THE MERCILESS GORGE UPON THE DEAD

We are the living graves of murdered beasts,
Slaughtered to satisfy our appetites.
We never pause to wonder at our feasts,
If animals, like men, can possibly have rights.
We pray on Sundays that we may have light,
To guide our footsteps on the path we tread.
We’re sick of War, we do not want to fight –
The thought of it now fills our hearts with dread,
And yet – we gorge ourselves upon the dead.
Like carrion crows, we live and feed on meat,
Regardless of the suffering and pain
We cause by doing so, if thus we treat
Defenseless animals for sport or gain,
How can we hope in this world to attain
The PEACE we say we are so anxious for.
We pray for it, o’er hecatombs of slain,
To God, while outraging the moral law.
Thus cruelty begets its offspring – WAR

~ George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950)

Thanks to Shannon Amos, Vegan Animal Rights Activist, for inspiring this post.

Image Credit:  269Life

~ Gerean Pflug for The Animal Spirits

THE ANIMAL SPIRITS ON FACEBOOK

MY LIFE WITH THE ANIMAL SPIRITS (INTRO)

My name is Gerean (pronounced “Jer-ee-uhn) Pflug.  That has not always been my name.   My genetic grandparents were Cherokee, Canadian French Indian and German (respectively)  My genetic mother was Cherokee and my genetic father was a full-blooded German immigrant.  I was born in the United States and named Ronna Marie Bouvier Schinhofen.  My genetic parents could not care for me, so at birth, I was relinqueshed to Children’s Home Society in Southern California.  My parents, The Lillibridges adopted me and raised me in much love.  I later was married, thus the name Pflug and although the marriage didn’t last, I kept the name.  So, my full name is actually:  Ronna Marie Bouvier Schinhofen, Gerean Lillibridge, Pflug, but you can just call me Gerean.

I love creativity, art, poetry, music, conversations of significance and wit, gardening, and above all ANYTHING to do with animals.

I have always believed that my love and connection to the animals began before I was born.  My soul knew the connection before my body did.  My connection with the animals has only grown stronger over the years.  My mother to this day, rolls her eyes and says to me, “Oh, I swear you love animals more than people.”  To which I nod my head and respond, “Yeah . . .for the most part, that’s true.”

I began this blog intially to write about my lifetime experiences with the animal spirits.   But my own soul short-circuited those stories by injecting me with passion to write of issues of more international urgency . . . such as:

• Endangered whales being slaughtered inside of protected sanctuaries
• Endangered elephants and rhinos being massacred for profit for the ivory trade & aphrodesiacs
• Abused and neglected circus animals
• U.S. Wolves and other wildlife being completely obliterated from their natural habitats
• Millions upon millions of animals being tortured and slaughtered daily by factory (and free range) farming corporations
• Our oceans wildlife being taken from their habitats to be held captive in unspeakable environments for profit from ticket sales
• Horses being slaughtered in unimaginable ways
• Millions upon millions of sentient, living beings being subjected to unneccessary laboratory testing at the most evil of levels

