Touching Animal Souls

Going Home By Tongue I'm fading fast, I know my end is near....Where is everyone? I may be old, but surely this is not the way to go? Somebody, hold me please! I am cold and frightened, it was not always like this? I remember................Years before.........There were a lot of people around when I came into this world. Although still not being able to see, I could hear the voices and sense my mother's pride at having delivered such a beautiful creation. I was being constantly touched, pampered and showered with gifts, and both Mother and I knew that with the correct upbringing I would go far. Mother was the world to me as I had never met my father who had run off after a brief fling with Mom when she was young and gullible, leaving her with child and nothing else. Apparently he is still around, very old, but still strutting and showing off around the city. I never had any inclination to find him. Hungry and cold, Mom took refuge under the overhang of a bar during

May your reflections be lessons and your future conscious and filled with love Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

http://www.google.com/search?client=ms-rim&hl=en&q=%22touching%20animal%20souls%22&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&channel=browser Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

"Sasha do u want to go for a walk?". The answer is always YES! No matter if sh has not had breakfast or is sleeping on the couch. If I aske her if she wanted to play in the middle of the night she would say YES! There is definitely a lesson here. Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

I love my job. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to know the animals I do. And I work with captive animals because I believe they should be in the wild. I just wish there was a wild left where they could go about their lives in peace. Unaffected by human pollution - in so many shapes and sizes - habitat degradation, fossil fuel abuse, litter etc etc. I am surprised everyday that it appears we as a species cannot appreciate the amazing grace in front of our hours. Preferring to spend time justifying why we need a new cell phone, or why we need to drive to the store or why its okay to have that extra bottled water or fish fed beef burger. No judgement. I find myself a part of the irony. Having this masochistic (because our species will fall as a result) tendency is weird. And being conscious of the dilemma hurts. Promise to blog some hope with all this So here it is www.penguinpromises.com . Do your bit Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email f

Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

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So my dark clothes have lighter coloured fur on them. My light coloured clothes have muddy paw marks. I usually smell of animal - anything from dolphin food to horse manure. My nose is normally sunburned. And my finger nails always need a good scrub. My bed is not sacred with cats on my pillow and dogs curled into my knees. Even my wardrobe is a favourite hiding place to a critter when its chilly. I smile more around these beasts than any other time. I have kissed more animals than people. Work is animals. Home is animal sanctuary. I wonder how anyone lives any other way. I am sooo grateful for my life. Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

So cool to be surrounded by enthusiastic people who went all out to ensure that Penguins got the attention they deserved today! Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab

I am really excited about the attention these little guys are getting.  Government, scientists, welfare organisations and the zoo and aquarium industry are all pulling together to assist this endangered species.  Being an animal person, it will never be enough till we are sure they are on the road to recovery.  I have to extend gratitude to all the passionate people out there who truly do care.  And this Saturday is an opportunity to continue raising awareness for the African Penguin, and for the Penguin Promises campaign.  Because, yes, the major role players are doing stuff, but what can all of us as individuals do - because essentially, it starts with us.  1.  celebrate Saturday 2.  celebrate penguins everyday 3.  celebrate how much you care for nature - everyday 4.  make a promise to the penguins - something you can do to help nature (like not using single use plastic bags) 5.  send your promise to ipromise@penguinpromises.com 6.  celebrate penguins everyday 7.  share this

When I see "pest control" my blood boils. I do not know how we can refer to another living thing as a pest. We think we are intelligent. Then we go out and use our version of intelligence to determine if other species are intelligent which will then make them worthy of our respect. We all love dolphins because they are so "human". Yet e neglect to use this measure when we look at pests. And we should. It will make us care - by default. Because pests are generally animals who have survived in spite of the fact that humans have wrecked the natural environment. Pests have adapted and made a home in our developed spaces. Pretty smart by human standards. Today I saw some red-winged starlings (many consider them pests) in a parking lot. A couple of them were picking the dead bugs off the front of the various parked cars. How is that for adaptation in the city? Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

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I do not believe it is naïve to expect that everyone is, at essence driven from love. Challenge as I have just discovered is that we are all challenged by so many variables in our relative existence that we experience this love differently. We loose its truth and justify our loss, resulting actions and definition of our personal experiences of love with arguments and excuses. Yet I believe that real Love is pure. All the stories move us from the purity to a state of confusion. So, I find my naïve self, close to the age of 50, realising that I feel very alone in my own belief systems. For example, my compassion and empathy for people and animals is not different. I feel strongly for both. It seems that many do differentiate. And then I find myself at the edge of judging. The question I have to remind myself is what do I know about right or wrong. I have tried to surround myself with like-minded people. Not always possible. Not even my family share my choice to be vegetarian.

