She has inspired me to strive to be a good person. Shown me the need to be clear and true when I communicate. Shared wisdom about being present whenever I am with another. She taught me that the quality of my attention is more important than being good enough. Frodo. Been gifted to have known you for more than half my life. You have probably taught me more than any other soul. I adore and thank you. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the gifts? You are a blessing. A miracle. Thank you. Here’s to many more magical moments together and me hearing all the lessons still to come ..read more

Loved the little bit of evidence of some monkey business in the cathedral. Stunning old cathedral in Marianhill just outside Durban. A catholic space. I grew up catholic and am now non denominational. Reasons for broken allegiance was when church leaders let me know that the church held that animals had no souls. So today I could not help smile at the respectful footprints left by some monkey visitors. True non-judgemental church goers. My kin ..read more

Training requires obedience. It is achievable without consent. It is not why I began working with animals. It was intuitive to relate to animals before I learned the rules. Like airs and graces and social norms distort our authenticity - until we become aware that boxes are for new shoes and not relating to another souls. Of we just ask permission and hear the other, real miracles are possible. It's not about getting the dog to "heel". It's about going for a walk❤️ Most species knowhow to work together. How to be in sync with another is a natural way. We only don't do in sync when we protec ..read more

My mum passed when I was 23. I never really had the opportunity to come back home to a respectful relationship with her after my teenage rebellious tribulations and assaults on her goodwill. So this blog is to honour and thank her for her contribution to my love for nature ..read more

Shelter guard trust facade Property hard fuss bard Where here always a way Say be, neigh see Allow annoy coy Troy Breakdown frown mourn torn Here now allow bow Arrow shoot suit duet And it is then that i feel and know Between you and me Relative joy or sorrow All that I borrow While I search for me Free done freedom Liberated satiated done with the sun And I lie in the sand and cloud bust Pure Oblivion Cloud busting - intend more of that Be Without apology Like the tree I cannot name That damned me with rotting compost-moist mosquito companions Doing a job Blessed I held my back close agains ..read more

 Just love that nature finds a way.  It is testament to the fact that nature is intelligent.  Listened to a talk by Dr Philip Shepherd who is the creator of The Embodied Present Process.  He spoke of how our society has become patriarchal over time and separated us from nature so that we control her.  When working with animals and being able to be completely present, we have all had moments where we connect on a deep level and understand where the animal is at.  Nothing better than those moments.  In the moments where I have felt that it feels like love and ..read more

When they judge or throw stones (the people) - grace makes us the blank screen or the still water onto which they can see themselves and take personal account for their actions. When we train animals can we be that clear. So as to wisely be and act rather than contest and fight for what we want ..read more

Been a while since I shared. Everything and nothing has changed. Everything because my perspective has shifted. Covid happened. My father passed away. My kids grew up and moved out. My husband had a huge shift in his life.  I realise more and more that being is allowing. And this is true respect. No need to fix. When we train, let’s look for consent so we truly are respectful: problem with the word respect is that it has taken on a sense of ensuring others obey. That’s not appropriate. When we can truly communicate, we can allow expression and gently move it with the consent and agreemen ..read more

> > Dear PenguinPromises > > The penguins are now back home in the colony after their month long feeding trip. > They have had a very relaxing time just floating in the water and recovering > their weight after the exhausting period of chick-rearing. > > Whilst they were away the penguins did not spend much time swimming, except for > when they were hungry and decided to go fishing. Most of their time was spent > bobbing up and down in the water, rising and falling with each passing wave. > Sometimes the waves can be huge, and floating out in the open ocean c ..read more

    Dear PenguinPromises The chicks have finally left the colony and have gone swimming out in the open ocean for the very first time. They have been preparing for this special day ever since they hatched. In just three months the chicks have increased their weight 30 times, and have left the colony to begin life on their own as strong young penguins. The correct name for them now is juveniles. Chicks are baby penguins, but these are not babies any more. They no longer live with Promises, but neither are they old enough to become parents themselves for another 4 years, so until ..read more