Showing posts with label Sentient. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sentient. Show all posts

Saturday, 3 October 2015

White Raven



A separate species from the black raven, white ravens are extremely rare. They are larger and more intelligent than their black counterparts, if that could be possible!

White ravens are known to have black or blue eyes, and therefore are not albino, but leucistic. Albinism occurs when one of several genetic defects where the body is unable to produce or distribute melanin, a natural substance that provides color to the skin; and leucism is a condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in an animal resulting in white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, a known phenomenon in nature. If the animal lacks all pigmentation and has pink eyes, it is an albino. If it lacks pigmentation in only some parts and does not have pink eyes, it is leucistic.





This usually arises when two common black ravens, with the same genetic defect, mate. The chances of this happening are rare, however, since they are monogamous and live long lives, there is a good chance they could produce successive generations of white ravens.

The white raven is highly regarded by many native cultures and has special spiritual significance.

Wisdom and subtlety of truth is attributed to the white raven; as well as introspection, courage, self-knowledge, healing, creation, rebirth, magic and mysticism, shape shifter, prestige and the complexity of nature.

Several legends credit the white raven for bringing light to the world by freeing the sun, moon, and stars, which were locked away by an evil being. In the course of its heroic deed the white raven was turned to black. The occasional sighting of a white raven is meant to remind people of how the world was saved for all mankind and animals of creation.

Bearing magic and mysticism, ravens have a long history of myth enshrouding them. Shamans know the power of an unexpected piercing sound in shifting consciousness. Ravens have this power, giving out varied sounds, and can assist us in shifting our consciousness into various dimensional realms. Hence one of the reasons why the raven is referred to as a shape shifter with magical powers.

Ravens are considered to be highly intelligent and clever mimics. They can mimic and use the calls of other species in their own vocabulary and can show us how to understand ‘animal language’.




The raven's black color is linked to darkness, the place where unconscious fear resides, and is regarded as a bad omen; therefore feared by many.

Like all wildlife and nature – ravens should be respected, rather than feared. Some refer to them as the keeper of secrets: a link to the void. Ravens are master magicians and represent transformational energy, revealing to us how to rid ourselves of our inner fears.

If a raven has flown into your life, magic and healing abound, awakening the energy of our will and intention. You have the ability to make great changes in your life. Raven are strongly linked with death and rebirth.

Remember not to be fearful of the raven, but rather to give thanks for the teachings he brings. The raven chooses its student according to their knowledge, and usually stays as long as needed to help transmute karma, returning you to the light.




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Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Foods that are TOXIC for Pets



It is most likely that anyone who owns a pet, considers them to be quite special, including them as part of the family. We treat them like our children, eager to please them, spend a lot of money on them; talk to them like they understand everything we say; some will dress their pets up; and purchase holiday and birthday gifts for them. For dog owners especially, we take them with us when we go out – even attending family gatherings.

As we do for our children, we also want to give our furry little family members treats as well, showing them how special they are to us.

I must confess, I am guilty on most counts. But, like our children, our pets need boundaries and limitations. While sharing an occasional morsel of food with your cat or dog is fine, it is important to be wary that some of the foods we consume can be dangerous and even toxic to our pets. Due to your pet's differing metabolism, some foods may cause mild digestive upsets, while others can cause severe illness, and death.

The following food items and substances should not be fed to dogs or cats – intentionally or unintentionally.

Alcohol - Beverages or foods containing alcohol (cooking products or fermented foods) should be off limits to pets regardless of alcohol content. Even small amounts of hard liquor can potentially kill a small dog or cat. Signs and symptoms of toxicity may be delayed, if a dog or cat has eaten before being exposed to alcohol.

If your dog or cat has any of the following symptoms, take them to a veterinarian or animal emergency center immediately. Most cases of alcohol poisoning in dogs and cats can be successfully treated if treatment is started early enough.

Some dental care products for dogs and cats actually contain 25% or more straight grain alcohol (ethyl alcohol), causing damage over time. It is good practice to read labels to ensure purchase of an all-natural oral care product (0% Grain [Ethyl] Alcohol).

