Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Lamb with the Chocolate Mane


















Lamb with the Chocolate Mane
by vegan artist © Karrel Christopher
original oil on canvas painting ~ measures 50 x 40 cm
~ After the stressful journey through city streets, the flock sheep had arrived at the park for the yearly shearing event. Their vocalizations were loud and eerily strident as they pushed their way through the crowded holding area seeking family and favorite herd mates. Terrified lambs who were separated from their mothers along the way cried out – ewes answered, urgently pushing through the mass of thick woolen bodies to find them. I watched this beautiful lamb with the rich dark brown mane – he was no longer a small baby but certainly not an adult. Though at times he would strut with spunky confidence, he was clearly very nervous. As the herd became more packed together, this vulnerable youth who was still nursing from his mother became more panicked. Looking into his eyes, I could feel his anxiety about the mystery of what would happen next. How does his mother explain to him what is going on? How does she console him? They look deeply into each others eyes, share tender expressions of repeated facial contact and she allows him to frequently nurse. For now they stay close but it is likely that they will get separated again in all the commotion of shearing day and the long journey back home.

My observations and relationships with sheep over recent years have proven to me what kind, gentle, sensitive beings they are. How could anyone mistreat or kill them?!! The exploitation and cruelty that is inflicted upon them is truly incomprehensible and heartbreaking. I sincerely hope that humans can evolve their past old traditions, odd preconceptions, greed and cruel domination of these sweet members of our Earth Family – vowing to treat them with the compassion and respect they deserve.

It is urgently important that we unveil the deceptions and delusions that allow us to compartmentalize our compassion, goodness and ethics.
We must stop betraying *non*human lives and the Earth.
When we discover our conscience ~ we must act.
All beings cherish safety, family, freedom and LIFE
~~~ Live, rejoice and prosper VEGAN ~~~
Create a world respectful, just, safe and joyous for everyone. ~ KC