Are Humans Superior to Animals

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Are Humans Superior to Animals

Take A Look at the Facts

Humans like to consider themselves superior to animals, but are they? The following comparison is certainly food for thought.

While circling in the air, eagles and falcons can spot a small animal from 2 miles (3.2 km) away. While their flying speed is about 30 mph (49 km) while diving for their prey they reach up to 100 mph (160 km). If you think that’s fast, the peregrine falcon puts them both to shame. This bird clocks a diving speed of 242 mph (389 km). Can you see that well or move that fast?

When observing the cheetah in the wild, this large cat has somewhat of a lazy walk. That is until he’s hungry and spots his prey. In hot pursuit of an animal, he reaches up to 68 mph (120 km). Once again, humans fail in comparison.

Ducks, geese, and swans are just three birds that can fly, swim and walk. While all abled-bodied humans can walk, not all can swim, and certainly, none can fly.

The whale song can be heard by other whales between 1,000 and 10,000 miles (1,609 km — 16,093 km) away. When the breeding time comes around, whales will travel 3,100 miles (5,000 km) to find their perfect mate. Some humans can’t be bothered to travel to the next town.

Where it comes to building, the beaver is considered the king of architecture. He’s not the only talented builder though. Spiders curl leaves to protect their young, termites not only build mounds but add air-conditioning, while birds build nests with only their beaks. If humans want to build a house, a bridge or a dam, they need computers, architects, engineers and a team of construction workers.

As for the common snails, these creatures carry their entire house on their back, while ants can carry ten times their own weight. You trying doing that.

Penguins on the south pole live happily in freezing temperatures. In summer the average temperature is -18 deg F (-28.2 C) while in winter the temperature reaches -76 deg F (-60 deg C). If humans were exposed to these weather conditions they would need a padded coat, a scarf, a hat or gloves.

Apart from their amazing abilities, animals are more beautiful than humans. Have a look at a sunset moth, a kingfisher, a tiger, an owl, and especially a peacock. Even the most stunning beauty queen can’t compete with them.

Now tell me, are humans really superior to animals?

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Day 79: My cats and cat grass

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 79: My cats and cat grass

I was queuing with my groceries at a deli yesterday when I noticed cat grass by till. I decided to add some to my purchases.

Once home I announced to Charlotte, Holly, Halley, and Greyson that I had something for them. They eyed the bag and I didn’t keep them in suspense. With a flourish, I pulled out the cat grass and said: “Ta-da, for you.” They looked at it, not quite understanding.

When I placed the tub of cat grass on the floor, they approached it with caution. What was it? What were they supposed to do with it? Was it friendly? “It’s cat grass,” I said, “you’re supposed to chew it.” None of them showed any inclination of doing that.

Curiosity got the better of them though and one by one they came to have a nibble. Greyson was the first one to risk it and when Charlotte, Holly, and Halley saw that he was fine they risked it too.

If I thought they would love the cat grass, I was sadly mistaken, they weren’t particularly crazy about it. When they did have a nibble it was with an attitude of ... okay, you bought it, we’ll eat it to make you happy. So much for that idea.

When the grass started to look a little ‘depressed’ I figured it needed fresh air and sunlight, so I put it out on the balcony. A short time later Greyson and Halley went to take a look.

Judging by the look on their faces, they seemed to have a conversation with me:

You want me to eat that?

 You're joking, right?

At that precise moment, a falcon flew overhead and got Halley's full attention ... I'd rather have that.

Moments later, a finch landed on a feeding tray and Halley seemed to think ... or that.

Yeah well, she couldn't have either. The falcon would have her for lunch and as for the finch ... that little thing was just skin and bones.

I don't know about other cat owners but I can't seem to win with mine. I buy them toys, they don't play with them; I buy them quality food, they don't eat it; now I buy them cat grass and they're not interested.

I give up.

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Day 35: No money for food, but money for bullets.

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 35: No money for food, but money for bullets.

I got myself into a pickle. Not that I regret it. I stand by what I said and given the chance, I’ll say it again and again.