Signs of alcohol poisoning include:
-lack of coordination
-lethargic / drowsiness
-slow breathing rate
-excessive urination
-vomiting
-seizures
-unresponsiveness

Avocado - Avocado leaves, bark, skin, and pit are known to be harmful to animals. The leaves contain a fungicidal toxin (persin), which can cause colic in horses in sufficient quantity and, without veterinary treatment, death. Birds also seem to be particularly sensitive to this toxic compound. The Guatemalan variety, commonly found in stores, appears to be the most problematic, while other varieties can have different degrees of toxic potential.

Though avocado is toxic to some animals, in dogs and cats, mild stomach upset may occur if a significant amount of avocado flesh or peel is eaten. Ingesting the pit can lead to obstruction in the intestinal tract, which is a serious situation requiring urgent veterinary care.

Avocado meal or oil is sometimes included in pet foods for nutritional benefit, which is generally not expected to pose a hazard to dogs and cats.

Signs of poisoning include:
-gastrointestinal irritation
-vomiting
-diarrhea
-respiratory distress
-congestion
-fluid accumulation around heart tissues
-death

Bones - It might seem natural to give a dog a bone. However, it could be a potentially dangerous choking hazard, or the bones could splinter and obstruct or lacerate the digestive system.

Raw meat and raw eggs can contain Salmonella and E. coli bacteria which is harmful to pets, and an enzyme in raw eggs called avidin decreases the absorption of vitamin B, which can lead to skin and coat problems. Cooked and uncooked fat trimmed from meat can cause pancreatitis.




Caffeine - There are plenty of caffeine products available in our homes, such as coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, and diet supplements. Ingesting moderate amounts of caffeine can easily cause death in small dogs or cats.

Signs of poisoning include:
-hyperactivity
-restlessness
-vomiting
-elevated heart rate
-elevated blood pressure
-abnormal heart rhythms
-tremors / seizures
-elevated body temperature
-collapse
-death

Chocolate - Chocolate poisoning (also known as theobromine poisoning) is an overdose reaction to the theobromine levels found in chocolate, tea, cola beverages, as well as some other foods.

Serious poisoning happens more frequently in domestic animals, which metabolize theobromine much more slowly than humans, and can easily consume enough chocolate to cause poisoning. If a large number of chocolate is consumed, another serious danger is posed by the fat and sugar, which can sometimes trigger life-threatening pancreatitis several days later. The toxic dose for cats is even lower than for dogs. However, cats are less prone to eating chocolate since they are unable to taste sweetness. The most common victims of theobromine poisoning are dogs, for which it can be fatal. In dogs, the biological half-life of theobromine is 17.5 hours; in severe cases, clinical symptoms of theobromine poisoning can persist for up to 72 hours.

One ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight is a potentially lethal dose in dogs. For example, 0.4 ounces of baker's chocolate would be enough to produce mild symptoms in a 20-pound dog.

Signs of poisoning include:
-nausea
-vomiting
-diarrhea
-increased urination
-elevated heart rate
-epileptic seizures
-internal bleeding
-heart attacks
-death

Dairy - While dairy products are not poisonous to dogs and cats, they are difficult to digest. Cow's milk has much more lactose and casein than many dogs and cats can digest. They don't possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose). Lactose is a sugar, that draws water into the intestine, causing diarrhea and other digestive upset.




Fatty Foods (Fast Food) - Foods that are high in fat can cause diarrhea and digestive upset. Inflammation of the pancreas can develop after ingesting foods high in fat content. Certain smaller breeds tend to be more susceptible than other breeds.

Grapes/Raisins - Specifically for dogs, the consumption of grapes and raisins presents a potential health risk. Their toxicity can cause dogs to develop the sudden development of kidney failure with a lack of urine production that may be fatal.

