Ian Somerhalder Foundation Book Club discussion

Animals

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. –Mahatma Gandhi

We are all connected

In Western cultures, our connection with Earth, our bodies, plants, animals and the sacred feminie has been deemphasised. It was not always so. At the roots of our being, we carry memories of being connected, one with all life. Caring for animals and the environment brings us back to this connection.

Animals as familiars – teachers, guides, companions

Drayco, Rosette’s familiar and his young son, Path of the Stray pg 3

Drayco sniffed the air. He comes. His voice brushed
across her mind. He’s hungry.
‘Oh dear.’ Rosette turned towards the door.
A young black temple cat with enormous paws and
grey tabby-striped legs bounded into the room. He
didn’t stop to get his bearings or commune with her and
Jarrod (or ask permission to enter, as he’d been taught).
He rushed in, leapt over the rugs, knocked into a crate,
tipped over shelves and launched onto Drayco —
snarling like a wildcat.
‘Gratch!’ Grayson called from the hallway. He stuck
his head in and cringed. Books and stacks of crockery
had crashed to the floor. Looseleaf papers went flying.
They floated like autumn leaves to the ground. ‘Gratch,
respect. Remember?’

* * *

Tryn and her Were-fey familiar, Quillian, pg 122

Hush, Quill. We don’t want to be seen.
I am never seen, if I don’t want to be; you, on the
other hand, are a moving target. Keep still!
She shushed her familiar again, even though his voice
was soundless, a message in her mind. I’m trying to
catch a glimpse.
That can go both ways, is my point. Let me do the
looking.
She lowered her head. Good idea.

* * *

Quillian encouraging Tryn in risk taking. Pg. 124

‘Do you think it’s worked?’ she asked her familiar.
The settling spell? There’d be only one way to find
out, Tryn.
She grinned. ‘I was hoping you’d say that. Let’s go
have a peek.’


Familiars are not pets

Ruby sees Mistress Delic’s familiar for the first time. Pg. 321-322


She opened her arm towards the temple grounds and a
Diamond patterned snake dropped its head out of her sleeve.
It looked straight at Ruby, or was it the grunnies that
captured its attention?
‘Delighted,’ Celia said and dismounted as if nothing
peculiar had happened.
Good goddess! Ruby said. She has a pet snake?
Her familiar. Hardly a pet, Celia corrected. Do
shield, dear.
But look at the tail! The snake was looped once
around Mistress Delic’s neck, the end of its body
tapering to a point. The tail was erect, the scales like a
nest of hollow beads. It shook like a rattle, the sound
startling the grunnies.
Rattlesnake, Celia said. Common in these parts.
Deadly poisonous. Hurry along.


Animals help us experience connection

Animals can represents wild instinct, intuition and elements of the unconscious. They know nature’s way and they lead us (or lure) us onto the ‘right-for-us’ path.

Animals can also link us to a ‘transcendent’ quality or processes in story and in our lives. The ‘intellect’ can remove us from our body and nature. We lose a sense of wholeness, completeness. The identification and communion with animals and nature can be transcendental. It takes us to a new state of awareness. As we develop relationships with animals and reverence for species and habitats, we move our own ‘story’ forward, expanding consciousness, awareness and compassion.

Animals help us listen to our intuition and heal the divide between mind-body-spirit, bringing us to wholeness.

Focusing our thoughts on an animal totem (as ancients did when in a state of reverence) brings us into alignment with what that animal represents
(vibrates). ‘Animal healing ‘is the alignment of our energy to a particular vibration.

Putting our thoughts on reverence for all life, seeing everything as a ‘thou’ and not ‘it’ raises our consciousness, heals us, and heals our world. It all starts with appreciation.

Discussion

We talk much about the power of animals to guide and aid us, but what are we doing for them? Millions of creatures without a voice can use our support. It begins right here, right now, in our own backyard.

What animals in the story do you identify with the most? Why? Do you have animals in your life you consider a ‘familiar’? What are you learning from them? How significant is that connection in your life?

