Moose are large, imposing creatures. The emaciated, freezing moose that was killed for want of warmth earlier this month in Saskatchewan became gargantuan in my mind. In the very moment of reading the CBC article of the doomed beast seeking refuge from the abnormal cold in a family’s home, it came to represent something much, much larger—something that broke me down into a teary mess.
Before I go on, I want to be very clear that I’m not judging or condemning the man who shot the terrifying trespasser multiple times in defense of his mother who’d been trampled by its powerful hooves. He told the reporter he hadn’t wanted to kill the starving moose as it attempted to gain entry to his home, but felt he had no option.
As I read the story, I understood why the animal was killed, and I bore no anger towards the shooter; however, the imagery the story evoked did me in. This was no longer a story of a moose on the verge of dying from extreme hunger and cold desperately attempting to obtain refuge in a human’s abode, and as a result of its distressed daring, being killed by the human.
Through my teary mind’s eye, I saw the depleted, desecrated natural world—the land, air, water, plants, insects, and animals—desperate for survival, pleading with humanity, its abuser, to save it; to embrace it; to welcome it as the beloved, sustaining friend it is so as to once again live in harmony. And I saw humanity raise its gun and shoot again and again and again at the natural world, until finally, after struggling so long to stand on wobbling legs, it collapsed. The natural world
collapsed heavily, immovably, fatally on the shooter.
My tears flowed for nature, for humanity: inseparable, one and the same.
Thanks for reading. I’m Annie Gyg, promoting awareness of the link between personal and planetary wellness. I’d love for you to become fellow awareness–raisers and follow me on Facebook or Instagram.
I invite you to check out my homepage journeytobeyou.com for lots more of my writings, along with my recorded series—Better Me, Better World—in support of you on your journey to becoming the empowered change–maker you were born to be.