Gratitude

The author of “The Inner Life of Animals” writes about “gratitude” as an emotion within animals and humans. According to Peter Wohlleben, “The Roman politician and philosopher Cicero considered gratitude to be the greatest of all virtue” and believed that dogs were capable of feeling and expressing gratitude. How does the author of “Inner Life of Animals” represent gratitude in animals? In what ways do you see gratitude, reciprocity, and respect illustrated in the film “Kiss the Ground” by humans and animals?

Peter Wohlleben defines gratitude as “a positive emotion arising from an enjoyable experience caused by someone or something else. In order to be grateful, you need to be able to recognize that someone (or something) has done you a good turn.” Wohlleben represents this definition of gratitude by presenting a few stories of animals who have reciprocated kind gestures that humans have done for them. For example, Gabi, from Seattle, unintentionally started to feed crows at restaurants when she was at the age of four. Eventually, this turned into feeding them on her way to the school bus stop, and eventually feeding them in her own backyard. As a result of giving them food, the crows began to bring her gifts such as broken pieces of glass, screws, pieces of bone, and even broken jewelry. Wohlleben interprets these acts as gratitude toward Gabi for providing them with a source of food.

Another story that Wohlleben shares is about a humpback whale that was caught in a fishing net. Michael Fishbach spent an enormous amount of time cutting this whale free from the fishnet. Without Michael, this whale certainly would have met his maker. In return for setting him free, the humpback whale proceeded to put his best skills on display. Wohlleben discusses that maybe this whale, and perhaps all of the animals in this chapter, are simply just displaying emotions of joy and happiness, but maybe they are showing us gratitude in the only way they know how.

The story that resonates the most with me is about Wohlleben’s dog Barry. I relate to his experience on a personal level because my family and I, too, have been through the having dogs pass away and not wanting any more, but somehow life has a funny way of bringing certain things back into your life. While they were “set” on not getting another dog, they met Barry at the animal shelter parade. In our family, we had our two dogs that I had had throughout my whole childhood (from the time I was 2 to 16) die. My parents were set on not having any more dogs, but you can guess what happened! My dad, much like me, is a dog lover. I had been begging my parents to get another dog, but kept getting shut down. However, when my grandpa was buying a few dogs to donate to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for an auction (they were going to loving homes – that is how we got our first dog, “Rocky”. The man who originally bought him took Drake, Rocky’s name at the time, home to his wife who said absolutely not. So, my grandpa brought Rocky to my parents and asked if they would like to have him – of course they said yes!) Okay, back to my point, is that the dog my dad ended up choosing is my “soulmate” and I have so much love for him. I can only help but think that when I am petting him and he puts his paw on me, he is showing his gratitude for me and for what I do for him.

In the film “Kiss the Ground”, gratitude, reciprocity, and respect were shown through how the livestock and vegetable/plant farmers were caring for their land and animals. They had compassion for each plant and for the earth itself. Each and every one of them emphasized that what they are doing on their farms has a much larger impact on the earth than they could even imagine. Sustainability is important to each one of them, too. Like in the case of the pig farmer, she raises her pigs to go to the butcher, but she still has respect for them and gives them the best life possible.