Learning Kindness

Kindness is something that we can easily lose over time if we aren’t constantly being shown or taught it. If you haven’t grown up being surrounded by animals then you might see them completely different and separate from you. My earliest memory when I realize that ALL animals were sentient beings and deserving of kindness was when I was little and visiting my family in Iceland.We went on a fishing trip; which would be my first and last time doing so.

When I felt that tug on the line; I quickly reeled up my catch and a circular brown flat fish came up. It was a flounder and I was so excited that I started to swing it around even hitting it on the side of my uncle’s car where it made a loud thud. When it was time to take the hook out of its mouth, I found it very difficult; so I pulled its jaws apart until I heard a cracking sound. Suddenly, at my side I heard a disapproving “tsk” and look beside me where I saw my uncle looking at the fish with a concerned look on his face. There was pain in his face as he was empathizing with this creature and the suffering it was going through. I realized at this moment, as someone who proclaims who loves animals, I was causing this fish incredible harm.

How could I have not known? Was it because this fish looked so different from me? They lived in the water and had no legs; did I fail to recall the characters I watched in movies like the Little Mermaid or Finding Nemo? I was young; I wish someone would have taught me. I was horrified with what I’ve done because I would have never dreamed of doing the same to a dog or cat. I was a pescatarian at the time and thought I was a kind person but failed to see how kindness extends to everything and everyone.

My family ate the fish that they caught but I didn’t and I should have never gone in the first place. Many people think that catch and release is harmless but fishing just like hunting for pleasure is cruel. The amount of unnecessary stress and pain put on the fish is inexcusable. Injury when a hook pierces the fish’s body causes physical pain which increases the more they struggle. The shock of being pulled out of the water contributes to difficulty breathing, inability to regulate body temperature, and can eventually lead to death.

Jane Goodall said the best teacher she ever had was her childhood dog, Rusty. He taught her that animals have their own personalities, minds, and emotions. Growing up we had many pet goldfish and koi but I failed to pay attention to them, failed to learn their personalities. I was focused on animals I thought were cooler and furrier. I was jealous of the kids who lived with dogs. It took me awhile to learn that all animals are great teachers from the hardworking ant to the huge but gentle cows. Just like Jane Goodall’s mother, you need people it helps if you have people to support your love and passion for animals. I am extremely lucky to have parents who were supportive to cook me vegan food unlike my cousin’s parents who claimed to kick her out of the house if she stopped eating meat.

Humans education is required in most school curriculums but is not being followed. Many 4-H programs have kids raise, bond, and care for animals; these animals are then send to slaughter. Even in my A.P. Bio class I actively participated dissecting a fetal pig thinking that I had to “toughen up” and it was for the end goal of becoming a veterinarian and helping animals. How ironic is that? Even things we think we might be being kind we can cause more harm than we intend; like relocating a house spider outdoors can actually kill it. We can never be perfect, we are always accidentally stepping on insects whether we intend to or not. But if we are constantly learning and striving to be better versions of ourselves that is enough.

Teaching kindness towards animals is not only necessary but crucial in this time that we are living; and I believe is my life’s mission. Gene Baur once said “If we could live well without killing and harming others animals why wouldn’t we?” When we learn new ways to be kind and teach others it makes a big difference because if we all made kinder choices and kept learning and teaching others to do the same, wouldn’t the world be a better place to live in for everyone?

Han and Friends’ mission is to teach and inspire compassion and kindness towards animals through live animal presentations, puppet shows, and more. Visit us at samnfriends.com