J. Allen Boone - Kinship with All Life

KINSHIP WITH ALL LIFE

Copyright, 1954, Harper & Row Publishers, Inc.

Printed in the United States of America.

All rights in this book are reserved. No part of the book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

For information address Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., 10 East 53rd Street, New York, N. Y. 10022

First Harper & Row paperback edition published in 1976.

Library of Congress catalog card number: 54 6901

ISBN: 0-06-060912-5

FOREWORD

1.FOUR-LEGGED METEOR

2.GOOD MAN FRIDAY

3.GETTING ACQUAINTED

4.PUZZLEMENT

5.KEEPING COMPANY

6.MIND READER

7.MASTER DETECTIVE

8.DAWDLING

9.DESERT RAT

10.DOG INTERVIEW

11.CURRICULUM

12.LOOK AND SEE

13.EYEBALLS

14.ELEVATION HOUND

15.A DOG TALKS BACK

16.MENTAL BRIDGES

17. MAGIC ALCHEMY

18. NUDISTS

19. IMPRISONED SPLENDOR

20. RATTLESNAKES

21. TAIL-RATTLINGS

22. NAKED PONIES

23. GOLDEN THREAD

24. THE ZEPHYRS

25. STRANGE PARTNERS

26. WORMY WAYS

27. ANT CODE

28. MUSCA DOMESTICA

29. MRS. GRUNDY

30. DECREEING

31. CLEAN SLATE

32. SHOO FLY!

33. THE BRUSH-OFF

34. MORNING GLORY

As we live through these kaleidoscopic days when confusion, distrust, conflict and misery are so common everywhere, it is revealing to note that more and more people are finding reassurance and peace of mind in companionship beyond the boundaries of humanity. They are making friends not only with such conventional favorites as dogs, horses, cats and birds, but with wild animals, snakes and insects.

Men and women everywhere are being made acutely aware of the fact that something essential to life and well-being is flickering very low in the human species and threatening to go out entirely. This "something" has to do with such values as love... unselfishness . , . integrity... sincerity .. , loyalty to one's best... honesty... enthusiasm... humility... goodness... happiness... fun. Practically every animal still has these assets in abundance and is eager to share them, given opportunity and encouragement.

In this connection it is interesting to recall that people of certain ancient times appear to have been great virtuosos in the art of living, particularly skilled in the delicate science of being in right relations with everything, including animals. These people recognized the inseparable unity of Creator and creation. They were able to blend themselves with the universal Presence, Power and Purpose that is forever moving back of all things, in all things, and through all things. Life to these ancients was an all-inclusive kinship in which nothing was meaningless, nothing unimportant, and from which nothing could be excluded. They refused to make any separating barriers between mineral and vegetable, between vegetable and man, or between man and the great Primal Cause which animates and governs all things. Every living thing was seen as a partner in a universal enterprise. Each had an individual contribution to make to the general good which it, and it alone, could supply. Everything lived for everything else, at all times and under all circumstances.

Those were the days when "the whole earth was of one language and speech... and all was one grand concord." Humans, animals, snakes, birds, insectsall shared a common language. By means of this language all were able to express their thoughts and feelings freely on matters of mutual interest. From out of divinely bestowed wisdom, they could reason together for the common good, the common happiness, and the common fun. Evidently this was so simple and natural a part of everyday living as not to need explaining any more than breathing. However one may regard this ancient relationship phenomena, there is evidence that at one time on earth every living thing was able to be in rational correspondence with everything else. Humans and animals moved in full accord not only with one another but with the cosmic Plan as well.

Can we "modern humans" recapture this seemingly lost universal language? Can we by means of it learn to move in genuine good fellowship not only with the members of our own species but with other creatures? I believe that we can. In support of this faith, I have set down in the following pages the true stories of a number of unconventional relationships with animals, reptiles, insects, and even bacteria. None of these adventures was planned or expected. They came into experience as part of the gracious unfoldment of life itself. I begin with the story of the all-time great motion picture dog-star, Strongheart.

As you read these stories you will see that whenever I was properly humble and willing to let something besides a human be my instructor, these various four-legged, six-legged and no-legged fellows shared priceless wisdom with me. They taught me that perfect understanding and perfect co-operation between the human and all other forms of life is unfailing whenever the human really does his required part.

This has so enriched and broadened my life, has opened up such fascinating new regions to explore and enjoy, that I feel obligated to share at least some of my joy with others.

J. Allen Boone Hollywood, California

OF all the impacts made on the colorful world of entertainment, few have surpassed that effected by the fabulous German shepherd dog Strongheart. Sweeping suddenly into public notice like a meteor, he became Hollywood's top-ranking screen star and its biggest box-office attraction. For over three years he was the most admired and most loved object above the motion picture horizon. Then with the continuing sweep of a meteor he disappeared from the earth scene and human visibility, leaving millions of men, women and children admirers in all parts of the world.

If you were fortunate enough to have seen Strongheart in some of his films, the mere mention of his name is sure to bring fond recollections. You recall a big, magnificently built dog who did almost incredible things and did them with an intelligence and ease that baffled conventional explanation. If you never saw him in the movies, he is still well worth knowing because of the great things he continues to share across time, space and the phenomenon of death itself.

Strongheart came to Hollywood as the result of an idea on the part of two widely known entertainment-creating personalities: Jane Murfin, a distinguished writer of stage and screen plays, and Larry Trimble, a producer and director. Larry was in a class all by himself when it came to understanding wild and domestic animals and persuading them to work for him in front of motion-picture cameras. Jane and Larry's idea was to search the world for an unusual dog, bring him to Hollywood and star him in a series of special dramatic films. Dogs had been used before as "bit players" in screen stories, but this was the first time that a dog was to be given the leading role in a major production and top billing in all advertising and publicity.

The dog they finally decided upon, because of his looks, size, background and accomplishments, was Strongheart, whose kennel name in Germany had been Etzel von Oerengen. Strongheart came from a long line of carefully bred, highly efficient, blue-ribboned shepherd dogs, all of which had won their awards not only for the finest in physical appearance but also for their ability to qualify as work, police and war dogs. Strong-heart's father was the international champion Nores, and the only dog that was ever able to beat him in open competition was Strongheart.