A Walk in the Woods
Dogs sit in cages in “research” torture chambers around the world. Injected with diseased cells, force-fed powerful drugs, chemicals, hormones, alcohol ……….. in the name of “science” and “finding a cure”.
We turn a blind eye to the inhumanity, buy shares in Big Pharma companies and swallow down an Advil when a drop in the Dow gives us a headache.
I escape with my dogs for a walk on a woodland path every day. The leaves turn yellow, then brown and we walked this morning with a light, cool mist gentle on our faces and the snap of pine cones on the leafy path, sodden beneath our feet.
Some days they strain on their leashes, noses kneading the dirt and leaves and pine needles, snuffling in search of a particular plant. I wait while they crunch a couple of leaves in their mouths and we continue in companionable silence.
There are 3 herbs (some would call them weeds) they search out along this path: Nettle, Plantain and St. John’s Wort.
Nettle
- Protein, Vitamin and Mineral rich.
- Antihistamine and Antibacterial qualities.
- High iron content.
- Energy booster.
- Balances liver, glands and nervous system.
- Anti-inflammatory.
Plantain
- Heals stings, bites and skin irritations.
St John’s Wort
- Anti-depressant and anti-anxiety.
- Antibacterial and antiviral.
Some times its a nibble of each, some times one, often none.
There’s no money in dogs’ instincts, only their torture.
