Experiencing the Inherent Worth and Dignity of All Beings - Part II

REFLECTIONS FROM THREE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS

Their Behavior Impacts Ours

The Love of Pigs - Marcia Schloss

Four years ago an encounter with four grown pigs and one little piglet changed my life. I was picking up my
20 year old daughter from The Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY after her month stay as an intern there. She asked if I wanted a tour of the rescued farm animals and animal lover that I am I said "yes please". The tour was wonderful and I met curious goats and majestic cows, adorable sheep, and all sorts of chickens and ducks but the most captivating and delightful animal was an adorable pink piglet named Kim Gordon. Kim Gordon played with us in the grass under a tree much like a puppy might, if that puppy loved to jump and frolic and rout with her nose in the grass. When she could control her exuberance and hold still long enough, she seemed to enjoy our pats. Next, my daughter suggested we feed the pigs the peanut butter sandwiches she had made. I was hesitant. Inside the barn, in a small room clustered together, were four quite large and quite strong appearing full grown pigs. She and I entered the room and each took a piece of a sandwich and held it out to one pig after another. I was amazed at how gracefully they maneuvered their massive frames around the two of us to gently take the pieces of sandwich from our fingers. Standing in the middle of this group of humble, clean and lovable animals I knew I could never eat pulled pork or a piece of bacon again. Thanks to that day and those pigs I became vegan and that has been the very best decision. Now, the way I travel through my life is more closely aligned with my love of animals.

Birds and Dogs - Hal Estry

The birds:

Last evening as I was mowing the large lawn in back of the house I was visited again by the Purple Martins.  First one, then two, then several until there were approximately a dozen swooping back and forth across the field.  They have learned that when they hear the sound of the mower, or perhaps, the look of the tractor, I don't know which, there will be lots for them to eat, as my mowing stirs up lots of insects.  Once I saw a rather larger bug flying across the field when its trajectory was intercepted by that of a Purple Martin-POOF no more bug!!  They continue for a few minutes after I stop, then, perhaps realizing that the party is over, they leave.  They have been doing this for the last 20+ years.  I suspect that the elders teach the young ones, either directly, or by their actions, that the mower means food and so pass the information down from generation to generation.  It is a joy to see them swooping about while I am mowing.  They will often come within three feet of the tractor before pulling up.  They never come closer, probably due to their excellent Sonar. 

The smart little dog:

When our daughter lived with us, many years ago, she brought with her a Toy Collie Mix, a shelter dog.  Nicky was a very smart little dog, and a good vegetarian as well.  For example, when you were cutting up food for dinner, if you dropped a piece of carrot or celery, don't bother bending over to pick it up-she was on it.  My story though, is about the black raspberry bush.  We had a large bush of the rather large, tame, black raspberries and when we went to pick them, Nicky would, of course, come along.  Whether we fed her some, or whether she simply observed us and became interested I don't remember, but soon she was picking her own.  Since her 'hands' didn't work for the job she had learned to curl her lips around the berry to avoid being pricked in the mouth by the sharp spine next to the berry.  After that we left the ones down near the ground for her.

Cat Friendship - Larry Kelland

A close friend of mine, Sharon, had a cat named Gal (Galabriel) who took a liking to me. She was rather gray, and striped - actually the wild type coloring.  Whenever I visited, she would come over to me to be petted, actually insisting on being petted. Sharon told me Gal was only that friendly to me and not everybody. One time I was talking to Sharon on the phone, and Gal would come right up to the phone - even on the phone she recognized my voice! My friendship with Gal was a close one, for about nine years, when Gal died from kidney problems.

Experiencing the Inherent Worth and Dignity of All Beings

Reflections from Three Unitarian Universalists

Holly - A Cat

We had our beloved tabby cat Holly for 21 1/2 years.  For a number of later years, we followed a nightly ritual.  After supper, as I did the dishes, my husband would nap on the sofa.  Holly would jump up and join him.  After my settling in my chair opposite, Holly would raise an eyebrow, jump down and come over by me to jump in my lap.  Then we would read together, with stroking, for an hour or so.  If the portable heater was on, she would gradually stretch out fully, like a rag doll, across my lap.  I loved her so and miss her still, ten years next year. - Donna Estry

Tanya Tissues - A Dog

I once had a dog named Tanya Tissues. I was quite young then in what should have been my kindergarten years. My mother, her girlfriend and I lived on the streets of Sacramento. We were in and out of motels and drug dealers' houses, hospitals, and battered women shelters. We found Tanya Tissues in an abandoned lot - glued to the rear of a Rottweiler.... they had been copulating and seemed to have gotten stuck. She looked so terribly embarrassed and upset. My mother found a hose and blasted the dogs with water until they were able to separate. (I'm uncertain as to the logic behind this move, but in those days, my mom could do no wrong). Once the affair was over and the two were disjointed, Tanya followed me from then on out.

My mother was/is an IV drug addict and the company we kept was less than angelic. When she would nod out, or tweak out and vanish, Tanya Tissues was quickly at my side,  nudging my arm, whining until we would lie down and cuddle. When there were fights or I had been intruded upon by her 'Johns' or fellow using acquaintances, Tanya Tissues was always there to try and protect me or to comfort me afterward. She learned eventually, like me, that we had to sit quietly when violence ensued, or we would be included. So Tanya and I would go on glorious adventures through dumpsters and alleys and warehouses. You name it. She always started the lead by pawing at whatever door was keeping us in their company. 

I don't recall how I came up with the name Tanya Tissues. Perhaps because she acted as a tissue box for me in times of crisis? However, this is unlikely as I don't think I was that capable of analogy at that ripe age, but was rather quirky and imaginative, a trait we both learned would get us out of any fix.

Tanya Tissues eventually became swollen with what I imagined were her old friend, the Rottweiler's young. My mother said she would take Tanya to get an abortion and be back within a few days. I was later told that the abortion went badly and Tanya Tissues was in heaven with John Lennon (my favorite musician at the time). Ever since these events, animals, both real and imagined (imaginary pets), have held a higher status in my mind than any list of friends, family or species. - Tristan Paul

Trinity - A Dog. Sirius - A Cat. Animals on Farms 

A dog that I and a former boyfriend had adopted together died suddenly in an accident 2002. Our dog, Trinity, was only three years old at the time.  When my friend called me at work to tell me about the accident I was devastated.  I was too upset to stay at work and got a ride home.

After mourning for several hours I finally fell asleep.  When I woke up my newly adopted cat, Sirius, was curled up in my arms.  While he was an affectionate fellow, this was highly unusual and he had never done it before.  I truly feel that he knew I was grieving and had tried to comfort me at other times when I showed signs of distress.  His sensitivity to my emotions and desire to comfort I feel is dignified and very appreciated on my part.  

Our close connections with our companion animals who clearly show caring behaviors are just one way to experience the inherent worth and dignity of animals.  I've been vegetarian for almost 20 years, but fully opened myself up to the reality of the lives and deaths of farmed animals, so similar to the dog I grieved for and the cats that I love, and went vegan in 2010.  I feel that rejecting the commodity status of sentient animals is the greatest way I demonstrate that I witness the worth and dignity in other living creatures and to have a smaller environmental impact on the earth we share with humans and non-humans alike. - Sara Andrews