One of the most valuable lessons we can teach our children is kindness and compassion for all living things, no matter how big or small.
This topic is on my mind because I was disturbed to read this morning of yet another local case of animal cruelty. How does a person exist, and sleep at night, who can commit such cruel acts against an innocent and defenseless animal?
I find it difficult to believe a child raised to respect and empathise with the feelings of all creatures can grow up into someone who can treat an animal with cruelty. My dad, in particular, taught us how to care for all living things. We grew up with pets, as many do, but it was more than that. He taught by example. He not only loved that little spider that he picked up and brought outdoors, he wished it well.
I wish every small child could experience that kind of lesson.
Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar. ~ Bradley Miller
Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion, to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. ~ Albert Einstein
It is widely believed that empathy training for children can prevent violence, against animals and human beings. What are you doing to teach children compassion?
When the fog rolled in over our lounging chairs this afternoon (with us still in them), we counted ourselves lucky we at least had enjoyed an hour of hot, precious sunshine.
You may see some of the fog in the pic below. We put our chairs back in the shed and went inside. But Vivian had other ideas.
She stayed behind in her outdoor room…
Greetings, humans! Maisie here, covering for Jennifer this week while she is away. My sister Vivian was eager to take over again, but Shy Little Me thought I would venture a few steps out of my comfort zone and host the blog for a change.
My sister and I had grown oh-so-bored with staying inside.
After the long, cold and snowy winter we endured in Canada this year, we are welcoming any signs of Spring with gratitude and huge sighs, or in our case,
purrs of relief.
When Vivian and I lived in the city four years ago, we had to content ourselves with the sighting of a robin or two in our backyard to let us know Spring had finally arrived.
Where we live now, there are many, many more signs to watch for and welcome. Not only fat robins with their red breasts, but birds of all kinds grace us with their presence, usually in pairs as they get ready for mating season. Â And we eagerly await the arrival of the gannets in May, and arctic terns in June. There is something deeply comforting in seeing wildlife return, especially when you spy them huddled in twos, preening or foraging for food together here on Perry’s Point. The seagulls are here as always, dropping and breaking crabs and sea urchins open on the rocks. But now they are joined by a few saddleback gulls. Vivian even spotted a saucy mink the other day!
During the last few days, my sister and I have enthusiastically returned to the great outdoors.
So much to see, to smell, to hear and to taste.
 Vivian and I will stay outside almost all day when the summer gets here…
…just like last summer, and the summer before.
Life is good. 🙂
“I coulda hosted. It was my gig. Pfft!”
Weekly Photo Challenge: Spring! What does Spring mean to you?
“Whaaa? Is Jennifer blogging about cats, again?”Â
Look, I will be the first to admit it. I love all animals, but my adoration for creatures of the feline variety is mega-size and always has been. So if you think I’m a hopeless ailurophile – for those who don’t know, that’s the fancy word for cat lover – I will readily own up to it. This blog has my name on it which means there has to be a cat post now and then.
I think often about kitties of all stripes (pun intended), particularly my own. On the days leading up to our trip to Cuba earlier this month, and actually, any time we travel, I begin worrying in earnest. What do our cats think when we disappear like that, for days on end? Do they open their eyes from each nap expecting to see us, and roam from window to window, wondering what the devil has become of us? Do they fill with anxiety, for fear we shall never return?
We’re so blue without you.
When I voice these concerns to my husband, he gives me a patronizing smile and reassures me once again that they don’t think that way, especially as we make sure before we go that all their needs are met and we have someone checking on them. And of course they have each other. But how can he know that for certain, that they aren’t pining for us? I know he loves cats too, but does he think he can read their minds?
Wherever we go, Cuba included, little cats seem drawn to him. I’ll give him that. Like this little tomcat.
“Hola” from el gato!
The Cat WhispererThis gorgeous tabby belongs to the restaurant’s next door neighbour.
He stares at my husband in quiet awe.Pose pretty for the camera, sweet boy. x
So even though I remain unapologetic and consider myself as devoted to cats as he is, and I worry more about the ones we leave behind, I wonder why they always give him the lion’s share of attention. Even the Spanish ones.