I traveled around to beautiful places but was always haunted by the sounds of the Wildlife becoming encompassed by despair in confusion as their Old Growth Wilderness homes were being demolished by out-of-town Timber fallers. Helicopters, slash fires, Herbicides. I couldn't take it & so went home to the Redwoods & helped start the Mattole Free State in Old Growth Douglas Fir forest, telling the Lumber Company owned by Maxxam Corp that they couldn't clear cut any longer & we had collected $9 million to purchase the thousand+ acres which had been a sacrifice zone after the Headwaters Deal when Julia Butterfly came out of her tree. After 11 months of living without concrete, 16 miles away from vehicles & domesticated life, they cut the Timber Harvest Plans. I watched the birds fly into their nests horizontally, looking for their eggs & young in the downed trees. The wildlife looked at us with no fear at all, they knew we weren't going to eat them & so they communicated with us as if we were part of the forest. They looked at the loggers & machines in horror. They were our eyes & ears & they knew we were fighting for them. They didn't understand our powerlessness, because we were as frightened of the chainsaws & helicopters as the wildlife were once our blockades were torn down & our lawsuits were ignored.

I couldn't ignore all of the domestic voices any longer. I am now surrounded by them. Sheep, goats, llamas/alpacas, chickens, guineas, horses, dogs, cats. I am a minority species. I am the waiter who brings the food & I am the gate keeper who holds the power to toss you in a pickup truck once they are cleaned up & ready for a new home or take you for a nice trail ride. I train horses & trim hooves for a living. I do livestock rescue & rehabilitate birds of prey for the local Wildlife Care Center. I love my life & what the animals teach me everyday is patience, love, gentleness, & intuition. They are my life & I love their voices rather than having a human boss. I love working at home & helping them realize their inner desires. "I'm a field goat, but I really want to be a pet." (or) "I'm a pet sheep but I would really like to live wild & woolie in a big field" etc. =)

Thank you ISF for what you are doing for this world. Such a great inspiration Ian! @ISF_Barnyard

Thank you, Barnyard. Your vision and compassion are very moving. So glad you are here, you and all the critters in your life! Things happen when we come together as a group. Good things for the whole Earth!

Beautifully written, Barnyard!

I work with a local farm sanctuary here in Ennis, and have my own that I've taken in over the years. Horses and dogs are my first love, though I truly enjoy ALL of my animals. My favorite thing to do is sit and watch them just be, play in the pasture, natter and chatter, etc.

I love animals to especially horse I never ridden a horse before but I might one day maybe they are so beautiful running with the wind

Gina wrote: "I love animals to especially horse I never ridden a horse before but I might one day maybe they are so beautiful running with the wind "

Gina, I hope you not only get to ride a horse one day but have the opportunity to learn from and connect with and appreciate these magnificent animals everyday! Sending that intention out into the universe, now!

Kendra, yes, so beautiful just to be in the presence of . . . Thank you.

What do you mean connect with them

Gina wrote: "What do you mean connect with them "

With the word 'connect', I meant to be linked with, tune in, relate, form relationship with . . . so the doing is ride, groom, feed, water, care for, make friends and the inner quality is 'connection' or communion. Does that make sense?

I really admire Barnyard's work!

I haven't read the book yet (not sure if it's available yet) but it's really interesting because I love to read books with animals on the titles, covers, plot. I noticed this habit of mine to pick them out from the rest of the books especially when I encountered Life of Pi (the cover with the Bengal Tiger + Orangutan) with the boy on a boat in the middle of the Pacific. I would want to read this book!

It's one of my dreams to set up an animal sanctuary but I realize now that so many are building and starting their own so maybe supporting is much better. I'd want to live in a place where animals are able to roam freely, right in their own habitat.

I've been surrounded by animals when I was 8 but now we've concentrated on dogs, cats, birds and fishes. I connect the most with our dogs and birds. Birds especially parrots are just so intelligent and dogs of course are the most lovable creatures. Cats are very independent but it feels like I'm the only one who loves them back XD

Yeah it makes Seneca Kim I just love animals you feed them love them connect with them

Gina wrote: "Yeah it makes Seneca Kim I just love animals you feed them love them connect with them "

Yes!

Sometimes I feel more connected to animals than people! Working at an animal shelter, it is impossible to look into the eyes of the cats and dogs being left there and not realize that they feel emotions just as deeply as we do. I believe that living in close contact with animals on a daily basis teaches us so much about life, if we pay attention. I know that from an outside perspective it might seem like my life with my animals is chaotic (I have 2 horses, 2 dogs, and 4 cats) but the truth is they are my sanity. They teach us compassion, patience, and how to slow down and enjoy each moment. I completely agree with Kendra, some of the best times I've had have been watching my animals interact with each other or explore their environment. Without them my life would feel empty. That is why I am working towards a future in which animals are protected. They are our companions, and they are also our humanity.

