Happy Birthday ABH
Happy Birthday ABH – My animal awareness blog – A Beating Heart is one year old today. I launched it on February 14, 2013 – a nod to the day of hearts and love and in recognition of the fact that every sentient being has “a beating heart”.
Because I was feeling that I no longer knew how to be in the world – this animal blog – A Beating Heart is my way of being part of the Light.
Mission Statement
I though very carefully about what I wanted to achieve when I wrote this Mission Statement. I wanted it to stand the test of time. It is a year later and I wouldn’t change a word.
What do all living beings have in common? The beating heart that sustains my life is no different from the heart of an elephant, a bear, a tiger, a sword fish, an eagle, a dolphin, a whale or your beloved cat or dog. Sadly, a misguided belief in human superiority, has led many people and cultures to believe that animals and their brethren are “less than” we are, and therefore not entitled to kindness, care, protection, and a life free from cruelty and exploitation. We are wrong!
Look into the eyes of a living creature – the spark of life resides there. An animal can feel happy, safe and loved or sad, lonely and frightened. His soul longs to express itself – his body feels pain. The mother love of a red fox for her pup is no less worthy than that of a woman for her child.
It is time – that we as a global collective – say “enough” to cruelty, exploitation, the crush of baby Asian elephants, lax animal welfare laws, torture, bear bile farms, appalling factory farming methods, the brutal ivory trade, the shipment of live animals, puppy mills, fur farms, senseless animal fighting and the endangerment of all creatures. Animals world-wide need animal rights! We can make this happen if we just stand up together and demand change!
I started this Blog – as an antidote to the profound sense of despair that I’ve experienced as I see the animal crises throughout the world and the practiced lack of global government policies to solve them. The disregard for pain and suffering is appalling. Humanity is the common thread.
Education, awareness and action are everything. Without them – nothing can or will change. I believe there is a universal yearning for enlightenment and kindness. Light is starting to shine, one ray at a time, on the darkness in the world. I have to believe that a brighter future is in store for our beautiful planet and our animals.
During This Past Year I Have:
Written 181 blog posts on many different topics from the ivory trade to factory farming to puppy mills and canned lion hunting.
Started a Fabebook page dedicated to my blog with 218 “likes”. I am building this slowly and organically with committed readers.
www.facebook.com/ABeatingHeart.ca
Started a Twitter page for A Beating Heart to reach more people and to continue to create awareness about animal issues.
www.twitter.com/ABeatingHeart2
Added ABH Kids to my blog – a place for kids to voice their opinions about animal issues that are important to them.
Started a Facebook page for ABH Kids with 83 likes.
Started a bi-monthly newsletter for my blog that reaches over 300 people.
Met people locally and on line from all over the world who share my love of and concern for all animals.
Had a beautiful blog card designed and printed to give to people I meet who are also passionate about animals. It’s a great way to make a statement and to stay in touch.
Marched in the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust – International March For Elephants in October 4, 2013 in down town Toronto.
Attended numerous animal related lectures in the city and met more like-minded people.
Introduced ABH Selfies to my blog – a fun place for people to send in a picture of themselves or their favourite animal and explain in 17 words or less what animals cause is near and dear to their hearts. I posted a Selfie fin memory of Marius – the slain giraffe from the Copenhagen Zoo last week-end. In a matter of hours it was seen by 1342 people.
I have profiled amazing animal advocates in People Who Matter and invited strong animal activistss to contribute their articles in my Guest Writers column.
Become a member of 12 incredible animal groups around the world who are championing dolphins – elephants – lions – dogs – wolves and rhinos.
I am one person in Toronto with a full time career and a busy life. If I can do all this in one year – it is proof positive that “The Power Of One” is a very potent force. I stand with all compassionate and caring people from around the world – to gladly lend my strength and my voice to animals who are suffering needlessly and unjustly. If not us – then who will speak for our magnificent animals?
I thank every person who has supported me during the last year – read my blog posts – left incredible comments – offered encouragement and propped me up on those days when I thought that one more sad story of abuse, neglect and suffering would prove to be my undoing.
I Would Especially Like To Mention:
Donna Koegl – Zoe Welsh – Nikki Elliott – Chris Mercer – Melissa Stewart – Bonnie Daut – Suzie Clip – Sheila Wilson – Mariana Fernandes – Ber Kavanagh – Jasmine Alixandra North – Maho Cwejman – Jennifer Dore – Linda Johnson – Lando Howard – Nikki Dolgener – Christine Cerqueda – Ross Tapp – Lorna Rouse – Banu Kajee – Cody & Giselle – Kobus Blom – Tessa Vanderkop – Silke Kaiser – Fred von Winkelmann – Christine Jordaan – Lek Chailert – Paul & Jeff at Ele-Host – Brad Sage – and finally Denny Thompsett (for his on-going and often witty commentary).
Thank you “ALL” for your support of A Beating Heart!
And as a fun project just for myself – I am publishing my “Short Stories From 10 Years Ago” – on A Beating Heart. Written in 2004 – and locked in my desk since then.
Now finding a life on my blog!
As Edmund Burke (1729 – 1797) so famously said:
“All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”
Rosemary Wright | www.abeatingheart.ca | mail@abeatingheart.ca
February 14, 2013 to February 14, 2014
A Beating Heart – One Year Old!
