CAN ANIMALS BE DECEPTIVE?

“ARE ANIMALS ALWAYS HONEST?” she asks. I pause before responding. I want to say yes because I know she is thinking about her dog, and I don’t want to burst any love bubbles. Yet, I’m not sure answering with wishful thinking is fair or accurate. Are other species obligated to be honest with us or each other—when even the most aspiring humans fall short of perfect truthfulness? My query is because of my experience with cats. For example, I would describe our Bubba-ji as crafty, often observing him hide behind the sofa to pounce on his feline roommate. When the presumed play gets too rough and one-sided, I intercede. I swear he looks at me, thinking, What? He started it! Surely his well-practiced pouncing isn’t merely reflexive dominance assertion. Honesty…

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Spirituality & Health (Digital) - 1 Issue, November/December 2024

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