There is a new age or old age (either way you look at it) style of training that in the last 20 years is slowly becoming the norm to start horses. It is called "Natural Horsemanship".

At this point there are many people writing & teaching it. The main trainer's technique that I started with was Pat Parelli.

"The Parelli Program of horse training teaches expertise and success with horses based on the way horses relate and communicate in their natural world – hence the term “natural horsemanship.”

Lyons on Horses by John Lyons &
Imprint Training of the Newborn Foal: A Swift, Effective Method for Permanently Shaping a Horse's Lifetime Behavior are also books that I grew up with.


When my sister was younger, her & I would take out our goat herd to eat brush (30 goats at the time, mostly rescue Spanish meat & Dairy kids) We called it a "Goat Walk" The Livestock Guardian Dogs were puppies & they would follow along. The important thing was to have a really good lead goat. We would break trails into the black berry understory & the goats would munch their ways through creating bigger trails. We would go farther into the forest everyday. Such a meditation to just watch them eat, like a grazing horse it is very peaceful. I would bring a good book & sit down once we came to a thick area & my sister would bring a picnic. Paying ourselves by saving money on hay while feeding them natural food without fences.

Barnyard wrote: "There is a new age or old age (either way you look at it) style of training that in the last 20 years is slowly becoming the norm to start horses. It is called "Natural Horsemanship".

At this p..."

I have also studied Pat Parelli, incredible stuff! If it wasn't for this method of horse training I would not have the relationship with my horse that I do today. In fact, he would have been sent to slaughter by his previous owner. Lucky for me, he was rescued by a trainer who helped me to communicate with this amazing animal who had been traumatized into insanity. Now he is the happiest most affectionate trail horse you will ever meet! I first encountered Natural Horsemanship when I read Monty Roberts' "The Man Who Listens to Horses". I also would recommend "The Faraway Horses" by Buck Brannaman. Changed my life!

Hi Kim and everyone. This is my first time posting here, but this subject resonates with me so deeply. I feel like it's one of my callings to be a voice for those without one (at least not one understood by those who remain unconscious). Sometimes I am overwhelmed by how much suffering there is in the world for animals and all manner of innocent beings. Even nature itself is so cruel that sometimes I just wanna stick my head in the sand and give up trying to make a differnce. But of course, my heart won't allow that, and eventually I will be inspired and my spirit will be renewed by something as simple as watching a family of geese walk through my mom's backyard. The mom and dad so watchful, and the fuzzy little babies stumbling along between them- occasionally one of the little ones stopping to inspect something foreign that has caught its attention, then racing to catch up with the others- just like human kids, just like our families. And it's so beautiful, it's heart wrenching in it's truth. It says so clearly they are so like us. I have no doubt they have souls, and in my humble opinion animals are more highly evolved that human beings. They are our teachers.
Leonardo Da VInci said, "The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men." I believe he's right. That day can't come soon enough for me, or the animals. In the meantime the collective consciousness of the planet will have to be raised significantly, one heart at a time.

Sheila wrote: "Hi Kim and everyone. This is my first time posting here, but this subject resonates with me so deeply. I feel like it's one of my callings to be a voice for those without one (at least not one unde..."

That's beautiful, Sheila. Thank you. So inspiring.

I am enjoying all the posts so much. Just reading is a renewal of spirit!

More on topic tho, lol, I definitely believe in animals as spirit guides. I guess I'm not entirely certain what a "familiar" is- is it the same as a guide or is it more like your spirit in animal form?
I've had an interesting experience over the last three years that maybe some of you could help me shed some light on.
Before 2009, I had seen a fox once in my life- probably the year before, on a street in my neighborhood. Also, in 2008, there was a lot of emotional trauma in my relationships and huge changes were taking place in my life. I was feeling more and more isolated because my spiritual path was taking me in a nontraditional direction, and those around me didn't relate to a lot of the experiences I was having that seemed almost magical. I started praying that God would send me a friend that I could talk to about my experiences, etc.
Shortly after, I met that person, in 2009. Strong feelings developed despite this persons unavailability. While we were having lunch in my car one day, a fox came out of some nearby brush and just sat and looked at us. We met there for lunch quite often (a large retail parking lot) and every time the fox would appear, but only after I arrived. I also started seeing foxes everywhere else. Not counting the sightings at lunch, for the next two years I would see a fox at least once a week if not more. And of course, I researched the meaning of the fox totem to death, I've tried to ask the fox what it was trying to tell me. But there so many ways to interpret the fox medicine that I was just left more confused after the research. I can tell you that meeting this person was like feeling the sun on my face for the first time in twenty years. I'd forgotten what it was like to be understood and appreciated.
In July of 2011 a whole family of foxes crossed the road in front of me. Then, on July 31 I received an email from this person who had become my best friend, saying he'd had to move his family suddenly to another state for a better job. This person was in a bad situation, and I know returned my feelings. My friend won't speak to me or return any emails. I have not seen a fox since July of 2011. I know I need to let go. But my heart is absolutely refusing. I am destroyed. And I know that to other people it seems obvious I was naive. But there was more to this. When we walked through a store together, the lights would got out over our heads all throug the strore. We would set off entire walls of electronic toys just by walking by. And what the heck was the fox trying to tell me or us or him? I'm just completely baffled. If anyone has any insights I would really appreciate it. Thanks

