Touching Animal Souls

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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@penguinpromise...

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!

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