And the list of “hits” just goes on and on . .  and on.  The unbelievable inhumanity that has been imposed upon the animal spirits at the hands of man, absolutely sickens me.  I will not stop writing about these issues of global spiritual injustices until the day I take my last earthly breath.  But, just in case that last breath comes sooner, rather than later, I wanted to get at least a few of my many stories down on “virtual paper.”  This post is simply an intro with more to come.

~~~~~

MY LIFE WITH THE ANIMAL SPIRTS

An Introduction

by Gerean Pflug

I was raised by VERY loving parents who were old-school ranchers.   I  lived the early parts of my life on a 1,000 acre cattle ranch in an Oregon wilderness area and from a very early age experienced amazing relationships with ranch animals as well as wildlife.

My father was a hunter who provided the family meat via deer, or we ate chickens that we raised on the ranch because back in the days . . . we were so poor, we could not afford to eat our own beef.  I began crying and begging my father not to kill the animals by the age of 4 yrs. old.  His answer was gentle, but always the same, “Honey, this is the way we make our living and we gotta eat, so thank the good Lord for providing us with the means to survive.”

Later, my father moved us to land in the center of the Dairy industry in Southern, California, where he raised grain-fed beef.  My job was to care for all of the animals, including the baby calves.  Every time a new group of baby calves were delivered, I carried them around in my arms like human babies, they suckled my fingers, I bottle fed them and loved on them excessively.  My dad would continually say, “Don’t go namin’ those calves, Honey.  ‘Cause you know, they’re gonna  become meat soon.”  I ignored him each time, and named every one of the calves.

On the days that the butcher trucks would pull up, the men would get out with their rifles and begin to don their rubber boots and overcoats and position the wenches on the trucks.  I’d start to cry hysterically, begging my father to spare the lives of my animal friends.  My dad would tell my mom to keep me in the house.  I’d hear the cattle bawling as they drug them to the spot to be killed.  Each loud crack of the rifle would slice through my body and into my soul. I would sob in loud, endless heaves, while my mother held me and tried to soothe me.  “Honey,” she’d say, you are so very sensitive, but you have to face the reality that the world eats meat and we make our living raising cattle for meat.

Eventually, my parents would tell me in advance when the butchers were coming, and my dad would have me pack a lunch, go down to the stable to  ready my horse, then he’d tell me to ride out and not come back until late afternoon.  Although I cried while I was gone, I didn’t have to hear the bawls and the rifle shots and it took an edge off of the soul-shattering agony, but in it’s place was still an overwhelming feeling of guilt for turning my eyes and my back and for the inability to save the lives of my animal friends.

After the butcher trucks left, in an attempt to perform a funeral of sorts, I’d walk to the site where my friends lives were taken.  The dogs would be there, eating the remains from the blood-soaked ground, of what was left of a once innocent, sentient, living being and I’d cry to the sky where I believed that God was, and ask “Whyyyyy?”

It was in those days that I developed my-own-child’s mechanism for letting go and saying “Goodbye.”  I’d pray to The Creator of ALL, that he would place a special blessing on the soul of the animal spirit (by name) now passed on to the ‘nother places.  I’d ask God to whisper to my animal friend’s soul, and tell him that I was deeply sorry that I could not protect or defend him from harm.  And then I’d say outloud . . . “___________(name of the living being) You mattered to me.”  I still do this and say this at every loss of an animal spirit that my soul becomes aware of, including those that humans refer to so insensitvely as “roadkill.”  Every single one of them . . . mattered to somebody.  They did not live their lives without significance.  They ALL matter to me.

These days, I continue to whisper to all animals, I intentionally send my soul thoughts to them, I pray for them, I feed them, I give them continual attention and affection, I write on their behalf, I adopt when I can, I donate what I can and . . . I DO NOT eat them.  In return, they consistently show their appreciation by guarding over me and by offering me their consistent friendship.  The birds that I feed tell their babies that I am their friend.  Horses and cattle make significant eye contact and scratch their heads against my body.  The deer bring their newborns to sleep directly below my bedroom window.  The dogs sleep wherever I sleep and watch every move I make.  Animals in need find me.  The stories are so numerous ~  It will take more than a natural lifetime to write them all, but in future posts, I plan to write some of the most memorable.

To those of you who have been following my writing . . . to those of you who have encouraged me . . . to those of you who tirelessly and passionately take action . . .to those of you who understand and share in this love for our brothers and sisters the animal spirits, I thank you and wish for you the highest level of blessings in this earthly life and beyond.

Blessings on all

who from a place of empathy and compassion,

take action to protect, defend,

provide shelter to, feed,

love and lend voice

to innocent, sentient, living beings

who cannot speak for themselves.

~Gerean Pflug for “The Animal Spirits”