Sheila wrote: "More on topic tho, lol, I definitely believe in animals as spirit guides. I guess I'm not entirely certain what a "familiar" is- is it the same as a guide or is it more like your spirit in animal f..."

That's an amazing story, Sheila. Your first question is easy to answer. A familiar is an animal, like a spirit guide, whom we form a bond with. They aren't pets but autonomous creatures with lives of their that also share something with us. The term is usually used with 'witches' or shamans (same thing really) and their animal companions. In my books, there are plenty of familiars and we get to experience the mind to mind link between them and their human bond-mate. In folklore it is said that some are able to change places with their familiars, spirits swapping bodies for a time. I've definitely had fun writing that.

Your fox experience is very moving. I think the answer to what it means is something only you can unravel but my interpretation would be that your relationship with this person was linked to the spirit of the fox, what the fox represents - beauty, cunning, survival and connection. I get the feeling that you 'saw more' when you were with this person, that your senses were heightened. Yes?

Everything is energy and like attracts like. The energy of you being together was 'foxy' and drew to it a like form. The relationship was a very unique and unusual energy for you. It doesn't surprise me that similarly unique and unusual experiences would surround it.

Letting go doesn't mean we no longer honor an experience or are betraying its memory. It means we find the 'right place' for it in our lives, in our hearts. .

Maybe fox can show you that right place and bring some peace and understanding. . .

Do you meditate? By quieting the mind, space is created for inner guidance to speak. Like a fox, the message comes when we aren't looking.

Hogan Gorman author of Hot Cripple: An Incurable Smart-ass Takes on the Health Care System and Lives to Tell the Tale tweeted on Thursday:

"Today I was asked what the best advice I was ever given was.."You should meditate." 3 simple words gave me back; my art, my sanity, my life."

Barnyard and Allison, have ya'll looked into GaWaNi PonyBoy's works? Native American training with horses, actually a lot like Parelli and Buck Branagan.

I also ended up delving back in to Xenophon's book The Art of Horsemanship as well. And Linda Kohanov.

Kendra wrote: "Barnyard and Allison, have ya'll looked into GaWaNi PonyBoy's works? Native American training with horses, actually a lot like Parelli and Buck Branagan.

I also ended up delving back in to Xeno..."

Yes! I have read "Horse Follow Closely" and watched the accompanying DVD, its right up there with Parelli and Brannaman. My personal approach to training horses has been to study as many trainers as possible, and take home the pieces of each method that make the most sense to me. Thanks for reminding me about Xenophon!

I have Horse, Follow Closely: Native American Horsemanship by GaWaNi Pony Boy. I'll check the other two out sometime. I also grew up with Riding Towards the Light: An Apprenticeship in the Art of Dressage Riding my Dressage instructor was very skilled at explaining concepts in images in order to allow you to understand what it is that you are trying to feel.

The other books that I highly recommend from Beginner to Advanced riding skills are The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Basics for Beginners/D Level, Intermediate Horsemanship, up to Advanced Horsemanship B/Ha/A Levels. A bit more formal & old school than the Natural Horsemanship, but as a combination it can really help put into perspective what knowledge you are looking to have before you move onto the next level of training. I presume other countries have their own Pony Club requirements, manuals & ratings? It is an amazing group to be involved in as a young person, to teach discipline & create a strong foundation; though, the books are a great reference to anyone trying to learn or brush up on skills.