Macadamia - Macadamias are toxic to dogs. Ingestion may result in macadamia toxicosis, which is marked by weakness and hind limb paralysis with the inability to stand, occurring within 12 hours of ingestion. Depending on the quantity ingested and size of the dog, symptoms may also include muscle tremors, joint pain and severe abdominal pain.

Medication - Pet poisonings caused by ingesting human medications (both over-the-counter, prescription, and herbal) are common, accounting for nearly 50% of calls received by pet poison hotlines, and can be very serious.

It is important to note that while some medications may be safe for children, they may not be safe for animals. Pets metabolize medications differently from people.

Medications should never be administered to a pet without consulting a veterinarian, and should always be kept safely out of reach and never stored near your pet’s medications.

Vitamins for humans are formulated to meet the requirements of the human body. Chances are, if you gave your dog or cat a human vitamin daily, you would be overdosing them. Some vitamins, like synthetic vitamin D, can be quite toxic in too large a dose. As well, some vitamins contain artificial sweeteners, that are also toxic to pets.

Commercial pet foods already have vitamins added, and companies are not required to list the amounts added to their foods. Therefore, any vitamin your pet ingests is extra and can cause toxicity (overload).




Mushrooms - Of the several thousand species of mushrooms, only a small percentage is considered toxic. Some may result in severe clinical signs (even death). Accurate mushroom identification can be difficult, with the assumption that all mushroom ingestions in pets should be considered toxic.

Signs of poisoning include:
-nausea
-depression
-drooling
-excess thirst or urination
-vomiting
-diarrhea / black-tarry stool
-abdominal pain
-lack of coordination
-tremors / seizures
-organ failure
-death

Onions/Garlic - The small amount of garlic sometimes found in dog treats is unlikely to be harmful to dogs. However, if cats or dogs ingest onions, garlic, or leeks, of greater than 0.5% of their body weight (a 30 lb dog ingesting about 2.5 ounces of onion or garlic) it can be potentially toxic. Ingesting large numbers of garlic pills or powder may also cause poisoning, causing red blood cell destruction and result in anemia.

Walnuts - Walnuts can cause gastric intestinal upset or even an obstruction. Moldy walnuts can contain toxic chemical products produced by fungi, which can cause seizures or neurological symptoms.

Xylitol (Artificial Sweetener) - Xylitol a common sugar-substitute used in chewing gum, nicotine gum and breath mints, is a life-threatening toxin, causing a drop in blood sugar, as well as liver damage.

According to the ASPCA, the number of cases of xylitol poisoning in dogs has significantly increased since 2002.

Chewing gum and breath mints typically contain up to 1.0 gram (1,000 milligrams = 1 gram) of xylitol per piece of gum or mint. Animals that have ingested foods containing xylitol (greater than 100 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight) have shown to have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can be life-threatening, resulting in a loss of coordination, depression, collapse and seizures in as little as 30 minutes. Therefore, a 10 pound dog would only have to eat one piece of gum.

Xylitol has plaque fighting properties which can be found in pet mouth wash and oral rinse, in non-toxic amounts.


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Thursday, 4 June 2015

Natural Flea Repellent for Pets

Fleas are wingless, agile, external parasites, 1/16 to 1/8-inch long, and usually dark in color. Similar to the tick, fleas have mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood from mammals and birds.

Fleas have long hind legs well adapted for jumping. A flea can jump vertically up to 7 in and horizontally up to 13 in, making the flea one of the best jumpers of any known species, relative to body size. In comparison, if humans had the jumping power of a flea, a 6 foot person could make a jump 295' long and 160' high.

The flea body is laterally compressed, hard, and covered with many hairs and short spines, allowing them ease of movement through the hairs or feathers on the host's body. The tough body is able to withstand great pressure. Even hard squeezing between the fingers is normally insufficient to kill a flea. However, rolling them back and forth a dozen times disables their legs, resulting in death.

Fleas lay tiny, white, oval eggs better viewed through a magnifying glass. The larva is small and pale with bristles covering its worm-like body, lacks eyes, and mouth parts adapted for chewing. The larvae feed on various organic matter, especially the feces of mature fleas, while the adult flea's diet consists solely of fresh blood.






