Animal Thoughts

Jane Goodall co-authored a book on "ten trusts" to uphold to respect and protect animals.  It might be worthy of a skim, but found it tedious and repetitive reading at book length.

A question though is if the principles set forth (including rejecting use of animals merely for our own interests) would justify use of guide dogs and the like. The book does not oppose companion animals (so the therapy dog seems safe) but what if the animals have to be put to some rigorous training session to serve the interests of others? I think it seems okay on balance -- we are not talking medical experiments [a special case too, though lots of them are of little value or able to be replaced by other methods] or anything here. But, the pure of heart might not. The book, e.g., criticized the use of certain monkeys to help paralyzed people.

Anyway, the article is touching and explains how companion animals can not only provide company but drive you along, which is one reason why they are so useful for the elderly.  One theme of the book is that animals benefit humans in a range of ways. Justice Douglas' infamous "trees should have standing" dissent actually was written for our interests, Douglas speaking about the value of nature in part for psychological health in his writings.  If no person is an island, to paraphrase, harm to animals and nature itself also have effects. We are on some level all connected.  Another article flagged an example:

 “Marine mammals are very good sentinels for ocean and human health, and they really act like the proverbial canaries in a coal mine,” said Dr. Greg Bossart, a veterinary pathologist and senior vice president in charge of animal health at the Georgia Aquarium. “They give us an idea of what’s occurring in the environment.”

 A personal note. I from time to time care for a couple cats.

This is "Yogee."  I really wonder what he is thinking at times, other than "I'm starving, can't I steal Michelle Judy's food."  Seriously, very cute and it's an honor to take care of you.