Though I’ve been a “mom” to my dog for fifteen years, I doubt she has anything special planned for me this weekend.
That’s all the mothering I’ve ever done—cats, a dog and some injured birds on occasion. And since my own grandmothers and mother are long gone, Mother’s Day is a non-event for me. It’s almost fawn season here, and I do enjoy watching the gangly, spotted young deer learning how their legs work. The does, who often have twins, are so patient with them.
What interests me even more, is cross-species adoption. My first cat was partially raised by a yellow lab mom, so that showed me early on that some amazing things were possible. Stories of wild adoption combos abound, and here are a few heartwarming photos of such pairings as my Mother’s Day greeting for you.
dog adopts a fawn
dog adopts a squirrel
dog adopts some ducklings
Pink the piglet and her dachshund litter mates
If you’re stumped for a last-minute gift, how about adopting a dolphin in mom’s name? The Ocean Conservation Society works to protect these highly intelligent creatures. Mozza here is up for adoption (though it’s probably not her best angle)…in my estimation, a dolphin beats a box of candy for a present any day!
May 10th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
I love these images that remind of how love crosses so many boundaries when given freely…
And I want to honor your nurturing mother energy in the wisdom you share, in the books you’ve birthed and in your connection to the moon, earth and nature…
Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!
Shannon
May 11th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Thanks Shannon…I do have maternal instincts for the earth, her creatures and the green growing things–I guess that’s more than enough! In these stories of inter-species bonding I am struck by how often it involves animals that are traditionally predator and prey–that tells me the power of love can even overcome hardwired instincts. Of course, if the dog pictured above did not have her meals set before her on a regular basis, perhaps the duckling would seem more like lunch. Perhaps it’s easier to love on a full stomach. ~Oriana