One of the great joys of my life has been crossing paths with people who have helped us see animals in new ways. No one has done that more profoundly than my dear friend Jane Goodall. For decades she inspired people around the world to look beyond the old assumptions about animals and recognize what so many of us have felt all along: animals are individuals with emotions, personalities, intelligence, and lives that matter.
Recently, I had the honor of contributing artwork to a wonderful new book, Love in Their Hearts, by Marc Bekoff and Jeff Campbell. I created an illustration of Jane for her foreword and another for the afterword, featuring Jane and the authors.
Jane’s foreword reminded me why her work has touched so many people. As a child, her greatest teacher wasn't a scientist. It was her dog, Rusty. Long before science was willing to acknowledge that animals have minds, emotions, and unique personalities, Rusty had already taught Jane those truths.
Years later, when she began studying chimpanzees, Jane was told that scientists should not name animals, talk about their personalities, or acknowledge their emotions. But she trusted what she had learned from observing animals with an open heart. Our world is better for it.
In the afterword, Marc shares principles that he and Jane created, The Ten Trusts. These are guidelines for living more compassionately with animals, nature, and one another. The first trust is: "Rejoice that we are part of the animal kingdom."
We often focus on what separates us from other animals. Yet we share so much. Animals form friendships. They play. They grieve. They comfort one another. They experience joy and fear and affection. They are our fellow travelers on this fragile planet.
Over the years, I've heard from countless readers whose lives have been changed by an animal they loved or by a moment of connection with the natural world. Those stories remind me that compassion spreads. One act inspires another. One person inspires another.
This summer, I'll be spending some time on the road visiting remarkable people who are dedicating their lives to helping animals. I'm looking forward to sharing more about those adventures soon. Meeting people who turn compassion into action is always inspiring, and I can't wait to introduce you to some of them.
I'm also excited to share that a new gift edition of Guardians of Being will be arriving on August 11. Working on that book with Eckhart Tolle remains one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. Its message that animals can help guide us toward presence, awareness, and a deeper appreciation of life feels even more relevant today.
This is something Jane has spent her life teaching us: when we open our hearts to animals, we often discover something larger about ourselves.
We are all connected.
With gratitude,
Patrick
If you'd like to order a copy of Love in Their Hearts by Marc Bekoff and Jeff Campbell, we invite you to visit Bookshop.org, a certified B Corp and a Climate Neutral company that supports independent booksellers around the world.
When you purchase using the link above, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Comments (2)