WILD4animals

  How to Justify Loving Animals More Than People   Credit: Waldemar Brandt 'How dare you care so much about animals? What about starving kids in Africa?' As animal lovers, we're criticised for caring more about animals than people. But the truth is we're more likely to sympathise with human suffering because we connect kindness to animals with caring for vulnerable people. Just like a helpless child or older person with dementia who can't speak up for themselves, animals are voiceless and at the mercy of human behaviour. And let's be clear. When someone says they love animals more than people, on the whole, they mean human beings as a collective species rather than individuals.  Apart  from their loved ones, many people prefer the joy of pets to the misery caused by homo sapiens. For example, dogs have earned a reputation as man's best friend for a good reason.  They show us loyalty, devotion and unconditional love. Credit: Spencer Gurley How

                                                                                                                                                        How Animals Connect with Vulnerable People One of the most incredible moments with my animals happened at a Dementia care home. As a visitor, I greeted the residents holding Gretel (she’s my gorgeous German giant rabbit).   This was a way of making a positive first impression and gauging the response to animals. Once, whilst I engaged with residents, a lady roamed around the room, appearing aimless.  She constantly muttered to herself and seemed oblivious to all around her.    At one point, she marched towards me.  I moved to avoid her, but she blocked my path.  Her face fixed on Gretel’s. She outstretched her arms and cupped Gretel’s cheeks.  Then, grinning broadly, she started chatting.   Only this time, her words were crystal clear and eloquent. She spoke to Gretel like a long lost friend; telling her how thrilled she

  How Tiny Animals Bug the World   In our gardens, we love butterflies fluttering amongst flowers spreading pollen and joy.   We’re delighted when birds dine on gourmet seeds, and ladybirds devour aphids.   And, alongside these, bees earn pride of place.   As our busiest pollinators, bees are critical for survival (yet globally, we decimate them with pesticides).  Anyway, w e welcome ‘pretty’ animals into our green oasis.  They’re the lucky ones. Credit: Afzalkhan Khan But, when it comes to undesirable creatures - people are repulsed.  They fear these animals will either infect them, inflict pain or scare them to death.   And what’s worse, they seem to be all over the planet! Over the years, I’ve worked with many adults who’ve suffered from phobias.  They’ve been traumatised by animals such as spiders, reptiles, or insects for most of their lives.    Not surprisingly, these creatures are among the most feared by human beings.   And yet, children have an inbuilt fascination wit