Fleas are a nuisance, causing an itching sensation which in turn may result in the host attempting to remove the pest by biting, pecking, scratching, etc. in the vicinity of the parasite, leading to hair loss as a result of frequent scratching and biting by the animal, and can cause anemia in extreme cases. Flea bites generally cause the formation of a slightly raised, swollen itching spot with a single puncture point at the center (similar to a mosquito bite), often appearing in clusters or lines of two bites, and can remain itchy and inflamed for up to several weeks afterwards.

Flea adults, larvae, or eggs can be controlled with insecticides. Lufenuron is a veterinary preparation (known as Program) that attacks the larval flea's, but does not kill fleas. Flea medicines need to be used with care because many of them also affect mammals. Flea treatments meant for dogs can be hazardous to cats.

Flea and tick ointment is also hazardous to humans. The label of a commercial preparation warns: “First aid: If on skin or clothing, take off contaminated clothing, rinse skin immediately with plenty of water for 15 – 20 minutes; call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice. . . Although (the product is) applied only between the shoulder blades and at the base of the tail, the dog’s skin and hair oils carry the product over the entire body . . . Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling . . .”


Natural Repellent for Pets

Vinegar - In a spray bottle, mix 1 cup of water with 2 cups of white vinegar, and add 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil or almond oil, which contains sulfur.

Lemon Juice, Citrus, or Peppermint - To make a repellent that will deter fleas, mix in a few teaspoons of lemon juice, citrus oil, or peppermint oil, any of which will repel ticks and fleas while also creating a pleasant smelling repellent. Spray onto the pet’s dry coat, staying away from sensitive areas such as eyes, nose, mouth, and genitals. When outdoors for an extended period of time, spray this solution on two to three times per day.

Cedar - Cedar essential oil is a (nontoxic natural substance) which has proven effective in the eradication of infestations in pets. Use of some essential oils containing phenols, such as basil, clove, oregano and thyme, can be hazardous to cats.

Bathing - Can dramatically reduce the flea population on a badly infested animal, especially when in combination with a mild detergent or shampoo, and brushing or combing.

Repellent for You and Your Family

In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of distilled white vinegar and 1 cup of water. To make a scented solution, add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Eucalyptus oil is a calm, soothing scent, while peppermint and citrus oils give off a strong crisp scent that will also repel ticks.

Shake well to mix, spray onto clothing, skin, and hair before going outdoors. Reapply every four hours. Examine your skin and hair when back inside.




For the home

Vacuuming - Combatting a flea infestation in the home takes patience because for every flea found on an animal, many more could be developing in the home. A combination of controlled humidity, temperature, and vacuuming should eliminate fleas from an environment. The vacuum must be used around everything your pet frequents, to pick up all the larvae and eggs. Disposing of the bag after each vacuum is recommended.

Baking Soda - Safe for family and pets when used inside the home on carpets and floors. A layer can be sprinkled on carpets and worked into the fibers down to where the larvae and eggs are—dehydrating and killing them. The baking soda can be easily vacuumed up afterwards and safely disposed of. Treatments of 2-3 times per week will be required to remove an infestation completely.

Diatomaceous Earth - A food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) can also be used as a home flea treatment. Application is effective on both the interior and exterior of one's property. The effectiveness of diatomaceous earth is diminished when it gets wet. It is also effective to simply leave it exposed in areas typically vulnerable to fleas and other insects. DE dust can be harmful when inhaled, so use of a dust mask is recommended when applying it.


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Natural Tick Repellent for Pets


Ticks are small arachnids, closely related to the family of mites. They are external parasites which satisfy their nutritional requirements by living on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. Ticks are carriers of a number of diseases, such as Lyme disease, that affect both humans and animals.

For an ecosystem to support ticks, the population density of host species in the area must be high enough, and humidity must be high enough for ticks to remain hydrated.

