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It seems that animals who have made a decision to find a home some how find me. I am talking about stray animals, mostly cats and dogs.
I have been working with rescued animals for about 10 years now. The strays I would often find would be kittens and once in a while a puppy.
Initially when I started this work I was frustrated and angry for the lack of responsibility that many people have to spaying and neutering their animals. Once I let go of the anger I was able to see the reasons these animals came into my life.
1) I often thought that Allah allowed me to find these animals so that they could be provided with some love and affection. I thought I was doing them a favour. True I did feed them, provided for their health and eventually helped locate a home for them. However, it was they who were doing me a favor.
With each rescue I was able to supply a stream of unconditional love to a creature willing to receive. In my life experience companion animals are the only creatures, I know, who accept and give this type of love.
What does unconditional, open, evolving love do to a person. Well it opens the heart of course! And an open heart is a vehicle that provides direct communion with Divine Universal Light.
2) Toby was a little mutt (looked a bit like a Corgi) whose owner kept him tied in a backyard winter, spring, summer, and fall.
When I spoke to the owner about this I found out that she had kept him in this condition for two years because he wouldn’t behave.
If anyone knows anything about animals they know bad cats and dogs don’t just happen they are created.
My initial reaction was to slap this woman who had treated Toby in such an inhumane manner. At the time I honestly believed she did not deserve to be a pet owner and was ready to take this dog from her. I don’t know what took place at the time I was speaking to her. It was almost as if a wind swept into me and calmed me.
The eventual outcome was this: I recognized that this women wanted to keep Toby but had no understanding of dog psychology. I asked a friend of mine, who is an animal behaviorist, to help me out in this situation. We were able help this woman understand the needs of her dog and how to train him appropriately. That did the trick! Toby was out of the backyard and became a companion to his owner.
I believe anger can be a useful, powerful emotion. Sometimes, as in this case, anger hides the true reality of a situation.
3) I rescued a tiny little male fluff ball of a kitten. Eli’s favorite pastime was sitting on my shoulder, napping while on my shoulder, pretending to watch TV while I was watching TV (by the way did I mention he was on my shoulder). I once took him for a drive with me and guess where he determined was the best seat in the car…on my shoulder.
On one visit to my vet I was informed that Eli was not gaining weight. It turned out that Eli was ill. “It happens to a lot of stray kittens” the vet said. The disease (forget the name of it) was affecting Eli’s immune system and would eventually shut down his organs.
With Eli I learned how easy it is to become attached to a being that patiently and calmly loves. I also learned the difficult lesson of acceptance. I had no control of this situation. Try as I might Eli would not get to better, and he died.
I learned acceptance does not mean giving up it means acquiescing to a higher truth.
I woke up this morning and came out of my room to find one of my cats intensely looking out the window. First I thought it was a bug she was watching on the window only to realize that in the bitter cold of winter there are no bugs. So I came up to the window to figure out what she was looking at. Sitting right outside my window in the tree was a beautiful hawk.
I quickly ran to grab my camera, got out on my balcony, and snapped.
I was not very far from this creature and we looked at each other for a few moments. Me admiring its absolute, breathtaking beauty, all the while shivering in my PJ’s. I have a feeling the hawk was not admiring me, instead was attempting to understand what the heck kind of creature I was (I could tell from the look on its face, or beak?).
Then after having contemplated my existence it silently unfolded its wings and lifted off of the tree branch. With perfect precision and grace it glided away leaving me to watch its image grow smaller and smaller across the horizon.
Seeing a creature such as this, up close, is something I can not describe. I feel elated, blessed, and awed to have had this experience. Elated because I was in such close proximity to an aspect of creation that I have only been able to admire from a distance. Blessed to have had the chance to gaze upon the absolute perfection of one of Allah’s creation (absolute, utter, unequivocal, perfection). Awed at the magnitude of its splendor.
To me this experience was a form of prayer, a form of worship. Where, within a few short seconds (though it seemed much longer) I connected in a deep and meaningful way with my Creator and somehow life seemed to be infused with meaning and joy. Where I was present in the moment, no thought of the past or the future, just knowledge of the “now”. Where comfort and calm, that, at times seems to allude me, at that moment surrounded me.
A gift from the Universe that I will treasure.
Note: The picture of the hawk I have included here had to be sized down for WordPress. It is difficult to see the full details and it does reflect how close I was to this creature. If you would like the original picture please send me an email.
I just arrived back from Pakistan a little while ago. By the way my family and I were in Pakistan when the assassination took place and I have to say that I found the media coverage here to be very distorted…but we can discuss this later.
