Are there animals you have seen who demonstrate what it means to live together peacefully?
A friend of ours sent us the video below. From the report that accompanied it, Santa Barbara, California's mayor filmed this the clip.
The story behind it (and this could be an urban legend, but it looked real to us), a homeless man in Santa Barbara had a cat and dog for his family. He would walk one of the streets everyday, looking for donations.
To prevent his cat from having to walk too much, the man made a harness that enabled the cat to ride on top of the dog. Then a white rat decided to get into the act. The rat started riding on top of the cat. As the dog, cat, rat, and homeless man go for a stroll, it is a sight to behold.
The video is hilarious but also has a serious point. If only the human kingdom could get along as well as these different species in the animal kingdom that aren't supposed to be able to tolerate each other.
What do you think? Are there animals you have seen who demonstrate what it means to live together peacefully in spite of differences?
Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuuesBhOR9g to view these amazing angel animals.
This story reminded of a homeless man who used to live in downtown Tulsa. I had a little apartment next to a bar and he used to come by and dig all the cans and bottles out of their dumpster to recycle. He always had his little dog with him. The dog was very old and so he would lift her up and let her ride in the shopping cart he took everywhere. I used to buy extra dog food and watch for him and give him a bag or can of dog food every time I saw him. He was a very sweet man and obviously loved that dog - and she loved him. Once when I asked him if he had a place to stay, one of the shelters or something, he said they would not let him bring the dog in so he wouldn't stay there. That's something that has always bothered me about all the assistance for the poor is that they certainly won't help with animal care, and often advise you to give up your pets, as if you didn't need their love more than ever when you were down and out. I'm quite sure that when my homeless friend had to chose, the dog ate before he did. One of these days our society will realize that companion animals are every bit as much a necessity to some of us as food and shelter. Thank you for all the work you do.
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Currently we have 10 dogs, 8 cats, 2 goats, and 2 potbellied pigs, as well as a small flock of chickens. With the exception of one of the dogs, all the animals get along quite well together, though the dogs are never left alone with either pigs or goats. Pigs and goats are prey and dogs are predators, so common sense prevails on this, but to date we have had no problems.
A few years ago, we rescued a trio of giant green iguanas. Though they were not well socialized, one of them, Cracken, decided he enjoyed the company of people and cats more than the other lizards. We have an old vhs tape that shows Cracken walk across the top of the sofa and stretch out atop our fat tabby cat, Gracie. Gracie barely flicked an ear when the 8 lb Lizard straddled her and settled down to a nap atgop his furry heating pad. As you continue watching the tape, you will see that at the time the 2 are napping, there are several dogs playing and 2 other cats napping in the same room, as well as children and other adults, the television is on, and the mood is homey but by no means "peaceful", yet the cat and lizard seem oblivious to it all. Not only are they different species, they are from totally different continents, yet they seem comfortable and trusting with each other.
A lesson for all of us who seem to fear anyone who is not just like us.
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