Ant Meditation

Meditations on the Ant

An awareness of a perfectly engineered frame endowed with incredible strength makes me feel capable of anything.

Energy and power propel my legs at lightning speed over Mother Earth. I sense food nearby and stop to hone in on the source, I adjust my course and soon am there. I sample the food and finding it good, I send out the message to my sisters. Once they arrive, we all feed together. Now we must carry the rest of the food back to our burrow. The purpose of our task surges us with a surplus of strength and we each carry all that we possibly can. 

We trail one another back down our tunnel into the earthy life force of Mother Earth. In the inky darkness I rely on smells and touches to lead me to where I must deliver my gift of food; Food for our future, food for our children, food that our community will grow in number and in strength.  It is with honour that I perform this work.

Teachings from the Ant

Working with selflessness that others may thrive fills one with a sense of purpose, of duty and of place in a community. Go out and perform a good deed whenever the opportunity arises.

Ant Haiku

Super strength and speed

Labouring with the many

Harmony for all.

Pigs on the Brain

My daughter Abigail had been obsessed with the thought of having a guinea pig for more than a year, but we were reluctant to add yet another animal to our already full household. Our current menagerie held a hamster, a cockatiel, a dog, a cat and several fish.   Then Abigail started writing books about guinea pigs. First she wrote “The Christmas Guinea Pig”; followed by, “What if You Give a Guinea Pig a Cookie”; and then, “The Ice Skating Guinea Pig”; “The Guinea Pig Goes to School” and 3 more titles as well.

My husband and I knew this latest obsession was not going away. I thought this would teach her responsibility. My husband thought, “Not another animal.” But in the long run we agreed to get her a guinea pig.

So we began researching guinea pigs and then went to several pet stores shopping for a suitable pig. I had no idea there were so many different breeds of guinea pig.

After much searching, Abby settled on a young female with brown and white fur.  She deliberated carefully over names before settling on ‘Rose’ when the guinea pig began nibbling on some plastic roses that were draped over the post of her bed.

Abby delighted in her new pet and they bonded quickly. They played on Abby’s bed and the kitchen floor. They would play chase and Rose would take carrots from Abby’s hand. She would brush and feed Rose every morning and again every evening.

Then despite the remarkable friendship Abby and Rose had begun; as new ventures sometimes do, this one too began to lose its sparkle to a certain 6 year old girl.  Not terribly, but I would have to ask her to take the guinea pig out: explain to her how unfair it was to be in a cage all day. Abby was still responsible for feeding Rose every morning; of course it was me placing the food in the bowl and leaving it on the kitchen table to remind her to do so.

Then one day the kids went to their Nana’s for a long weekend. I had the house and all its inhabitants to myself and that was when I discovered what a wonder we had in Rose.  I fell head over heels in love with a rodent, what an amazing rodent though.

The first time I took her out on Abby’s bed, she skipped and jumped with bliss to express her total delight in some playtime and attention.  My dog Maggie came in and Rose ran to the bedside to try to engage Maggie in play. Maggie would approach the side of the bed and Rose would run over first circling, then rubbing her nose against Maggie’s before dashing to the other side of the bed making happy piggy noises as she went. Maggie would meet her again at the opposite bedside and Rose would spin in a circle, make a few wheeking noises and then dash to back the other side.

Joy! This little rodent was playing and showing pure joy! I found myself laughing out loud at her silly antics. As the weekend went on, I found I was looking forward to our daily romps and smiling to myself just thinking about the little guinea pig.  When it was time for Rose to come out, I put her on the bed and sat down next to her. She climbed right up on my lap. I snuggled with her and she pressed herself into my stomach where she curled for a moment before nuzzling her head under my arm.  She was showing me love and affection, and so much from such a small creature. What could I do but return it?

I must admit it took me by surprise. Who would have thought this little animal could have such a hold on me. Who would have thought a guinea pig would have so much love to give and so much joy to share.  To give love and joy: how simple, how generous, how wonderful.

The weekend ended and Abby came home and told me that she had missed her little friend Rose. We took Rose out of her cage and I showed Abby the new things we had been working on while she was visiting her Nana. I told her that Rose would now come when you called her. Abby tried and was thrilled when Rose responded. I showed her how Rose appreciated a good snuggle and that Rose had even made a new friend in Maggie.

Abby and I now both look forward to our morning and evening romps with Rose; we even read bed time stories to her.  We are both deeply in love with Rose and I know she loves us.

