I always think it's curious when some people say you need to specifically ask for an animal by name, breed, location, and any other personal facts to make sure you are connecting with the right one. I've never done this or even felt the need to do it. But for some reason, today, this came to mind, and so when I initiated my connection with Tiffi the hen, I sort of descended from above and said, "Tiffi the hen from South Africa…" She looked up in the sky at me descending in this way. For a moment, she was frozen – perplexed at what this was and why it was happening. The next moment, however, she realized it was a person and she broke out in a very jolly laugh, such as you might hear from a large middle-aged woman. More like a chortle. "Oh, that's quite a way of making an entrance," she said, still in a jovial, good-natured way. She has a cheerful personality, someone you'd want to spend time with because she is always happy. "Oh, sorry about that, Tiffi," I explained. "I don't normally do that. I was just wondering if you wanted to spend some time today and show me what it feels like to be a hen." She chortled again at this idea and said, "Oh my — be like me? But whatever for?" She was amused. "I guess it would just be a way to better understand you and your life. I could even show you what it feels like to be me if you are interested." "Oh, well THAT would be a hoot, wouldn't it?" It didn't take much convincing. She was in. I began, "Can I just imagine that I am you, see what you see, feeling what you feel?" "Why, I don't see why not?" she said genially. So I tried it. My first impression was: shaky cam! Her head was making so many little movements, that it made me a bit dizzy. So I closed my eyes (or maybe she did to help me) and for a while just felt the other sensations, like spreading her wings, flying a few steps at a time as chickens do, clucking, pecking at the ground. After a while, I realized my eyes were now open again and everything looked clear and the shaky cam was gone, or at least it didn't affect me. I was traveling along with Tiffi through the yard. There were some steps leading up to a house. I could see various buckets and objects around the yard, and could sense other chickens milling about. Although I could feel and see what Tiffi was doing, it was more like I was accompanying her rather than feeling like I was her. I still had to use my imagination to transform my own feet into her feet to try and feel what it was like to walk the ground like she does. In this way, I could also experience her doing something like pecking at grains on the ground and feel how precise she was at zeroing-in on the smallest bit. But it wasn't like I was actually doing it or that I needed to use my own skills to do it. It felt like Tiffi was a little self-conscious walking around the yard with me kind of "with her." I wondered if others would be aware of this experiment. I guess Tiffi was wondering, too, though it didn't feel like others were aware. "Tiffi, shall we finish your tour as separate individuals?" I offered. "Oh," she said in a surprised, but relieved, way. "Well, we could… if you wish." "Sure," I encouraged. Now side by side, she sort of shook herself off, like she would after a dirt bath, and I could tell she felt better about this. She immediately started making clucking and other hen noises, communicating little things to those around her as she walked me through the yard. The plot felt circular the way we were walking it and there was a tree in the middle. Also, lots of light fencing around. Tiffi felt very proud to be walking amongst her friends and family, showing me where she lives. I could feel and see her talking to me almost nonstop, though I couldn't hear exactly what she was saying. It was just sort of a stream of talking, telling me every detail about the place… who lives where, what the cat does when visiting, where the dog goes, where to find the best treats, where she once found a really juicy insect, etc. She was in her element and it felt like someone gossiping over tea. I thought I'd try to ask some specific questions, since the general information she was speaking wasn't really clear to me. "TiffiTiffi, what do you like about living here?" "Oh, it's the community! We are all family. It's quite social," she described. I could feel what she was saying — the close-knit vibe of the yard, how it feels safe, exciting, like a social hall or marketplace with lots of activity and friendly neighbors you say hello to and catch up on the latest news. "Anything you'd want different?" I asked. "Oh? There are options?" she asked quizzically. "I think I'm pretty well set. We've got what we need. Of course, I'm speaking for myself. You'd have to ask the others about their preferences." "Glad to hear you have such a nice life," I said. I thought I'd say goodbye for today, but had the idea to ask about Al, who I talked with last week and was suffering from some losses in his life. "Oh, yes, Al," she said thoughtfully when I brought him up. "Poor chap. It's a pity what he's putting himself through." "Isn't it more like what is happening to him, rather than his fault?" I questioned. "Well, loss is loss and natural," she explained. "But he has gone ahead and lost himself in the process of losing others!" "Doesn't that happen with many, though? Losing those you love can be painful and can easily send you off track," I said. "Yes, I didn't mean to sound callous," she answered. "I'm just saying he knows how it works deep down. And we're all still here for him. He knows that, too. We'll keep supporting him, don't you worry. He's already feeling a wee better." She thought on this for a moment, then gave her trademark chuckle, sweeping away the sadder thoughts and focusing on the good ones. "Life goes on," she said cheerfully. "The sun is out and it's another beautiful day." I just smiled at her as she rejoined her community, chatting away with her "peeps" as she meandered along. It was only after this that I realized I never showed her what it was like to be in my body, so that will have to be another time… Feedback:I must say I was actually so amused at seeing this side of Tiffi. We haven’t had her as long as our other animals so this chat was so uplifting and informative as I got to know her a bit more deeply and understand how she sees her surrounding and other animals around her. I have never thought of her as quite a down to earth/humorous hen. She is so funny in her mannerisms. I couldn’t stop laughing my head off - imagining what you must be feeling when Tiffi showed you things from her perspective (especially with the head movements and pecking). This must of been such a strange perspective and you must of been quite dizzy!!!. You do have a couple of little steps leading down our back foot into the yard. There is a biggish tree in the middle of the garden and we do have watering cans/flower pots and buckets around to pick up the rain water. The “light fencing” is I think where Al is kept. It’s like a soft light green shade cloth cage. I am glad she has noticed him feeling “a wee bit better”....she has a very advanced way of thinking about Al and loss. I am so pleased to know that Al is not alone in his challenges. Your description or image of how you saw our back yard with all the companions is so true and lovely to cherish - that it’s all safe and close-knit.
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