Earlier today someone asked which kind of deer are most popular to shoot. Several people reacted that they’d rather see the hunter’s head on a while than a deer. I added that I hate hunting and hate hunters.

I was well aware that I would be criticized and I was right. Within half an hour I was on the receiving end of some hateful comments. One person stated, “Are you vegan?”

I knew what she was hinted at. If I was not a vegetarian or a vegan, what right did I have to criticize hunting? If I eat meat than what’s the difference between slaughter and hunting?

In a way she is right. There is little difference. Whether it’s a cow, a pig, a sheep or a deer, killing is killing.

Yet to me there is a difference. I only eat beef, pork, chicken and fish. I never touch sheep, lamb, turkey, rabbit, duck, or any other fancy meats. If I had it my way, I would go vegetarian, but unfortunately, my system doesn’t allow it.

Others stated that hunters help keep down the deer population. Baloney! There are plenty of other animals nobody hunts, and they are perfectly fine. One example is the penguins in Antarctica.

Fact is, some people are gun-crazy and like to kill, it gives them a sense of power.

Another said that some people have to hunt to feed their children. I say, if a family is that hard up for money, then they shouldn’t have had children to begin with. What chance do kids have that come from such a poor family that they don’t have money for food? They won’t get a decent education, they won’t find a job and end up like their parents.

The problem is, all too often one or both parents spend the welfare money on things other than food and then they must good meat from another source. I do wonder though ... if they are so poor, where do they get the money from for a gun, a license, and bullets?

It angers me to no end that those who want to adopt a child are put through a demanding process. Their lives are turned inside out, they have to adhere to all kinds of rules, and pay thousands of dollars.

On top of figuring out how to get approved for adoption, parents also will face paying for the process. The average fees and costs for international adoptions total $44,000, according to the 2016-2017 Adoption Cost & Timing Survey by Adoptive Families magazine.May 21, 2018)

https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/Get_Started/requirements.asp

Yet any woman can just give birth to a child, or multiple children, with no questions asked.

What a sick society we live in. People breed at will and animals have to pay with their lives to feed for their mistakes.

Day 16: Addict - What are four things you can’t do without?

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 16: Addict. What are four things you can’t do without?

Have you ever given this some thought? Have you ever wondered what you wouldn’t be able to do without? I don’t mean food, water, smokes, alcohol, or drugs, I mean the more mundane things.

People

Could you live without people? Your first reaction might be ‘Oh yes, I could definitely do without them’. For a lot of people living on a deserted island is a much-coveted fantasy. And to a certain extent I agree, some people irritate me, annoy me or downright make my blood boil, but living without them ...

One of my favorite movies is ‘Cast Away’ with Tom Hanks and it really brings home the message how difficult and lonely life can be when one must survive on one’s own. Nobody to keep you company, nobody to talk to, nobody to share things with.

Living alone might be fine for a few days or even weeks, but indefinitely ... no, it would drive me crazy.

Animals

Could you live without animals? Imagine having to make do without the loyalty of a dog, the affection of a cat, hearing birdsong in the morning or the majestic beauty of a horse. For a lot of people, their pet – whatever that animal may be – is their best friend. It waits for them when they come home, it listens attentively without interrupting and never criticizes. An animal loves its owner, regardless of whether they wear couture or vintage, whether they wear makeup or not, whether they just returned from the salon or have a bad hair day. Whichever way you look at it, animals are our best friends.

Chocolate

I know I said we weren’t going to include food in this lineup, but chocolate isn’t really food, it’s candy. Personally, I’m not big on candy, I can take it or leave it, but chocolate is the exception. Chocolate makes everything better. Whether you’re at work or at home, inside or outside, happy or sad, a piece of chocolate is always welcome. Being from Belgium I consider myself a bit of a chocolate connoisseur and let me tell you, Jacques 3 x 4 is THE best chocolate in the world. Nowhere will you find richer, smoother, better chocolate. Not in Switzerland, not in Holland, nowhere.