I have not been back for several years and each time I go back I am surprised by the changes taking place. When I was in Pakistan seven years ago businesses had started converting their diesel vehicles (mostly trucks) to use bio fuels. This was due to the high price of petroleum.
This time I noticed a plethora of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across Lahore. CNG is now being used by individuals and businesses, again due to the high price of petroleum. When people use CNG they do so primarily to save money, but an off shoot of this is cleaner air and less greenhouse emissions (about 90% less as reported by CNG.com.pk).
The International Association of Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) ranks Pakistan as second in the total number of CNG vehicles on the road. This might not be the most accurate figure as Green Car Congress reports that some “50, 000 vehicles a month are converting to CNG” in Pakistan.
Another great thing about the current proliferation of CNG is what it has done for passengers of rickshaws.
Two of my cousins and I decided to go for a trek to the Lahore Fort. Unfortunately the vehicles in our household were being used so my cousin suggested going by rickshaw. Having traveled by rickshaw seven years ago I hesitated. “Listen why not just take a taxi” I said. “Then we don’t have to deal with the fumes and the bumpy ride.”
However the new CNG rickshaws emit little fumes, are not as loud, and have a smoother ride. I can’t say the smoother ride or the reduced noise had much to do with CNG. It may have had more to do with the fact the rickshaw was new and was fitted with a better suspension system and a noise reducing device thing-a-ma-giggie.
The use of CNG seems like a win/win situation where people and businesses benefit with reduced costs in fuel, the creation of jobs that helps the economy. Plus many countries have huge reserves of natural gas which eliminates the need for oil transportation (and potential spills). And everyone benefits with cleaner air (unless you really enjoy breathing in diesel and petrol fumes…hey you never know).
The potential downside is that CNG still produces greenhouse emissions (though significantly less). As well, (and this is dependant on what report you read) CNG takes up four times the space of petrol to provide the same amount of energy.
FYI – My post Where Are All the Green Toys At? Has been selected as “Hot Stuff of the Week” by GMNParents.com. If you have a chance please go ahead and read this post and then cast your vote.
The Ramadan Compact seems to have trickle into my every shopping experience.
I went to Target (my most favorite shopping venue) yesterday to buy a gift for my nephew and a few friends who have young children.
As I walked down the toy aisles looking at the selection I had second thoughts about purchasing anything. I looked at all that packaging for just one toy and could not stomach having it go into the landfill.
More importantly, and I have been having this on-again off-again conversation with my sister, what am I teaching the children around me. As an adult I have had to struggle with realizing that happiness and fulfillment do not come from things. I often wonder if I learned this lesson as a child and if I am, inadvertently, teaching the young children in my life this lesson?
Here’s another dilemma. I like giving gifts to kids. It’s just so much and fun and they get such joy out of it.
As I stood among the selection of toys contemplating what to do, a few choice thoughts crossed my mind.
1. I could go ahead and purchase toys. I mean who at the Ramadan Compact would know that I was living out of integrity with my core values.
2. I could not purchase anything and explain the environmental and socio-political impact of purchasing toys to the kiddies. I just have a feeling that would not work.
3. I could give each kid a little certificate that says “A donation was made on your behalf to plant trees” or “save the whales”. That would go over really well with a five year old, don’t you think?
What is the middle of the road answer to wanting to be a responsible global environmental citizen and spoil a few kids with stuff they will play with for a few hours and then forget?I did buy a few toys.
Actually I bought kids craft kits packed in cloth bags with minimal packaging. As a bonus I will stuff the bags with candy. I figure the parents will really enjoy having their kids hyped up on sugar.
With the marvel of the internet I found a great activity. Having the kids hunt for treasure…Argh! I am creating a treasure map and inviting all the kiddies (about five very loud kids) over to my parents place to go treasure hunting. At the end of the treasure hunt they get their treasure (or craft kits).
Sure it’s not gold, or Sponge Bob, or Dora the Explorer paraphernalia. But isn’t the fun in searching for the treasure, sharing the fun, and getting doped up on sugar than the actual treasure. Something like…”it’s the journey not the destination that’s important”.
I’ll let you all know how it goes.
P.S. Some Companies that Make Ethical Eco-Friendly Toys (just found this in an internet search after I purchased the craft kits)
“Nature uses as little as possible of anything” – Johannes Kepler
Received in an email from Sanjana at Ramadan Compact
A friend of mine called me up a few days ago to let me know she was going to be putting her dog to sleep. Her dog, Zeke, a white Whippet, had a cancerous growth that was now affecting his quality of life. I went to go see Zeke last night, he was not doing well and it was visible. He was weak, so weak that all he could do was flop on his side, and it was obvious that he was struggling for each breath. I sat with him, gently petting his head, said goodbye and let him know how much I enjoyed having him in my life.
