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I just received an email from an author I admire, who raised an orphaned coyote and gave him the best life possible until his last breath. She put her entire self into raising and caring for that creature. After passing, she mourned for a solid year-and-a-half. I wrote back and told her I felt similarly after losing my German Shepherd Freya. I have mourned the loss of every animal friend I’ve ever known. Lisa of Alligator Alliance asked me if I believe that we will see our animal friends in Heaven when we pass on. I wholeheartedly believe so! First, Heaven is said to be a place of eternal joy. So, they must be there! Also, I have taken pets to Blessings of the Animals at various churches. One pastor opened such a service with “I believe that in Heaven, there will be beer and dogs” (He was of German descent. They often drink beer as Southern Americans drink sweet tea). Finally, there have been a number of reports by people who have flat-lined and been revived of them seeing loved ones in Heaven, including pets, and Jesus, too! One such account was given by Roy of Siegfried and Roy. I am someone who has Native American ancestry, and my faith is Christian. My spirituality is a combination of both, and my family has raised me to love and care for all living beings. I am also a student of biology and zoology. I learn new and amazing facts about life on this planet all the time! So, do I think all animals go to Heaven? Yes! I believe they have spirits or souls—an awareness of being. They are masterpiece designs of God. In the Bible, it mentions that the lion and leopard and lamb will all live in harmony in Heaven. So, whether it is a beloved companion pet or wild gator, I believe it has a place in Heaven when it leaves this earth. As with all angels, I believe our beloved animal friends who have crossed over not only watch over us and protect us, but they also send us reminders and signs of their love. A year after Freya had passed, I was feeling sad in a moment and suddenly smelled her scent and felt warmth all around. I thought of her and felt comforted. So, while it is a gift to experience a connection and bond with an animal, it does make it harder to lose them. But it is also a gift to have the hope that you’ll see them again one day, and that they are always with you. They are forever a part of you. We can honor our angels in a number of ways. Lisa mentioned that she and her husband John started a foundation in memory of their cat Lambert. We can help other animals or people in need in honor of our angels! Living our best lives, taking good care of ourselves and others, and remembering them fondly are other ways to pay tribute. The gifts are endless!  Today, it warmed my heart when a group of kids came to me with a little tree frog that they wanted to help. It was in a high traffic area of a playground, and they were concerned that it might get trampled by kids at play who might overlook the tiny frog. One of the kids, whom I know to be very interested in wildlife and good at gentle capture, joined hands with me. Together we held the frog, so it would not escape. We found a suitable branch and leaf for the critter, far enough away from any crowds. The frog jumped onto the kid’s shirt, as if to show its gratitude, and then into his palm. The frog then slowly climbed up onto the tree branch. The kids all cheered and returned to the playground, happy. This got me thinking that the key to future conservation of wildlife and habitats is in teaching young people to value, respect, and act kindly towards nature. Today, I saw it in action! Whether its tree frogs, alligators, orangutans, or dolphins, we need to consider wildlife’s well being in all that we do. Let’s not only share this message with other adults. Let’s teach the next generations, as well!  I’ve been thinking about and discussing calm energy with friends and colleagues a lot recently. I’ve come to learn over the years that animals are very good at sensing calm, non-threatening energy in people, as well as aggressive energy. It’s likely part of their survival instincts. I was treated to a real-life example of this when I visited a local touch tank aquarium. For educational and outreach purposes, they offer hands-on encounters with “friendly” creatures. The animals, however generally get to choose if they want to participate or not. One such animal was a bamboo shark. I was honored when one of the sharks left its nook among rocks to swim over and check me out. She rested her chin in my palm. There was no food involved, so it was purely at will, perhaps out of curiosity. After a few minutes, she returned to her rocks, out of reach of the other visitors. The next day, she paid me a repeat visit. Mind you, I simply waited at pool’s edge, quietly and calmly. That is nothing extraordinary, as I know of many human-animal encounters like this. All the same, I felt special and honored. It is much like our beloved gators, when they allow us to be in their presence. They seem to know we mean no harm. Maybe they are as curious about us as we are of them. I hope I always give off a good energy. I must add that this aquarium was one of my sister’s favorite places to visit! I can understand why. The staff and animals are super-friendly, and they teach people about conservation of wildlife and habitats. It is now one of my favorite places, too.  Lately, when I feel the call to be out in nature alone, I also feel that I’ve been given a job—that of litter collector. Yes, it disturbs my peaceful Zen moment with the plants and creatures of the forest, but I cannot refuse. Today, for example, I went to an alligator habitat to view the inhabitants. I heard the osprey before seeing any. There was no sign of a gator, other than a slide and a few tracks left behind at water’s edge. All was still, apart from an osprey’s call and distant thunder from an approaching storm. Happily, I only found one piece of trash, an aluminum drink can. With my grabbers, I collected it and went on my way. I did, however, find a plastic bucket in a nearby area. I filled it with trash. I later added more litter to the bag with the can from yet another nearby gator habitat. Items like plastic cups, masks, pipes, bottles, cans, and wrappers were removed from nature and disposed of in a secure trash receptacle. As the afternoon thunderstorm approached more closely, a “small” female gator appeared as if to thank me. I think it was “Olive Oil.” Seeing her was all the reward I needed for the sweaty, dirty job I’d performed. I continue to pray that people will be more responsible and more respectful of nature. I hope they will carefully dispose of their trash and create less of it. Until then, I suppose I’ll travel with my grabbers! |
