Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
 

Pippa! When we got her, she was the most timid and frightened little thing! And now she swims in the ocean! She's proof to me that with trust and TLC, just about anybody can be rehabilitated. And I mean people, too! :)

I'm good at a few things that I'm really proud of.

To start with, I'm an excellent writer (though I may not show off enough here in casual environments)... but how can I educate you on something as nebulous as writing, especially in a short post?


I think I'll choose ANIMAL LOVING.


I know it sounds strange, but I have a thing for animals. And I always find a way to connect with them. I think the best way I do this is by trying to think like an animal. If we're out walking our dog and I see another walking towards us (with his owner, of course), I won't reach out to pet the dog until I get a read on him.

Is he comfortable with strangers? If he's timid, I'll get down at his level and try and get into his energy field to see if he responds. 

If he sort of does, I tentatively reach out my hand, about half way. This is my invitation for him to smell me, see if I'm friendly, etc. If he still doesn't respond, that's ok! I don't push it. If I have more time, say if its at a friend's house, I'll sit on the floor and ignore the dog, letting him (inevitably) walk by, smell my feet, and get used to me.

Animals read energy. . . just like people do! So why not offer them the chance to respond before just patting them on the head? Would you do that to a total stranger? Especially one that appears shy and socially awkward?

Uh, no.

So, basically, I try to respect animals the same way I do people!

How about you? What are you PROUD OF that you're good at??