#ThursdayThoughts: "Animals have personalities and minds and feelings" - Jane Goodall

"You cannot share your life with a dog, or a cat, and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings" - Jane Goodall

A great quote from Dr Jane Goodall and we want to share it with our animal loving friends for Thursday Thoughts.  

We will try to do a monthly Thursday Thought post on animal heroes - Mum likes to call them animal angels and they are. Of course, animal angels are everywhere - pet bloggers, animal bloggers, animal rescuers, and animal rights advocates for example - each and every one of you doing what you can to spread the love of animals and raise awareness for important issues and causes. Each of you has your own role to play in helping to enhance the lives of animals everywhere, giving your own voice to those other beautiful souls that we share this often insanely cruel world with.

For now in this blogging series we are concentrating on those in the public eye that have made a huge difference to animals' lives with their brilliant pioneering work.

So who is Jane Goodall?

Dr Jane Goodall is a British primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist, and UN Messenger of Peace. She is best known for her 55-year study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. In 1960 she began the longest running field research project into chimpanzees. They were her inspiration for helping conserve the environment and help local communities to live in harmony with chimpanzees for both to survive.  

As the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute - a global organisation that empowers people to make a difference for all living things, she has worked abundantly on conservation and animal welfare issues most of her life. As a 26 year old in 1960, Jane travelled from England to Tanzania, bravely entering the little known world of chimpanzees. With nothing more than a notebook and a pair of binoculars to hand she patiently won the trust of the chimpanzees and began her pioneering study of their lives, which revolutionised our own thoughts towards them and about ourselves. 

The Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots programme for young people was started by Jane and a group of Tanzanian students in 1991 and is now global. This educational programme aims to inspire young people to take positive action on the environment on behalf of all beings who inhabit this world.

WATCH this amazing woman with the equally amazing Professor Noel Fitzpatrick (Channel 4's The Supervet) in this video clip. Listen to what she has to say. And what lovely Noel has to say of course. Wise souls indeed and definitely animal angels with the amount of work and dedication they have given to improve the lives of animals.
 


And here is Jane Goodall in her younger years. 

FOLLOW Dr Jane Goodhall

http://www.janegoodall.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/janegoodallinstituteuk
https://twitter.com/JaneGoodallInst
http://www.rootsnshoots.org.uk/

Disclaimer: I received no compensation whatsoever for this post. I am just sharing for the love of animals and for my admiration for these great animal heroes. The world needs more of these types of people!

Why I Love Animals More Than Humans #ThursdayThoughts

The above quote means so much to my mum so she wanted to share it and explain why. 

Of course, most animal lovers would agree so she doesn't need to explain. But as she is co-writer of this blog I decided to let her have her say instead of always being dictated to by me :)

Professor Noel Fitzpatrick

First, a little bit about Noel Fitzpatrick. He is The Supervet (also The Bionic Vet) - the world’s leading neuro-orthopaedic veterinary surgeon. I know that I mentioned before that I often hide when Supervet is on TV, but that's because, being a cat, I don't like vets very much. They scare me (just like human doctors scare some humans.) Some vets are great, but some I've met haven't been that nice, and well, they make us furries hurt don't they? Mum says they do it to help us feel better. Well, let's just say I know that that's what they are meant to do!

So before I hand you over to Mum, let me just say that I do admire Supervet. And I know why humans admire him too. He does great things for animals and is pure genius at what he does. Having said that, all his team seem like incredible human beings too and also deserve a pat on the back (or some purry furry hugs) for the the amazing care and respect they have for all the animals that pass through Fitzpatrick Referrals.

Here's Mum

This quote just resonates deeply with me. It's what I've always believed myself. To me animal love is the purest love. It's that strong intense feeling I get whenever I look into my sweet Athena's eyes (those all-knowing eyes of kitty wisdom), and whenever I hug her - in that moment all that exists is just me and her. One powerful super spiritual bond. Just the two of us together against the whole world, existing for each other. Soulmates forever and ever.

Most people will say (and I've had it said to me many many times) that I feel the way I do about my pets because I have never had children.

Well, sorry to disappoint, but actually I have been a mother - to my beautiful Tuxie cat Suzy. And now I am a mother to my beautiful tabby girl Athena. This love I feel is simply too powerful to put into words, but I am sure many of you animal lovers will understand.

And my cats end up saving me. They are my reason for living. It may seem over dramatic to some, a bit too Wuthering Heights, but I don't care. It's my life and this is how I want to live it.

I just want to save animals

Someone asked me the other day what it is I want to do with my life and when I said "to save animals" the look on their face said it all. This person, who I like and admire very much for various other reasons, sadly does not share my love for animals. Maybe this person thinks I'm wasting my life and should be aspiring to other "great" things (like marriage & babies, or making lots of money). But then I think to myself how sad it is that they can't experience that beautiful human-animal bond.