~~~~~

GEREAN PFLUG,
Author: “The Animal Spirits”

~~~~~

WHY I DO IT ~ LYRICS BY IFEEL

WARNING!  This post is rated R for ADULT subject matter, images and graphic language.  I have obtained permission to post the following lyrics  from IFEEL directly.  None of the images included in this post are from the IFEEL campaign, but all images have a link encoded to their location.  Reblogs are permitted and encouraged.  Copies, reprints and alterations must be approved by IFEEL (links provided below).

Today we are witness to literally millions of sentient beings being taken from their environments against their will, they are:  exploited, mistreated, abused, tortured, maimed and killed.   According to Animal Welfare Institute (ADI), EVERY HOUR, some 1,000,000 chickens, 13,000 pigs and 4,000 cows are slaughtered for human consumption in the United States. It is a process that takes place far from public view, and one that few know very much about.  Although all sentient beings feel in equality, there is certainly no equality in the manner in which the human species treats the animal species.  I cannot stand it anymore.  I have decided to lend voice to innocent, living beings who cannot speak for themselves, thus this blog was created.

IFEEL, a hip-hop/rap artist  has appeared on the animal rights scene with fury.  He pulls no punches, minces no words and does not hold back one iota of passion nor intention in the delivery of his message.  He works from his heart and soul using the tools of his talent, his words and his influence.   I admire his music and his honesty.  The lyrics to “Why I Do It” are bold and without apology, as all of our words should be as we strive to right this gross injustice.

Blessings on those who lend voice to living beings who cannot speak for themselves!

~Gerean Pflug for The Animal Spirits

~~~~~

WHY I DO IT ~LYRICS BY IFEEL

“I DO IT WITH A PEN, NOT A KNIFE OR A GUN

I TALK THE TALK, I DON’T WALK I F*CKIN RUN

AND IF I COULD I WOULD BURN IT ALL LIKE A SUN

ASHES TO ASHES – THAT DAY WILL COME

I DO IT COS IT’S SAD TO SEE WHAT WE’VE BECOME

I DO IT COS THERE IS MUCH MORE TO BE DONE

I DO IT FOR YALL WHO CARE – F*CK MASS APPEAL

IF YOU FEEL IT IN YOUR HEART THEN YOU KNOW THAT IT’S REAL

I DO IT COS THE MONEY RIPS THE HEART OUT WITH STEEL

SO THEY CANNOT HEAR THE PAIN AND THE FEAR THAT THEY FEEL

I DO IT COS IT’S SO DAMN EASY TO KILL

BREED IT FEED IT CUT IT SHIP IT –

SERVE A HAPPY MEAL

~~~

~~~

I DO IT COS THEY

STEAL EM BEAT EM BREED EM

AND BLEED EM TREAT EM

LIKE TRASH –

THROW EM AWAY WHEN THEY DON’T NEED EM

~~~

THAT’S SICK –

NO COMPROMISE (NOOOOO)

NOTHIN BUT THE FREEDOM

YES WE GETTIN EVEN –

NOTHIN BUT THE FREEDOM (NOOOOO)

~~~
THIS AIN’T ABOUT THE FAME, THIS AIN’T ABOUT THE BITCHES

IT’S REALLY SIMPLE, LET ME

SHOW YOU SOME PICTURES

THIS IS WHY I DO IT – THIS IS WHY I DO IT – THIS IS WHY I DO IT

~~~

~~~
I DO IT FOR THE CALF IN BOX 44

HE CAN ONLY STAND UP AND FALL ON THE FLOOR

I DO IT FOR THE DOG SKINNED ALIVE FOR FUR RABBIT IN A BAG

– SCARED –

WAITIN TO BE SERVED

LITTLE PIGS WHOSE CRIES WILL NEVER BE HEARD

I DO IT FOR THE MICE AND EVERY SINGLE BIRD

I DO IT FOR THE CHICKEN WITH A HEAD CUT OFF

EVERY SLICE F*CKIN BURNS TILL THE HEAD COMES OFF

I DO IT FOR THE HORSE CHOPPED UP FOR A SAUSAGE

IT’S SAD HOW SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARNED NOT TO BE SAVAGE

