At Home in a Local Wildlife Rescue Center

Sometimes you find yourself in a space and place that makes you feel so at home and at peace that you wonder what took you so long to get there?

I first experienced this feeling when I moved here to the desert over 8 years ago from Toronto.  I just discovered the feeling once again, in a big way, during my second shift on the “Owl Team” at Liberty Wildlife Rescue Center last night. When I was a kid, I just loved all animals soooo much that I thought I should be a vet. Then as I got a little older, I decided that I was not strong enough to handle giving a critter a needle, or worse, seeing one die. So I wandered into the grown up corporate world doing and being what seemed to be socially accepted and expected. Sadly, it had nothing to do with two of my great loves; animals and art.

Earlier this year, I found the Liberty Wildlife Rescue center when I was “rescuing” yet another abandoned baby bird (somehow they find me!). I thought the place was wonderful and with all my heart wanted to be a part of helping our critters survive and thrive in a desert home increasingly encroached on by humans. I know that many try to live in this desert world in harmony and with respect for nature, but even so, sometimes our critters get hurt or need help…and it is largely because of us humans when this happens. So, the honorable and responsible thing to do is help these critters by rescuing, healing and nurturing them so they can get back to their world in one piece again. The ones that are healed but can’t go back, find another calling by staying on at the center to help the Liberty Wildlife organization in educating the public on the importance and awareness of cohabitating with nature’s creatures responsibly, sustainably, compassionately, and with heart.

As I stood there in the “bird room” watching a vulture receive a hydration shot, followed by observing the assessment of an injured dove that had just been turned in, I thought to myself “it is as if I have always been here. This is where I belong”. And you what? I want nothing more than to be able to administer a life sustaining injection, or be there as a last comfort should a critter’s time on this realm come to an end. More than anything, I just know that my heart and soul is peacefully “at home” in a place dedicated to rescuing, healing, and rehabilitating Gaia’s precious wild critters.

So! My newest friends are the owl residents at Liberty Wildlife – oh, and a charming raven named Beaker. An interesting lot the owls are. I have had the immense pleasure of seeing owls at their finest , prowling the neighborhoods and skies of our town at night,  as well as roaming the forests fields here and afar. A great horned owl silently gliding within inches of my outstretched arms one evening left me in awe of its size, grace, and power. My new friends are a combination of young hooligans raised at the center by special “foster owl parents”, to rehabilitating injured owls, to resident “education” owls.

So far what I have learned is that whether a Great Horned Owl, A Screech Owl, a precious Burrowing Owl, or a ghostly Barn Owl, they all have incredible personality, fortitude, and a zest for life. These critters are very aware that we are there to help them and are more than willing to let us help.  A grand testament to their powerful spirit and wisdom! My greatest challenge lies in the feeding of these critters (yuck), but my teacher, kind and patient Terris, is very easily winning me over on the virtues of the circle-of-life even when it means WE have to intervene and provide key parts of the circle. As if she wasn’t sure of my reaction, Terris ever so tentatively suggested a prayer of thanks and circle-of-life blessings before offering 49 live mice as a meal to the Great Horned Owl “hooligan gang”. She has no idea how much I appreciated that gesture ~ she will when she knows me better.

I eagerly await my next shift and visit to the center to see how all my lovely critters are doing. Not just the owls, but all of them; ravens, hawks, eagles, tortoises, vultures, snakes, gila monsters, quail, finches, you name it! They are all gifts from Gaia and put my soul in a good place. And in addition the critters, I look forward to sharing space with my fellow volunteers and staff. In a room full of these kind people, even though I really don’t know any of them yet, I feel nothing but high and light vibrational energy. Such good and kindred souls! I adore them and am so grateful that these kind and caring people are there for these beloved critters…and am so happy that I have finally found my own way there.  I vow to do my part to support this worthy cause and organization, my new home, in as many ways as I can.

