There's someone in there.

     Have you heard the haunting Christmas Carol, "In the Bleak Midwinter?"
It is based on a poem written by Christina Rosetti in 1872.  The first verse is as follows:
                         In the bleak mid-winter
                         Frosty wind made moan,
                         Earth stood hard as iron,
                         Water like a stone;
                         Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
                         Snow on snow,
                         In the bleak mid-winter
                         Long ago.
     Today is one of those bleak mid-winter days, dark and cold.  On days like today, this song always goes through my mind. 
                 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRobryliBLQ

    
     Emotions come from deep ancient parts of the brain.  The science is clear that animals have emotions, as do humans, and animals exhibit empathy as well.  New research shows that rats help other rats with no explicit rewards at stake.  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/238929.php
     I am watching the 2010 "Get Healthy Now" conference, out on DVD.  They have the usual great speakers such as Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. John McDougall, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr,  Rip Esselstyn,  and John Robbins. 
     Rev. Heng Sure, PhD, a Buddhist Monk and mendicant, also spoke.  He is known for his 800 mile "three steps one bow" pilgrimage which lasted 2 1/2 years.  He and his companion, Heng Chou, bowed from South Pasadena to Ukiah, California, for world peace.
     He told the story of bowing his way, on that pilgrimage, past a mile-long stockyard next to the highway, and smelling the stockyard smells.  Cattle semis carrying cattle to slaughter traveled that same highway...he told how he and his companion smelled the cold fear eminating from those "Death Trucks", and that those cattle knew what fate awaited them.  "Death Trucks"....how aptly named.
     He also told this charming story.  His monastery has ceremonies where they rescue food animals and release them to sanctuary or nature.  In one ceremony his Mom, a Methodist lady, came to observe.  They were releasing turtles (saved from turtle soup) back to a lake.  He handed his Mom a large turtle and asked her to release it.  One of his associates told her to be sure and watch the turtle after she let it go, that the turtle would look back directly at her.  His Mom said " sure, sure," not believing, and released the turtle.  That turtle took off in a turtle sprint to the lake and dove in.  It swam a short distance, then turned and looked back at Heng Sure's Mom, directly in her eyes.  It swam off, but again turned back and looked directly in the eyes of Heng Sure's Mom.  It did the same thing a third time before diving down into the lake for good.  Heng Sure's Methodist Mom was absolutely shocked and said: "There's someone in there!"  
     Animals are sentient creatures, and they can be grateful.

"May my table be a blessing for the world."   Rev. Heng Sure, PhD