Books

Books I couldn't do without either. Through stories, I meet thousands of people, learn about animals, visit places all over the world and get entangled in all kinds of emotions ranging from love to hate, friendship to betrayal, marriage to murder.

I can’t remember the first book I read, but since then I have read hundreds if not thousands. While some people cheer themselves up with buying clothes, shoes, makeup or something for the house, my go-to place when things are not as they should be, is the bookstore. The scent of paper and being surrounded by authors just waiting to introduce their characters to me never fails to lift my spirits.

While these days I shop online and download books to my Kindle, I miss real books. I miss holding a book in my hand, I miss turning pages, and I miss their intoxicating smell.

In many ways, books are like candy. Carefully selected, sampled and when chosen slowly savored.

These are my four things I couldn’t do without. What are yours?

Feel free to comment. I’d love to hear from you.

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Day 11: Beasts - Lunch for 7 ostriches

Day 11: Beasts. Lunch for 7 ostriches

Living in Belgium, my mom and dad had never seen an ostrich. They had seen such a bird on television, of course, but they had never seen a real live one. 

So, when they came to visit me in South Africa, I suggested a visit to a game park. The game park was some distance away, so we decided to make it a little camping trip. “Can I come too?” my then 6-year-old son asked.  Of course, he could.

They were so excited and were so looking forward to their night out in the wild and seeing an ostrich up close and personal. 

“Have you been there before?” my mom asked.

“Yes, I was there last year,” I said.

“Are the ostriches scared of people?” she wanted to know.  “Or do they come real close?”

“When I was there they didn’t exactly come to us,” I said, “but they came nosing in the rubbish bins near the lunch tables.”

“Oh good,” my mom clasped her hands together, “so when we stop for lunch we might get to meet them.”

“If they come close enough,” I said.  “You never know with these birds.”

You never know indeed.

The night before our trip to the game park, while my dad packed the car, my mom and I prepared a cold lunch for the four of us. Everything went into pots and early in the morning, we set off for our trip.

We were hardly in the game park when my mom spotted an ostrich.

“Oh look,” she said, “there’s one.  I wonder if I can go take a look at him.”

“You stay right here,” I told her.  “Look, you do not have to go to him, he is coming to you.”

Nothing could have pleased her more.

Lazily the ostrich walked up to the car, daintily placing one long leg in front of the other, moving his head up and down and side to side. Having arrived at the car he gave three short pecks at the side window where my mom was sitting.

“Can I roll the window down?” she asked.  Sure, why not.

The window was hardly lowered when the ostrich’s head appeared in the car, along with about 15 inches of his neck.  He looked at each of us individually and we looked at him.

Oh, he was a magnificent animal! Big and tall, with lots of black, gray and white fluffy feathers, and with long lashes over warm, dark eyes.

At the allocated spot, we set up the tent, made it comfortable, and by the time it was finished, it was time for lunch. We could have eaten at the tent, but mom was anxious to meet more ostriches, and so she suggested that we go and eat at the open-air lunch patio.  Her wish was my command.

At the lunch patio, numerous families had already gathered around the tables and under the umbrellas. All of them were barbecuing. When we started unpacking our cooler and placing the food on the table, we were looked at and whispered about. As we placed the potato salad, lettuce and tomato mixture and chicken pieces on the table people were shaking their heads and barely managed to hide their laughter.  How rude I thought.  If they want to barbecue that is their good right, just as it is my right to eat something cold.

We had no idea what the whispering and sniggering was all about, but we were about to find out. Six ostriches approached the patio.

“Do you think they’ll come as close as the rubbish bins?” my mom asked expectantly.

Before I could answer the ostriches marched past the rubbish bins and headed towards our table. 

Before we knew what was happening, much less could do anything, the six surrounded our table and started pecking at our food. In a matter of seconds, they had picked the pots and plates clean. It was literally a case of peck, peck, peck, peck, peck, and everything but everything was gone!  Whether it was potatoes in mayonnaise, lettuce in olive oil dressing, or fried chicken, the ostriches devoured it ALL!   

