Dogs & Budgies

Yes - I realise it's a parrot not a budgie! 

January, with its short days and long cold nights, is the perfect time to read. Currently I’m reading Dogs and their humans, by vet Noel Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick has a popular TV series on Channel 4, he’s a bit of a veterinary rock star.

 Since he’s a professional who spends his life surrounded by animals, I’m very interested to find out his opinions and ideas.  Something that leapt out at me was this.  When people choose to spend their life with a dog, they are choosing to care for, empathise with and have compassion for another creature, and that he considers to be good for the world.

To quote Fitzpatrick, “I sometimes imagine the love I see between an animal and their human friend radiating out into the world.”  He calls it, Animal Love Field – ALF – turning everyone it touches into the best version of themselves.   “In my mind, the ALF can wrap around us like a comfort blanket of kindness, truth and endless possibility.”

I think I know what he means.

Walking in the woods today with Moss, I met Dorothy who was taking Monty, her granddaughter’s dog, for a walk.  I spoke to her about the idea of love radiating through the bonds we have with our dogs.  She thought for a moment, then she said:

“Yes, but I think it happens with budgies as well.”