I know I should not have gone out today!
I know in retrospect, on reflection, it was a mistake…
I had already heard something on the morning news, a tail-end of some report…something about an animal being killed, and I thought, Oh gosh, here we go again!
Anyway, what happened was I decided to go into town, taking one of my grandsons into Sligo. 
Later on, I was waiting around for him to meet me at the car, when I decided to go into the Newsagent and see if I could get hold of one of the broadsheets for a good read!
What a mistake…the papers were mostly head-lined with the news of the killing and other dreadful stuff.
I could hardly avoid the image…on one particular paper there was this image on the front cover of this beautiful Bear…this beautiful, beautiful Bear, dying, impaled on a spear.
The horror that was man, hovering over the magnificent creature, like some dreadful Nosferatu…gloating, menacing, triumphant!
Not a sight that anyone wants to have inflicted upon their vision!
Very disturbing!
As I write this, the Bear is dead.
The beautiful soul of that incredibly extraordinary creature has passed into the heart of the Great Mother, the Universal Consciousness…Mother Earth.
The man…that dreadfully twisted, sickening human being who destroyed that incredible life, lives on…
And as I look around my gardens and walk among the trees, with Jack, I’m reminded of the importance of love in this world.
The longer I am here at Bealtaine…and this is the longest I have ever lived in one place…
…the more I realise that what Mother Earth is crying out for, to all her sentient beings, but especially to us, for it has taken such a very long time for Her to evolve us…
A species that has the right and the left brain thinking… though invariably we invoke the left brain… 
…but we have the right brain, we have the capacity for compassion and love…
And at this point in time, Mother Earth needs us to bring into conscientiousness our right brains! 
For we need to express love and understanding and compassion and beauty and creation… and all those deep qualities that link us to the Divine.
That’s all I have to say…that’s my prayer, my daily prayer!
Christopher Hitchens was right… “In the end there is only love…”
This is what I show and remind my grandchildren.
This is what I try to live…a life of love.
My love is there for Mother Earth and all her sentient beings…
But, especially, especially the ones that cannot talk.
We are duty-bound to speak for them.
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It is very upsetting and very disturbing that the killing of animals such as the Bear, the Elephant and the large Cats seems to be a popular past-time amongst people who have such empty and unfulfilled lives that they try desperately to boost their inner selves by killing animals far more dignified and beautiful than they are. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If nasty tabloids can put this kind of news on their front pages, and these events are discussed as outrageous and disgraceful then there must be a change in thinking taking place. The majority of people clearly are upset by this and they/we are going to do something about it. Conversations are being had and we – the humans – are mainly in agreement that this so called “sport” cannot and should not continue.
I agree…that is a very pertinent point, for a few years back this would not have come to light!
Sorry… “Just des this blog…” Should be “just seen this blog…” X
I can’t say anything better than the other commenters have done here. A friend of mine on Facebook posted that she had just des this blog and how it had moved her. We see the pain within you (and us) when we face these awful situations and have to deal with the majority of humans and their “don’t care” attitude. All we can be is a beacon of light and love. I strive to do my best for Gaia, my Mother Nature, not because it will make a difference (in the scheme of things) but because I want her to know I care.
Each one of us has a sacred and unique relationship with Mother Earth…this is where good things begin to grow. Blessings X
Bear is my companion animal – this sickens and saddens me. May he rest with the Goddess beneath the earth as is his nature.
When Garech and I visited you, I felt a great sense of love from you, Bealtaine, Jack and Sammy. And it allowed me to feel the love in myself again. I’m reminded of that feeling every time I see one of your photos on Facebook. I feel you are doing the most important job in the world encouraging love, connection and beauty in everyone and every being. I, too, find it really difficult to see cruelty to animals, nature and other humans. The media want us to believe that is all there is but it isn’t the only reality thankfully. Keep spreading the love and beauty. Carol x
Bless you Carol for such lovely words…so good to hear, and yes, we will make our reality more about love and Mother Earth…so very, very important!
It is impossible to understand why? Millions of animals are killed every day, either for unnecessary food, or so called entertainment. Both are heartbreaking. I recently stopped using the internet as much because I couldn’t take any more heartbreak at seeing pictures and stories of animal abuse.
