Another of my precious personal causes: animal rights...

Every once in a while, I get on my soap box about my most precious personal cause--animal rights. I'm a huge animal lover. In fact, if you're keeping up with this blog, you probably read a few weeks ago about how I led the charge on rescuing a parrot in Guam that needed a better home.

I care so much about animals. They're innocent and need our love and care. I remember several years ago I had mice in my home. I didn't call an exterminator. I would NEVER do that. Instead I called Animal Rescue Services! They came out in their big van, and brought with them a "Have a Heart Trap," which is a cage that allows you to trap the animal humanely and relocate him or her to a better, more suitable place to live (my cupboards weren't an ideal dwelling!). I must admit, when Animal Rescue Services heard I wanted to rescue some field mice, they were surprised, and I would later learn, very touched too.

I even got my vet involved, who recommended I make organic peanut butter sandwiches on gluten-free crackers for my little mice, which I of course did. I also poured some tepid Figi Water into my favorite Waterford Crystal bowl, placing it near the sandwiches. And then Animal Rescue and I waited and prayed... Sure enough, within the hour, the mice found their way into the cage. We successfully relocated them to a lovely field a mile from my home. Every few weeks I drive by that field and smile, feeling so proud I was able to do something kind for a family of such deserving little souls.

I tell this story to illustrate that compassion is a gift that must be given to all living creatures...and of course make the connection to my life's other major mission--helping kids. I often talk in this blog about the victims of bullying and what parents can do to help them. I'd like to take a moment to address parents of bullies.

Traditional punishment doesn't work on bullies or "elite tormentors" (the mean members of the popular crowd; kind members of the popular crowd I call "elite leaders"). What does work is something I've termed "compassionate discipline," which simply described, is creating the opportunity for a child to access the natural empathy inside and develop it like a muscle. Here's how animals can help!

If you suspect your child excludes others at school, will only sit with certain classmates at lunch or on the bus, and withholds invitations to anyone he or she doesn't deem "cool," I promise you, grounding your child or revoking computer privileges is unlikely to work. Traditional punishment only makes an angry, insensitive child angrier and more insensitive. We can't command compassion out of our children, we must inspire it by being an example of compassion ourselves! You want to teach your child unconditional love? Bring your son or daughter to the nearest animal shelter and explain what the word euthanasia means. Then, ask the manager of the shelter to bring out the next cat or dog scheduled to be euthanized because no one wanted it. Don't walk down the aisles of cages and pick the animal you want to take home with you the same way your child picks who he or she will sit with at lunch or on the bus! And when that animal comes out, wrap your arms around it and give it all the love in your heart that you have to give. Be a living, breathing example of love for another living creature that's been dismissed and tossed aside the same way your child is dismissing and tossing aside his or her classmates at school every day!

If we want our children to more loving, we must expose them to more love at home. Animals are grateful and deserving recipients of that love. Adopting an animal in need not only saves an innocent life, it may also save your child's future, because the child who doesn't know how to love unconditionally is likely to become the adult always hungry to receive it.

For more information about how to adopt a pet, contact The Humane Society of the United States. You can also do your part on a larger scale by only buying animal cruelty free products. For a list, visit peta.org (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).