There are 'soft ticks' (over 200 species) and 'hard ticks' (over 700 species). The hard ticks have a hard shield, which generally can resist the force of soft-soled footwear, especially on soft ground. It requires a hard sole on a hard surface to crush the tick. However, stepping on an engorged tick, filled with blood, kills it easily, though messily.

Hard ticks will attach to a host and will bite painlessly and generally unnoticed, remaining in place until they engorge and are ready to change their skin; this process may take days or weeks. Some species drop off the host to moult in a safe place, whereas others remain on the same host and only drop off once they are ready to lay their eggs.






Ticks find their hosts by detecting breath and body odors, or by sensing body heat, moisture and vibrations. As they are incapable of flying or jumping, many tick species will wait in a position known as "questing"—holding on to leaves and grass by their third and fourth pair of legs while holding the first pair of legs outstretched, waiting to climb on to the host. When a host brushes the spot where a tick is waiting, it quickly climbs on. Some ticks will attach quickly while others will wander around looking for thinner skin like the ear. Depending on the species and the life stage, feeding preparation can take from ten minutes to two hours. On locating a suitable feeding spot, the tick grasps the skin and cuts into the surface.

Harpoon-like structure


With a prominent head that projects forward from the body, ticks extract the blood by piercing a hole in the host's skin, into which they insert a harpoon-like structure near the mouth area, allowing them to anchor themselves firmly in place on a host while sucking blood. This mechanism is normally so strong that removal of a lodged tick requires two actions: One to remove the tick, and one to remove the remaining head section of the tick.




Topical Treatments

Topical flea and tick medicines may be toxic to animals and humans. Phenothrin and methoprene were popular topical flea and tick therapies for cats. Phenothrin kills adult fleas and ticks, while methoprene is an insect growth regulator that interrupts the insect's lifecycle by killing the eggs. However, the EPA required at least one manufacturer of these products to withdraw some products and include strong cautionary statements on others, warning of adverse reactions.

Removal
Engorged tick attached to child's head.

In general, the best way to remove an adult tick is to do it manually. First, take a lint roller (not too sticky) and roll it over your dog or cat's fur. You can also use this on your clothing. This should get rid of any small number of tiny 'seed ticks' and fleas. Secondly, to facilitate prompt removal, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and detach it by applying a steady upward force without crushing, jerking, or twisting in such a way as to avoid leaving behind mouthparts or provoking release of infective fluids into the wound. It is important to disinfect the bite area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol after removal of the tick. The tick can be stored, in case of signs or symptoms of a subsequent infection, for identification purposes together with details of where and when the bite occurred. If the tick's head and mouthparts are no longer attached to its body after removal, a biopsy may be necessary to remove any parts that have been left behind.

See Also: Natural Flea Repellent for Pets and Natural Insect Repellents

Natural Repellent for Pets

Vinegar - Ticks hate the smell and taste of vinegar, and are easily repelled by it.

In a spray bottle, mix 1 cup of water with 2 cups of white vinegar, and add 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil or almond oil, which contains sulfur (also good for repelling ticks).

Lemon Juice, Citrus, or Peppermint - To make a repellent that will also deter ticks, mix in a few teaspoons of lemon juice, citrus oil, or peppermint oil, any of which will repel ticks and fleas while also creating a pleasant smelling repellent. Spray onto the pet’s dry coat, staying away from sensitive areas such as eyes, nose, mouth, and genitals. When outdoors for an extended period of time, spray this solution on two to three times per day.

Cedar - Cedar oil is a (nontoxic natural substance) which has proven effective in the eradication of infestations in pets. Use of some essential oils containing phenols, such as basil, clove, oregano and thyme, can be hazardous to cats.




Repellent for You and Your Family

In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of distilled white vinegar and 1 cup of water. To make a scented solution, add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Eucalyptus oil is a calm, soothing scent, while peppermint and citrus oils give off a strong crisp scent that also repels fleas.

Shake well to mix, spray onto clothing, skin, and hair before going outdoors. Reapply every four hours. Examine your skin and hair when back inside.


