Today, sadly, I witnessed a pit-bull dog struck by a truck to exit life in her last breaths.

Horrific. This especially touched my heart as I know many with fur-baby loved ones who are not only man’s best friend, but family. I’ve listened to friends who’ve put their pets down, lost them to old age or illness. Tragic.

I’ve homed pets, adopted, babysat, fostered and loved many, from cats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, fish, snails, dogs, horses and bunnies. My heart feels for these creatures, as part of our home. The old joke goes: the test of love is to lock your spouse in a trunk versus your dog.

Who’s happier when you open the door?

Feng Shui dictates the energy of animals in the home creates good vibes. They greet us at the door after a long day’s work, cuddling up on our lap licking tears, snuggling on the keyboard while attempting to work; our wee little angel fur-baby bundles of happiness. They soothe and keep company when human interaction is not sufficed.

Keeping them low on the totem pole is an important aspect of proper pet parenting. To know their place is to be respectful, obedient and leashed. Yet, they still need ample love and care. Some pet parents keep them underfed, while others overindulge the little mutts. Finding the balance is key and the connection to humankind with every living being in nature.

Members of the family (two legged or four) need to have their own bed and area of comfort. Imagine the stress of not having a soft place to land? To feel safe and secure especially in closed-off surroundings. Some pets are sanctioned off without proper toileting facilities, like puppy pads to pee, or dog run to relieve natural tendencies—then abused via punishment for not being able to “hold it” for twelve hours of kenneling.

Sad what living beings must endure.

As a pet owner, please ensure your little guy a comfy zone of their own. A cozy nook to feel safe and sheltered.  Mama kitties know this instinctively seeking closets and narrow spaces to litter her kittens. A closed off space to ensure protection of the species and her babies. Be mindful of their needs as they can’t speak our language.

I rescued a pregnant mama cat left abandoned in a midnight move in an apartment—she favoured drinking from the toilet as survival during her neglect.

As human beings we disregard those in our custodial care, whether children, elders, resources or animals. As mere stewards of this earth, please be wise of what we’ve been given and mindful of life. Pocahontas reminds us of living in harmony with earth’s creatures with the Disney ballad “Colours of the Wind.”

Teaching us to learn from nature and culture as they are not things to conquer nor own.

 “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  

~ Genesis 1:26

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Assistant Ed: Judith Andersson / Ed: Bryonie Wise