Endangered Species:

I did this activity as I was observing prairie dogs.  I watched them for 3 days, 4 hours each day.  They are just waking up so there was not a lot of activity at first, but when the sun came out there were several pairs that came up and played!  Incredible to watch how they “kiss” each other in greeting, run back and forth in a specific area, from hole to hole.  There was one that came from a group across the street and got chased all the way down the field.  It reminded me of “The Three Stooges” (an old television comedy)  They live in families and communities. I was completely filled with awe watching their behaviors, movements and social activities.  I felt privileged and longed to be a part of their community.  I felt strong, grounded and full when I left the field each day.

I went back to clean some cages of a few who are going to be released to another location soon and had a wonderful time with my co-worker naming a pair “Oscar and Maria” who couldn’t get enough carrots!!  We felt in community with each other and with the animals in the cages as we cooed with them and asked them about their family plans, now that breeding season is almost here, etc.

We are all sentient beings:  the prairie dogs, the wind, the soil, me and community is much larger than just sharing with other humans. I feel an incredible belonging being in contact with this operation. I am a person who feels good watching prairie dogs play like children and making contact with another sentient being  This has strengthened my self-worth 100 fold.

Prairie dogs qualify for the endangered list.  I have been mourning their situation for a few weeks now, and learning much about them.  In my nature spirit work, the fact that we, human beings, are also an endangered species came up.  I mourn also for where we are right now.  I’m not willing to do a funeral service yet, though, because both the prairie dogs and we are still just endangered, so I’m going to do what I can to rebalance in this small time we have left.  There will be plenty of time for funerals  Right now my life feels full of grace