Facebook

November 22, 2013

Well, I’ve done it.  I just leapt into the 21^st century and got a business facebook page. I said I’d never do it and once again I learned, “Never say never.”

I’m not very good with technology and when faced with learning facebook I just turned and ran. Wouldn’t even look at it. I rarely visit my personal page, I don’t remember posting on it, and I certainly have never looked for people to 'friend'. My gosh, I still have a DUMB phone and don’t even know how to text, so how could I ever negotiate social media?

I worried that facebook would take up a lot of time and that I would get sucked down a rabbit hole into a deep abyss. A little too dramatic? Maybe, but I’ve seen how much time email takes and adding something else seemed overwhelming.

But I did it anyway, and today I took a class in managing my facebook page. The instructors were at least 30 years younger than me and spoke a ‘foreign’ language. Glancing from the instructor to the screen and then the other instructor I felt like I was watching a ping pong game in the dark – it was confusing.

The best part of the day was a conversation I had with a wonderful woman sitting near me. She said that “People like us need to be on facebook, so that people who need us and our services can find us.” I realized that she’s right. It just might be a tool that will allow me to be of greater service to misunderstood animals, near and far.  I thanked her for this insight and decided to get an attitude adjustment.

I am trying to understand and make good use of this new tool. Please bear with me while I learn and make some mistakes. And if you are a facebook person, I would be very honored if you would LIKE my new page https://www.facebook.com/MaryJGetten. I’m also open to any tips or advice that you’ve gleaned from your facebook adventures. Thanks for listening.

Granny

November 13, 2013

  

Granny, also known as J2

I have known my wild orca friend, Granny, for more than two decades now. She was a co-author of my Nautilus Award winning book, Communicating with Orcas; The Whales’ Perspective. I am very happy to say that Granny was 102 years old this year and is still swimming strong, leading J-pod.

This past week, a ferry carrying Native American artifacts that were being returned to a tribe, was surrounded by orcas.  Here is a link to the story-

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022162797_apxpugetsoundorcas.html

Many people felt that this was not a coincidence and that the whales were there for a reason. I decided to check in with Granny and here’s what she said: “Of course we knew about the artifacts. The tribe told us and we came to honor them. We have a long history together.”

I explained that many people noticed their participation and wondered if the whales really knew about it. Granny replied, “It was an opportunity to open minds a little further. People notice these things and it helps them to understand how conscious we are.”

As we continued our conversation, I asked Granny if when people think of her, or talk to her, whether she gets some energy from them. She responded, “Yes, there is a spark of energy that transfers to me when they think of me or send love. You should all realize that you are doing this every day. Think kindly toward one another. It really does make a physical difference.”

“Is that why you have lived so long,” I asked? “I believe it has something to do with it.”

Then I told Granny that a children’s book called Granny’s Clan came our recently and that in the near future, thousands of kids may be sending her their innocent laughter, love and light.  To this she replied, “Oh boy – I may live to 200!”

Interspecies Friendship

November 5, 2013

I had a consultation this week with two best friends in a very sad situation. My client’s young Pomeranian is very bonded to a Ragdoll kitten. They have been great buddies since they met about three months ago. Recently, the little male kitten went to the vet to be neutered and during the procedure he suffered a heart attack. The vet was able to revive him, but he suffered severe brain damage and is now blind and has very limited motor skills. His people are caring for him day and night, hoping that he will recover.

The Pom puppy is very upset and starting chewing up the furniture and barking all the time. She misses playing with her kitten and doesn’t understand why he won’t play anymore. I explained everything to her and hopefully with a lot more exercise she’ll calm down and feel less anxious. I’m holding the vision that the little kitten will recover and regain a ‘normal’ life.

Do you find it odd when animals of two species become good friends? It happens more often than you think and there are some very interesting combinations. You may have seen the story about the bear, tiger and lion that are all best buds at Noah’s Ark in Georgia, or the hound and the orangutan at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09X9ewBthPo.

If you are fascinated by unusual pairings, check out the book Unlikely Friendships by Jennifer Holland. It’s filled with stories and photos of animal friendships all over the world. They may seem strange but love is love, right? That's what counts in the end.