Giving back to animals. A gift a day

Change happens. It is inevitable. It is what we resist and strive for. Do we prepare the animals in our lives for change or do we wrap them in cotton wool and then see them stress when even the smallest thing changes.

Yes. animals also have comfort zones.
A suggestion for the animals in your life - provide them with a small gift everyday.
For your dog, it could be a plant he has never sniffed. For your horse a rub on the shoulder. For your cat, perhaps a bit of sand paper wrapped on a stick. and tomorrow we start again with something new. Something to look at, touch, sniff, feel, taste... A new place to visit...

If you work with exotic animals it is called enrichment. An essential part of working with animals! Domestic animals deserve it too.

Basically when providing novel stimuli in the form of small gifts, we are preparing our loved ones for changes they may experience. Then experiencing new things becomes the norm. Perhaps even something they look forward to.

Comments

What is success?

Success is not giving a hoot. If you can be a 45 year old cat woman playing in front of 3000 people, totally uninhibited, then you are succeeding. Because if you are able to do that, you are in the present moment, not caring about what anybody else thinks. Not worried about their judgements or how you think you should be coming across. (ok, so I was a little worried, so not 100% successful, but I continue to strive to be free of this nonsence) When you have that presence of mind in front of animals, that is when you are succeeding.

A Lesson in Surrender

I always found the concept of surrender a cop out. Something one would do if one was too weak to take on a situation. So, when I found myself in a situation where I am unable to follow my passion in the most effective manner, I experienced great discomfort. Speaking up was immediately taken as judgement. Even though it was never intended as that. The presumed judgement resulted in defence. And the drama began, and unfolded. Chasms and vindication ruled. Frustration and finger pointing. What has this to do with animals? For those of us that work with animals, they are like kids. They sense how we feel. Our moods affect them. So, when this type of angst environment is created, the disturbance affects the creatures that we love. The lesson – stop the angst. It is not worth upsetting the animals. Nothing is. So, surrender. Not sure where this will go. But I am here righ...

cove slaughter

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.

Touching Animal Souls

Search This Blog