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Thursday, 28 May 2015

Shared Grace - Could You Help Me Thrive?




















Susan Ure Reid is called an 'angel' through what she does for the cats. The truth is that all of these animals need and appreciate the ‘angeldom’ of friends who support her ~ Although she does the 'hands on' tending single hearted ~ it is the friends who are placed to help that makes the deep essential difference. She has exhausted all of her savings just as their needs continue to increase.

With weekly costs of £100 ~ with a few additional 'spay' costs and veterinary care in emergencies ~ this help is needed all the more. To Susan’s great relief, all the fertile females have been spayed, arresting the burgeoning ‘kittendom’ bar two as yet to be coaxed gently into a carrier and delivered to the vet for spaying. She has reduced a potential of 28 kittens this spring to 4 ~ which feels like a great achievement.

Susan needs to raise the funds, for the last two females (260 euros) plus the spay costs of 5 males to arrest the ‘catdom’ conflicts which consign them to a harried life in exile. At this point the colony becomes contained. To achieve this now would be the greatest blessing not just for them but for her too.

Susan also has urgent invoices that need to be paid in order for her to continue her work tending to 31 cats on a daily basis - no small affair.

How can Susan help YOU? ~ She proofreads, edits and copy writes, often on a free basis or in exchange. She also tutors students challenged by their degree dissertations and readily and promptly counsels by request on the same basis as she has done for many years.

If Susan can do something for you, please feel free to email her at her paypal address: sharedgrace@hotmail.com

If you are inspired to support the work Susan does with animals (now in its fifth year) your contributions are hugely welcome.

If you feel to contribute to Susan’s efforts and share this information along with her paypal address of sharedgrace@hotmail.com, which will be happily received towards helping them ~ others may hear of and support this small pod of devoted animal care. Thank you so much for sharing this ~ it makes a difference.


All our love and many thanks… 

Susan Ure Reid








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Friday, 10 April 2015

The Tears of a Cow
















Cows are amongst the gentlest of breathing creatures; none show more passionate tenderness to their young when deprived of them; and, in short, I am not ashamed to profess a deep love for these quiet creatures. ~Thomas de Quincey

The term cattle, a word borrowed from the Anglo-Norman French word catel, itself borrowed from medieval Latin capitale (principal sum of money, or capital) is a variant of chattel (unit of personal property) and closely related to capital (in the economic sense) which originally referred to movable personal property, specifically livestock of any kind.

Domesticated since at least the early Neolithic period, cattle occupy a unique role in human history. In many cultures, they are raised for meat, dairy products, hides, and also used as draft animals. Some consider cattle the oldest form of wealth, with cattle raiding consequently being one of the earliest forms of theft.

In Hinduism, the cow is thought to be sacred or very holy, whereby most Hindus don't eat beef. The cow represents strength, and is respected by Hindus for her gentle nature which embodies the main teaching of Hinduism. Having great respect for the cow, and like other animals, Hindus believe that all life has a soul in which God resides, thus killing it would be a crime.

The cow was possibly revered because Hindus relied heavily on it for dairy products and for tilling the fields, and on cow dung for fuel and fertilizer. Thus, the cow’s status as a caretaker led to identifying it as an almost maternal figure. In earlier days, cattle being limited to select few fortunate folks, enjoyed the status that gold or money enjoys today.

How does it come to be that one culture considers a certain species of animal to be a mere commodity, whereas another culture will revere the same species as sacred?




Is it arrogance or is it conditioning that leads us to make the choices we make? Speciesism is a term that was coined by Richard D. Ryder, a British psychologist, in 1970, and refers to the idea that being human is a good enough reason for human animals to have greater moral rights than non-human animals … that all other species of animals are inferior and may therefore be used for human benefit without regard to the suffering inflicted.

Most of us who have ever had dogs as pets, include them as part of the family … man's best friend. Therefore, we are appalled and disgusted by the practice of dog meat consumption in Yulin or Jinhua, or wherever.

