This entry is along the interactive lines. 
I would like to know why you think animal abuse occurs? 
I am not talking about animal experimentation as that is not technically  considered abuse (even thought it is), I am wondering about the everyday  backyard (or in home) pet, the farm animals, those kept in roadside tourist  attractions. And the abuse is not always physical, although that is the most  easily recognizable form.....it can also be mental or emotional.
 
Why would someone starve a dog to death?   Why would a horse be beaten so badly that it’s becomes fearful of all  human contact? As I am sure you are  well aware, there are many more graphic examples, which will not be described in  these pages.  But what I am  interested in is the why....and your thoughts on the matter? 
Having worked in animal rescue for many years, I can honestly say that  I have no answers. Some abusers  seem to feel that they’ve done nothing wrong.  Others make excuses for their behavior  or for the animal’s condition.   Many of the ‘owners’ want the animal back.  

Is it lack of income to care for the animal?  Is it an attitude taught from childhood?  What exactly is it in a person that  makes them say, “It is OK for me to starve this little dog to  death.” 

I recently had the honor of working with some rescued horses at Hidden  Creek Stables in Western Michigan.  These were animals that had seen the very worst the human race had to  offer.  Yet, with the patience,  love and respect of the dedicated rescuers, these horses have learned to trust  humanity again.  What a gift!  And how hard it must have been for  these beautiful animals to open their hearts to love! 

Imagine me, a stranger, entering a corral of horses who had no reason  at all to trust me.  With one ‘come  here’ wiggle of a finger, the horses trustingly approached and with one ‘back  and forth’ finger motion, they stopped right in front of me.   That is how sensitive they are—able to watch small finger motions and act  accordingly. Such a humbling  experience!  

So, dear readers, I would like to hear your opinions.   Why do you think animal abuse is so prevalent in today’s  society?

“Do animals grieve?” is a question
that I hear asked quite frequently. 
And the answer is ‘yes’. 
Anyone who has ever observed an animal’s behavior at the loss of a human  or animal friend knows this to be
true.
While animals may not grieve in the  same way as humans, they feel loss nonetheless.  You might observe your furry friend  acting depressed or showing a lack of appetite.  Sometimes they show no interest in  doing previously loved activities.
But animals can also manifest  sadness in physical ways that you might not imagine.   I was recently massaging a beautiful dog who, according to his guardian,  was having some pain in his back . 
While performing a skin rolling technique to the dog, I noticed that the  skin along his spine was loose and pliable—except in the mid-back area.  I continued to work, noticing that no  matter what technique I used, that one area of skin remained tightly adhered to  the dogs musculature. 

In talking  with the dog’s guardian, I mentioned that this particular area correlates with
the solar plexus chakra, the emotional center, and asked if there had recently
been any emotional upsets in the dog’s life?  She replied that the dog’s furry best
friend had recently passed away.   As she said the words, the dog turned his soulful brown eyes my way and I  said to him, “I’m so sorry you lost your friend.  You must miss him very much.”   

In that instant, the dog’s mid-back
skin suddenly became pliable and soft in my hands. 
His guardian was amazed at the difference! 
She contacted me the next day and said it was like having a different
dog!  The spring was back in his  step and he no had back pain.

The simple act of acknowledging  this dog’s grief at losing his best friend enabled him to ‘let go’ of the  physical pain that was manifesting.

If you have an animal that is  grieving, be sure to acknowledge the loss.  Our animal friends need our love and  compassionate understanding in these times as in no
other.

I have been working with a family of feral dogs in recent days.  It seems they are living in abandoned
housing which is scheduled to be torn down.
 
Initially, I was working with the dogs, attempting to overcome their
distrust of the entire human race. 
And that distrust runs deep. 
Papa Dog sees no benefit in having anything to do with people.  He feels they are very happy with the
way things are and doesn’t see any reason to change. 
Mama dog does seem to have some distant memory of happier times with
humans.  So the question became,
  what is the right thing to do for this little family? 
 
Last evening, I was working with Mama to balance her chakras.  They were entirely closed down but
after crystal work and reiki, her chakras were at least allowing for some energy
flow.  I was also communicating
  that there were people there that wished to help them and Mama had an
  interesting (and thought provoking) question: “How would I know if they are here to
help me or hurt me?”  And, you
know, I didn’t have a good answer for her.  Which led me to question my own
motives.  It was me (and probably
  everyone that loves animals) that wanted them rescued. 
But in understanding that we all are put on this Earth for a reason, it
stands to reason that the dogs are in their current situation for a reason
also.
 
Perhaps they are here to learn a lesson or maybe they are here to
facilitate learning for the human race. 
I suppose it is not really up to us to decide what is right or wrong,
even thought with every fiber of my being, I want these dogs to be safe, happy
and loved.

 Perhaps the best any of us can do is to pray for the greatest and
highest good for the canine family and that it be realized in the gentlest way
possible, surrounding them with Love, Light and Prayers.......

My favorite time of year is fast approaching!  Spring!  From early February, when the first tiny yellow crocus peeped through the snow, my excitement began building.  Spring!  New beginnings!  Warm breezes!  Bluebirds singing!  Beautiful warm days, with the scent of lilacs and honeysuckle filling the air, bringing recollections of childhood memories -- Easter Egg hunts, the croaking symphony of spring peepers, bright red tulips nodding in the breeze.  Spring seems an especially sacred time to me as Mother Earth awakens from her long winters nap.  Her children stretch and come forth, ready to greet the world anew.  Spring speaks of re-birth, re-newal, you can almost smell Springtime!  It’s fresh and clean from rain gently cleansing our Earth Mother’s skin. 

Yes, Spring is a time of renewal and the perfect time to do a little spiritual Spring cleaning!  Following a season of hibernation, you are now awakening to the beautiful Springtime season of new possibilities.  All it takes is ridding your mind of those old thought forms that no longer serve your highest and greatest good.   So get out your virtual broom and sweep the old right out the door!  Then throw open the windows of your mind, flooding your entire Being with bright, life-giving Sunlight!

Spring!  My favorite time of year! That is, until I get to thinking about the long, lazy days of Summer......