Photo by Angela Kirk

Today the 50th anniversary of Earth Day arrives at a time when we are focused on a global pandemic. Now more than ever we need a sign of hope and for me focusing on caring for the earth gives me a reason to look forward.

Since the time Doc was young, her parents taught her to care for and respect the planet. Her family was recycling things long before it was a “movement”.  As a result Doc has learned to reuse and repair rather than throw away. On our daily walks she has even drug other people’s trash home to clean up and repurpose. Many times it’s her frugality that drives her behavior, but oh well, it still helps. Just yesterday I saw her reuse some old nails she pulled out of some rotten fence posts. I just shook my head in amazement.

The objects we don’t reuse or can’t be placed in our regular recycling bin are put aside until they can be taken to the proper recycling facility. (Did you know some grocery stores will recycle any type of plastic packing material or bags?) It may sound hard, but it’s not. It’s just like anything, if you get in a habit it becomes second nature.

Since the pandemic, Doc and I have been looking at the NASA satellite images that show the decreases in pollution since people have stayed home and power plants and industrial facilities have shut down. The reduction in the emission of nitrogen dioxide has made an astounding difference. I know I am breathing a little easier.

As I sit in the back yard under my favorite tree listening to the birds I ponder how man, dog and nature are all connected and need to care for each other. Yes, I am a deep thinker, but Dr. Jane Goodall, primatologist and conservationist says it best, ” Every single person matters and has a role to play every day.”

Happy Earth Day!