Awesome Beings!

It’s no secret I have a very special place in my heart for animals.

Advocating for animals has been a huge part of my life for many years now… A lot of that is currently focused on being a director with national animal protection organization Animal Justice and the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank.

So, it’s no surprise it’s nearly impossible for me to not jump in when animals in my neighbourhood are in distress – from squirrels to pigeons to raccoons. Unfortunately, I can’t say I’ve had a lot of luck with my rescues… Toronto is a tough city for wildlife and many of them are too far gone by the time I get to them.

I keep at it, though, because every act of responsible kindness is important in this aching world…and my heart can’t help itself (I have a feeling you know all too well what I’m talking about :))

This week, it was a baby robin that fell from her nest in the middle of a parking lot…fluffy with new down and crying. The robin’s mom and dad were frantic…squawking and swooping down to try move their baby. Watch to join me in my latest rescue attempt…

And if baby birds don’t strike your fancy, check out the baby raccoon visitors I had a few days ago!

Finally, this is such a RICH time of year, I want you to be able to squeeze every drop out of it. So, I thought I’d share a 10-minute “Getting Present to Yourself Meditation” I recorded during a coaching session the other day. It’s just a quick simple guided meditation/self check-in that’s great for getting out of your head and into the sweet moment. LISTEN NOW

Here’s to making summer your wonderland, Lovely Ones!

And, as always, if you feel like connecting, be sure to email me to say “Happy Summer!” and let me know you’re reading/watching!

MY WILDLIFE RESCUE PSA:
If you’re about to help injured wildlife, make sure to do it RESPONSIBLY. Google instructions before jumping in. Certain actions, although well-intentioned, can be very dangerous to these beings.

Particular things to keep in mind about baby birds…

– If they’re standing/hopping, they’re most likely a fledgling that is learning to fly and their parents are not far away — watching over them and feeding them regularly. **DO NOT move them unless they are in imminent danger (on-coming traffic or about to be attacked) or you will ostensibly be kidnapping them. The best thing you can do is to keep animals and children away from them. Most fledglings will have to hop around on the ground for days before they build the muscle for flying.

– If they’re not standing, they’re most likely nestlings that have fallen from their next. Look for the nest and if you can reach it, return the baby bird to it. If you can’t reach the nest, create a makeshift one (like I did!) and put it as close to the original nest as you can so the parents can find them.

** It’s a MYTH that if you touch a baby songbird the parents will abandon it. They don’t have that strong a sense of smell and what they most want is to get back to their baby.

Also, NEVER FEED a baby bird. Each species needs are very particular and certain things can be toxic to their system. They can go for 24 hours without being fed.

INDIVIDUAL LIFE REBOOT