Jritzmann
I'm happy for you that your duck survived and prospered.
I believe there is a special place in the hearts of the small circle of the Gods for those who treat other species with respect, and yes, love.
I have always considered other creatures as equally valid individuals, as entitled to life as we humans.
As you can tell, I'm don't discriminate just because somebody isn't human.
I will kill anything which thinks I or my grandchildren are lunch, I protect those I can.
I do not kill animals, fish, or fowl for food or sport.
I do eat meat.
The animal has already been slaughtered, it would be an offense against it's spirit to waste it's flesh, so I incorporate it's body into mine, and I'm always thankful and thoughtful of the individual.
I greet the birds which come here to share my retreat...I've learned to hear their names which they speak when coming in to rest or roost...listen to the rapid "speech" of birds, you'll find subtle differences, once your ears are atuned (forgive me for the assumption that they are not)you will learn the names of individuals. they respond joyously when greeted by name. I've built homes here for the Purple Martins, the Bluebirds, and the sparrow, I marvel at the ability of the woodpecker to repeatedly slam it's beak into hardwoods, and not jelly it's brain. I feed the Hummingbirds, and rescue them from the webs of the large yellow and black spiders, who were after mosquitos and moths, not birds. I build bat houses which house a healthy population, I have some very large snakes as neighbors here, they do not hide because they know I will not harm them, since they can be seen they are no danger, except the copperhead which refuses to accept humans on "thier" territories, but I rarely see one since the very old spotted kingsnake (well over nine feet in length) who lives here considers them delacacies. The friendly squirrels here will stand attop a fencepost and warn of any danger invading our peaceful baileywick, they chatter and jerk their tails while facing directly toward the danger...I learned to understand when they speak to me to draw my attention to an invading chickensnake, or weasle (who comes not only to feed but to murder my birds for the joy of killing, when it has no hunger) when they come for the very fat mice on my chicken yards and walks...the mice consider me a friend since I supply such tasty grains...they are welcome...they don't eat much, and do not care to invade my house since they have their own.
I build homes for the Elder Races..the good nieghbors, or fairyfolk as some call them.
I'd never move a huge stone (there are many here) for care of those our grandparents knew existed, but are called myths now.
Some of the oldest outcroppings of stone on the planet are here, as are many caves, most unexplored.
I believe others inhabit these places, and I try to make them comfortable with my presence.
I bought this property, but one cannot own the earth, the earth owns us, and if respected, she will smile on us.
Yes I've mellowed with age, but my heart was always open to friendships and I've never much worried about if my friends were human or other types of folk.
I was sent to be a warrior in that time of my life.
The government gave me a very nice aircraft to play in the skies with, I rarely killed except to protect my brothers in arms, when I sent other men to the loving arms of their Gods I was not imune to sorrow, sometimes I found I could outrun the sorrow of being a destroyer on the thrust of my afterburners and the python-like embrace of my zoomie suit (they have to pressurise our bodies so we don't pass out during snap rolls and turns which threaten to rip the wings from the airframe). I once played "catch me if you can" with a Mig, but it was a game, neither of us fired on the other, and before we parted we turned the noses of our craft to the heavens and pushed till we were risking flame out, breaking off when it seemed certain we had dared the fates who took Icarus, then passing with wagging wings, and returning to our respective bases (I was a member of the "Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club") knowing we had found a kinship in the love of flight, in the midst of war.
Perhaps we'd one day meet as warriors, but I know I never splashed his bird, he had a small picture of Ganeesh near his cockpit...I would have known him, and if duty demanded it I would have sent him to the loving arms of the God of kindness which he took as the name of his bird...I flew with Shiva and laughing skulls...laughing death...but sometimes the laugh was only to keep from crying.
I hope to never have another enemy except for evils which visit sorrows on the innocent, against which I will always be a deadly foe.
I greet every spirit in the openess and gentle manner which is my true self, but I am no fool, Shiva still can awaken to bring needed defense, and the regret which is resultant when there was no path of peace. Sympathy for vanquished agressor is the opiate I send her to her couch of sleep with.
I hope one day to meet the reaper as a friend, I'll take his hand without regret. I have lived a rich full life, I can barely wait to see what's next.
I'm sorry I went to verbose mode...I recognised a spirit of friendship in you. We may disagree at times, but it is good that you are here.
Thank you.
A.Leclair, the agony phase is not on exhibit.
I posted the link only to inform, not promote any unkindness to any creature.
I enjoy your posts, we seem to be of differing opinion sometimes.
I look forward to the occasional verbal skirmish when they come naturaly, you would make an interesting opponant in debate.
I've found your offerings here to be quite refreshing, and you have that rare talent of unleashing barbs brightly feathered.
Argument is no fun at all against an unworthy taker, but a true joy when engaged as sport.
Know that I count you among my friends and benefactors here, were more of us as prolific in posting one might be challenged to pay due respect and read all.
BTW, I love you'r avatar...suits your online personality well my friend.