News of the Day

Brown Signs Shark Fin Ban

http://www.sfgate.com/c/front/00_frontpage.pdf

Remember my Shark Fin Soup story?... YEAH!

Shark Fin Soup

On the same bus today, there was an advertisement on shark fins. You know the famous Chinese Shark Fin soup? I've seen a similar ad about it before and I'm glad I saw it again today.

There's an organization, http://www.wildaid.org/sharks, that works on global shark conservation.

I remember when I was a kid growing up in Manila, the family was always invited to big Chinese weddings, banquets, known as lauriats. Corn soup was the most popular then - until shark fin soup was "discovered"! It was deliciously expensive, so expensive that only privileged Asian families could afford them! And that to be invited made you members of The Elite! And I was so proud to be part of it...

Looking back now, grown-up, more health conscious, vegetarian... how cruel were those who cut off sharks just for their fins! And they still do it today. Shame!! Me included! All I could think of then was that I must be rich to be able to rub shoulders with the so-called, Manila Socialites! Birds of the same feather flock together, right! Riight.

Mia culpa, mia culpa, mia maxima culpa... Lord, have mercy.

Why Do Cats Purr

http://www.metaphoricalplatypus.com/ArticlePagesCats/Why%20Cats%20Purr.html

I love cats but I'm allergic to them. Twice I had siamese cats, and twice I got very sick, I had to give them away.

Interesting article! This must explain why cats have 9 lives.

Cat and Dolphin

http://www.slothster.com/2352-Cat-On-Boat-Plays-With-Dolphins.htmlYou

Revisiting Christian, the Lion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-2mpwfhtcA

No words to describe the feeling!

A Short Story

I was coming home after an afternoon walk when a dog came out from nowhere and, wow, what a beautiful dog, what poise! If the dog were a human being, and a woman, I'd call her a classy lady! And if it were a man, he'd be sexy! The dog had such grace, taking its time as it walked out of the gate or front yard, (I didn't even see where it was coming from), then pausing elegantly while waiting for its owner who followed shortly after. Or did that take a while? Watching the dog seemed like forever. With its stance there, time just stood still. Really, I've never seen a dog with such beauty and class, even looking better than its owner, seriously. I don't mean to criticize but, honestly, it was a gorgeous dog, American Eskimo, I learned. 

I've seen many American Eskimos, but this dog is different, simply special, - poised, elegant!


Wow!

DID I HEAR.............??????????

I swear I heard my neighbor's dog barked, "Donald Duck!" today, I mean, yesterday afternoon, God, it's past 1am! Yup, I heard my neighbor's dog barked, "Donald Duck!", not once, but twice!! The third time, he stammered, somewhat, he barked, "Donald DDDDuck!"

Don't laugh now. I have very keen ears. I'm a musician, you know. You don't believe me??? I tell you, I heard it!! Hey...

Life And the City

Have you ever seen a big dog bark at a small dog? Yesterday in our neighborhood, a big one did just that - to a poodle! It's usually small dogs that bark at big dogs, and the big ones ignore them, but this was the exact opposite. The tiny poodle calmly went behind its owner, seemingly not entertained, with an expression like, "Oy, vey, let's go," - dog must be Jewish!

Someone asked the big dog's owner, "What kind of a dog is that?"

"A pain in the ass!"

Everyday people, everyday living... FUNNY! Though not quite for these 2 dogs! Norman said, "Maybe the big dog thought the small one was cute and playful so he barked at him hoping to play with him."

Not for the small one.

At night, there was a documentary on National Geographics about an unlikely yet beautiful bonding of different animals like a dog and an orangutan, a lion and a deer, a cat and a bird, and an elephant with a dog. And the famous lion, Christian, reunited with his former owners who took care of him since he was a cub until fully grown, then set free in the wilderness. What a touching reunion!

You know about that - 2 young English guys in 1970's bought a cub crumped up at the famous Harrod's in London and raised him until he was grown and big, then set him free in the wilderness in Africa. About a year later, they decided to visit him. But story has it that the lion and his pride had left their home territory about 9 months ago, so the chances of the lion coming back were slim, according to the mountain guide. Undaunted, the 2 friends stayed on for a few more days. Suddenly, a lion appeared from a distance. They saw him, recognized him, called his name and slowly, Christian walked towards them, probably, wondering at first who they were, where he had known them from, (I wonder what was going on in his mind then), and, man, as he was nearing them, he ran to them and just jumped up and hugged them!! He remembered them! How could he forget?! Somehow, the lion must have sensed intuitively that he had to go back to his old territory after 9 months, not knowing why. Must be some cosmic connection between him and his old owners. What a beautiful story, so touching! (You should see that video. I'll look for it and share it here.)

