Last week some people from my MOM's church, our church, took a mission trip to this place in Kanb Utah.
They went to Best Friends Animal Society. They did all kinds of things with all kinds of animals, from dogs and cats to birds, horses, goats and more.
They walk them, fed them, cleaned them, and most importantly they LOVED them
One of the people who went on the mission trip even adopted a dog.
I told MOM she could say a few things as I show a few more photos of the mission trip to help and care for all the different animals at Best Friends.
For most, our connection to the creaturely world comes exclusively through the companionship of those animal friends we call our pets. For the more politically correct animal advocates, "animal companion" is the preferred term, as it takes away the connotation of ownership. After all, do we really "own" our pets or do they own us? From my own experience I would vote for the latter option. We' re responsible for their food, shelter and veterinary care -- and to that extent are their keepers -- but truth be told, they "keep" us just as surely as we keep them, but they keep us through bonds of unconditional affection. We keep them through care and they keep us by loyalty.
By their companionship and their extravagant giving of affection whether we particularly deserve it or not, our animal companions also call us to a more morally conscious position in the world. Living with a pet puts us a little bit closer to what Albert Schweitzer called "reverence for life."
When we allow the beauty of species other than our own to really touch us in a spiritual way, we will inevitably come to understand why Mahatma Gandhi once remarked that the measure of a society' s morality could be measured by how they treat their animals. If we embraced the Native American spiritual practice of regarding animals as our relations, interacting with them mindfully, compassionately, prudently and compassionately, we would have less reason to blush.
Thanks MOM for sharing a few words of what I think are wise, but hey I'm your boy so I know you do have your moments of wisdom. Love ya MOM, and I am grateful for all those people who took a week off work, brought all kinds of donations the Best Friends (not just money but all kinds of needed supplies), all so they could care for all my animal friends. You guys are the BEST.
Blessings,
Goose
What a wonderful post! Our Mommy often repeats those very words of Gandhi's! We choose to think that we are animal companions also. Mommy agrees wif this. **nosetaps** xoxo
ReplyDeleteBest Friends is an amazing haven! Your MOM is very wise in her view of us four-leggeds. This was a wonderful post and we loved that a pup found a home with one of your group!
ReplyDeleteKudos to all those people's
ReplyDeleteBenny & Lily
That is very cool!! I love the work done by Best Friends, if only everyone followed the Native American principles of treating our animal companions as relatives there would be much less abandonment of these trusting souls.
ReplyDeleteGood job, worthy cause.
That is so pawsome! I love when peeps go out of their way to do things like that. Everyone wins!! I love your Moms words also, thank you for sharing this wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteLoveys Sasha
Hi Goose, Hats off to all those who went to Best Friends; I used to support them when I worked but now that I'm retired our income is fixed and I have to choose carefully-but if I had more, I'd definitely give to them. Some dear friends went there last year and wanted to adopt so many dogs. What a wonderful place it is; so much good is being accomplished. Tell your moma to say thank you to those who went. I love the expression animal companion-because that is what you are-a beloved friend and companion.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Thursday!!!!
Noreen
Sounds like a great trip for a worthy cause. I think I would like to visit with the horses. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post, Goose!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! BEAUTFUL! My favorite line was, "When we allow the beauty of species other than our own to really touch us in a spiritual way, we will inevitably come to understand why Mahatma Gandhi once remarked that the measure of a society' s morality could be measured by how they treat their animals." Oh, and when I have favorite lines out of an entire post, it means I had chills throughout. Thank you Goose and and Goose's MOM for making this world a more beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this Mission. PERFECT!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteStewey
Wonderful Goose! What a loving way to spend your time and energy, helping other companion animals who need it. You and your MOM are the best.
ReplyDeleteThis post brought tears to my eyes!!! Back in the day--when we had money enough to feed ourselves and others I would donate to Best Friends. I love the animals so very much and Goose your Mom does too!!!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness Zoie doesn't like strawberries!!!! Or we probably wouldn't have any !!!
What a wonderful thing to do! We bet the humans came away having gained as much (if not more) as those animals in terms of love and good feelings. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
Thats so great, Ive actually talked to my husband about us going up there for a vacation and volunteering, I got hooked on best friends years ago when they came out with their reality show on animal planet. Thank you for sharing your work with us.
ReplyDeleteI wish more people could know and really understand that sharing life with an animal makes it it a better life. It might be a more chaotic life but it will be a better life. My mom says there is no better way to start her day than when I give her a little puppy kiss on the neck to tell her I love her. Thanks for this post Goose & Michelle!
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ReplyDeleteWhat yous and your Mommy does is so special
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Kisses
Nellie
We wish everybody felt the way the Native Americans do about animals! You and your mom do such wonderful work. Thank you for all you do!! xoxo Chloe, LadyBug and Jeanne (mom)
ReplyDeleteHi Y'all,
ReplyDeleteStoppin' by to say "hello" and see how y'all are doing. Looks like you're havin' a fantastic week!
That is wonderful that your human is teaching so many people about the love of us animals. Here in the rural southeast...lets just say life isn't like that for pawed ones. Many shelters don't even have room for all the abandoned and stray dogs.
Y'all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
What a wonderful post! I love that your church chose that mission trip, that's so nice to get to share your love with animals who may have never known love. I just became a new follower,
ReplyDeleteKSO
What a wonderful place and wonderful people!!!
ReplyDeleteWe're so thankful to your mom and everyone who gives of their time/money/talent to animals in need. Speaking from personal experience, I KNOW those animals appreciate EVERYthing -- especially the LOVE!
Luv,
Dave
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGoose, that was so wonderful. You sure have some fantastic friends. Thanks for sharing this grrreat post. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory
ReplyDeleteHowdy Goose, we had a hiccup and our angel brother Bruce's blog name came up on our comment. He's still watching over us hehe. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic mission trip that must have been! I've heard that sanctuary is a wonderful place and does very good work!
ReplyDeleteBunny
What a wonderful trip to Best Friends to help out! What an inspiring post about great people! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great trip. For some reason we can't see the photos though, just a black box with an ! inside a triangle. :(
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