When our grandson adopted a rhino for his birthday he explained his choice because “they have a really cool way to poop!” He’s absolutely right, they do. A male rhino poops in one spot creating big pile of dung, known as a midden. This marks his territory and acts as a warning to those who might trespass.

I believe animals can teach us a lot about love and compassion. As a trauma therapist I heard many stories about how family pets or farm animals were the companions who provided love and solace in situations of domestic violence or abuse. The emotional support from an animal to a human and human to animal can heal deep wounds of separation, abandonment and trauma.