Happy World Animal Day!

World Animal Day certainly seems a fitting topic for a blog observing and, in some ways, attempting to analyse the world; animals are a crucial part of the world and its atmosphere.. and no, I don't necessarily mean 'atmosphere' in terms of the gases circulating the globe.. I'm talking about the general emotional experience on Earth.

Animals are therapeutic. They're protective; they're nurturing. They're loyal. They (mostly) love unconditionally. They're intelligent.. much more so than many humans will give them credit for.

A youtube search for 'animal heroes' is simple proof of how incredible they are, and can be. Here's a video detailing the Animal Heroes of 2006 - Animals that have saved human lives and showed outstanding bravery, courage and intelligence:



It also seems fitting to include a few awesome quotes:

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Ghandi

"Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway." - Mary Kay Ash

"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people." - W. C. Fields

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." - Josh Billings

Finally, the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare - please read and sign the petition - it takes just a few moments of your time.

www.udaw.org

http://www.animalsmatter.org/en/campaign_resources/

And finally (for real this time!) a thought to ponder...

"One interesting finding is that 99% of Australians are against cruelty to animals, yet 98% eat animals and fish that come from cruel, intensive farming practices!" (A Pound of Flesh, http://www.scribd.com/doc/26880337/APF-VVSQ)

As Ghandi says.. 'you must be the change you want to see in the world'.

Here's to all animals