According to Jinhua's website, folklore states that the tradition of dog meat consumption originated when, in the 14th century, Hu Dahai, a rebel battling the Yuan Dynasty, ordered all dogs in Jinhua to be slaughtered because their barking had warned rebels of his army’s approach. His soldiers were then treated to dog meat, and it has since been a custom at temple fairs.

Whether there is any truth to this story or not is really of no importance. The importance lies in asking ourselves the following questions. Have I actually taken the time to question all outdated concepts and superficial values? Am I still just blindly following along with ideas based on the whim of another person many centuries before me? Am I truly the person I thought I was?




I considered myself to be a true animal lover. After all, I had many pets in my life: dogs, cats, birds, fish, etc. I visited petting zoos with the kids. I admired the picturesque beauty of horses and cows out to pasture as I drove by. But was I truly an animal lover, or did I pick and choose which animals deserved my moral consideration? There was a time I could walk into a grocery store and purchase meat without giving any consideration to the fact that it once was a beautiful living soul. I came to realize that I was a speciesist!

Waking up doesn't always happen in one full swoop, but in a series of smaller awakenings. This realization was big … and I had been hitting the snooze button far too long. When one is witness to the tears of a cow before she goes to slaughter, or cry out in anguish when her calf is taken away from her, it changes a person. It tore at my heart and opened my eyes with a jolt. How could I have missed this? How could I have been so blind?



If I was to consider myself an animal lover, immediate changes were to be made … and so they were. It wasn't a gradual removal of things off the grocery list either, but all meat and animal by-products were no longer an option. How could they be?

Cows form bonding relationships with other cows, just as we do with people. They have favorite or best friends and have a strong maternal bond with their young. And like us, if a cow is separated from their friends or their young, they become stressed. When allowed, a mother cow will remain close with her young for life.

In all factory farms, cows are artificially impregnated for milk production. After giving birth, they are almost immediately separated from their babies. Female calves will follow the fate of their mothers, while the males will suffer a worse fate with the meat industry.

After a calf is taken from his mother, she cries out for him with longing and heartbreaking distress.



Cows spend most of their lives bearing calves and giving milk. When their milk capacity ceases they are no longer of use, therefore disposed of in lieu of the high cost of keeping them.

Cows have the ability to express many emotions, and joy is one such emotion. Usually, cows are happy when they are let out to pasture in the spring, but these cows are happier than the average dairy cow because they no longer have the stress of giving milk in their lives, until their body is leached out, or from losing their babies. Here you can feel their joy, after these cows were rescued!




“When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.” ~A.D. Williams




  




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Friday, 13 March 2015

Should Animals Have Rights?

Should animals have rights?

Well, the obvious and simple answer to that question is, "Yes"! Animals surely deserve to live their lives free from suffering and exploitation.

Duhaime.org, legally defines a Sentient Being as: "A creature that can suffer and feel pain, mostly animals and humans. Generally, in law, a sentient being is one with the faculty of sensation and the power to perceive, reason and think."

"Sentient animals are beings that have a physical and psychological sensibility, which allows them - in the same way as humans - to experience pain and pleasure. And it is certain that they naturally seek, by all means available to them, to avoid painful experiences."

Sentience is the ability to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively. Eighteenth-century philosophers used the concept to distinguish the ability to think (reason) from the ability to feel (sentience). In modern Western philosophy, sentience is the ability to experience sensations (known in philosophy of mind as "qualia"). In Eastern philosophy, sentience is a metaphysical quality of all things that requires respect and care. The concept is central to the philosophy of animal rights, because sentience is necessary for the ability to suffer, and thus is held to confer certain rights.

Animals have the ability to experience varying emotions such as depression, as well as compassion for another animals and humans.

It happens everyday, dogs are given up and their hearts are broken. Some are adopted out and many out there are put to sleep, or just left on the streets to fend for themselves. They feel the pain and anguish of abandonment.

