phrases like ‘the pecking order,’ ‘strutting our stuff,’ ‘ruffled feathers;’ all these are observations of how chickens interact with each other. Animals need time and space to sort out their natural hierarchy. We shouldn’t interfere. When everybody knows who’s who, they settle down into a respectful and peaceful co-existence. I learn so much about patience, allowing nature to express the natural hierarchy and order of things and that there is indeed a place for a natural pecking order, for peaceful living in relationship and in community. One need only peek inside the hen house, otherwise known as ‘Buckinghen Palace’ at night when all ‘The Girls’ - as J.R. called them - are tucked up, cuddled up with each other and with Beau the cockerel, to feel the shared warmth, peace and understanding."
"J.R. was uncertain about what living in the country would be like, but he had a wonderful willingness to give it a go. When we moved in to Church Hill Farm, every day he’d say ‘Jude, I am so happy we came here; it is so wonderful being here in the country.’ He loved being close to nature. He had zero prior experience with animals and through sheer trust and faith in me he was willing to give it a go. He was uneasy, through sheer lack of familiarity, about having a pet. Anyone who ever saw him with Wellington Worsley, our beloved cat Wellie, witnessed J.R.'s adoration for him. J.R. was so very grateful to me for introducing him to animals and to rural living. We adored starting each day with gratitude for our closeness to nature and most evenings would walk the grounds and surrounding land hand in hand, having a quiet and appreciative look at it all, always with our beloved boy Wellie leaping along with us."
"Wellie always followed us around. If we went to our neighbours, he followed us. Once we were there for a barbecue. We were sitting in the garden, and I heard Wellie’s bell. I looked up. There he was in their bedroom looking down on us! When we went next door for drinks, he sat on the window ledge howling until he was allowed in. Our dear Wellie taught us so much about simple and adoring love and continues to be a best companion to me. He reads me better than I read myself, will show up for a play or cuddle or merely sit quietly with me - in tune with me at the deepest level."
"We’ve had chickens for 7 years. There’s still one original, called Henny-Penny. She’s very old for a hen. I got Beau the rooster two years ago. He was a birthday present from a neighbour."
"The geese, Gordon and Gladys, are so territorial it’s unbelievable. I was given them by my neighbour Ros, who didn’t want them because they were bothering her dog. You can’t turn your back on them, or you’ll get bitten."
"The llamas have always been here, since just after we moved in. They belong to Ros. I gave Cinders her name: as a baby she rolled in the embers of our bonfire and singed her hair. She was born almost blind. She is very affectionate and adores being stroked and hugged. The llamas teach me about gentle living. They are quiet, poised and so inquisitive. It is really amusing to be gardening and look up to see 17 llama heads quietly staring at you over the garden fence!"
She was bottle-fed and friendly. I named the other two Shoe and Slipper. The black sheep came later and is called Stocking. (Photo: Stocking) They have turned out to be far more than mere “lawn mowers”. They model simple living and quiet and peaceful co-existence. I love to sit in the orchard with them and watch them grazing. It is so peaceful. Over time they have honoured me with their trust and coming to me to be hand-fed. It is so touching to win an animal over to trust you."
"The goats are extremely expensive pets to buy and to keep and are worth every penny for the sheer fun and adorable presence they provide. When I appear to feed or play with them, the sheer delight they show when they see me – leaping about and shrieking with joy - is worth a fortune!"
J.R. and I would always end our summer walks with a quiet sit by this pond. I might fetch us a glass of wine each and with Wellie always sitting with us, J.R. and I would review our day – what we found challenging, what we learned and always what we appreciated – especially about being with each other."