Animals showing us the way
By Natalie Hardy

While in Turkey last October, I traveled to a modest, windblown little settlement on the outskirts of Urgup in Central Anatolia. We walked into a smallish gift shop filled with old dusty metalware, new ceramics, good luck charms and sundry bejeweled “antique” belts to entice the souvenir hunter.

The shop owner is called Crazy Ali, his nom de plume. He is a multilingual poet who knows the ways of the world and writes down his perceptions prolifically. A black and white photo of him, capturing a pointedly rakish expression, adorns the wall behind the counter. He offers you tea as you browse the wares. 

And then he breaks out one of his compositions, full bodied and in your face, a mesmerizing expression of wisdom and salesmanship. Here is the one he recited to me:

Do You Know

Do you understand how large the world is?
Do you know what things are inside?
People, people, people
What they have done, what they will do…

They haven’t loved each other
They said your color is different, your shape is different
They said your religion is different, your rituals are different
They fought and fought…

Do you know what’s going to happen?
The world is so large how can I know?
Millions, millions of people,
But small minds can think bigger thoughts.

I see a small village
Cats with dogs, chickens with foxes
They live together
How can people learn to do the same?

The world is large inside your mind
The small village is there
Whatever is in your mind, if you wish it
Even the sun will rise there.

He knows that animals set examples of behavior. Who can forget the vivid photo of cats and dogs riding together in the backseat of a car after being rescued from the Katrina fiasco? Sometimes they are natural enemies, sometimes not. In this case, they decided that survival was more important than dominance and they all huddled together, grateful for the helping hand. It is an apt metaphor for today’s world.

Do you know the joys of relating to a household pet? Would you like to develop a relationship with one? Consider Pili, a beautiful golden retriever who recently came to the shelter. She is a year old and spayed. She is timid, but trying hard to regain trust as we touch her with love and care. Her soft, hopeful eyes say, “Are you the one to give me the home I need?” She is truly a gorgeous girl. Frankie is our cat of the week. He is a handsome devil, a tuxedo cat that had the misfortune of his owner passing away. He is about five years old and has adjusted well to the shelter, but we all know that is a temporary solution, not a home, and Frankie wants someone to adore.

We bring adoptable animals to the Jardín on Thursdays, 11am–1pm. Call the shelter at 152-6124 for more information. We are currently holding our membership month. Join the SPA and embrace the joys of helping these creatures help us humans.