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I do go on and on about this topic - and if you read my blog you will forgive me and read it again - THANK GOD FOR ANIMALS.  The question - how does anybody get through the day without them?  If I was only in contact with people day in an day out I would have seriously considered, or even done it - jumping of a builiding.  Not only is it a relief to have animal contact, it is also the necessary lesson.  Just being called to be present.  To simply be in the moment experiencing the animal and relating to it in the moment - what a friggin gift! There has been a fair amount of research done on the fact that interacting with animals is good for the soul, and the physical. Get with the program people. Cities and landlords - start allowing animals in your buildings. The world will change if you do this. Seriously! The other awesome event this week was teaching a little stranded seal that washed up on the beach to eat.  He learned, very gently, in just three feeds.  We have nickname

I was inspired today when I watched this young lady talk to this Octopus. They touched, tentacle to finger and seemed to enjoy a moment together. Why not? Just a short while back in our heritage we were afraid of wolves and would never have imagined it to be commonplace to share our homes with them. We have moved to a different place in relationship with animals. And yet some of us are still poles apart. Vegetarians and braai masters?! Some cultures still easily hunt for dolphins while many find the thought barbaric. Some have no problems harvesting animal parts to improve their libido while there are others of us who gasp in despair that they do this. I pray for the bliss of respect between all species. I believe that is possible. When we allow ourselves to feel. Imagine that world. And remember that imagination is like ancient prayer. Very powerful. Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

  Having trouble viewing this email? View it online here.                  Spotting a whale shark is a dream for many divers but what happened next will amaze you! Divemaster Daniel Zapata and the Solmar V crew were ecstatic at sighting a 35 foot whale shark – every divers dream. Their happiness soon turned to sadness when they saw a huge line wrapped around the pregnant whale shark cutting into her skin threatening the life of the shark and her unborn baby. Sadly, this entanglement  story is more common than you might think.  Marine debris chokes, tangles and kills  thousands of marine animals  each year. Please  donate now to help make a difference.   For this distressed whale shark, Daniel Zapata and fellow divers knew they must act quickly.  It was decision time.     Despite opinions that it would be too difficult and dangerous to free the whale shark, Daniel knew they had to remove the rope.   "It felt so good to cut the whale shark free.  I found a thinner section of the ro

I am saddened and battling to understand people again.  The cove dolphins are cordoned off, awaiting slaughter.  Some being taken to dolphin facilities world wide.  How do people stand there and do this?  How do they sleep at night with those decisions in their head?  Then again how do we all?  Driving to a bird sanctuary yesterday I saw a cattle truck on its way to the abattoir.  What is the difference?  Then I saw a bearded vulture at the sanctuary.  Only 320 of the left in the world and they are planning wind generators in their area – a certain death certificate.  Here is a prayer – look into the eyes of an animal.  Or a human.  See them for the miracle that they are.  Then make choices that are respectful and loving.  As yourself – What would love do?  I am so grateful that I am surrounded by animals.  And so grateful that there is no effort required for me to care for them. 

Actually 22 months old. Rescued by Sea World. And in the process of being rehabilitated. Adorable eyes. He will be released when he reaches around 180kgs. He arrived at 73 kgs a couple of months back. More than 100kgs underweight. He is thriving. His health is on the up. We taught him to feed pretty quickly. Now his job is to get fat. And stay fit. And without trying he steals the hearts of all he looks at with those gorgeous big brown eyes. Watch the press for details. His release will be covered. He will be tagged and Sea World will purchase a very expensive satellite tracker to monitor his progress. He is named Selso. Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

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A rule of the Universe - Fun is just a Choice Away.  When we are caught in teh thick of things this is not always easy to remember.  However, when working with animals, I find it so easy.  It is like the draw me out of a cloud of despair.  Yes, there is often still a choice involved.  I may just have had an altercation or similar with someone, however I look at them and then I am free.  And having fun!!!

