I am sure we have all heard the famous quote “Houston, we have a problem!” This quote was in the 1995 movie, Apollo 13. I am a Texan and Houston is one of the cities in Texas so this quote is a nice example for this particular blog post. I would like to share the three P’s of how we might consider a different perspective regarding wildlife.
Houston…
- They are NOT a Problem!
- They are NOT a Pest!
- They ALL have Purpose!
At times I find it so disheartening to see in social media that people might express and think wildlife is “a problem” or while out driving around running errands, notice company vehicles that display “pest control” when I have come to understand that most likely some of these companies may not be humane and/or maybe eliminating precious creatures.
I am reminded when I was young that my parents raised me to feel that I was loved, that I was wanted, that I was a blessing in their lives. I never once felt like I was in my parent’s way, or a problem, I was not a pest to them, and they never told me to just leave them alone, get out of their hair, and go play outside. They always made me feel that I can hang out with them and that I was wanted. I am extremely grateful for their love growing up. Thank you Mom and Dad.
With this in mind, I would like to think that no child, no person, even no animal, no creature, no one wants to feel they are a problem or a pest. I would like to think, we have within us, that we long for and desire to feel loved, wanted and validated. I know that some may have not experienced feeling loved, wanted or validated by parents or by someone in their journey. I hope and pray that changes for them in their journey. I personally, strive to make sure that ALL that cross my path feel loved, wanted and validated. That is my hope and prayer that you feel that from me. It is also my hope that all our backyard wildlife friends that visit us feel this love too.
They are not a problem, they are not a pest and they all have purpose.
They have purpose in our ecosystem.
I sure hope that we as humans continue to open the eyes of our hearts, to continue to be enlightened that ALL wildlife is precious, ALL wildlife have purpose, and ALL wildlife is worthy of love, respect and dignity.
I am so thankful for ALL our backyard wildlife friends that visit our yard. They continue to remind and teach me to embrace ALL wildlife with love, kindness, compassion and appreciation for their purpose here on earth. I like to think that all we can learn to live in harmony, coexist with our backyard wildlife friends if we take the time to get to know them, know their purpose and simply be a friend. I am reminded and love the song from the Disney movie, Toy Story, “You’ve got a friend in me”.
I am featuring this picture for this blog post, of our sweet Sammie. She is our resident wild fox squirrel. We had the wonderful opportunity to be introduced to her when she was trying to get into our attic to nest and have babies. We humanely and safely guided Sammie and her sweet love, that we have named Scotty back outside before having their children. Over the years of enjoying this precious squirrel family, Sammie is now one of our super stars in our children’s wildlife book collection. I am beyond grateful to call her my friend. She is an amazing mother. She is so committed to her children. She sacrifices endless time for them to ensure they are raised to survive the wild as a fox squirrel. She loves with all her heart, full of tenderness, and thoughtfulness towards her other wildlife friends. She is also a hard worker, planning for her future with planting pecans, acorns and other squirrel food sources. She is playful and extremely intelligent. She even continues to stay fit with training in her squirrel strength, quick response skills and predator senses. Of course, I sure love it when she takes a moment to hang out with me to enjoy a pecan treat. She is truly inspirational. She is amazing!
That is KAPOW! Tracie
