Of course, animals think and feel. It always amazes me when I hear a person say otherwise. Clearly, those individuals have never taken the time to notice.
I read a story yesterday, about a couple of lions. Old lions. They lived in the zoo in Los Angeles. Recently, they were put to sleep, together, due to their “declining health and age-related illnesses that had diminished their quality of life.”
Their names were Hubert and Kalisa. Hubert was born in Chicago, at Lincoln Park Zoo, and Kalisa came from Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. For whatever reason, they were both transferred to LA in 2014. When they met, it was love at first sight. For the past six years, they have been completely inseparable. The zoo workers who have cared for them over the years said they were like soul mates, always within reach of one another. They were together, all the time.
So, when both of their 21-year-old-lives were winding down, when their quality of life faded, the keepers decided to put them to rest. Together. This, so that neither one had to undergo any more suffering because of the loss of their loved one.
My heart broke.
Of course, animals think, and feel.
Shifting gears a bit, we all know that 2020 has been an extremely challenging year. Even our glimmering hope of a First Lady, Michelle Obama, came out saying she is suffering from low-grade depression as a result. It has worn and torn on all of us.
In all of this drudgery, I try to find joyous, happy moments. Little things, anything. Some of my brightest spots have been a direct result of the goodness of animals. Every day, I look out our bank of windows, over the meadow below, and see something that makes me happy. Our deer families, that we’ve come to recognize and know, making their way here to eat corn and apples each day. And our ongoing circus of rabbits and squirrels, who chase and play and frolic.
There is one squirrel, a very rotund squirrel, who reclines on his back in the corn feeder, and stuffs his little face. I swear, he has a little TV plugged in somewhere down there.
At the back of the house is the barn, and all the barnyards, with goats, geese, chickens, and one barn cat named Eleanor. All of them living their little lives. Honking, clucking, bleating, mewing. Oh to be able to listen like that good old Dr. Doolittle.
Of course, last but not least are our two dogs. Sweet Ollie and Little Lou. Ollie is getting older, and mostly just hangs around, waiting for Mary to do anything. Louis is a constant source of hilarity. Even when he does nothing, he’s funny. I love them both and am forever grateful for the joy they give to me.
But, in every example I have given here, there is sustained evidence of their intellect, their emotions, and their love. And I am thankful to have them all in my life. Little spots of joy in all their wonder.
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“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.”―James Herriot
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“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” ― Anatole France
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“Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That’s the problem.” ― A.A. Milne
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(Photos of Kalisa and Hubert from LA Zoo; combined by PollyGoggles)
