Do You Talk to Animals? I Do....
Do you talk to your pet?
I do. I talk to every animal — and I even pretend they talk back.
It might sound silly, but it’s something that comes naturally to me. As a mother, a teacher, and someone who believes in the beauty of all living things, I feel deeply that animals deserve our respect. Whether it’s a kitten, a bird, a bee, or even a curious little frog in my classroom — I greet them, speak kindly, and model care and curiosity.
Yes, I even give some of them names.
A Classroom Visitor: The Little Frog
We’ve been having heavy rains in our area, and now and then, a tiny little frog hops into my classroom. Most people would probably scream or grab a broom. Me? I grab a little empty plastic bottle, gently scoop him up, and carry him to the school pond like a guest who simply took the wrong turn.
Sometimes I give him a name. I’ll say, “Come on, Freddie,” or “Back you go, Prince.” My learners watch, and some giggle, but they also learn something important: every living thing matters, no matter how small.
A Kitten Almost Not Here
The other day, I was watching our kitten playing with the water in the sink — dipping his paws in like it was the most fascinating thing in the world. I suddenly thought, he was almost not here.
One morning while taking the kids to school, we spotted a tiny kitten in the road. A car almost ran him over. My children screamed, and I honked and swerved. I pulled over, jumped out, and ran to him. He ran straight toward me. I picked him up and knew he was ours.
Further down the road, we saw his sibling. Lifeless. Someone had likely dropped them both off. My heart broke.
Now this little one — saved by a moment of luck and love — fills our home with joy.
From Grief to a Gentle New Start
We had lost our beloved Great Dane not long before. After 11 years, it was a deep, quiet grief. We weren’t ready for another dog, but the absence was felt.
When I finally looked into adopting, it was tricky. The local SPCA wasn’t available, and other shelters had no dogs at that moment. It’s great that so many were adopted, but we still felt that emptiness.
Then one day at the vet, I saw a photo of a Yorkie pup. I thought, he’s adorable, probably way out of our budget. A few days later, I saw the same little face on the vet’s WhatsApp status.
I asked about him. He was still available — but too expensive for us, especially with no vaccinations or neutering included. I let it go.
Then a message came through: “Are you still interested?”
I explained we couldn’t afford it. The reply?
"He’s yours. For free."
Turns out, he was the biggest in the litter. No one wanted him. And now? He and our kitten are best friends — wild, playful, and full of life.
Why This Matters in the Classroom
I share these stories with my learners, not just because they’re cute or funny, but because they teach compassion.
Whether it’s a kitten on the road or a frog hopping into class, how we respond teaches our children what kind of people we are. Respect for life doesn’t start with grand gestures. It starts with how we treat the tiniest creatures.
I want my students to see that kindness isn’t something we only offer humans. I want them to feel wonder, to ask questions, to learn responsibility — even if it starts with giving a bee a name or helping a frog find his way back home.
So Yes, I Talk to Animals
And I always will. I talk to animals because I believe in seeing the soul in every living thing. Because sometimes, the best way to teach empathy is by living it out loud.
Do you talk to animals too? I’d love to hear your story!
Drop a comment below or share how you teach compassion in your home or classroom.
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