My personal experience with Cruz the sea lion and reading about the Sawtooth wolf pack made this humorous quote the perfect choice to end this month’s newsletter. By respecting that all animals have a place in this world and seeing their journeys as sacred and profound we can open ourselves up to receiving the gifts animals are offering us each and every day. The truth is that we have more to learn from animals than animals have to learn from us.
"Maybe it's animalness that will make the world right again: the wisdom of elephants, the enthusiasm of canines, the grace of snakes, the mildness of anteaters. Perhaps being human needs some diluting."
- Carol Emshwiller
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I had the honor of meeting Cruz the sea lion at my recent visit to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Cruz is no ordinary sea lion and he has quite a compelling backstory to go along with his outgoing and friendly personality. Cruz was rescued in 2013 as a pup along a beach in Santa Cruz, California. After examination it was found that Cruz was blinded due to bullet fragments that destroyed his right eye and blinded his left. He could not survive in the wild and was taken to a recovery center where he was nursed back to health. They knew that Cruz would need special lifelong care and so he was placed at Shedd Aquarium. This was the beginning of a beautiful relationship and Cruz proved himself to be a fast learner and continued to thrive in his new environment.
enjoy the fruits of my labor. The weather isn’t too scorchingly hot yet, the rain is still consistent and the weeds haven’t won the battle for precious garden real estate. Everything still looks fresh, perky and at its best. So, I am going to savor this moment and enjoy these days of bright blossoms and blooming peonies because soon enough the petals will start fading, drooping and falling - and the cool winds of fall will be here once again. But not today, today I am going to relish and appreciate the aromas, sights and sounds of summer - to drink it in and soak it up all season long! What will this summer bring for you? Wherever you go and whatever you do let your heart guide the way. Because it's summer and the memories are just waiting to happen...
For more than 20 years, Jim and Jamie Dutcher have focused their lives on the study and documentation of wolf behavior. This book shares their stories about the years they spent filming, observing and living with wolves. Through expert storytelling, the Dutcher’s convey the heart, strength and pack dynamics of the wolves - revealing the importance of each wolves’ role, their capacity for love and compassion, and humorously, their “it takes a village” approach to raising pups. Jim and Jamie’s story is educational, inspiring and heartwarming - it shines the light of awareness on the importance of respecting and preserving the rights of all animals to live and thrive without the constant threat of humans to their natural environment and their very lives. A sometimes overlooked viewpoint in today’s current prevailing mindset. I was enlightened to learn more about the misconceptions we are often told about wolves as well as their unique qualities and interesting history. The Dutcher’s story of their time observing the Sawtooth pack provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of wolves. Woven into these stories are valuable insights, I encourage you to read this book and perhaps like me, you will experience wolves in a whole new light.