I DO IT FOR MY DOGS AND CATS

IN EVERY JAIL

WITH NO CHANCE OF BAIL –

IN THIS MAN MADE HELL

I DO IT FOR THE CHICKS GETTING GROUND UP ALIVE

COWS IN THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE TERRIFIED BEFORE THEY DIE

I DO IT FOR THE DUCK GETTIN STUFFED TO DEATH

I’LL DO IT TILL I DIE – TILL MY LAST F*CKIN BREATH AHHHHH

~~~
THIS AIN’T ABOUT THE FAME, THIS AIN’T ABOUT THE BITCHES

IT’S REALLY SIMPLE, LET ME

SHOW YOU SOME PICTURES

THIS IS WHY I DO IT – THIS IS WHY I DO IT – THIS IS WHY I DO IT

~~~

~~~
I DO IT COS I’M PISSED AND SICK OF ALL THE LIES

I DO IT COS I CRY WHEN I LOOK INTO THOSE EYES

I DO IT FOR THE DOLPHIN SLICED UP ALIVE

I DO IT FOR THE PITBULLS FIGHTIN TILL THEY DIE

I DO IT FOR THE NAMELESS BODY ON THE PRODUCTION LINE

EVERYDAY A MASSACRE – PAIN IS HEINOUS ALL THE TIME

I DO IT COS I HEAR EM SCREAMIN WHEREVER THEY HIDE EM

AND EVEN IF THEY SHIP EM AND FLY EM – WE STILL GONNA FIND EM

~~~

I DO IT FOR THE BIRDS IN THE BATTERY CAGES

I DO IT FOR THE MODERN-DAY SLAVES IN THE CAGES

CHIMP IN A SEAT WITH A SKULL CRACKED OPEN

CAT WITH NO SLEEP WITH A MOUTH WIDE OPEN

I DO IT COS OF WEAK-ASS HUNTING LITTLE BITCHES

BIG GUNS

NO BALLS

SNAPPIN THEIR LITTLE PICTURES

KILL EM WHILE THEY CAN –

TILL WE GET SOME GLITCHES

F*CK THE BANDAID –

WE GONNA NEED SOME STITCHES

~~~

dead-wolf-flickr-commons.jpg

~~~
THIS AIN’T ABOUT THE FAME,

THIS AIN’T ABOUT THE BITCHES

IT’S REALLY SIMPLE, LET ME

SHOW YOU SOME PICTURES

THIS IS WHY I DO IT –

THIS IS WHY I DO IT –

THIS IS WHY I DO IT
WHY DO IT

WHY DO IT DO IT.”

~~~

In factories, thousands of baby chicks are ground up alive.

~~~~~

Credits:

ANIMAL IN ME ~ Released November 2012.

Written and performed by IFEEL

Produced by Freek van Workum 2012

All rights reserved. www.MusicIFEEL.com

Why I do it ~ sound track by IFEEL

http://ifeel.bandcamp.com/track/why-i-do-it

IFEEL on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ifeel/192685487497183

TO KILL A WHALE

~~~

TO KILL A WHALE

by Gerean Pflug

~~~

Diesel powered ships

fueled by money, greed

and humans paid to crew

hunger to kill for pay

mega sized pointy spears

of monolith resistant steel

built-in hooks with jagged edges

spools of ropes and cording

explosive penthrite-tipped

cannon powered violent action

heartless slaughter intended

body piercing harpoon style

into ideal depth of the flesh

nylon cords extend

tight and quick is what it takes

to pull the pin of delivery

grenade ladened weaponry

detonation of their payload

obliteration of the body

agonizing screams of pain

desperate thrashing

a futile fight to survive

the  slow death lasts

up to a half hour or more

while hanging on to threads of life

the shots and injuries continue

empathy non existent

compassion withheld

 at last the lower jaw relaxes

flippers cease to paddle

active motion slows

flotation no longer possible

the sink begins

once innocent, sentient, living beings

majestic royalty of the seas of an entire planet

now spirits passed on to the ‘nother places

lifeless, nameless, mammoth bodies

hauled by ropes

attached to arms of men

through life blood thickened waters

ultimate bounty is declared

liquid assets pending

cash prizes collected

goods liquidated

to meat markets hidden

behind signs that proclaim

“It is finished.”

in the name of scientific research.

~~~~~

Written by:  Gerean Pflug for The Animal Spirits, all rights reserved

Copy permitted with a link back to this page.