MARVELOUS!!

P.S. 
Found it -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVNTdWbVBgc

And Talk About... Animals!

I have an aunt who has such an affinity to animals. There's just something about her that animals are drawn to her. They appear to her out of nowhere, manifesting and like, symbolizing something. I don't know how to describe it! It's Marvelous!

It's her birthday today. It was October 11 when Rainbow, my lovebird, came into my life. See what I mean? There's that connection with her and animals. So meaningful, so special!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TITA PERLA! ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Rainbow

Today is my lovebird, Rainbow's "birth"day. That was when I discovered him. He was a lost bird and somehow landed on our ground and there were about 4 people who saw him first and one of them called me. Somehow the bird came to me and that's how and when he was "born"! I don't know how old he really was then but he lived with me and moved with me up North and eventually lived with me and Norman when we got married, and he lived for 17 years, plus whatever his age was when I found him or when he found me, or rather, when we found each other! They say that's long life for a small bird. Such a sweet bird, such great personality! We were "Mom and Dad" to him! One of my neighbors who owned a bird shop for 20 years once said, "Rainbow doesn't know he's a bird. He thinks he's people!"

Everybody loved Rainbow! Everyone loved to visit with him and took turns to bird-sit when I was away.

In the beginning, whenever I did TM, he would make noise. But he was a great observer. He noticed I was silent and still when I did my program. He learned to be quiet too and not disturb me. The only time he'd call my attention again was when he saw me about to lie down and rest after TM. That's when he wanted out of his cage to join me in bed then he'd be still again until I finish my whole program.

One time, he got very sick and everybody thought he wouldn't recover but he did. And as the Verills remarked, '' Don't they know Rainbow is a meditator?!"

When we had parties at the compound, you think I was the center of attention when I played the piano?? No, Rainbow would sit on my shoulder or on either arm and he stayed there while I played and people were simply entertained, not by me but by him! He didn't know that, he was just happy being with me and surrounded by people. He had a great time!!

And boy, he just knew when Norman was close to home from work or wherever. About 15 minutes before Norman would arrive, Rainbow would face the door and start chirping a particular sound to indicate "Daddy" was coming home. He doesn't chirp long, just enough to "announce" Norman is nearby. One morning he started to chirp and Norman wasn't there. So I thought it was all coincidence. Then Norman arrived with a bag of bagels. So Rainbow was right again! He knew Norman was in the neighborhood, but Norman stopped by Noah's Bagels so he came 5-10" later than usual.

Rainbow died 4 years ago while I was in L.A. to attend my niece's debut. When I called Norman about 9 pm to tell him I had arrived in L.A., he told me Rainbow was not doing well. He was fine that morning so I thought when I came back, we could bring him to the vet. Norman didn't know what to tell me or how to say Rainbow was more serious than what he was trying to describe. In other words, he was being cautious to break the news. Rainbow was dying. I called him every few minutes to check until finally he said Rainbow wasn't moving at all and I told him to put the phone on Rainbow's ear so I could talk to him. I told Rainbow I was going home soon, to wait for me, and so on, and I kept saying, "I love you, Rainbow," over and over and then Norman said, "He moved," so I thought he was gonna get well. About an hour later, Norman called to say Rainbow had just died in his hands...


Rainbow must've wanted just to hear my voice one more time before passing on. It still touches me whenever I remember.

No wonder, the day before I left, Thursday morning, Norman brought him to our bedroom and said, "He wants to come to you."

"How'd you know?", he just shrugged.

Sunday mornings were Rainbow's day with us in the bedroom. But how'd he know it was Sunday? Maybe he didn't, but like all other animals, they just know when it's time to migrate and when it's time to come back. Rainbow knew his routine. But that was Thursday. Then the next day, Friday, as I was leaving for work and later for my trip, he kept calling me from the kitchen, I didn't know why. I had to go back at least twice to hold him and stay with him for a while. He just wanted to be with me.

Norman must've intuitively known Rainbow wanted to come to me that Thursday. Rainbow knew I was going away. He always knew when we'd go away, seeing our luggages. He didn't like seeing us pack in the beginning until he learned the routine. He had another kind of chirp for that, as if asking, but not complaining, "You're leaving again?", he simply understood.

Rainbow was saying goodbye to me. He knew he was going...

I miss Rainbow so dearly. I wrote a song for him when he died. If I find the lyrics, I'll sing it. I don't remember all of it. Let me look for it...

I love you, Rainbow. We miss you. We'll come visit you soon. I promise.