To most people, I may be a failure. And many times I have felt one too. But to my cats, to my amazing beautiful girl Athena, I am her world. I am someone. I rescued her. I have given her the most amazing life and she has done the same back to me.

Who rescued who?

I was in the depths of despair when Athena and I met at the rescue shelter 5 years ago. I have battled depression for most of my life, and I had just lost my dad a few months earlier which depressed me even more. I decided it was time to adopt a cat and then found this precious tabby kitten who wanted me the moment I stepped into the cattery. She made a great fuss to get my attention, climbing up the wire mesh door of her pen. The other sweet kittens were very quiet and didn't seem that bothered. But Athena, oh how she fought for me to get her out of there! And when I touched her little paw through the door, that was it. Bonded forever.

Abandoned in someone's garden as a tiny kitten, Athena's first few weeks of life must have been horrific. But thanks to the work of the charity that rescued her, she came to me as the most affectionate little cat I have ever met. She gives so much love, her beautiful expressive green eyes always filled with emotion. And I love her SO much.

Love has always been a scary feeling for me. Maybe it's because I'm overly sensitive.

All I know is that pure unconditional love is what really makes the world go round. It is the best thing. The greatest love in the world.

That's why this quote really touched me. It's great to know others feel the same about animals. Noel Fitzpatrick totally gets how people feel about their pets. And I love how he calls them mum and dad on the show. Never refers to the humans as owners. How wonderful is that?

We are not owners. We are pet parents or guardians, or their humans. But never owners. No one should own anyone.

So yes, I admire Noel Fitzpatrick and have total respect for him. Of course I have never met him, but I do know that he is so passionate about his work and also extremely intelligent. He gives so much of his life in order to improve the lives of animals, to make a difference in this world for the sake of both animals and humans. An extraordinary human being. How many of those are currently in the world? Yes, I'm sure there are many but I'm just tired of all the evil that exists out there, and the shallowness of most people.

Hope

It's been a tough few months for me. But my love for my beautiful tabby girl keeps me going. And the hope and love I see in other animal lovers' eyes, and knowing that others feel the same way about animals, makes me realize that humans aren't that bad after all. At least some aren't.

And I love all you guys who read and comment on my blogs. I really believe that animal lovers are the nicest people around. I am so glad I have you all in my life too. Makes me realize I am not the only one who feels so passionately about animals and it's so wonderful to be able to share the love for our animal family across the pet blogosphere.

Truly blessed

If you have an animal in your life then you are truly blessed. When you're going through hard times, your beloved pet will always be there to help you through. Like days when you can't face getting out of bed. I've been there. And still end up back there sometimes. But Athena helps me through those awful days and stops me reaching for the bottle like I did in the past.

All animals matter

One last word: My love for animals isn't just for pets though. I believe all animals deserve love and respect and to be treated fairly and with compassion. They each have souls and their own lives to live. They have as much right as anyone to be free and happy and not exist merely to be used by humans. I won't go into animal rights in this post. I'll leave that for my other blog. But people must remember that all animals are sentient beings and should be respected as such. Animals give us so much, often much more than any human could. 

The quote above comes from the video Supervet:The Ethos Behind Fitzpatrick Referrals. You can click on the link to see it or view it below. 

P.S. Keep watching until the end to see Noel's adorable dog Kiera. What an amazing strong bond they share! Melts my heart :)

 

Wordless Wednesday: Hiding From Supervet #WednesdayWisdom

Mum's super excited that Supervet is back tomorrow with a new series. 

But I won't be watching.

Why?

Well, obviously it's because he's a vet and vets are scary aren't they? So while Mum has her eyes glued to the screens (or not, because she's squeamish and keeps turning away during gory surgical scenes), I'll be hiding under the table and napping away, trying to ignore Mum's oohing and awwing (at the furries, not the vet.)

Supervet says some great things about animals: 

"It’s all about respect, for the animals, for the planet and for each other" #Supervet @Channel4 #5Days #Bionics pic.twitter.com/vZVrJv7RkL

— The Supervet (@SupervetNF) August 6, 2016

You know what? I'd love to interview him for this blog. It would be fun, don't you think? 

So Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, would you like to do an interview with us? Have you ever done an interview for a cat blog? An interview with a cat, even?  And look at me, I am such a pretty kitty, a wise cat goddess, how could you resist? You cannot say NO to a feline goddess!

Hiding under the table while Mum watches The Supervet

Do you hide when your humans are watching vets on TV?

Wordless Wednesday: Hiding From Supervet #WednesdayWisdom

Mum's super excited that Supervet is back tomorrow with a new series. 

