I feel like this essay took my hand and led me to wonderful places, with a glimpse of a little warrior child who sensed injustice and demanded change—right on the spot!
This spoke to me so much that I had to reread some sentences and paragraphs several times. The wonderful experience my dog, Danny and I had yesterday with our beloved animal communicator stunned me as I discovered just how sensitive he was to my inner hurts and struggles. He was joined by 3 other dogs who have passed who supported me even now. Your essay continues that conversation. Our communication is absolutely a two-way street. I love that so much.
Also, I now feel more "normal" in my talking to plants and trees when walking in my garden or in wild nature, not that I was ever concerned what others thought of those conversations. Thank you. ❤️
“I like to imagine that we locked eyes in that sterile space and held each other’s gaze as we exchanged our wordless truths. Pearl to pearl. A mutual seeing, and two-way illumination.” True poetry, my friend. 💕
Thank you SO much Peter, I have been following Kenya's journey closely. She's free at long last and I am reveling in every second of it. Isn't GSE amazing? I hope to write about them in a future post. <3
You're welcome, Stephanie. I am glad that you have been following her journey. I have been too. I am always so nervous when the elephants are literally on the road to freedom. But GSE IS amazing, which is why it always works out: thank Dog. A post about them would be great.
So beautiful. I once had the honour of meeting the baby elephants and their "keepers". Such a special connection, I hadn't realised they elephants chose their keepers, but how perfectly right.
Thank you for your words, I took have been caught by the idea of remembering what we have forgotten lately... Although my sense of it has not quite made it to words yet. X
Aren't those dear elephants with their devoted keepers a sight of beauty to behold? It fills my heart to know that you got to experience their transformation in real time, you are a part of their healing journey and always will be. Thank you for being a reader here and for taking the time to comment, which is so uplifting for me. <3
Love this essay, Stephanie, and how your compassion for animals was honored so early on by your loving and supportive parents. It was fascinating to read your personal story and how it led to you working to protect animals and all living creatures.
They ARE fast to become friends! Animals are more generous than we realize and eager to be collaborators in the great symphony of life. I recall dog sledding in Alaska and how the huskies greeted me with leaps, licks, and friendly barks - endlessly flinging rays of sunshine at me. And then when they were hitched up to the sleds they were bursting with eagerness. Oh they couldn’t wait to get going! They ran so hard and joyfully - not because they were driven to (the musher and I just stood there) but because they wanted to. It seemed the dogs organized amongst themselves (without much influence from the humans) how best to accomplish their mission of having fun and enjoying life to its fullest. Then they expertly executed their plan with great athletic finesse with their joy reflecting into everything around them - including me! So effusive we’re the huskies that even the trees perked up as they bounded past, and the dormant seeds under the wintered earth chattered in expectation for their moment to burst fourth into sprouts when the dogs paw prints tenderized them. I was struck by how passive it was for us human participants. We just followed their lead. Using their bodies out on the tundra where they are supposed to be, in a cooperative pack, in service to invigorating thrill, fun, and communion with humans… and all life really - I think the dogs were having more fun than me! (And I was enjoying myself enormously!)
There’s such beauty in viewing life as a symphony, especially one in which animals are given freedom to choose the harmonies they wish to play. Your experience with sled dog welfare is quite atypical—especially for events like the Iditarod—so I’m actually amazed (and relieved) about them being so excited and playful. I can’t say I’m a fan of dog sledding, but I very much appreciate you “seeing” the dogs and always keeping in mind the experience from their perspective. Being tuned in to the world around us gives us the best chances to add richness to that earthly symphony.
I feel like this essay took my hand and led me to wonderful places, with a glimpse of a little warrior child who sensed injustice and demanded change—right on the spot!
Bravo!
Your encouragement is fuel for me. 💓🐘
The beginnings of the Stephanie we love. The kind-hearted, adept warrior.
Beautiful writing Stephanie. Such an important message, tenderly transmitted from your heart to the world. You are a special soul ❣️
This spoke to me so much that I had to reread some sentences and paragraphs several times. The wonderful experience my dog, Danny and I had yesterday with our beloved animal communicator stunned me as I discovered just how sensitive he was to my inner hurts and struggles. He was joined by 3 other dogs who have passed who supported me even now. Your essay continues that conversation. Our communication is absolutely a two-way street. I love that so much.
