Growing Kinder

08/21/2025

08/15/2025

08/04/2025

🕊️ In a world that can feel full of conflict, it’s worth remembering: even our closest animal relatives fight and ultimately forgive.

In the wild chimpanzee communities of Gombe, where Dr. Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking research in 1960, conflict is a natural part of life. But just as natural is what comes after: reconciliation.

One remarkable behavior seen among chimpanzees is reassurance. After a disagreement or fight, chimps may reach out with a gentle touch, a soft vocalization, or an extended arm (like the one captured in this archival photo). These gestures help repair relationships, reduce tension, and restore group harmony.

It’s through the dedication of Gombe researchers and the ongoing work of the Jane Goodall Institute that these complex behaviors can be observed and better understood every day.

Conflict is inevitable. But the ability to reconnect, to comfort, and to choose peace? That’s something we can learn from the chimpanzees, and from each other. 💚

📸: Hugo van Lawick





Alt Text:
An archival black and white photo of a chimpanzee with barred teeth reaching out to another chimpanzee in a forest setting.

08/04/2025

08/04/2025

08/03/2025

This is Loretta.

Loretta could be described as twitchy, easily overstimulated, mouthy, vocal, and a variety of other labels that aren't terribly helpful.

Unless she's really, really tired, any petting, patting, scritching, or scratching is really stimulating for her and she almost immediately escalates into constant fidgeting and putting teeth on skin (no actual bites with an intent to harm, but enough pressure to cause discomfort).

As it turns out, placing one or two hands on with consistent, flat palm pressure has the opposite effect. She's not restrained, she can leave if she wants to, but she can also choose to stay. We sat like this yesterday for several minutes, several times in a row. She opted in, multiple times, and we had a lovely shared experience rather than either of us getting frustrated or annoyed with the other.

Game changer.

What have you learned about your dog's needs That challenged you to interact with them differently?

08/03/2025