But I won't be watching.

Why?

Well, obviously it's because he's a vet and vets are scary aren't they? So while Mum has her eyes glued to the screens (or not, because she's squeamish and keeps turning away during gory surgical scenes), I'll be hiding under the table and napping away, trying to ignore Mum's oohing and awwing (at the furries, not the vet.)

Supervet says some great things about animals and of course that is another reason to love him. Here is one such quote: 

"It’s all about respect, for the animals, for the planet and for each other" #Supervet @Channel4 #5Days #Bionics pic.twitter.com/vZVrJv7RkL

— The Supervet (@SupervetNF) August 6, 2016

You know what? I'd love to interview him for this blog. It would be fun, don't you think? 

So Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, would you like to do an interview with us? Have you ever done an interview for a cat blog? An interview with a cat, even? Come on, look at me, I am such a pretty kitty, a wise cat goddess, how could you resist? You cannot say NO to a feline goddess!

Hiding under the table while Mum watches The Supervet

Do you hide when your humans are watching vets on TV?

Wordless Wednesday: Happy St Patrick's Day!

Happy St Patrick's Day for tomorrow! 

We are not Irish but Mum has always been drawn to Ireland and loves Celtic music, mythology and jewellery. You may have noticed from photos and videos we've shared that she always wears a celtic ring on her finger. She believes she was Irish in a past life, or at least a celt. I don't know if I'm Irish, maybe I am. I mean green is my colour, right?

In celebration of St Patrick's Day, here is Mum's favourite Irishman Noel Fitzpatrick. I like him too but hope I never meet him for obvious reasons. Well, not at his surgery anyway. He does seem to be a genuinely nice guy and really cares about us furries, though, so purrs to him xx







And why don't we have some music too? Mum picked this celtic influenced song from her favourite band Nightwish , who are from Finland and not Irish but are really amazing and I like the orchestral versions of their CDs which we listen to during afternoon naps. But here is this nice track called My Walden and let me tell you that I've watched Mum get totally lost at the end of this song and she looked so funny (humans are so weird really, I mean why do they feel the need to do this thing they call dancing?)

Melt Your Heart Monday

Marie: How cute is this, Athena! Cat mummy and kitten hug. Aww...
Athena: Reminds me of you and me, Mum.
Marie: I know, sweetie. That's why it melts my heart so...



Athena: That's so sweet. Purrs xx. How about another video today?
Marie: Why not?
Athena: How about this trailer of the new series of the Supervet, which is back on our screens here in England on Wednesday. I know how much you love that show, Mum. I'm not so keen of course (and many kitties will understand this - just the mere mention of the word vet is super scary for us).
Marie: I know, sweetie. And I'm the most squeamish human ever to exist, as you know, but I can't help but love this programme. Noel Fitzpatrick is amazing and his passion for animals and what he does is extremely heartwarming to watch. He truly has an understanding for the human-animal bond.
Athena: I have to agree, Mum. With some vets I've encountered you just don't get that, but this man is different. He is so passionate about what he does (and he is very nice, I give him that) I suppose you could say he is an angel -  an animal angel just like you and many of our pet blogger friends and lots of other animal lovers around the world.
Marie: I think he's remarkable and his staff are too - from what I've seen in the documentary. And I love watching how humans and animals love and appreciate him too. There is just so much love and compassion going round. It's incredible. Hey, Athena, I've just had a thought. Wouldn't it be great if we could interview Noel Fitzpatrick for this blog? I suppose it won't happen though, just as it can't happen with Ian Somerhalder and Jackson Galaxy. Oh, and James Bowen (and Bob of course!) and many other famous cat-loving humans. Our blog just isn't famous enough.
Athena: You mean I'm not famous enough? Come on, Mum. Don't let it get you down. I know it's Monday morning but look on the bright side. Our blog is getting so many new visits now! It'll happen. How could it not? I'm a beautiful goddess cat! I'll make it happen. And you will have your dream of a cat sanctuary soon, don't you worry about that. Now here's the Supervet trailer for the new series to cheer you up.

 

Marie: It doesn't really cheer me up, sweetie. I just hate seeing animals suffer. It tears me up inside.
Athena: But you are looking forward to watching, aren't you? Something to fill the void left on Wednesday night after your fave show Our Zoo ended last week?
Marie: Yes, you are right, Athena. Of course I am looking forward to it. It's only four episodes, though. It'll fly by.
Athena: Oh, Mum, you always find the downside in everything!
Marie: You are so right. But I can't help it, sweetheart.
Athena: Come on, Mum. Let me sit on your lap and give you extra purrs today. I can see that you need it. And then we can have a nice afternoon nap together to make up for my waking you up at 5am.