That's what happened to this poor baby, who was devastated when her owners surrendered her at the  pound recently. She wouldn't raise her head, terrified at where she was she sat in the corner. Another gentle soul, who was also an 'owner surrender', had a big enough heart to try to cheer up her new friend; by trying to play with her and to get her to lift her head.

Animals simply do not like being tortured, as described in the case of this mother bear and her cub, known as bile or battery bears, being held captive for harvesting of their bile. In 2011, Chinese media reported that a captive bear on a Chinese bear farm killed her son and then herself after she heard him cry out in pain when a catheter was jammed into his abdomen so that bile could be extracted from his gallbladder for human medicinal purposes.




Around 14,000 bears are kept in horrific conditions and routinely tortured on bear farms. In this case "a mother bear reportedly broke free after hearing her cub's cry, causing bear 'farmers' to run away in fear. She then ran to the cub's side and immediately smothered it, then ran headlong into a wall and killing herself instantly."

Captive bears spend upwards of 30 years in tiny cages where they can barely move their head and neck to feed and drink water. As they get larger the bears are crushed in their cage so that more bile can be squeezed out.

These bears suffer extreme psychological and physical damage, including severe depression, gnawing off paws, rubbing the skin off their face and nose on the bars of their cage, chewing on the bars and losing teeth, and banging their head into the sides of their cage. Liver cancer is quite common as well. The bile that is extracted is used for a variety of ailments in the name of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but there are more than 100 synthetics and herbs that are actually better and cheaper and experts agree that bile is no longer needed. Surely, it's time for a change.

Moon Bear Rescue Centre outside of Chengdu, China, founded and run by Animals Asia, to date have rescued 361 bears and have a very active campaign specifically designed to end bear farming. While there is unimaginable suffering, there also some awesome individuals such as the Animals Asia team. Consider Jasper, who, after spending 15 years of torture in a tiny crush cage, has become an ambassador for forgiveness generosity, peace, trust, and hope.

Jasper welcomes new bears into the rescue center, breaks up fights, and plays with others who were lucky enough to be rescued. While tears flow for many other captive and rescued bears, individuals like Jasper bring smiles to our face and give us hope for the future. Clearly, it's time to end bear farming now.

On a more positive note, changes are moving to a higher stage.

The French Parliament has overturned 200 years of law to elevate animals to the status of sentient beings. Although it was already obvious to most of us, this recognition in law is an important milestone for animals. As the law begins to acknowledge the sentience of animals, recognition will grow that animals have needs and desires of their own. And one day they will gain the rights that they have so long been denied. As well, New Zealand is set to acknowledge sentience in its own animal welfare legislation later this year.

Ending an era for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' fabled elephant acts, the parent company, Feld Entertainment, announced Thursday that it will phase out the performances by 2018, over growing public concern about the animals, calling the decision "unprecedented". Members of the public have voiced concerns about how elephants and other animals are treated in circus acts.

The 13 elephants that are now part of the Ringling Bros. shows will be sent to the circus' Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida by 2018, joining more than 40 others.

These few stories barely touch the surface of the enormity of animal cruelty that is prevalent on the planet today, in it's various forms. We can each do our part to help … research, sign petitions, share information with others. The animals need our voice.

Love doesn't see animals versus humans, Love just sees, feels, and knows the vibration of God, beneath the false costumes of animals, or humans. Just love all beings, feel the vibrations, stop seeing through the eyes of the ego and see through the eyes of Christ. All for one, one for all.





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Saturday, 7 March 2015

The Elephants Knew


Some will say there is no God, try and tell that to the elephants ...

THE ELEPHANTS' JOURNEY TO PAY RESPECT, BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW?

Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestseller, The Elephant Whisperer. He bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003.

Three years ago today, on March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died. He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons, and numerous elephants. Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved 'man-friend'. A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African House.




Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence's passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way: Walking slowly, for days, making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house. Lawrence 's wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years! But yet they knew where they were going. The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their friend who'd saved their lives - so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without eating anything. Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back home.

SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE IS GREATER AND DEEPER THAN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE.





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