Also, I now feel more "normal" in my talking to plants and trees when walking in my garden or in wild nature, not that I was ever concerned what others thought of those conversations. Thank you. ❤️
“I like to imagine that we locked eyes in that sterile space and held each other’s gaze as we exchanged our wordless truths. Pearl to pearl. A mutual seeing, and two-way illumination.” True poetry, my friend. 💕
Means so much Jenn. 💕
Beautiful, Stephanie - thank you. Check out the story of Kenya who recently arrived at the Global Elephant Sanctuary in Brazil: https://globalelephants.org/a-promise-for-kenya/
Thank you SO much Peter, I have been following Kenya's journey closely. She's free at long last and I am reveling in every second of it. Isn't GSE amazing? I hope to write about them in a future post. <3
You're welcome, Stephanie. I am glad that you have been following her journey. I have been too. I am always so nervous when the elephants are literally on the road to freedom. But GSE IS amazing, which is why it always works out: thank Dog. A post about them would be great.
Splendid ....in every sense.
Once again, Stephanie, you have spoken truth so beautifully and powerfully!
I couldn't say it better than the other commenter has said, you were a little warrior screaming for truth.
This is so beautiful and sums up the totality of it all. Being - remembering - seeing - listening - belonging - loving. Thank you!!!!
Thank YOU Angela!!! This comment warmed my heart. And I'm excited to dive into your work, these connections are so meaningful. <3
I am in love with this place. I look forward to soaking in more. 💖
Beautiful, just beautiful .... throughout. And to end with a quote from Wendell Berry -- perfect. Thank you for all of this!
Oh Jeanne, I admire your work immensely so this comment means so much to me. Thank you!!! Wendell Berry always inspires. <3
Seeing and Being Seen. You had me right from the start.
Adore you, thank you for reading!!!! <3
It breaks my heart when wild animals are kept in cages. Your soul screamed out at it, and that makes us family! Beautiful post, Stephanie.<3
Thank you Rea. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! Yes, we are kindred spirits. So grateful. <3
So beautiful. I once had the honour of meeting the baby elephants and their "keepers". Such a special connection, I hadn't realised they elephants chose their keepers, but how perfectly right.
Thank you for your words, I took have been caught by the idea of remembering what we have forgotten lately... Although my sense of it has not quite made it to words yet. X
Aren't those dear elephants with their devoted keepers a sight of beauty to behold? It fills my heart to know that you got to experience their transformation in real time, you are a part of their healing journey and always will be. Thank you for being a reader here and for taking the time to comment, which is so uplifting for me. <3
Love this essay, Stephanie, and how your compassion for animals was honored so early on by your loving and supportive parents. It was fascinating to read your personal story and how it led to you working to protect animals and all living creatures.
Thank you for reading and commenting Peg, and I'm so grateful to my parents for their loving response. It paved the way... <3
Feel for fauna friends,
sign that soul still sees sage way.
They can see our hearts.
They ARE fast to become friends! Animals are more generous than we realize and eager to be collaborators in the great symphony of life. I recall dog sledding in Alaska and how the huskies greeted me with leaps, licks, and friendly barks - endlessly flinging rays of sunshine at me. And then when they were hitched up to the sleds they were bursting with eagerness. Oh they couldn’t wait to get going! They ran so hard and joyfully - not because they were driven to (the musher and I just stood there) but because they wanted to. It seemed the dogs organized amongst themselves (without much influence from the humans) how best to accomplish their mission of having fun and enjoying life to its fullest. Then they expertly executed their plan with great athletic finesse with their joy reflecting into everything around them - including me! So effusive we’re the huskies that even the trees perked up as they bounded past, and the dormant seeds under the wintered earth chattered in expectation for their moment to burst fourth into sprouts when the dogs paw prints tenderized them. I was struck by how passive it was for us human participants. We just followed their lead. Using their bodies out on the tundra where they are supposed to be, in a cooperative pack, in service to invigorating thrill, fun, and communion with humans… and all life really - I think the dogs were having more fun than me! (And I was enjoying myself enormously!)
There’s such beauty in viewing life as a symphony, especially one in which animals are given freedom to choose the harmonies they wish to play. Your experience with sled dog welfare is quite atypical—especially for events like the Iditarod—so I’m actually amazed (and relieved) about them being so excited and playful. I can’t say I’m a fan of dog sledding, but I very much appreciate you “seeing” the dogs and always keeping in mind the experience from their perspective. Being tuned in to the world around us gives us the best chances to add richness to that earthly symphony.