I give donations to animal charities that I think do most to help, including Peta and Soi Dog and of course there are many other deserving charities. Apart from that and signing endless petitions, there is little more I can do, oh and apart from being vegan. Certainly spending hours crying, (as I have done) does no good at all. As I’ve got older, It seems natural to love and appreciate all animals, insects and vegetation. As you say Colette we are all one and the same.
You have reminded me to send love out to all in need whenever something so dreadful as this comes to my attention…sending love in mindfulness helps mend the chaos and brutality… Blessings XXX
Before reading the post and seeing all the pictures of Jack, I was afraid something had happened to your dear boy. After reading this post, I am relieved but in agreement that too many people don’t see our connection with other creatures (whether animals or other people). Everything in Nature is thought to be for our “use” whether for sport, entertainment, etc. In the process, humans have destroyed so much–land, waterways, air, etc. The response too often is “hat’s the way it’s always been.” However, you, Collette, and others like you are proof there is a better way. Keep doing what you’re doing, pushing against the “norm,” showing the right way.
Jack had picked up on my pain and through me, the anguish of the Bear…we are all connected you see…
My heart turned to a darker hue a long time ago and my soul shrivelled up with disgust. It’s hard to feel love and compassion when all around you there is evident hatred and hostility…
All the more reason to nurture love…
How sad Colette. Love is indeed the cure for such madness. Thank you for reaffirming the necessity and the power of love.
The Beatles were right…All You Need Is Love…makes us human!
It’s happening more and more often here in B.C. as well, the destruction of wild animals and their habitats. Humans encroach upon bear’s territory, mother bear tries to protect her cubs, mother bear is “euthanized” as our media calls the killing, and then the cubs, if they are saved at all, are sent to “rehabilitation” centres, to hopefully be re-introduced to the wild. But things are so out of balance in the natural world, because of the proliferation of humans and their controlling ways! Hunting of black bears and grizzlies is still allowed here in B.C. Somehow, along with having compassion and love for other species, we have to respect their right to be on the planet, and leave them large, undisturbed spaces to live in. This should ideally be taught to young children in schools everywhere. Ideally! Here’s a quotation from a book which gives me hope, “The Great Work”, by Thomas Berry:
“We begin to understand our human identity with all the other modes of existence that constitute with us the single universe community. The one story includes us all. We are, everyone, cousins to one another. Every being is intimately present to and immediately influencing every other being.”
Thank you, Colette, for the opportunity to comment on your wonderful post.
The further we move away from Nature, the harder our hearts become…
As someone once put it. ‘Sometimes, nature needs a helping hand…
so well said…. i am heartbroken just reading your words but sadly this kind of brutality goes on each and every day – it happens here too and sickens me every time i hear about it…. and speaking of regal animals – how is it that Jack looks so sadly empathetic and wise in todays pictures? Is it as if he can almost read your mind, your thoughts??? Give him an extra hug or two.. i think he is feeling your pain too
I am of the conviction that the connection between ourselves and other sentient beings is so strong that we all can feel the pain in the world.
Dear Author, This is by far the most beautiful piece I’ve had the pleasure of reading in ages. Your magical photos and soulful writing brought tears to my eyes. I am feeling with you, for you, and for all humanity. There are no words that can soothe the raw places in us after such unthinkable crimes against beautiful, sentient beings. I think of all animals as my forbears. Thank you for putting this out here with such gentleness and truth; it has so deeply touched my heart. I am grateful for you and I intend to send in a pledge of monetary support -even in my time of lack –or perhaps especially in it. Resonating deeply with the tragic loss of this most beautiful bear, as I hear the echoes of it landing on many who are now connecting with the heartache of cruelty, which is, in one way or another, no matter where we live –affecting us all on a frightfully grand scale. “We are duty-bound to speak for them,” indeed. In gratitude ~Leslie
Duty bound is right…for we are the voice of the Great Mother and must not be silent when witnessing her great distress…
Thank You!!!
As I was reading this my heart broke, I just can’t understand how people can do what some do……it’s shameful. 💔
I had to write this…upsetting as it is…we must all invoke love wherever and whenever we can…
Your photos, and inspiration is divine.
Bless you XXX