In Humboldt county, CA we created our own Pony Club group, so went strictly by the books with our little homemade backyard crossbred Arabians, Mustangs, Morgans & we traveled to Sacramento & Petaluma to Dressage Rallies & ended up winning; like I said our Dressage trainer was amazing & we were shocked. I went to New Hampshire to finish High School, it was a completely different level of society. I leased a nice TB/Dutch Warmblood who was fantastic. Not well trained but naturally talented, which I had never experienced before. My uncle had a farm, it was always a struggle to grow enough successful veggie crops & Timothy hay for the property tax, but he was the Keeper of the Hounds for a local Hunt Club, so we got to ride Staff in the mock Fox Hunts. Loads of fun, keeping track of all of the hounds rushing off into the forest! Here in Humboldt County people are mostly High School Rodeo type of folks, riding Gymkhanas & wrestling cows, in NH I was immersed in my English styled riding culture. Amazing Cross Country courses! I was definitely in heaven.

At present I have a young Percheron/Quarter horse mare who I'm in love with & have been getting into the arena. I was recently given an older rescue Arabian mare this winter who ends up having a lot of high level Dressage training. I am loving it! She is fairly blitzed out in her brain, very nervous & gets shaky on the ground, though in the saddle she is right there & can stand calmly or do anything you want. Great for beginners. I am wanting to start working more with her bitless doing the high level Canter Half-Pass, Flying Changes, working on Pirouette. She is so soft in the mouth that she often gets behind the vertical, or behind the bit. Seems like she was trained Western Pleasure also, so she confuses the two sometimes, doesn't give a true stretch, breaks into a 4-beat lope rather than a long trot, etc. I found training the Pirouettes with just a flat halter, she can still have the self carriage without getting nervous with too much connection. She still chomps as if she has a bit in her mouth. I would like to eventually get her tuned up enough to ride her at liberty, w/out anything on her face (like Gandalf in LOTR) Again, combining the Natural Horsemanship with the Classical Discipline. Sounds like I'll definitely have to check out Xenophon's book The Art of Horsemanship. Anyway, I am very excited to finally have a horse around that I can start looking towards myself, like, wait, how am I supposed to be sitting, where are my hands, instead of constantly working Training & 1st level with babies as I have been doing for years now, always starting over. I feel like I can actually take a clinic this summer with my old trainer & focus on my own gaining of knowledge.

I have always become close with animals. I feel for them; I really do. My hamster is my best friend and a real pal and I would not trade her for anything, but I know that she doesn't like being locked up in a cage. Its not very pleasant no matter how many cool things it has on it. We as humans would not enjoy that. We dream of freedom so why do we cage animals. She is getting older and when her time comes, we will hold a funeral for her just like we would a family member. We have made little headstones in our backyard for all of our deceased pets: hamsters, a little frog, hermit crabs and a white rat. They were family once and still are.

Ian said: The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. –Mahatma Gandhi

How true, how profound. I am so plessed to be with people with share my thoughts on animals nd their welfare...
I live on acreage now, and when I arrived it was a denuded block. I planted 1500 trees individually, using a pick and shovel and hand-watering through a drought. I lost only 10 plants. I've added more trees and understory, plus rocks and pools. I now have birds, lizards, snakes, and other creatures living in safety... It's taken 10 years for the habitat to evolve. One neighbour doesn't like my wilderness, while another suggested that for 'fire safety' I ought to cull a "few" trees... Anyway, the subject is 'animals' -- I rescue animals - a dog, a goat, injured birds and others hit by csrs and left for dead on the side of the road... but mostly cats. I'm viewed with some derision because of it. I always have animals in my books - companion animals, as well as shape=shifters -- and they view their world from very diffeent eyes, and have some critical commentary on 'humans'... makes for some clashes between characters. I did a blog post about 'my secret life' on stake-put for rescuing dumped animals. If interested, I can dig it up and re-post. I sent this article to an animal rescue magazine many yesrs ago and it was alwasy remarked upon... For me, animals are the most important thing in my life -=- next to books (of course!) I connect with nimals daily, even a resident fox (when round) likes to trot near by when I'm out in the paddock. Not to mention the blue tongue lizards who drop by for a free feed (there's apicture of opne eating his meat on my website (under photo gallery) www.astridcooper.com
When we were having a heatwave of 45 degrees CX for 2 weeks, the lizardd would come into the versndah and sleep on the doorstep -- they were getting a cold breeze from my air conditioner from under the door. And birds sat outside my office windows (also open) to get the breeze, too. Cluey critters! Best wishes, Astrid.