Always In Gratitude,

Andrea, “Critter Doc”

Click to learn about this organization Liberty Wildlife Rescue Center

I just finished reading a most facinating book called “Of Water and the Spirit” by Malidoma Patrice Some. This unique read was recommended to me by a dear freind Jakki who lives half way round the globe in Nairobi, Kenya. She sure had it right on the mark guessing I would connect with this particular book and the author!

Aside from the fact that I have the greatest respect and facination for the shamanic practices and beliefs regarding nature of indiginous tribes everywhere, to read from the pages of one who is not far removed from a world that is still not completely destroyed and altered by colonialism was a treat for the soul beyond words. True, colonialism has certainly had a major impact on this particular tribe, the Dagara tribe of Burkina Faso (upper west Africa), in that the jesuits (Christian missionaries) began back in the early 50’s trying to convert these “pagans” to modern religion and ways of life. Maildoma writes from the hip and from the heart at the same time. His journey is fantastic and a gift, but I was particularly drawn to aspects of Dagara customs and shamanism that revolved around their relationship with nature.

Dagara shamans work hard to remember and pass forward the ancestral rituals, beliefs and magic that heals, harmonizes, and keeps the balance of the community at large with nature. Until very recently, their lives remained so attached to their old world that the western world seemed like nothing but mythology to them. After years of christian programming and then intiation as a shaman back into his tribe, Malidoma moved to the USA as was fortold by the elders. On one particular return visit home, Malidoma brought videos of American tv shows to show the tribal elders. One of the shows was Star Trek. The tribespeople thought everything they saw was real life, they could not separte real western world from our fantasy world. In fact, when they saw Dr. Spock, they instantly recognized him and all agreed – “Kontomble!”. They recognized and accepted Star Trek’s Dr. Spock as a Kontomle only they said he was too tall ~ Kontombles are only about two feet tall.

A Kontomble is a human type being that lives in the underworld with all the animal spirits. They are the keepers and protectors of the critter world. According to the Dagara shamans, once upon a time all humans were able to communicate freely with animals. Now only the Kontomble and a select few shamans are able to do this. But when necessary, the Kontomble will communicate with shaman humans on behalf of the animal spirit world for the purpose of healing and warnings. Best be kind and patient with the Kontomble as their first priority is to protect nature. Shouldn’t WE be this way?

I hope to travel to this corner of the world one day as well as many other similar ones. There is much to learn from ancient indigineous cultures that colonialism has tried to eradicate. I commend Malidoma for following the path of his given name; Maildoma – Friend of the enemy/Stranger.

Hugs,

Andrea, “Critter Doc”

Remember the fun little game your parents would play with you during long car rides in an attempt to keep you busy, and to distract you from the temptation to poke and pester your siblings? “I Spy” is a fun game at any age. In helping people find their Spirit Animal Guides (Animal Totems or Power Animals), I often recommend activities and meditations that assist in the discovery of one’s special critters. It is always an enlightening experience to have your own “aha” moments when making an earnest effort to find your guides. Of course I can help speed things along if need be, but no one knows you better than you.

Let’s play “I Spy”. Here is my challenge to you: Go around your home and office and “spy” anything and everything to do with animals – prints, designs, artwork, furniture, toys, dishes, anything! Make a list of everything you see that represents an identifyable critter. Write down what that critter is. Everything counts; land animals, sea creatures, instects, birds, even mystical critters such as dragons and unicorns count. You might even want to tick off how many times a particualr critter is duplicated.

Now this does not mean that your list will reveal who all your spirit animals are, BUT, it is pretty sure bet that you will find good clues as to who some of them are or were. You may not even realize that for years you have been paying tribute to a particular critter or grouping of critters. If you can place a timeline with the objects you find, you might even begin to notice a pattern that can be traced to certain events or “experiences in your life. I have even found that some clients who felt that they had floated through life without any connection to animals or nature at all, discovered that by playing this game, they had subconciously been connected all along!