What do you think? Say anything, but please don’t call me a crazy cat lady!
Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! Vivian K. Perry here, filling in for Jennifer today because she is in town celebrating the holidays in the bosom of her family.
Maisie and I are hanging out at home with our early Christmas presents, two new cat beds! We are thrilled with how cozy they are, and Jennifer was thrilled because they were only ten bucks a pop from Sears catalogue.
In keeping with the spirit of the season, please have a look at Maisie’s Christmas photo shoot below.
Both of my cats enjoy grabbing opportunities,
wherever they may find them,
to cozy up and have a luxurious cat nap.
A carelessly dropped bathrobe has become
this morning’s perfect chance location for a purry snooze.
In this case, as in most,
Maisie is the one who finds the sudden bed,
and no sooner does she get nice and comfortable,
but Vivian happens along and surreptitiously joins her sister.
It’s me, Vivian K. Perry, the shedding-est, purring-est, head-butting-est pussy cat in the land, and once again I am pleased and honoured to cover this evening’s blog post, here at Jennifer’s Journal.
              We love to explore our environment.
      Maisie and I have been enjoying a gorgeous sun-and-fun-filled summer here on Perry’s Point.
Jennifer is feeling a little under the weather as of late, but no worries, I’m sure she’ll bounce back to her old self, quicker than you can say meow. We’ll see to that.
             Maisie LOVES the Outdoors                  I adore soaking up morning rays on the deck.                 Gotta love the batman shadow.                                                                                                                                                            Nico & his “dad”
We entertained visitors on several occasions, but stayed clear of that overgrown Golden Doodle, Nico, because he is simply too friendly in that annoyingly brash doggy way of his.
                Maisie chowing down in a patch of sunlight
We did take a two week trip to St. John’s, but were oh-so grateful to return home to our walks along the coastline, relaxing sun baths, Â hunting of tiny critters, and all that priceless freedom.
                           “splendor in the grass”
For those who don’t know how we got our names, here goes: Â When Jennifer and her husband adopted us from the SPCA, the lovely staff had already named us Maggie and Storm. But our new staff thought they could do better.
Jennifer asked, “Do we know a couple of sisters who are always together?” After some brainstorming, Jennifer’s husband suggested the names of two of Jennifer’s aunts, who often spend time together. “Yes,” she squealed. “That’s perfect! I always liked their names as well, so Maisie and Vivian they will be.” And the aunts got a kick out of it too.
♥Â
                      Come play with me?Please rub my peach- patched chin?             Silent as a SphinxHow did you spend your summer? Thank you for being such gracious visitors, and don’t be shy – I will be sure to pass on your comments.
                                        Meow!  ♥
Hello there, Peeps. Vivian K. Perry here, Jennifer’s (dare I say) favourite cat. Â Just don’t tell my sister Maisie, capiche?
Jennifer asked me back to host her blog today, because she is a little bogged down writing an especially exciting chapter of her new novel.
Whatever! I was happy to oblige, nonetheless. This is my second time guest blogging on Jennifer’s Journal. If you’re interested, and I’m sure you are because I’m so cute, you can see my first post from last summer here.
Maisie and I do agree on one thing: we are getting bored with the cold weather. We miss the summer days of hunting little creatures, and basking in the sun. It is warming up a bit, but it’s still darn chilly on the paws most days.
So we while away the hours with our indoor activities.
Tucked away in the linen closetStill looking pretty spiffy there, AlexNice! But do they come with kitties on them?Lying on humans, one of our best-loved pastimes
Sometimes, we get on each other’s nerves, as sisters often do. I was thinking Maisie looked entirely too comfortable having our little house all to herself, so I had to act.
Minding her own businessWant some company?Getting too crowded for someone!There. That’s better.
Of course, at other times Maisie and I are closer-than-this:
Maisie lets me cuddle her when she’s cold
But what is my Number One Favourite Activity?
Dream, dream, dream
That’s right, Dreaming of Summer
Thank you for visiting Vivian’s View from Here! We hope you enjoyed it. 🙂
Would you like to see more of Maisie and Vivian? Check out these links:
Jennifer's Journal 