~~~~

Japanese whaling ships

under the guise of scientific research

slaughter hundreds upon hundreds of endangered whales each year.

They kill the planet’s wildlife in protected whale sanctuaries.

This is not only illegal, it is immoral.

The suffering inflicted upon the whales is unspeakable.

They feel.

They suffer.

We suffer as equals.

Blessings on those who out of empathy and compassion

 give voice to living beings who cannot speak for themselves.

Blessings on International Heroes:

Captain Paul Watson,

the crew and volunteers of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

and every individual of the international community

who take action in support of their work.

~~~~~

NOTE:  The above writing is inspired by the work of The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Follow The Sea Shepherd on Facebook at:  http://www.facebook.com/TheAnimalSpirits?ref=hl#!/seashepherdconservationsociety?fref=ts

Additional Resource: “The Inner Lives of Whales” ~  Society for the Advancement of Animal Wellbeing

BLOGGERS CALLED TO ACTION

I am writing this post in support of the efforts of Captain Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.  This is a call to action to the WordPress blogging community.  For the past few days, many of us have followed and posted about the status of the 12 orca whales trapped in the ice in Quebec.  The Facebook and blog posts were flying faster ‘n speeding bullets and the comments were off the charts.  Meanwhile, Captain Paul Watson and the crew of The Sea Shepherd fleet were preparing for their next dangerous and sure-to-be-bloody battle on the front lines of the war on poachers who are planning to begin the slaughter of literally thousands of whales within the next 10 days.

This plea for help is being sent out to all of those who claim dedication to the welfare, protection and convervation of our planet and our wildlife.  I challenge all bloggers to begin utilizing the written word as a mighty tool . . . to raise public awareness to the highest levels of action, to reach influencial members of society and to demand action by world leadership, who currently are not illustrating the level of concern necessary to stop these heinous, criminal acts against our oceans, the animals that live there and to the human species.

We are living in desperate times.  These times require that all available humans dedicate themselves and their abilities to the channeling of passionate intensity for the entirity of at-risk whales.  Those on the front lines, such as The Sea Shepherd, are putting their lives at risk in defense of 1000,s of innocent, precious lives.  They need immense amounts of support

When I read Captain Watson’s letter below, I felt embarassed and ashamed that it had not been ridiculously obvious to me that MY help is needed.  I fight my own negative thoughts daily that whisper to me, “You are only one person.  You don’t have enough power.  You will not make a significant difference.”  But, that is a lie.  Every action taken with intention is MIGHTY and every action taken with intention makes a difference.  I believe that in a state of passion, we can unite and make a “SPLASH” that is heard across all of the oceans of the world.  I can.  I will.  You can too.  Will you?

In ten days the Japanese whaling fleet arrives with their harpoons to inflict an agonizing and brutally prolonged death to hundreds of whales. The Sea Shepherd units will be there to attempt to stop them.  This is an URGENT request for assistance.  Digital animal welfare supporters ALL need to “strap on a set” and ring louder bells from our laptops, blogs and all other possible social media network platforms.  If the pen is at least as mighty as the sword, then take up your pens.  Let your voices be heard.  Become a mighty warrior for the whales from where you stand.   THIS IS NOT A DRILL!

Many Blessings on all who take action to protect

and to give voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.

~Gerean Pflug, The Animal Spirits