 

Meditation Run 2/24/2011

I enjoy running. It is a form of meditation and exercise for me. I am not a fast runner or a crazy distance runner. I am an average runner, 3 to 4 miles 3 times a week. I always bring my dog Maggie. As soon as I get my sneakers on there she is bouncing up and down trying to be the first one out of the door. 
These past couple of weeks I have been running around a lake and I find myself getting lost in my meditations. Once I run a little way, I start receiving messages and thoughts from my guides and it has been very rewarding. But on my last run I had something happen to me that I have never had happen before.
I had reached the 3 mile mark when I noticed a woman in a fur coat taking her mail out of the mail box. As I got closer to her, my head filled with a vision of frightened animals, the fear in their eyes as they beheld scattered body parts and rivers of their own blood, I was horrified. My eyes filled with tears and I felt vomit rise in the back of my throat. Maggie sensed my upset and her hackles stood up along her back and she began to bark fiercely at the fur coat clad woman. These visions were so gruesome, so heart wrenching, why had my guides shown me these, what was I supposed to do with them?  I know what goes on with the making of fur coats. I know how terrible it is. Why sicken me with these visions on my normally joyous run?
I re-collected myself and Maggie and we continued on our run and my answer quickly came to me. I have to let others know, to tell my story. To have them feel what it is that I felt from the animals' point of view. To tell them the fear and suffering the animals go through. How wrong it is. How we must change our way of thinking that animals have no feelings. To let people know they should give animals the respect and love they deserve. To leave well enough alone. Let the animals live the life they deserve. To grant them the freedom they deserve. They are our gifts from God. They are to bring us joy. If we go on killing these animals for pure sport or fashion or for their land we will not be able to enjoy them any more for they will be gone. Only to be told about in a story. To never have our children’s children enjoy the sight of a wild wolf, fox, Polar Bear, etc...

To learn more about anti fur check out this link.
 http://www.antifursociety.org/

African Elephant Meditation

It is hot and dry. The air is heavy with dust stirred up by the passing of many enormous feet. The dust cloud expands around us announcing our presence on the plain.

My view is blocked in all directions by the mountainous sides of my sisters, aunts, cousins. I am traveling in the protected center with my calf. We keep a slow but steady pace. His short legs struggle to keep up across the miles. When he lags behind, a nudge from his aunt’s trunk catches him up.

We pick up the pace as the scent of food pulls us forward. Soon we arrive in a green break across the brown plain. We stop for a much needed rest and feed.

I rip up huge mouthfuls and feed myself and I encourage my calf to nurse as we will soon be moving again.

After too short a time, we start out onto the plain, the dust cloud enveloping us once again.

My calf is bouncy and playful, his rest and feed have given him bravery as well as energy. He runs up behind a young bull and tries to tug his tail. The young bull is offended and gives a swift but gentle kick to end the foolishness. Bereft of bravado and seeking comfort, my calf returns to my side reaching up to me with his trunk. I touch his side offering reassurance and we keep moving.

The most tantalizing scent crosses our path and we turn as one to follow it. Soon we arrive at a watering hole. We take turns drinking, spraying, then sliding down delightful muddy banks to sit and bathe in the wonderful cool water.

I drink my fill and playfully douse my calf to his utter delight.

Too soon we must be on the move again.

Before long the setting sun signals us to stop for the night. The herd forms a circle around us and now my obstructed view is a comfort. My calf and I can rest without fear so surrounded by our relatives.

I pull my calf close to me using my trunk to carefully check for any injury or harm. Finding none I caress him contentedly slipping off to sleep. Rest my child as tomorrow brings more travel and more teachings.

Teachings from the African Elephant

It truly takes a herd to raise a child. Our duty as parents is to protect, teach and love our children. We must bear the burden of responsibility bravely, without complaint.

