Value Ethics Lesson, "Learned Through The Monkeys?"

When Kim Coble, Maryland Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, was asked “Which is better, paper or plastic?” she answered, “Whichever one you will use again.”

That really got me thinking about how many things are given “a second chance at life” at Frisky’s Wildlife and Primate Sanctuary. Although we are talking about injured, orphaned, and abandoned wildlife and exotic pets that have been given up on when we use our motto, Frisky’s gives a second chance to so many more things. For instance, gallon size cranberry juice jugs are used over and over again to fill water bottles and bowls for Frisky’s residents and to clean trays and enclosures that are not easily reached with a hose. Caps to cranberry juice bottles are then used as bowls for the very tiny critters. Donations of no longer used or needed pet carriers, aquariums, baby bottles, towels, blankets, and children’s toys, are treasures to those lives receiving sanctuary. When a baby doesn’t have its mother to snuggle up to, a soft blanket and a donated stuffed toy can be a comfort. To those that have reached maturity and no longer need a feeding and attention every 30 to 60 minutes, a soft blanket and children’s used toys can be the mental stimulation and comfort they need.

It’s truly amazing the number of stuffed toys that come in weekly to Frisky’s. Many look like they have never been cuddled by a child and others still have the price tag on them. We are grateful for the donations (for sometimes cash donations come up short for heating, meds, and vet bills) and when we have more than we can store, I get to thinking about how much stuff so many of us have. More than we can handle and find room for. I remember a story by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. in her book My Grandfather’s Blessings. The story is called Owning.

Long ago, Rachel became a good friend to the little son of her adult friends. She recalls that his parents did not have much money, but were rich in love and made a lovely home out of their tiny space. The little boy owned two hot wheel cars, He and Rachel would drive them back and forth across the window sill, park them, race them, and make car sounds. At the time, Hot Wheel cars were the hot item for 6 year old boys to collect. This little boy dreamed of them. Rachel wanted to get more for him, but did not want to embarrass his parents. So, she was thrilled when a major gas station in the area was having a month long promotion that had a Hot Wheel giveaway with every fill-up. She convinced everyone she worked with to fill up at that station during the month and collect a hot wheel for the little boy. When the promotion was over, she wrapped up all the cars in a lovely big box and gave them to the little boy. They filled every windowsill in their home. But soon he stopped playing with them. When Rachel asked him why he didn’t play with them, he said “I don’t know how to love this many cars, Rachel.”

Kiko, A male Rhesus Macaque born in March of 1995, loves his used toys and blankets. He loves them so much, that he is a “bear” to take things from when they need cleaned. He is on to just about every trick we try and use to get things away from him for cleaning. But he loves everything he has. His plastic baby swing and Winnie the Pooh have been his favorites. He does not want us replacing them with new things.

Is it possible to be more aware of the amount of materials and resources we use at home and in the office? The Green Book, co-authored by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostigen give lots of ideas on how to re-use, recycle, and be more aware of our consumption. They encourage making double sided copies when possible. When faxing, think about whether or not you really need a cover sheet. If not, then you have saved a piece of paper on each end. American businesses use over twenty-one million tons of paper annually. If half of this were recycled paper, a forest larger than the state of Florida could be saved every year (pg. 59). Use recycled envelopes. Walk or bike to work one day per week and create zero carbon emissions from fossil fuels. Maybe it is possible to work from home one day per week and make it a “no driving” day. Carpool one or two days per week if possible. Request automatic deposits for your paychecks It will save paper and reduce the fuel used driving back and forth to the bank. Once you make one or two changes in your life, you open the gateway for wanting to make more.

Kiko was born into the human world—the pet trade. Living in captivity, one needs objects to stimulate their mind. If he had of been born free, he would not need toys. He would be stimulated by the natural world around him. Come to think of it, when I am at the mall, I see so many things “I need!” When I am outside in nature, I feel like I have everything and want for nothing. I love that feeling—-hmmm, what else can I do to preserve our natural world?

Heather Wandell is a Certified Laughter Leader with the World Laughter Tour and is the CEO of her own company.

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