A friend just sent me this last night and this ties in with the last post. Humans and animals. You can't help but be moved by this video. This group of gorillas treat this human with respect and curiosity - sure, the male gorilla could break this man in half but his intentions seem more to keep the kids in line while they check out the human curiosity. And I can't help but think of how humans repeatedly fail when it comes to respecting other life forms. From horrific factory farming conditions to abusing a family pet, we seem to not lack for new and innovative ways to abuse our fellow life forms. And then you have this flip side, a species that could literally rip us apart but they choose to simply groom the mans hair and remove a twig from it. Truly a magnificent mammal and watching them I couldn't help but feel shame - shame that we aren't a better species. Perhaps with time that will come - I always wonder how many generations out it will take before the population is horrified at how we USED to treat animals. "They used to fight what?" Watch, enjoy and keep wagging!

Animals and humans

I was thinking about some of the wonderful experiences that I've had working with animals around the world. Helping nurse sea turtles back to health in St. Croix, helping several hundred green turtles recover from a severe cold snap in South Florida, and helping with all the malnourished, abandoned dogs and cats in Slydell Louisiana after hurricane Katrina forcefully introduced herself to the U.S.A., I've been fortunate to experience these things and more. And through these experiences, there are consistencies that leap to mind. One is the positive outlook that animals seem to possess no matter what they are going through. Forget about humans projecting their feelings on to the animal in front of them. If you've ever looked in the eyes of an injured dog that suddenly wags when you look at him/her, you'll know what I am talking about. I've know this about animals for a long time because I've experienced it on a daily basis for over twenty years. But from time to time something rears its head and gives me hope...and just like that my faith in humanity is restored. Just when I get so mad at people for failing to protect/care/nurture animals, a human will show...well, some depth of humanity that is refreshing. In situations where animals need help, that's when you see the good side of people. It doesn't get the headlines that the negative treatment of animals does but it happens and its exhilarating when I see it! Yes, there are millions of us that love and care for animals and I'm proud to be one of them! Keep doing the right thing and Keep Wagging!