This is the link to the blog on 'stake-out' / rescuing animals. Don't be concerned (please) about the url with sensual romance in it -- there's nothing x-rated in my post... Cheers, Astrid. xx


http://extasybooks.net/essenceofextas...

I had the good fortune and honour of being raised by a Siamese Cat. Ok, yes, my Mom did all the usual parenting - and very well, too. I didn't realize it fully until much later of course, but Pinnette, our Siamese, taught me many of life's important lessons. I'm sure you've heard/read/known about the usual cat lessons; Eat little and often, sleep when you can, play every chance you get. Here are a few more gems she had for me: If you hurt someone, always apologize. Walk softly. Pay attention to everything. Patience. when talking to someone, be sure you know what language you're speaking, and what you're saying. Bring gifts to the ones you love. Don't take/end lives unnecessarily. Sometimes watching your prey is more beneficial than trying to catch it. If you choose to play rough, don't whine about getting hurt. Sometimes nature has different ideas for our lives than we do, and fighting it generally doesn't work. When someone is sad or hurting, just staying close can make a difference.

I'm sure if I thought longer, I'd have more to add, but I think you get the idea. I was also blessed with having many animals in my early life, and lots of natural space. Perhaps I'll expand on that next time.
:)

Wendy wrote: "I had the good fortune and honour of being raised by a Siamese Cat. Ok, yes, my Mom did all the usual parenting - and very well, too. I didn't realize it fully until much later of course, but Pinne..."

Wendy, that's just beautiful. Cat wisdom is very powerful! Thank you.

For those that are interested in Dolphins and who are against Captivity, there is a new book called Death at SeaWorld, David Kirby tells of what really happens behind the scenes at this horrible prison for Dolphins, I recommend it highly! http://www.amazon.com/Death-SeaWorld-...

Wendy wrote: "I had the good fortune and honour of being raised by a Siamese Cat. Ok, yes, my Mom did all the usual parenting - and very well, too. I didn't realize it fully until much later of course, but Pinne..."

6 dogs, 5 cats, and a horn-bill have all taught me kindness and patience.

especially that horn-bill LOL

Vera wrote: "6 dogs, 5 cats, and a horn-bill have all taught me kindness and patience.

especially that horn-bill LOL ."

Wow, a horn-bill? Photo?

Oy! Birds are great for patience testing. And it's funny how people react to their noises.

I had parakeets, and loved the chittering. My bf at the time (now ex) hated the noise, to the point of threatening to behead them. Which was the last straw and why I broke up with him, and pretty much remain single. I've got a cockatiel, a Quaker parrot, and a Patagonian conure, and love them dearly, and don't get as upset with their noise, even when they get to screaming. But other people I know, hate it.

I 'have' three Torresian crows who fly to my bedroom window every morning and blast me with sounds until I get up. Blast! This is at dawn, mind you. But I love them, and feed them and I've modeled three characters in the series after them . . . I'll see if the html lets me put an image up.


It did!

Neat! I didn't see any Crows when I was in Australia, only Magpies, who seemed pretty cool. Loved all of the flocks of Cockatoos!

I know, the tropical birds here are absolutely amazing. Yes, Magpies aplenty! It's a spectacular part of the world!

Crows aplenty where I live - they visit regularly. Love the photo of the crow, Kim!

I also have black cockatoos, galahs, sulphur-crested cockies, finches, myna birds... the list is endless and I have mother birds coming back every year for nesting -- I've rigged up shades for them in the pergola to keep the summer sun off the nests, and of course ponds everywhere.
Just catering for every whim of the furred and feathered visitors to my property.
Some of them have cameo appearances in scenes in my books, also.

Cheers
Astrid.

How are Emus viewed in Australia? I used to have one I trained for petting zoos. She was so cool! I could get her to walk where I wanted by kind of directing where she would go like a slow motion pig. I could get her to lay down for kids to pet her & rest her head in my hand so people can pet the curly black hair on top of her head. Way cool. Sent her to a sheep ranch in Petrolia near the mouth of the Mattole to find a mate, but I think their eggs were raided. That is one species I would raise again. A great guardian against dogs, like a giant goose. It is neat watching them eat, they love fruit! People have stopped raising them here though for meat, so now they're very hard to find. Sometimes towards Hwy-5 there is a farm that will still incubate eggs if requested around December. Loved her sound, like a water drum. Very soothing. Almost opposite of having Guinea Fowl. More once every 4 beats & low rather than the female Guinea which is every 2 beats & squeaky. I'm working on maybe raising Pheasants this year, for eggs & meat. I have a male, he is very pretty. They can not be loose though, but they don't eat much compared to a chicken or guinea & they're fairly quiet.

