Touching Animal Souls

    Just had to share this with you. It's the story and video about an Egyptian Goose that a couple have "adopted". Well worth the watch.   http://m.news24.com/parent24/School_7-12/Development/watch-most-unusual-pet-adoption-story-ever-20151124

  THE CARING OWL  (don't know who originally wrote this unfortunately)     I am from South Africa and about 4 years ago made friends with a spotted eagle owl that showed up on our farm (most probably it was rehabilitated by someone). The owl got injured and I kept it inside for a couple of months until it was well again. During this time our one old cat found out that no other cats are allowed in my study where I kept the owl and she moved in. I allowed this because she has never in her life caught a bird or mouse and was not interested in the owl at all. During this period the owl got used to her and they regularly ate steak out of my hand together . Once the owl was OK again I let it out, but it now comes and sleeps inside during the day, hunting freely at night . At the moment I have another injured owl that he adopted and feeds regularly (about 2 rats an evening). The other night I was working late in my study when the owl came in with a rat. I presumed that ...

  He is gray all over his snout.  Even his feet have gray.  A rescued Daschund who has lived in our family for over 10 years.  He arrived after he was brought out to play with my then puppy at the vet.  The nurse then told us during that vet visit that he would be euthanased that day because nobody wanted him.  She saw me coming that's for sure.  I said I was worried about taking him as he was not neutered.  She did a collection between their vet staff and got the op done.  So Jack came home and firmly entrenched himself into our hearts. He has the loudest bark.  He is old and deaf, but can hear a slightest fidget in the kitchen and it gets him charging in that direction.  His little toenails doing a dance on the floors that are faster than any Irish Flaherty.  So much personality in such a little bod. 

These pics are so lovely. Had to share them.     Subject: Ingo and Poldi: Most Unlikely Friends Tanja Brandt Tanja Brandt is a German photographer who has dedicated her career towards photographing animals and wildlife. In one of her most recent projects, Brandt shot photographs of a highly unlikely pair of friends – Ingo, the Belgian shepherd; and Poldi (Napoleon), the one-year-old owlet. Tanja Brandt Poldi and Ingo are both pets of Brandt's, and have formed a bond over the past year that the photographer simply couldn't ignore. Brandt is a professional photographer, and has years of experience doing photoshoots with various animals. Ingo, the shepherd, is one of her most loyal and popular models. "The dog is very very well educated. He is able to do every order by far. Head down, head right, stay, sit, everything… but not so with the birds." Brandt describes the relationship between Ingo and Poldi as somewhat of a 'protector-protected' relationship. In...

When we feel like we have a choice, we feel in control.  Same with animals.  I am starting to see more and more that every concern in life is as a result of an animal or person feeling like they are out of control - whether this is perceived or real is immaterial.  It is the feeling that makes us anxious.  To feel as though we are in control is a primal need.  It is required in order for our basic survival instinct to be satisfied.  What does this mean?  That if we are conscious about when we feel anxious, we will begin to recognise the habits that are useful, and those that are not.  In relationship with animals, what does it mean - that we need to be conscious that if they feel like they are out of control, they are going to act to try and regain control.  Just like we would.  The more control and choice we can give to them, the more trust they will have in themselves, and in us.  One step at a time - create relationship that w...

What is motivation.  Where does my drive come from.  Love.  Ok. It is demanded that love is unconditional. Yet attachment is inevitable.  In your lifetime I thought the celebration of you was unconditional.  That it was a celebration borne in giving glory to your manifestation.  Turns out my desire to acknowledge your glory has a personal joy in it that is selfish.  So every day I am without your physical presense is a day I need to let go. That is so hard.  Your physical glory was so much bigger than me.  Your glory lent light and purpose to my life.  I miss you.  So much.  Feel broken without your physical wholeness.  Lifting my head of my pillow with vigour and direction and energy is the lesson your loss is trying to teach me.  And I am not sure I am big enough to learn this lesson.  

There is sn enormous guiding light in my life.  Inspiration to do what I am intrinsically driven to do. Because he has always done just that.  Today he and I admitted to each other that we are both hard-shelled softies.  And as animal people who have committed to living in service to our charges this is a hard life to live.  But we would have it no other way.  I still have loads to learn from my mentor.  His unconditional caring and enormous generosity to those around him is a lesson I am yet to totally get.   I am talking about my Dad. He is a vet. (I am not because I am not smart or  emotionally strong-enough). He is well over 70 and still practising.  His practise is at his home.  Recently he has been suffering with a bout of ill health.  He has been in and out of hospital and we have all been very worried about him.  I travelled to his home a good 700kms away to visit and spend time with him.  Again he amazed me. ...