One even stole a rather large tomato out of the cooler and swallowed it whole. For a moment, I thought he might choke on it, but we could see the tomato glide down his long throat.

My dad had been very brave and had grabbed a basket of bread off the table, holding it high over his head away from the six hungry beasts.  Little did he know that a seventh ostrich had joined the party and was standing right behind him. Peck, peck, peck and the bread was gone too.

When all the food was gone, the ostriches walked away. Dazed we looked at each other and the empty table. All around us people were holding their breath, waiting for our reaction.  Would we get angry?  Or, would we see the humor of it?

The couple at the nearest table told us that barbequing was the only way to eat in the park. The fire was the only thing that kept the ostriches at bay.  We, with our cold food, had just about sent them an engraved invitation.

We nodded, wordlessly. There we were, robbed and hungry, and the next moment … howling with laughter.

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Day 9: Animals. Pick an animal and write about it

Day 9: Animals. Pick an animal and write about it.

How about I write not just about one animal, but about four of them? My four cats.

Mickey

Mickey is the eldest and was my parents' cat. When mom died and dad decided to move into a retirement home, a home had to be found for Mickey. I didn’t even try to find a home for him because I knew nothing and nobody would be good enough. Mickey would come to Canada with me. Not only would he be loved and be safe, my dad would have peace of mind that his cat would be happy for the rest of his life.

Mickey adjusted from day one. While he used to be an only child, now he had the company of other cats and assumed the role of papa cat.

Charlotte

Charlotte was born an accident. A couple adopted two cats, they assumed that both were male, but apparently, they didn’t look very closely because sometime later one of the cats was pregnant. Family and friends adopted the kittens, but one kitten stayed behind. The couple was about to contact a cat rescue organization when I showed up. After that, there was no need to contact the organization. I took one look at the kitten and decided that she would live with me.

Despite the love and care Charlotte received, she is a scary cat. Afraid of the vacuum cleaner, afraid of the wind, terrified of thunder, and of a number of other things. You could say that she’s afraid of her own shadow.

Gabriel

Gabriel was born to a breeder of Ragdolls. In principle, I don’t approve of designer cats. Thousands of cats are waiting to be adopted and often lose their life because nobody wants them. So why go spending $1,000 or more on a purebred cat? Not that I did. By pure chance, I came across an ad online of a breeder who finished with the breeding business. When I talked to him he said that he was keeping his cats, but that from now on they would only be pets. However, he did have a kitten left that he couldn’t place. Did I want it? Did I want it! I went over to his place like a bow from an arrow and when I saw the kitten I wondered why nobody wanted this adorable little thing. “He’s not perfect,” the breeder said. “He’s ….” I didn’t hear the rest because I was already cuddling the little one.

Gabriel is a bit of an aloof cat and only wants to be cuddled when it suits him, and only when our hands are clean. I'm not kidding, when I reach for him, he pulls back and sniffs my hand. When he's done sniffing he'll present his cheek. He's very sweet though, every night, around 10:30 he'll jump next to Dieter in the chair and demand to be petted. He looks at Dieter and cries, something that sounds like "Mayo!"

Holly

Holly is the baby of the family. I went down to the management office of our condo building one day and walked in on a conversation that someone had dumped a box of kittens on a ground floor balcony. The woman who had taken the kittens in was looking for good homes for them. Within 24 hours all the kittens had found homes, one of them mine. I took one look at this little fuzzball and decided she could live with us. She received a bath upon arrival, was taken to the vet and declared in perfect health.

Holly's nickname is Ms. Pepperpot. While she's a sweet cat, she does have a bit of a temper. She's very vocal, and growls and even hisses. She hisses especially when she's kissed. For some reason, she doesn't like that.

In addition to these four cats, I am a fundraiser for the Toronto Cat Rescue shelter cats. Every year, for the past ten years I take part in the organization’s Bowl-a-thon. We raise funds for the cats and kittens and then all get together for an afternoon of bowling. This year we raised just under $25,000. Should you wish to adopt a cat or kitten or make a donation, the website is:  https://torontocatrescue.ca/

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Cat anthology

I recently found out, quite by accident, that one of my cat stories was accepted in an anthology book. This was news to me because I hadn’t received an acceptance letter or a disclaimer.