African Elephant Haiku

Acres of loose skin

Huge ears long prehensile nose

Sentient as us

Nature Over Nurture

Nature over Nurture

Good intentions don’t always guarantee success. That was the case with Linda, Annie and a dog named Peggy Sue. 
Linda and Annie were both avid animal lovers and shared their home with several birds and dogs, all rescued adoptees.
Their passion was nurturing these deserving animals back to health and happiness in their loving home.
Linda and Annie’s newest adoptee was an adorable Schnauzer who had been rescued from a puppy mill. Her life in the puppy mill was misery and abuse; she was confined to a cage and bred to bear one litter after another and that was the entirety of her life experience.
Linda and Annie brought her home knowing she needed lots of work but believing with patience, love and positive socialization, she could become a wonderful addition to their family. They named her Peggy Sue.
The first days were completely overwhelming for Peggy Sue, so many new things all at once; stairs, couch, carpet, furniture, even grass and dirt. So many new textures, smells and possibilities after a life in a metal cage, Peggy Sue was thrilled!
Linda and Annie introduced her to the other family dogs and birds and began the task of house training. Everything was going well, Linda and Annie had so much experience with rescues, Peggy Sue could not have asked for better guides into her new life. 
Several months went by and Annie called me with heartbreaking news. They had lost one of their birds, a Cockatoo who had been with them for many years had been killed by Peggy Sue.
Linda and Annie were devastated by the loss of their cherished companion. They had both worked very hard acclimating Peggy Sue to her new home and teaching her the rules. But Peggy Sue had been relentless in harassing their birds.
Reprimanding her helped when they were home, but they had to be able to trust her when they were not.
They tried gates which she scaled. They tried crating her away from the family as punishment. They tried every trick in the book, but Peggy Sue could not be trained out of her fixation on the birds.
It all came to a head when the cockatoo let himself out of his cage and Peggy Sue was there to see it. She went after him and he died instantly.
Linda asked me to communicate with Peggy Sue to try and find out why she persisted in this behavior and what could be done to train her to stop.
When I connected to Peggy Sue, she showed me a feeling like a zap, a sort of electrical charge that flooded her senses when she saw the birds or any animal smaller than her. Once she felt that charge, instinct took over and training went out the window. It was so overpowering, she really had no control, nor could she comprehend why she was being punished for it.  To Peggy Sue’s mind, she was doing what nature demanded that she do and therefore was correct in her actions. She really didn’t understand being reprimanded for behavior that felt completely ‘right’ to her.
As Peggy Sue had spent so much time in a puppy mill, she had too much to digest all at once. Just going from a life in a cage to life in a home was enough for most dogs; but Peggy Sue had such a strong prey drive that it was too much to learn to control her instincts as well as how to make all the other adjustments to life with a family.
“Can she be broken of this?” Annie Asked.
I suggested an animal behaviorist. They might be able to give some instruction on how to deprogram Peggy Sue. But this was an expense they could not pursue and there was no guarantee it would work.
I also felt so much tension in the once happy house; everyone was now walking on eggshells.
Linda no longer trusted Peggy Sue and was still angered over the loss of the cockatoo. Linda simply could not overcome that right away.
I also felt that Annie and Linda’s relationship was suffering. They were both torn to pieces over their loss and did not want to risk harm coming to another bird. Everyone’s nerves were frazzled, even the other dogs. 
Annie was both heartbroken from the loss of the bird and at the thought of failure with Peggy Sue.
I let Annie know that they had giving her all they could. They had saved Peggy Sue from a miserable existence and with love had transformed her into a well mannered dog that would be someone’s perfect companion.  Peggy Sue was just not right for their household.
She would be better in a home by herself or with one other dog, but no small animals. Peggy Sue’s sweet and loving nature could really shine through if she wasn’t forced to constantly deny her instincts.
The stress for everyone in the house and especially Peggy Sue had reached a critical stage. The best option for all was for Peggy Sue to be re-homed.
The decision to let an animal companion go to another home, even knowing that it will be better for the animal is one of the hardest decisions an animal owner can face. It’s also one of the toughest things I have to tell a client.
But sometimes it really is the best decision, best for the family and best for the animal.
Linda and Annie were heartbroken by their losses. But they know they gave Peggy Sue a new life and that she will be happier in a different setting, one without so many temptations to overcome. And their household will be less stressed without the fear of harm coming to another bird. Annie and Linda did everything right for Peggy Sue, but sometimes it just was not meant to be.

 Peggy Sue was placed in a loving home with one other dog. She has adjusted very well to her new owners and house mate. The new owners realize they are truly blessed to have Peggy Sue as part of their lives. She is a very well trained and loving companion.

Commuication with my Cat Fred

A Communication with My Cat Fred

I was outside in the garden when my cat Fred sauntered over to join me.  As we sat together enjoying the early summer sun, I decided to check in with Fred.

My first impression was one of complete contentedness. Fred showed me his gratitude for being given the freedom to come and go as he pleases. He showed me secret cat paths through bushes and trees leading to an open field filled with sunlight. He showed me the simple pleasure of curling up for a nap in the sun whilst listening to birdsong and the scurrying of small creatures. He showed me the feel of a sinuous stretch upon waking and the joy of returning to his house and finding one of us to give him a nice rub and food.

He suggested that I should get out more too. I left our communication thinking what a wonderful and wise cat I had in Fred. How very Zen of him.

Teachings from Fred

Many of us spend too much time with our ‘must do’ tasks, either doing them, on our way to do them or worrying about doing them. We all need to remember the adage, “Take time to stop and smell the roses.”

Set aside some time to go outside into nature and just be.

Oil Spill

Oil Spill Meditation

Brilliant blue water surrounds me and there are brightly coloured fish and corals everywhere I look. A small clump of seaweed undulates with the water, I look closer and  spot a seahorse clinging tightly. I’m entranced with the diversity of life. A big silver fish glides over head and I follow him away from shore, some anemones wave as I swim past.

The water becomes colder and darker as we swim ever deeper.

Some dolphins come up beside me. They tell me that they cannot go further, there is something strange ahead. The water smells and tastes different, they are confused. This is the way to their hunting ground, they have traveled this way for generations.

They don’t know where to go, where they are, everything is wrong with their navigation system. It’s worked for millennia, was perfected over millennia and was destroyed in an instance’s carelessness.

A school of fish approaches, hysteria has taken over, they are as disoriented as their dolphin counterparts.

I cannot help these animals in their confusion, but I try anyway, I must. I send out a white light of protection with the message to avoid these waters. They seem to take some comfort in the white light, but my message conflicts with their instincts and their instincts are stronger. They have to continue on their way, they have no choice. I send more light and more light with the hope that they will listen to my message, my pleas.

They continue on.

I send more light, more light….the oil covers it.

This Oil spill is still affecting the under water animal. Please send Light and Love.