So This is Why I Love Animals So Much

Every once in a while I come across something and have what Oprah calls an "AHA" moment.

(Reprinted courtesy of ronhevener.com)


"Like many of you, I read as much as I can. And I talk with (and listen to) many good, intelligent thinkers -- specialists in their fields. Maybe because it's something that I appreciate and treasure, I pay close attention to people "of the land." No, they're not all farmers or lovers of the mountains and forests. But, they do seem to have a love of animals, and a respect for nature, in common.

I pay attention to the words of these people because theirs is a world -- and their knowledge is based on -- real and true things. It isn't based on man-made bricks and mortar and cement and glass and roads and billboards. What it's based on are natural things, very real things -- and emotionally true things. Having animals in your life -- and tuning in to them -- is the only way I have ever known to develop your own natural sensitivities and understanding of life and its "big picture."

Very few things in our lives are as reassuring as the living things we care for. By having them -- in order to feed, house and provide for them -- we are forced to structure and maintain a productive life of our own. By having them, we network with others of similar interests and feelings; people traveling on our own path. We realize that we're not alone. And we can talk freely about the emotional depths (and comedies) that our animals help us explore.

Any time you want to know "what's ahead," just take a look at the past. Learn from it. What you'll come away with are two basic things.......... First, you'll see that people and their animals make it through every adversity -- and every victory -- of Life. Second (and this is most important) you'll prove to yourself that no matter what dire forecast anyone has ever predicted (from Nostradamus to the Mayan calendar, to Y2K, to books of the most respected ancient and holy wisdom) that no one you know has ever seen "the end of the world." .... No matter how many hours, days or years of their lives they spent worrying about it.

The point? Love your animals. Love your life. Love yourself. And do whatever you can to spread the word."