Londoncat & Me

  C O M P A S S I O N   S C H O O L                                                                   THE GIFT OF A LIFETIME      Christmas is the time to say I love you! It's also the time many children ask Santa for a new pet.      If you have a pet, then you already know how special they are, and how joyful they make you feel. And during the Holiday season, their presence is a comforting reminder of their unconditional love.      Adopting a pet is a lifetime responsibility, not to be taken lightly. It is not a decision to be made when we are in a hurry or without careful preparation. It's a decision that should be made with your heart AND your head.      There are thousands of lonely pets sitting in shelters just waiting for a loving, FOREVER home and family.      So yes, Christmastime is a wonderful time to adopt a new family member. But, then again, anytime is a great time to give a welcoming home to a needy pet.      We should ope

                                        What Does Respect For Animals Mean?  Some parents tell their children, "You must have respect for others." That should include animals, as well. It means to give others some space, and keep a distance if they don't want to be disturbed, approached or talked to.  It means treating others kindly and with dignity. The same is true with animals and with our pets. Some animals don't want to be picked up or cuddled. While others, like dogs and cats, usually appreciate a lot of attention, and a soft, kind voice. Wild animals just want to be left alone, and should never be approached or handled. And...there is absolutely no animal on earth, who wants to be locked in a cage for his entire life. If you have a small pet at home: a guinea pig, hamster or bird, you must give them ample space and exercise, make their life enjoyable and care for them for the rest of their lives. They are now, never able to live on their own.

I can honestly say, that I have loved animals my entire life. My parent's had a dog when I was born, and I loved her with all my heart. She was my companion, my sibling and my little dress-up doll, all rolled into one sweet, precious, golden ball of fur. But, Honey was much more then a "ball of fur", and I knew this at a young age. I was taught that my dog, was a somebody. And she was treated as such by my parents and relatives. Honey was not an "it" or a "thing. She was a "she", a "being" a SOMEBODY. When we are young children, and we are shown by our parents, and loved ones, how to treat another living being, then we naturally grow up to be adults and parents who teach our own children to do the same. We lead my example. There are some people who feel differently, and I feel bad for them. I'm also concerned for the pets that they may have, as well. They're missing out on a very special part of life. Anima

London and I are excited to share some news with you! Today we met with the creators and publishers of Park Creek Living magazine, to discuss writing a monthly article for their publication. Both London and I will each be contributing to their magazine! London plans to write about and photograph, the birds of Ambler. She is going to call her column, Bird's Eye View. And I will write about teaching compassion and empathy for our pets, and all animals, with a column called, Compassion School. We are over the moon excited and honored about this venture! Please stayed tuned for more details as our articles go to publication.

Wishing you were somehow here again Knowing we must say goodbye Try to forgive, teach me to live Give me the strength to try   -From The Phantom of the Opera    A few short weeks ago, my best friend had to say goodbye to her precious cat of twenty one years.    As you can image, it was one of the hardest things she has ever had to do.  It was also one of the kindest gifts she could have given to her little Simba.   We all know what a difficult and incredibly sad decision this is to make. We question that decision long after our little angel is at rest. We talk to our friends and loves ones about him or her, and if we are lucky, we have that one person who totally gets how we are feeling, and tries to ease our pain by letting us reminisce and remember. If we're very lucky, we have that one friend. Here are a few suggestions that might help you when confronted with a friend who needs you to just listen, and be a true friend. Listen. Really listen. Your friend

What will the world be like for animals in the next ten years? When my eleven year old daughter is 21, will the world be a kinder, more compassionate place? Or will it be even worse? I shutter to think of a world that is even crueler to animals, than the one they are living in now. We must get a grip on our thoughts and behaviors towards animals. And we must teach our children to respect them...to show compassion, love and care for ALL living beings. We must model this behavior for future generations. I can hardly bear to look at Facebook anymore.....my heart just can't take it. All the unbelievably cruel and vicious things that humans do to animals and then have the audacity and to post them! What is happening?! It must stop.... This is a paragraph from the wonderful book, Canines In The Classroom. It is the "Afterword" written by Michael Berkenblit, DVM. "Animals provide richness and texture to our lives; they reintroduce spontaneity and laughter in ou

  Helping animals in need. That's what we are all about. We look for ways to volunteer our time, ways to give back to homeless animals, and ways to teach children how and why we should respect and care for our pets.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       When I come home I can hear them inside barking with excitement. I can hear their paws dancing on the floor, waiting for me to open that door. And when I do, they are as happy to see me after an hour, as they would be if I were gone for a week! A dog is always happy we're home or happy to be out with us, happy and content to be right by our sides.   They never complain. They are love, positivity and selflessness. They show us a love so focused and pure of spirit, that it is boundless.   Can we be like a dog?

We have loved animals our entire lives. And, we know you understand this kind of love, because you love them too. We want you to know that what you do every minute, of every day, all night long, without thanks or respect, gratitude or understanding, does not go unnoticed. We want you to know that someday, all the abuse, neglect, sadness and cruelty, will be a thing of the past. A nightmare that has finally ended. We believe this, because we believe in you. We want you to know that what you are doing now, what you are bringing to light now, is beginning to change the world for animals.....now. And, we want to thank you, now. For all that you have done, all that you continue to do, and all the  incredibly difficult, sad, relentless work that you will do in the future. We'd like you to know we are positive that the world we see in our future, will be big and bright, kind and compassionate, warm and caring,  for all living beings. In our