What ifs, you animals.

“You-hoo. We know you’re stuck in the mud. Being neighborly, we’ve brought chicken! Yes, it’s fried. No, it is so not junk food. We eat it!” (USPD/commons.wikimedia.org)

What if we started treating each other like we treat alligators?

Transferring gator etiquette across species might actually work.

• If you hear them hiss, you’re too close. So backup. Give them room. They’ll calm down.
• See a big smile? Return one with neutral posture until all is known. It’s not all about the biting.
• If they aren’t bothering anything, just leave them alone. You mind your business, and they’ll mind theirs.
• Recognizing limits makes it easier in the long run. Some may sprint as fast as 35 mph, but only for short distances and they soon tire out losing interest in the attack.
• When visiting, show consideration for their way of doing things. Sensible.
• Once you stop expecting them to be just like you, real understanding and appreciation can start.

So, what are the chances?

On the big scale of things, what if people did treat others the way we treat alligators?

Slight concern if gators started adopting human etiquette, though. Snapping at each other would be certain to increase.

They warned me to use the surf board’s ankle leash. Where did it go? Maybe I can say a shark ate it.”(Bryan Beach near Freeport, TX/click2houston.com screenshot)

Why look. Cuba isn’t the only one attempting to improve friendly relations.

An ambassador from the gator lands is sticking his neck out – attempting to crossover towards a more peaceable kingdom – with a show of enjoying recreational opportunities normally reserved for humans.

Now how can people be less willingness to try change after such a courageous demonstration?

Zen thoughts often surface during medicinal beach spa visits.

“Family spots alligator at Bryan Beach in Freeport, TX” (Sedate gator enjoys the surf’s edge on video.)

Cruising along as the salt washes off parasites on his hide. Gators don’t get this big (over 8 feet) being dumb, so he won’t stay long due to heat and too much salt in the Gulf waters.

Locals, familiar with the occasional gator visitor, keep an eye out, and coexist until they wander back to their jobs in the swamp. Vacation time used up by all.

Sharp thinking.

Oh, I know. Yet another gator, but this one’s at the beach. Weird. Just when you though it was safe to go back into the water…

Could have included that recent shark trying bite into a debate with a surfer or thousands of giant jellyfish bringing their social entanglements to Britain.

Or approached with the man shot while defending sea turtle eggs on a Florida beach.(So lazy. They won’t even watch over their own. Sigh.)

Animals, such clowns.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

“Oh, the paparazzi. Even with a tough hide, it’s difficult to cruise along with all of that. It’s vacation. Give me a break, guys! Respect diplomatic immunity.” (click2hoston.com screenshot)

 

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