In honor of a beloved soul.
One precious, ever-loving life.
She was my sweetheart.
She brightened my days.
She was always there for me.
She comforted me.
She made me smile.
She was wise.
She was honorable.
She made me a better human being.
She, quite simply, was an amazing animal.
Cherish these precious beings, for they make the world a better place.
Did you ever marvel in wonder at an owl’s ability to completely turn its head around? I always have. Owls can turn their heads almost 360 degrees –to be exact they can turn their heads a maximum of 270 degrees. Or did you know bobcats are excellent swimmers? When you think of cats you probably think of domestic cats, most of whom do not dare to swim. And what about coyotes, did you know they like fruit and vegetables? They do.
Animals mean so much to many of us and through the help of my blogs, my goal is to help you to see new ways of looking at things or get involved in protecting the precious few animals which remain on the Earth. I have already told you, we are in the midst of one of the greatest extinctions on the planet. Each day we lose large mammals in the ocean and on land. And I just heard that bobcats, coyotes and owls are suffering and dying on the west coast, in California, because of certain rat poisons. Sadly, many neighborhoods in the Santa Monica area are using second generation toxic poisons to control rat populations. The poisons are toxic because they are making their way up the food chain. They kill the rats but also kill the animals which eat the rat carcasses And that means bobcats, coyotes, and owls are dying. As Julie Schowitz, resident of Newbury Park put it, “the insanity of it all is that in trying to wipe out rats they are killing the very animals that keep rat populations under control.” The poison causes deathly internal bleeding and destroys precious, intelligent, and beautiful creatures.
Our behavior can have such devastating effects on animals and others. Please, think about your actions and the lives of those around you. Your decisions spread far and wide, and have life or death consequences.
For the past week I have had the honor, and I mean honor, to take care of a little black and gray tabby cat named Lexi. As you can see from her photo, she has pretty green eyes and a sweet look. Lexi does not belong to me and yet even after a few days I found I was growing quite attached to her. She follows me all around the house and even goes up and down the stairs multiple times as I do various chores. One thing I love is the pitter patter of her paws on the steps. Lexi knows when I am tired and it is time to go to bed, or when I am a bit grumpy and could use some cheering up. It is like I have a new best friend.
I had hesitated to take Lexi to my home when I first met her because she was sick with diarrhea and her fur felt almost greasy. But after noticing her protruding ribs and sad eyes, a part of me knew she needed more than a just a drop-in feeding and medicine dosage while her owners were on vacation. So I got permission to bring Lexi to my house. Some attention and a friendly voice seem to be working their magic on this precious animal. The diarrhea is going away, she has put on some weight, and her fur feels like it should. I don’t think I am imagining it, her eyes also seem brighter and happier.
When Lexi’s owner comes to pick her up I am sure it will be a bittersweet moment for me. I know I will miss this little cat which unexpectedly came into my world. And I realize that life often provides us with so many chances to widen our circles. Here was my chance. What is yours? I could have not brought Lexi into my home, but by doing so I feel so much richer. She probably gave me much more than I feel I gave her, and she truly touched my heart.
Be a Hero – find a cat or a dog a loving home and help “Clear the Animal Shelters” on Saturday, August 15th. Many shelters are reducing or waiving their adoption fees that day.
I just read a wonderful story about a 7-year-old girl in Istanbul, Turkey who recently saved a disfigured, very sick kitten. The story really touched me because this little girl dared to help when everyone else turned a blind eye to the suffering animal. Every day people would walk by the starving, crying, mite-infested kitten that had lost an ear and most of her teeth. They refused to look at the cat because, quite frankly, she was ugly and sick. Luckily, the little girl did not turn away. Instead, she took the kitten to her father. In turn they went to the animal hospital and ended up saving a life. The cat went through many surgeries but is now healthy and happy. She is named Gülümser, meaning “she who always smiles”.
This little girl reminds us all to open our hearts and act from a bigger place. How often do we turn blind eyes to suffering and pain? How often do we try to shelter ourselves from what is unpleasant or ugly? Have you ever noticed how great it feels to do something nice for someone or an animal? Have you ever noticed that feeling goes deeper and lasts even longer than buying a new suit or eating more ice cream?
I am always amazed by genuine kindness and care. Some say kindness, care, and love are truly the only answers. This little girl opened her heart and looked beyond the ugliness. She saw beauty when others could not. Can you see beauty where there seems to be none? Can you be the person who makes a difference? Join me.