Upon further investigation, it turned out that this was a story I submitted in 2015. When I asked for more information the publisher of the book was rather vague.

What struck me as odd was that I didn’t receive a free copy of the book. The person who published the book told me that, because this book was for the benefit of shelter cats, none of the contributors received anything. At most, contributors could get a free ebook.

This is my opinion is not good business. Yes, to supply every contributor with a real book would require an investment, but $100 investment is sure to pay off. After all, contributing writers would want to show off their work, thus generating sales.

In comparison, just to name a few …

When I contributed to Chicken Soup for the Soul I received 10 free copies.

When I contributed to Green Prints I received two free copies.

When I contributed to The Spirit of St. Louis I received one free copy

Don't get me wrong, it’s not the free copy I’m after, or money from sales, as an animal lover I’m quite willing to do my bit for the adoption of shelter animals, but if one is going to start a project to help them, be professional about it.

For starters, have the courtesy of notifying contributors that their story is accepted and supply them with at least one free book. That one free book might generate ten or more sales.

When I looked up the cat organization proceeds of the book would be donated to, they made no mention of the book. This struck me as odd too.

You would expect that if you were to receive money from a book sale, you would put that book on the homepage of your website along with a link where it could be purchased. You would also write a blog post about it, thanking the publisher and the writers for their effort. As any good marketer will tell you, sales depend on exposure.

Finally, I found it strange that the person lives in Las Vegas but promised the proceeds of her book to a cat organization in Florida. This makes no sense to me.

Once a year I act as a fundraiser for the Toronto Cat Rescue. I live in Toronto so I support this local cat shelter organization. I approach just about everyone to make a donation. Some of my friends, who are scattered in various parts of the world, are nice and send a donation, others decline stating that they support a local organization. Which is their good right. While I appreciate their support, I can understand why someone in Paris prefers to support Parisian animals vs. Toronto animals.

As it turned out, the publisher stated that she would remove my story as she didn’t want to do business with me. Business? What is her concept of business? We were not in business,

to begin with. Business is when money changes hands and that was, or wouldn’t be, the case. This was for charity and where it comes to charity it’s not about the individual, it's about the cause.

Forgive me for being skeptical, but when I hear the word "charity" I'm instantly suspicious. I've seen too much charity fraud to blindly trust anyone.

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Gabriel a.k.a. Aladdin

Entertainment is important to the physical and mental health of animals. Hamsters have a wheel in their cage, birds have a mirror, dogs like balls and squeaky toys, and cats ... well, cats are complicated.

Just about every cat owner knows that cats like boxes. Whether loving owners buy a beautiful cat tree, a soft sleeping basket, or a toy, if it comes in a box, the box gets all the attention while the purchased item gets ignored.

My lot has a variety of toys such as: soft balls, mice, a laser light, and fishes on a string. Out of all of these, they prefer the fishes on a string. I drag the toy over the floor and they chase after it, or I hold them up in the air and they jump for them.

Holly used to like playing with a ball, until one day I threw a ball across the room, she chased after it, skidded and slammed into the wall. That was the end of playing with a ball.

Gabriel has a fondness for mice, but the way he handles those mice turns it into a costly affair. See for yourself ...

However, now Gabriel has discovered a new toy ... a type of carpet.

Earlier this month we bought a rug for under the coffee table, a carpet for in front of the fireplace, and a runner for the hallway. Out of all of these, Gabriel took a fancy to the runner.

While the others merely sleep on the rug and carpet, Gabriel like to attack the runner. He lies on it, grabs hold of one of the corners, and subsequently kicks the crap out of it with his back paws. Or, he runs from the kitchen, jumps on the runner and uses it as a skateboard.

Between ten to fifteen times a day I have to put that runner back into place. Sometimes I find it in the living room, other times in my bedroom, and occasionally in the bathroom.

His love for this runner has quickly earned him the nickname “Aladdin”.