I have Ravens here who eat almost as many chicken eggs as the dogs. The thing is that they can get to my nests that the dogs can't reach. I find broken egg shells scattered through the forest.

Kim wrote: "Wow, a horn-bill? Photo?"

(photo is kinda trippy coz i used an oktomat and expired film)

here you go -- my alarm clock. it calls at 6am, 3pm and 6pm give or take a few minutes :)
yes, even on sundays haha!




very smart, too. feeds off of my hand sometimes.

Cool Vera!

@Kim my farm is RavenAcres, adore them, though in Texas we get crows. I love watching them flitting through the woods, and we piss people off when they say we should shoot them. Because we won't and don't!

@Barnyard, a friend had an emu, till they made him get rid of it, since he was inside city limits. Really neat bird, and I've always thought it would be neat to have one. My concern would be fencing and if the bird would be okay with the goats and pigs, along with the horses.

Barnyard wrote: "How are Emus viewed in Australia? I used to have one I trained for petting zoos. She was so cool! I could get her to walk where I wanted by kind of directing where she would go like a slow motion p..."

Oh wow! You describe Emu's to a tee! They are amazing creatures. I don't see them here on the northeast coast but they are dotted all over the country. Astrid? You have them down your way?

Vera wrote: "Kim wrote: "Wow, a horn-bill? Photo?"

(photo is kinda trippy coz i used an oktomat and expired film)

here you go -- my alarm clock. it calls at 6am, 3pm and 6pm give or take a few minutes :)
yes,..."

Very trippy! I love it. OMG the feathered alarm clocks!!!!

Kendra wrote: "Cool Vera!

@Kim my farm is RavenAcres, adore them, though in Texas we get crows. I love watching them flitting through the woods, and we piss people off when they say we should shoot them. Becau..."

When I go for walks through the reserve to the beach, 'my' crows often come with me, flitting from tree to tree, swooping ahead of me and waiting until I catch up. It's pretty amazing.

Emus handle in sanctuaries with kangaroos, goats, horses, you name it. They're not daunted by much!

The crows here fly in mass. They come through around sunset, flying over in a thick flock, talking to each other the whole way. We are along the closest tallest trees from the airport & ocean. It takes nearly 15 to 20 minutes for them all to arrive. The crow flock (murder?) flies up to watch the sunset, then flies back down maybe to eat some last minute dinner in town. Along their way they harass the Ravens & the small hawks that nest here.

The Ravens are pretty amazing with their range of vocals. They can baah like sheep, or cluck like chickens, they love to freak the dogs out by barking like the dogs. Who knows what shit they are talking to them, because the dogs often react. It's like they are teasing them. Don't you wish you could fly up here.

Has anyone read King Solomon's Ring by Konrad Lorenz He is a fascinating animal behaviorist. He had a talking raven or crow who had a split tongue but could pronounce & learn human words.

The Emu here lived with all sorts of livestock. She just really didn't like dogs, which was good because I was having issues with neigh-boer dogs. My ram at the time began to get feisty with her, so that is why I sent her to Petrolia. She had too long of legs for a little horned ram to be bugging her. Emus tend to be fence walkers. Even out in the Mattole, where these people have hundreds of acres fenced, as many Bay Laurel nuts you want to eat, you'll see an Emu at the fence along the road pacing. They must have huge ranges.

Kim wrote: "Wendy wrote: "I had the good fortune and honour of being raised by a Siamese Cat. ..."
Wendy, that's just beautiful. Cat wisdom is very powerful! Thank you."

Thanks Kim! Yes, I find that many cats are willing to share a great deal of wisdom, if given a little chance. I have four cats now; 1 short haired and 3 semi-long haired. Frosty [AKA Owl Eyes] gazes at me as if she longs for a deep philosophical discussion. Argenta [Genta] frowns at me like she wishes I would hurry up and get the message already! LOL
My pride has temporarily increased to six, because my sister and her guy brought their two. It has been interesting. the two groups had never met except thru Skype LOL. I'm not saying there hasn't been hissing, snarling and the occasional swatting, but the transition has been amazingly smooth!
Peace

Vera wrote: "Wendy wrote: "I had the good fortune and honour of being raised by a Siamese Cat.... "

6 dogs, 5 cats, and a horn-bill have all taught me kindness and patience.
especially that horn-bill LOL "

Wow! So many - all living together? Cool! Its amazing how much kindness and patience can be found in the world of animals - how fortunate are we who heed the lessons!
Peace

Kendra wrote: "Oy! Birds are great for patience testing. And it's funny how people react to their noises. ..."

