Pawprints on My Heart: Seven Little Stories About Kindness to Animals (A Buddhist Perspective)

Pawprints on My Heart is a collection of seven personal stories about kindness to animals.

Chan Kah Yein, Ph.D., a long-time practising Buddhist and an advocate of animal protection, writes on her experience with her pets and the many animals whom she has rescued. She hopes that her stories will inspire others to do whatever they can, within their means, to practise kindness to animals. Every little act of kindness that comes from a sincere heart. creates a ripple effect that reaches out far and wide.

While charity may begin at home with our loved ones, it must not stop there it must be extended to all beings. What the Buddha taught during his lifetime was non-discriminatory, boundless and unconditional loving-kindness to all sentient beings. Opportunities abound for us to emulate the Buddha's loving-kindness. There are many animals who live in our garden, our backyard and in our neighbourhood - they need our compassion.

If we sincerely and whole-heartedly extend our loving-kindness across the boundaries to those with fur, feather and scales, we are practising non-discriminatory and boundless love. When we no longer discriminate between ourselves and animals, and we shower kindness equally on all beings, we are practising the Buddha's compassion.

With a deep empathy for all animals big and small, Chan Kah Yein shows how we can make our lives richer and more meaningful as we live together harmoniously as one big family.