Although I realize that not every one loves animals, or for that matter, nature, I wonder how close most people allow themselves to venture out these days? Not out to the mall or out to work or out to anyplace with walls. But out, out where the space is not parametered by man made structure.
With deer hunts, deer ticks and developers lurking in the woods, one is certainly incurring a risk by stepping foot in the forest.
But 2 winters ago, one of our cats, Merengue, headed for the woods after a clever escape from our town house (and what a long "tail" hangs on that story!). Trying to track her down, I spent 33 days during her AWOL traversing wetlands and slopes in these near 200 acres behind the West Essex Highlands.
In those 33 days over the hill and over the dale, several of them through a blizzard, I did not encounter even one gingerbread wife. But I did see, and with little effort, dozens of deer, many wild turkeys, bunnies, birds and even one fox. It was a revelation in how such a relatively small parcel of land can sustain and house so many beautiful creatures.
Were it not for our Merengue missing, I would not have been back there calling her name at all hours of the day and night and most likely inviting my neighbors to speculate on "just what in the world" that woman is doing out in the woods all the time. But despite the anguish of having our cat lost in this foreign world, I found myself delighted each day by these explorations and the sightings so copious and satisfying.
The journeys stopped when our neighbors did, indeed, help us to track Merengue down to a hiding place---not in the woods---but under someone's deck. Our joy in reuniting with our little black cat could not be measured. But there was a loss as well. Looking at nature is not the same as being in nature. I love the view of the woods from within our home. But walking on the wild side is not just seeing, it is smelling and hearing. Perhaps everyone should try it before putting a monetary value on property.
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