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Blog Post
The Secret Life of Cows
- by Bernice Hardwick
- •
- 04 Jan, 2019
- •
I was recently recommended to read a book called "The Secret Life of Cows". It was mainly recommended because I usually read in bed before sleeping and it's quite brief, easy to read, with short chapters! However, what an unexpected little charmer it turned out to be. The title is not a joke or a euphemism, it really is about cows, their characters and relationships, written by a farmer who has observed, worked and lived with them for all of her life. And as I recently wrote about the humanising of animals, it came along at an opportune moment, as one of those happy coincidences.
What is particularly interesting is how it debunks many "expert", scientific theories about animals, what they can and can't do or be. For example, the claim that pigs can't swim (yes, I know the book's about cows, but it features other farmyard animals occasionally), yet the author has witnessed it happening - so who is the true expert here?!
There is no doubt in my mind that animals are individuals with different personalities and the ability to relate to each other and humans; I am sure those of you with pets will be quick to agree. It's probably also true that whilst this is the case, their motivations are different and more basic from those of people - warmth, food, protection, safety and so on - but the next time your dog or cat curls up on your lap, I defy you to remain unmoved. Animals have adapted to live amongst humans, so let's remember that and show them a bit more respect, try and see the world from their perspective, be kinder to them.
This book is not a thrilling adventure, it has no real plot or story, it is simply a collection of anecdotes, but it has definitely given me a better understanding of animals in general, and that has to be a good thing.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/1427532.The_Secret_Life_of_Cows
What is particularly interesting is how it debunks many "expert", scientific theories about animals, what they can and can't do or be. For example, the claim that pigs can't swim (yes, I know the book's about cows, but it features other farmyard animals occasionally), yet the author has witnessed it happening - so who is the true expert here?!
There is no doubt in my mind that animals are individuals with different personalities and the ability to relate to each other and humans; I am sure those of you with pets will be quick to agree. It's probably also true that whilst this is the case, their motivations are different and more basic from those of people - warmth, food, protection, safety and so on - but the next time your dog or cat curls up on your lap, I defy you to remain unmoved. Animals have adapted to live amongst humans, so let's remember that and show them a bit more respect, try and see the world from their perspective, be kinder to them.
This book is not a thrilling adventure, it has no real plot or story, it is simply a collection of anecdotes, but it has definitely given me a better understanding of animals in general, and that has to be a good thing.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/1427532.The_Secret_Life_of_Cows