~~~

~~~

MESSAGE FROM CAPTAIN PAUL WATSON OF THE SEA SHEPHERD

COPIED FROM CAPTAIN PAUL WATSON’S FACEBOOK PAGE 1/10/2013

“When nature is the enemy, the world rallies to save the whales from being trapped in ice or stranded on the beach. I am happy that people are so compassionate and so eager to lend their help. I am… happy that the media covers the plight of the whales, like the orcas trapped in the ice in Canada or pilot whales stranded on the beach in New Zealand or a lost whale that wanders up the Thames River. I love whales and to see people rally to them to save and protect them fills my heart with joy and gives me hope for humanity. But what I don’t understand is why such passion and concern is displayed for 13 orcas in the ice off Quebec or the three Grey whales caught in the ice a few years back in Alaska yet the fact that Japan intends to kill 935 Minke whales and 50 endangered Fin whales and retains the option to slaughter 50 endangered Humpbacks and this elicits the response by many, not all, but many, of the people who rally to the trapped whales to turn a blind eye to the slaughter by the whalers.

What is it that makes people accepting of the death of whales by harpoons yet so concerned about the threat of death by ice or stranding? Why are those who thankfully volunteer to go to the whales in the ice to help the whales lauded as heroes yet those who try to block the harpoons are called extremists. I am glad there are selfless people willing to rescue whales in trouble and they are indeed heroes but are we the lesser for trying to save whales from a horrific death by these savage harpoons. Is it that we humans like to display our compassion in the face of nature but we submit to the violence of our own kind when humans murder the whales.

We are presently in the Southern Ocean trying to save the lives of 1035 whales and for this we are vilified, made to look like criminals and accused of being extremists and some of these accusations come from people who have expressed concern for the fate of the Orcas in the ice off Quebec. Thankfully it looks like the Orcas have been freed but in ten days the whaling fleet arrives with their harpoons to inflict an agonizing and brutally prolonged death to hundreds of whales. We are here to stop them and we will, but it is sad to think that our support base would be so much stronger if we were down here to rescue whales from being trapped in the ice and not from the harpoons of the Japanese whaling fleet.”

References:

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/notifications?id=477803525602859#!/seashepherdconservationsociety?fref=ts

Captain Paul Watson on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/notifications?id=477803525602859#!/captpaulwatson

Share this:

Jessica’s life here on earth has made a profound positive difference. She is powerful from the ‘nother places, where her spirit continues to make a profound difference. How wonderful that her family, friends and others are honoring her life by honoring the life of others; these innocent horses, that she loves, are not only being spared one-life-at-a-time but a MIGHTY message is being sent worldwide that influences the hearts, minds and spirits of man’kind’ that empathy and compassion are the keys to universal well being.

I love the ancient Native American belief of “The Bridge” and find it so comforting :

https://animalspirits222.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/the-bridge/

Blessings on Jessica’s sweet, innocent spirit. Blessings on Jessica’s family who in the face of grieving her loss, honor her. Blessings on the spirits of the horses that have passed on …also at the hands of men. Blessings on all who work to promoted respect, kindness and peace for all living beings.

Thank you for your post. I believe it touched the hearts of many today. It certainly touched my heart. Thank you for all that you do to raise public awareness of the need for protection of the innocent lives of the horse spirits. I will post a link to this on “The Animal Spirits”on Facebook today.

~Gerean Pflug, The Animal Spirits

Straight from the Horse's Heart

By Jonathan Phelps Staff writer for the Salem News

“Jessica loved everything about horses…”

“Today is ‘Feel Good Sunday‘ and we fully intend to fulfill our weekly commitment to supply our readers with a story that will help to uplift spirits and recharge the soul, today shall hopefully not disappoint but this installment comes with a bit of a warning; your heart strings will be pulled.  So with that in mind, revel in the good things that good people do in an effort to flush the evil from our lives.  Only occasionally am I proud to be a member of this species and after reading this story, today has become one of these days.  Keep the faith.” ~ R.T.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAMILTON, MASS — Six-year-old Jessica Rekos dreamed of having her own horse one day.

While her parents promised to get her one when she turned 10, Jessica’s dream will never come true…

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