Dale’s foot is all healed and she is once again enjoying life in the great outdoors. Here is a picture of her drinking water out of the fountain in my meditation circle with St. Francis looking on.

Animals are amazing. I learn a lot from caring for them. They sure seem to live totally in the moment. I was concerned that Dale would have a hard time walking after loosing one of her three toes and it hasn’t even phased her. Her life goes on pretty much as always.

As I started to write this post she stood out in the front yard and raucously asked for her afternoon treat. I cut up a banana, she yummied it down and now she is off enjoying the rest of the day.

I used to be bothered by the fact that I seemed to attract wounded animals. I would feel bad that they were suffering. It took me a few years to realize I was projecting my assumption about suffering on the. They came around because I am tuned in and do care for any injured animal I find. Earlier this year I saved a young cardinal that got stuck in a sticky fly trap and the other day I buried a bird I wasn’t able to save under my avocado tree.

Here is a picture of Boots who caught the bird now fertilizing my avocado tree. She weighs three times as much as Dale yet she is afraid of chickens. Some day I’ll get a picture of my chickens chasing the cat!

Animals have given me the opportunity to apply the concept that we volunteer for all of life’s experiences to a new level. I remember hearing Abraham (of The Secret fame) say that there was no shortage of spirits willing to inhabit animals bodies, including the ones we eat as food. The inhumane way we slaughter animals is simply another opportunity for us to experience what we aren’t so we can remember what we are.

One of the most profound gifts life has to offer is the contrast. Without both light and dark everything would look the same so we wouldn’t be able to see anything. Without fear, love wouldn’t seem so special. Without sadness, joy would be as rich an experience.

What contrasts in your life could you celebrate instead of judging or resisting?

With love, aloha and celebrating diversity,
Susan