Its crazy how much I care about animals. When in their company I am in a state of gratitude. Pure true and unconditional. this is Jula. The gifts I have received from him are unmeasurable. I feel so compelled to be with him and the others. And then I am at home today and have four lap dogs (some who seriously misunderstand the term lapdog) and and a cat competing for lap space. I am left smiling at my good fortune at home. Feel really really lucky! Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

No secret that I prefer the company of animals. And this is Gambit. I have spent my career with him. A multitude of lessons he has taught me. He is a huge spirit. A generous soul. With the enthusiasm of pure God presence. Such an honour to know you Gambit. Happy 42nd birthday. I am sooooo grateful to share my life with you. And I am not alone. You have blessed so many of us. Here's to many more celebrations with you!!! Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

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Sue Lawrence shared the following link and had this to say about it: Ahhhh .... 5000 ducks going for a walk to swim in a different pond ;) Read more at http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=fcb_1340245516&comments=1#SV2mLi2c3qwFWLLy.99 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=616172771749659&set=a.295520657148207.77101.278397552193851&type=1 Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Damned lucky to work with animals. There wre moments when they learn something. When you see them work stuff out. And when this is as a result of us trying to communicate something to them, there is no greater feeling. Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Support this cause. Rhino, like penguins need us! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151992333968761&set=oa.479652728785389&type=1 Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Scientists at one point used to decipher animal intelligence based on many factors. One on whether they were able to use tools. This is Moya using a tool for amusement. I am amused by how we the human race try and put things into boxes. How we feel more fondly for a person or creature with whom we can relate. If we simply consider the amazing adaptations that all creatures have for their existence, this in itself is "awe" inspiring. Or as we nowadays exclaim, awesome Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Thank you for a wonderful week.  Franta Susta works at the Prague Zoo and is one of the most insightful animal trainers and human beings I have ever met.  I had the honour of spending a week with him in Prague where he arranged for me to do some dog and horse training seminars.  Wonderful times with amazing people who so obviously care deeply about animals.  Blessed humans. The dog seminars were on two nights for 80 people on one night and 25 the next.  They were good fun.  The horse training seminar was held in a ecology centre in the middle of Prague.  A little farm that is not only an eco centre but also a cultural centre.  It has an eco school in it, and keeps all the traditional Czech animals including the Hurtu horse, which is about to be recognised as a threatened domestic species - the first domestic species with this status.  I had the good fortune to meet a couple of these horses. I truly enjoyed meeting some amazing people and animals.  The week before I arrived a ha

Good fortune with my friends in Dubai.  We visited Ski Dubai in a shopping centre and got to meet Gentoo and King penguins.  My friend Sean describes Dubai as an expression of the human ego.  This is pretty accurate.  Buildings and facilities for the amusement of human kind.  It is a breath of fresh air to encounter something natural in this city.  And in a Desert city, to meet their 'snow penguins' is amazing.  A real honour. 

Feeling very lucky.  Have some great friends around the world and have some great adventures as a result of having these friends.  Right now on my way to teach a couple of animal behaviour seminars in Prague.  Thank you Franta.  Feel a little like the cub in this pic.  With the whole world out there to learn from and adventure in.  And it looks like a big daddy lion from down here.  Let the fun begin.  Because it can be nothing but that. It is amazing how life flows when I surrender to her mystery.  Play play play. It is also amazing how moving with the flow enables me to take stock of how much I care about the things in my life.  Leaving my dogs at the gate.  Hugging my family goodbye.  (allowing my sons to bunk school so I could enjoy them before I leave)  Saying have fun to my work mates.  Seeing the animals at work on my way out.  Seeing the splendour of the amazing country we live in... Surrender = trust.  All is well.  All is as I intend.  And I intend majesty!

This feral cat is resident at Seaworld and has been for eight years. For the first 5 she was skittish and wild. Then we finally let her see that we were trustworthy. And she learned the lesson loud and clear. Her name is Mommy Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

While working on my computer on chilly winter morning Charlie snuggles on my lap Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

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A wonderful evening last night. Guided meditation in the aquarium where meditators became the Ocean. Empathy. Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

She apparently rescued this dairy bull from the slaughterhouse. Respect. Love. If we put our delusional opinions down it comes naturally. On my planet all humanity is good. Here is an invitation. Come share this planet with me. Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!