Making “them” understand

If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?

I don’t have a pet. When I was growing up we had cats. One little one was very smart. My grandma used to let him out. But he would come and meow near the window she was sitting to let him in every night. Till day I never considered him an animal. He was part of our family. After his passing we never had pets.

Our interaction with pets now are in the form of puzzle.

That said, the prompt is interesting. It is easy to train pets. But making fellow humans understand things is the hard part. Oh it would be great they are made to understand empathy. That is lagging big time. There is a big difference between sympathy and empathy. As a mom with an adult son I just want empathy and not sympathy. Ha ha, I write about it a lot. Maybe one day it will reach all.

As promised a food picture. Cold days demand hot spicy food. Yesterday special was potato roast with coriander (cilantro), onion and mango chutney. The rice is brown suggested bt my bestie. It is called hand pound rice. Eating that requires an acquired taste and also requires great side dishes. It can be called a rice for people dieting. Yup, you do not have the inclination to go for a second serving 😃🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️!

11 responses to “Making “them” understand”

  1. That soulful look in a pet’s eyes says more than words ever could. They really are smarter than we give them credit for!”

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  2. I love potatoes and that green chutney looks smashing. Brown rice is good for health and high on fibre but doesn’t soften easily.

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    1. Supposed to be complex carbs and better than white rice. It is hard to cook!

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  3. Your meal looks very hearty and delicious, Ganga! I bet your metaphorical pet would understand how delicious it was!

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    1. And of course it was healthy 😃😃!

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  4. What a beautiful reflection. It’s clear that your little cat wasn’t just a pet—he was family, a companion whose memory still warms your heart. That connection you describe, where an animal transcends being “just an animal,” is something only those who’ve loved a pet truly understand.

    And your point is so powerful: if we could make our pets understand one thing, perhaps it should be empathy—not for them, but for us humans to learn from them. Pets often model unconditional presence and non-judgmental companionship better than people do. It’s moving to hear you, as a mom, emphasize empathy over sympathy—wanting to be felt with, not felt for. That distinction is everything, and your writing about it matters. It does reach people, one heart at a time.

    Now, about that food—I could almost smell the spices through your words! Potato roast with fresh coriander and mango chutney sounds like a hug in a bowl, especially on a cold day. And hand-pounded brown rice is such a lovely, wholesome choice—the kind of food that nourishes deeply and makes you appreciate every bite, especially with bold, flavorful sides. It’s true what they say: sometimes the simplest meals, made with care and shared thoughtfully, are the most satisfying. Thank you for serving us this wonderful story and a side of delicious warmth. 🥔🌶️🍚

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