It's all about the Eyes!

Some wise human said that eyes are the window of the soul. We dogs have known that for years. One of the best ways to communicate is with your eyes.

Step One: Watch the eyes of the person you are studying. Are they shiny or dull? Do they have life? Stillness? An emotion you can name?

Step Two: What do these eyes focus on? Something here, or something far away, perhaps invisible to other eyes?

Step Three: Can you catch these eyes with your own, and have the person look at you? If you can, be non-threatening. That builds trust. Make your own eyes soft, with a hint of smiling. Soft eyes are always best. You do this by putting love and care behind them. Then it shines through. You don't need to share the same spoken language. Love is a universal language.

Learning: You can learn a lot by looking into the eyes of someone. You don't need words for this at all. In fact, words usually get in the way. Love, openness and awareness help this process immensely.

Sometimes we don't need words!

Our friends at the farm up the road are hosting some Solomon Islanders who have travelled to Australia for World Youth Day. Most of them were having a fun time, laughing and joking and talking with their host family. One of islanders was a young girl who was feeling very lonely. I watched her for a long time. She was quiet and shy and very homesick. You could tell by the way she sat, not joining in, looking down, sad eyes. Everyone else thought she was tired, or maybe ill. I knew that wasn't true. She just needed love and reassurance.

I went and sat near her. Then I got a bit closer, and a bit closer. Finally I was sitting right beside her, so that we were touching. I put my head in her lap and wagged my tail. Then I licked her hand and smiled at her. She put her hand down and patted me, and together we made friends, without having to say any words to each other. Soon she didn't feel so lonely. We could think about each other and have an understanding of each other's emotions. We could establish a non-verbal connection. A connection just based on feelings and touch. Now with a friend at her side the young girl was brave enough look around the room. She could venture a smile at someone, or offer an answer to one of their questions. I stayed near her so she felt safe, and by the time I left to come home she was talking and laughing with the others and I knew she would be alright. Sometimes we don't need words - we just need to be kind and patient and aware, and to radiate love into the world. To be a friend who doesn't speak or judge but who is supportive and who listens with their heart. That's one of the gifts we dogs can share with you - but it's also one you can learn to do for yourselves.

Learning: To be a friend you need to open your heart. Patience has its own rewards, and sometimes words just get in the way. One of the greatest gifts we can give others is just to be present and to listen, and to care. Much can be said in silence.