As a Muslim I was raised to look at dogs as filthy creatures. There are a few misinterpreted Hadith which allude to The Prophet as warning people about the potential spiritual and physical deficiency of dogs. However, I could never buy into this. It just did not make sense that God would create a creature as loving, gentle, loyal, and giving as a dog and then tell us to abstain from experiencing this grace in our lives.
The companionship of a dog is uniquely different from any other creature. I don’t have a dog, but do get the chance to dog sit for a few friends. I am amazed at the almost instant connection I develop with this creatures. Yes, when I dog sit that means the dog comes to live with me, and no, I do not believe that angels leave my home when a dog enters.
Just like humans each dog I have encountered has a unique personality. With Zeke I will remember his calm almost Zen like nature. How he would hide at the first sound of a thunder storm. How he would sit still enjoying the warmth of the sun.
With Zeke I will also remember how I caught my breath the first time I saw him run, and when I would take him for a walk people would look at him, smile, and tell me how beautiful he was. And he was a definite beauty.
Each animal I have encountered has reminded me of the more important lessons of living this life. Zeke reminded me of the beauty of creation. Beauty so striking and so mesmerizing that I am left in a state of awe. From the gentle lines of his form, to the gazelle-like grace of his stance and walk, to the softness of his disposition.
Goodbye Zeke. Thank you for your company. Thank you for your warmth, grace, and affection. You will be missed.
Coming in to work this morning I saw a car with a bumper sticker that read “Debt is Normal. Be Weird”. Ha! That made me laugh. I used to be one of those people in debt. I understand what it can be like to want stuff and unconsciously rack up a nice credit card balance.
I went into debt because I wanted stuff, and I wanted stuff so I could feel good about myself and my life. Now I look back at myself and laugh. At the time when I had debt I was not laughing I was actually experiencing a lot of anxiety and stress. I was a walking paradox. I was buying stuff so I could feel better about myself and my life. Yet the excess purchasing was causing me to feel bad about myself, my life, and my finances.
As the bumper sticker implied (now) I would probably be considered weird. I have no debt, I buy stuff that I need (ok, sometimes I do fall off the wagon), and if I do not have the cash flow I refrain from buying (well, sometimes I do fall off the wagon). I do feel better about myself and my life since I do not have the stress and anxiety which happens with excess debt.
As so many environmental messages imply when we make a decision to genuinely create health in our lives (financial health, economic health, physical health) the planet inadvertently benefits.
I would like to say that I got out of debt and stopped unnecessary purchasing to help the planet, but that would be a lie. My primary reason was to reduce financial stress. Inadvertently I helped the planet.
Just to clarify I am not saying purchasing is a bad thing. I am saying that purchasing stuff that I do not need is not helpful. I believe purchasing is an action that can generate good and can benefit people and the planet.
From a spiritual perspective the debt mucked up my relationship with God. I was so busying worrying about how to pay off my credit cards that contemplating my relationship with the natural world, with my pets, or with Allah was almost non-existent. Also I was completely absorbed in finding fulfillment through things. Intellectually I understood that things could not fulfill me but breaking the cycle (I will speak about this in another post) was hard.
Finding fulfillment from listening to the wind move through the trees, or hearing a bird sing, or in silent meditation, or watching my cat go crazy for cat marijuana (cat nip), or having tea with a friend is a high that has no comparison. Best part…its all free!!!!
I never thought of myself as weird until I read the bumper sticker. I have to say life feels better in this weird place.
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Sanjana, at Ramadan Compact, recently was discussing how she might avoid flying by hiking a few hundred miles to her destination. Though I do like to hike I think my legs would be very mad at me if I prolonged a hike over a few hundred miles.
I get what she is talking about. A way to travel with limited or no plane travel. Carbon credits may help and I do participate in this when I have to get on a plane. But if you are like me you want to do a bit more just because you can.
I know that there are some preliminary tests being done using bio-diesel as a fuel for plane, and Boeing has crafted a lightweight passenger aircraft (the Dreamliner) in an effort to increase efficiency and reduce emissions. Until we have access to airplanes that run on alternative fuels what do those of us who use plane travel do?
Well, one idea is to get on a bike and bike to your destination. This is what Dzhanar-Aliyev Magomed-Ali did. The 63 year old who is from Chechen biked his way from his village to Makkah, Saudi Arabia on an old but reliable bike. It took him 10 weeks but he made it for Hajj. Read about his story here. (By the way this story was submitted by Shumaisa).
