I always find it amusing when people try to differentiate ourselves far and away from the other animals as if we are not in any way similar or on the same playing field. My husband will talk about ‘our animals’ and I will occasionally remind him that we are animals too. In my lifetime of being around animals, predominately cats and a few dogs, birds and fish, I have come to the knowledge that they each have reasoning capabilities, a great capacity for love, forgiveness and joy, their own proclivities and desires, social decorums, ways of training others and being part of the family. No cat you will ever have will be exactly like another. Their personality differences are infinite snowflakes of uniqueness. I will never have the capacity to know all animals but am amply blessed to know a few while I am here. I have come to believe they are here to help us grow in the knowledge of right and wrong, of compassion and grace as well as aiding us in the retention of awe. Each creature really is awe-inspiring and fearfully made. It is a humbling responsibility to have a fur child in our family who trusts us on such a deep level to be their advocate through thick and thin, to always look after their best interest. It is equally humbling to see that they give the very same dedication, if not even more so, to us, their human-animal companions. I am currently studying CMT, Canine Massage Therapy, and on a progressive training there as I continue to learn more about them and myself.
I recently picked up The above book This is one of those really great books that’s hard to put down once you crack the cover. Regardless of your religious beliefs, there is something beyond hunks of meat shaped like a cat or a person. That something is the breath of life, the spirit that motivates us behind the mind and body, that same light that fades from our eyes once we are gone. I have been surrounded by quite a bit of death the last few years and witness how one foot is here on this plane while the other foot is in the netherworld. People not on any drugs will awake here on this plane and tell you plainly that they were just speaking to deceased friends, relatives, their dog was there to greet them etc. This morning, a friend of mine passed away. Prior to Bobby’s death, he saw my best friends dead daughter Jennifer amongst others. He would awaken here and be disappointed he had not already crossed over the rainbow bridge. Bobby was ready to go and left us early this morning. I believe we are all here with plans, with things to do. But it wasn’t until reading The Spritual Nature Of Animals by Karlene Stange, that I came away with an awareness that they also have plans. This struck a deep chord in me (see my other canine posts) as Rhett, our resident Doberman and I, have been through some heavy stuff lately which has all helped me to share new information with others to help them as well as set me upon a new career path.
Temple Grandin, upon the death of an animal, asked in her book Animals Make Us Human, ‘Where do they go?’
She is speaking of the spirit, the light in the eyes, the thing most of us don’t really discuss that we all share, the breath of life that contains the spirit in the temporal body.
I do not advocate the killing of any of our fellow animals but I also realize that not everybody will go vegan. I would much rather see a return (and saving) of our local farms who make efforts to raise animals humanely, who are in the meat or dairy business as ethically as possible than I ever would want to see what is happening, corporate farms with zero compassion taking over, wiping out our local farmers with their power and might who create substandard fare while creating a living hell on earth for our brethren animals. Even if you don’t like pigs, perhaps you don’t like their ways or just don’t care, you have to understand they are loyal, fun loving and smarter than most dogs. Dogs are as smart as that of a 4 or 5-year-old child. That isn’t what you would call dumb. The thing with dogs is that their emotional intelligence remains that of a 4 or 5-year-old too, regardless of how old they actually are. Some humans remain at an infant state too but we’ll move off that topic. ♥ While we may lose patience with an adult human acting a fool, it is very important to absorb at your core that no matter how smart your fur kid is, his emotional intelligence is that of a 4-year-old kid. It is never going to mature beyond this so extend the necessary grace when that 4-year-old chews something up stressing out when you work late. You’re the adult in this relationship, always. Put things away, provide toys and other healthy distractions or own the consequences with grace. It is true that as an animal ages, coupled with consistent, firm but kind training or mentoring as I like to call it, good socialization as you would your human kids, they settle in and are far better behaved as they age which can give off the illusion that they are mature. Yes but no…there will always be that child within and God bless this because we need reminding of awe and humility and innocence every day.
Dr. Goldsteins The Nature Of Animal Healing is one of my reference books. I learned about alternative heartworm treatments here as well as how bad all these annual shots are for our fur babies. I haven’t had any shots since I was a child and I feel fine. Why on earth do we ply our creatures with annual insults? Also, I did not realize until last year that most of these shots, for us and them, contain mercury and other toxins in their mix. Unless it is necessary, such as an area where Parvo is common or what have you, why put them deliberately in harm’s way? Be judicious. This book will help guide you there.
The book above is also a great book on Holistic approaches to wellness. Many people argue this is silly woo woo stuff that doesn’t work, however, I have experienced first hand the healing of various homeopathic medicines and can attest that they are indeed effective.
Another fabulous reference book is Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health For Dogs & Cats. This book teaches natural herbs and techniques, as well as recipes for home cooked meals. Also, you can look up symptoms and diseases to help guide you through many situations.
What animal lovers library would be completed without James Herriot All Creatures Great & Small? Or perhaps the whole set, below.
Please post your own stories and comments, I love feedback and thanks for reading. ♥
