"Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way." ~ John Muir
Are you among those whose heart is warmed when you see friendship between a raccoon and a greyhound, a pig and a squirrel, a deer and a pigeon, and other interspecies relationships?
Stories of abandoned animals adopted by a mama from another species stir our compassion. Tales of dolphins saving humans amaze us. Reports of humans rescuing endangered animals bring tears of joy.
Whether it's humans helping animals or the other way around, such examples lift our spirits and nourish our hope for peace in the world.
My husband and I have a butterfly garden behind our home. Along with butterflies and bees, our garden attracts many birds, from occasional stops by tiny hummingbirds to daily visits from large sandhill cranes.
I met Buddy* and his crane family and friends a few months ago. At first they were afraid of getting too close to me, as I was about getting too close to them. But after seeing each other several times every day, we've become comfortable together.
What if we all took steps toward becoming comfortable with one another? With all creation? It is possible.
With love and compassion,
Charlene
* We hear that we should be careful around animals in the wild and not encourage closeness with us. We should not name them or feed them. Of course, for their safety and our own, we should use common sense and caution. But what about common kindness? What about awe, wonder, and love for creation? Let's put them into practice too. Our granddaughter, who loves animals
and names just about every plush and real animal she encounters, named Buddy.
"Hear our humble prayer, O God. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to the animals," wrote Albert Schweitzer.
Today, let's stir the reverence and love for nature, for life, for all creation that dwells in our hearts.