So go ahead, grab your specs, a pen and paper, and let the games begin….I Spy with my little eye……. 

    

What will you find?

Hugs,

Andrea, aka “Critter Doc”

Tiger Water Meditation at Casa Mariposa

Thoughts from A Recent Guided Meditation at Casa Mariposa

It was a beautiful evening event indeed. The night air was warm, colorful thunderclouds were rising over the mountains as I prepared the setting for the evening’s water meditation and discovery of spirit animal guides. After sunset the moonless night sky was dark, still and alive with the gentle stirrings of crickets and critters. The pool was silky smooth and and felt like liquid silver to the touch as each person slipped into the water. We each created soft little ripples of energy that joined together.

After a candle light reading to reveal the Spirit Animal Guide present with each person at that moment, our journey began by melting into the water and becoming one with its energy, grace, and fluidity….until we were bodiless, yet everywhere.We travelled to the meadow to greet our Spirit Animal Guide, get to know them a little, and then with the energy of our Animal Guide by our soul’s side, we carried on to explore the power of love at the heart of Gaia. We offered our healing love light for Her to use as she needs – and, oh yes, does she need our healing love –  and in return, we were blessed with Her own healing and warmth from within Her core to harbor and use as we each needed. A lone cricket chirpped its happy approval of this gift.

As we emerged with gratitude from a blissful and tranquil state within the soft embrace of the water, a breeze began to stir. The sky was beginning to flash in the distance, (the thunder clouds were awakening!). Each person was gently brought back and guided out of the water to warmth and the inviting light of the great room of the Casa at the edge of the garden patio while it was still just a breeze. I stood alone with the water, the flashing night sky, and presence of the resident critters in gardens around me, to take a private breath of gratitude and contentment. The nearby fire began to sputter and spark as the wind began to pick up, and up, and up! Mother Nature had graciously waited until all my friends were dried off and happily preparing for the next phase of our evening before having Her private chat with me. The desert has been unforgivingly hot for a little too long this fall, and with a great show of wind, thunder and lightening, Mother Nature saw fit to breathe cooler air upon us and sprinkle the desert with much needed rain. A blessing and a beautiful show at that!

I could just see all the desert creatures and plant-life sticking their tongues, leaves, and limbs out to catch the plentiful drops of precious water. Healing and nourishment for one and all! We decided to have our circle discussion outside and quite enjoyed the blustery wind as we shared our stories and experiences during meditation. When people speak about their experiences with animals whether in spirit or in form, it warms my heart to see how their faces just light up with love, respect and facination. And this was the point…to humbly connect with our spirit animals guides in the presence of Gaia, and offer our love, gratitude, healing and good intentions for living a peaceful life among all Her creatures great and small. We are all ONE family meant to live in harmony regardless of color, creed, species, or origin together under Father Sun, Mother Moon, within the heart of Gaia, and wrapped in love by All That Is. 

~In Gratitude for the World I Exist In~ 

Andrea, “Critter Doc”  

This is a sneak peak of an excerpt from my upcoming book. It is a story of a life path, told from the eyes of an ancient and powerful Spirit Animal…

Living With Spirit Animal Guides;

A Tigers’s Tale

By Andrea Sobotka

As the morning sun lit up the sterile white floor of the sterile white room, nobody else seemed to notice the 500 pound Bengal Tiger that padded through the door and settled down quietly at the side of the little girl’s hospital bed. The wide eyed little girl reached over the bed railings to offer the tiger a lick of her orange Popsicle.

“There you go Tiger, isn’t that nice? It feels good on my throat, how about yours?”

“Wonderful” replied the tiger with a flick of her tail, “thank you, you are very kind”.

Angela looked around the room and wondered how come the doctors and nurses didn’t seem surprised or worried about her new friend. “Oh well” she thought, “I guess she is supposed to be here then”. Little Angela no longer felt alone and afraid, her new companion wrapped her all up with love, strength, and warmth. Now she could safely nap and let her poor throat heal.