I can relate to that statement!
When I moved to the city for university, I couldn't bring myself to subject an animal to my crazy schedule. After Uni, tho, I did find myself living amongst a flock of cockatiels. The guy I was with had rescued two, including one who had been 'wing clipped' in the most brutal way [GRRR!]. She could not fly, but she never let it stop her from getting where and what she wanted! She was one of those 'old soul' creatures you can't help feeling honoured to spend time with. When her mate passed, we found her a male friend, but she seemed uninterested in mating. Then there was a female who had escaped from somewhere and was almost killed by crows. No one claimed her and the rescuer couldn't keep her, so we took her in.
Before we knew it, we had to convert a room to house them all. The range of sounds they make is astounding! From whining puppy, 'Pretty Bird' laughing baby, canary songs and TV whistle themes, to pips, squeeks, squawks and screams! Being a part of the whole process from courting to nesting, hatching, feeding and fledging was incredible!
You can't just call them 'Birds' after that: Each has its own distinct personality and traits. I think they were a major part of my re-awakening to the cycles of nature, and the catalysts of my re-defining of myself.

I loved the time I spent with our flock, and I wouldn't trade it for anything! After a dozen or so years in the city, when I came home to kittens, I knew that I never wanted to go without cats in my life again. I love animals of all sorts, but I am primarily, primally, a cat person!
Peace

Wendy wrote: "Kendra wrote: "Oy! Birds are great for patience testing. And it's funny how people react to their noises. ..."

I can relate to that statement!
When I moved to the city for university, I couldn'..."

What a fabulous story of the cockatiels. Birds aren't 'just birds' when you get to know them, are they! I've looked after rescue birds from baby magpies to ducks to owls and other raptors. Amazing creatures.

Also, I'm with you, Wendy. Love all animal; cat person at heart.

Ian wrote: "Animals

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. –Mahatma Gandhi

We are all connected

In Western cultures, our connection with Earth, ou..."

I find that I connect with just about all animals and I have many in my life that I consider family. Several years ago I was kicked in the face by my horse. Many people who hear the story ask why I didn't put the horse down. That question always breaks my heart because the horse didn't do so with ill intent. It didn't even know I was behind it. The error that caused the accident was mine and there hasn't been a single moment in which I blamed my horse. If anything, that accident kick started my life and got me back on track, making me realize how precious each day was.


Heather McCorkle

'...kick-started' is an apt & powerful metaphor given what happened. 'It's not the bumps in the road, but how you deal with them....' You show rare strength of character to not blame your horse. And you have chosen to now pay more attention & flourish (choosing life) coming out of that accident, instead of ignoring things & continuing on whatever kind of 'wrong-track' you might have been on. That actually improves all our lives, when you think about it. Thank you for your Courage! Cowgirl Up!

Heather wrote: "Ian wrote: "Animals

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. –Mahatma Gandhi

We are all connected

In Western cultures, our connection wi..."

Glad to hear you are doing well after being kicked! A good friend of mine was kicked in the face by her horse, and the surgeries and recovery were long and painful. You are absolutely right that the horse did not intend to hurt you but was probably startled and trying to defend itself. Thank you for pointing this out! Many people (esp my mother) urged me to sell my horse after he threw me, which resulted in a pelvic fracture. It never even crossed my mind. Horses have bad days just like people, and it is our job as their care-takers to do our best to minimize their stress. It is OUR responsibility to keep our horse and ourselves safe, not the other way around. Good luck on your continuing journey with these amazing animals!

Cowgirl up! I love that Shawn.

Heather, your story is inspiring and reminds us that the 'bad' things that happen can turn out quite 'good' or at least be a motivational step in our journey. There is a fabulous Taoist story about this . . . about non-judgment.

An old farmer worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically. “May be,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed. “May be,” replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. “May be,” answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. “May be,” said the farmer.

From a great enough perspective we can find value in every step of the journey :)