Lessons some of our political leaders can learn from animals

Dogs and cats can get along despite their differences. That should be a lesson for our political leaders. (Nataba/iStock Images)

We face a new year with the likelihood that the same divisive and hate-filled words and actions will intrude and dominate much of the public square. Some political leaders observing and adopting behavior from the lesser-civilized among us will prove useful.

Little else seems to be working.

We have all heard the saying, “They fight like cats and dogs.” But, all cats and dogs do not fight each other. Many, if not most, get along just fine.

Actually, our cat takes naps on our dog’s face. However, that has not always been the case. One of our previous dogs found great pleasure in chasing and terrorizing one of our cats. So clearly, it all depends.

It depends on what?

One could speculate that maybe our current dog and cat get along because they grew up together and shared their kitty and puppy days. That is partly the case. But, the dog has also been accepting older adopted cats that were complete strangers with different temperaments. There is no fighting, no chasing. They all get along.

Lesson one: Cats and dogs couldn’t naturally look or behave more differently, and yet whether they grew up together or met as strangers, they still respect each other, live peaceably under the same roof, and often do things together.

There are lessons that members of the Missouri General Assembly can take from that as they convene their 2026 legislative session this week. Members of Congress can do the same.

Respect and getting along are not just common among cats and dogs, but also among other lowly creatures in the animal kingdom.

We have a neighbor who loves animals, especially horses. On any given day when we pass by her farmhouse, it is not uncommon to see horses (large and miniature), donkeys, mules, sheep, goats, even peacocks, turkeys, and chickens of various breeds — all grazing and scratching alongside each other. 

We have yet to witness a fight or scuffle among any of them during nearly two decades we have been neighbors. While we know they might occur, it is not a common occurrence.

One could easily dismiss this example by saying, oh your neighbor operates a petting zoo, or she carefully picks docile animals. She does not. 

There is another likely explanation. She loves animals. She shows it in her actions, her tone, her body language and how she cares for and communicates with them. The animals see and feel her love, and they behave toward her and each other accordingly. 

Lesson two: These animals are different in every way imaginable — unlike us humans who are 99.99% the same — yet they co-exist, they get along. There are many reasons why they do. We can imagine.

Lesson three: First and foremost, our neighbor — the leader in this case — creates the space, sets the tone with the way she treats and communicates with that very diverse animal population.

Do you suppose there are any hints, lessons our political leaders can glean and put into practice?

Examples abound.

Several miles down the road while riding in the countryside, I looked over at a pasture with cows, Shetland ponies, elks, alpacas, and zebras. I thought to myself, what is it that we humans do not get? Those animals don’t speak the same language, certainly do not look alike, and yet they all seem to get along for their common good.

This harmony, respect, and acceptance just described among farm animals likely exists among many animals in the forests and jungles, even in the sea. 

Of course, there are those that do not get along, that prey on each other, and that live in fear of each other. But there are lessons we can learn from them, too. 

It is all about discernment and choice. 

Many choices are available to us. Exposure. Learning. Understanding. Compromise. Acceptance. How we choose to appreciate, work together, and live with each other.

So why do we, supposedly the most civilized animals on the planet, find ourselves promoting, practicing, even wallowing in perpetual discord and divisiveness the aim of which is to do more harm than good. Or, if any good at all, only for the few.

If many of our political leaders do not have, do not like, or haven’t been around animals or taken the time to observe any, maybe this new year is a great time to start or become reacquainted.

Our state and nation cannot perform the greatest good for the greatest number of its citizens by continuing the disrespect and disregard for the rules and laws that promote decency and civility, and most importantly, how we regard each other as fellow human beings traveling this earth entitled to the same rights and privileges.

How have we, who have so much in common, lost our way when many in the animal kingdom have not?

Yes, we do not hold all the same beliefs about everything or have the same life experiences. We all do not have the same visions and goals, or how to accomplish them.

We can disagree, have robust discussions on any issue or problem. But, we need not take advantage and try to destroy each other during the process.

Many aspects of our state and national political environment are on a slippery slope, and goodwilled visionary leaders who are willing to work for our common good are hard to find. It’s time for many of them to look to members of the animal kingdom for guidance.

Even animals accept and appreciate coexistence and the mutual benefits a vibrant living environment can bring.

Why can’t many of our political leaders?