I was asked to review a book titled “Claude and Medea The Hellburn Dogs” by Zoe Weil. While waiting for the book to arrive, I scanned the website and organization associated with Zoe Weil, The Institute for Humane Education (IHE) in Surry, Maine, where Ms. Weil serves as President. According to their website (www.humaneeducation.org), “The Institute for Humane Education envisions a world in which people live humanely, sustainably and peaceably. To create this change, IHE trains people to be humane educators, advances the field of humane education, and provides tools and inspiration for living an examined, meaningful life.”

After reading her book and looking at the institute’s website, I would have to say this issue’s theme of “Charity” correlates well with a book review of “Claude and Medea” and the mission of The Institute for Humane Research.

I spoke with Ms. Weil. She commented that, “The book and the work of the institute are directed toward healing the world and cultivating the best qualities in ourselves which include generosity, compassion, and kindness, all part of charity. Embodying those in our everyday choices, in our future careers, in our volunteer works, in our participation in democracy; that’s all part and parcel of what humane education fosters.”

Reading this delightful and thought provoking tale about the 12-year-old activists Claude and Medea inspires you to think about core issues of our interactions with people and animals alike. These young people were challenged to think and look at our world with new eyes instead of those so familiar to them. The person expressing the challenge is an eccentric substitute teacher, Ms. Rattlebee, who personifies humane education. She educates her class using innovative techniques. In doing so, they remember the lesson, the real lesson.

On the first day, for example, she comes to class wearing a skirt made from old worn neckties, that’s right, neckties. As unconventional as this is, she has the class’s full attention without uttering a word. Keeping the momentum going, she introduces the class to her extra terrestrial travel companion “Grinwhistle”, who speaks through Ms. Rattlebee. She not only has the students’ attention, she has mine too!

According to Ms. Rattlebee, Grinwhistle is “doing some research, and she’s trying to understand some things about us. She likes to talk with children your age because she says you tend to be very forthright and honest with her.” The children agree to talk with our far away friend who asks, “On your planet, how are you supposed to treat other people?” A student named Penelope sarcastically replied, “the way you would want to be treated”. Grinwhistle, delighted with Penelope’s response, assumes that our planet must be similar to her own, but another student quelled the assumption describing that some people may “hurt you... and some people are bullies”. This response bothered Ms. Rattlebee’s companion who, now that she has the class’s unwavering attention, expresses her concern over the inconsistency of Penelope’s response with her classmate’s observation and teaches a valuable lesson about the humane treatment of others.

“Well that’s odd, ‘responded Grinwhistle’. I thought you were supposed to treat each other the way you want to be treated. I can’t imagine anyone would want to be bullied! Well let me ask you this: I’ve noticed that people on your planet are all different shapes and sizes and colors. How do you treat those who are different from you, let’s say who have a different skin color, or who are very big or very little?” You’ll have to read the book to learn the details of children’s response to Grinwhistle’s query.

Ms. Rattlebee uses visual aids, student involvement, and other methods to gain the attention of the students then, like this instance, she shares life lessons that will surely stick with her charge for years to come. Claude and Medea take Ms. Rattlebee’s lessons to heart and apply the essence of the humane values they’ve learned to rescue the Hellburn dogs. Claude and Medea, though from different backgrounds and cultural influences, united to save the animals from inhumane treatment.

The way Zoe Weil presents the story, I found myself not only rooting for the two young activists, but also contemplating examples of inhumane treatment around the world. I also found myself wondering how I could become more humane toward others and involve myself in educating others about living a humane life. Without giving away too much detail about the ending of Claude and Medea, The Hellburn Dogs, you’ll be impressed how Claude and Medea sought no physical reward or recognition for their efforts. To simply know they’ve done the right thing in saving some helpless animals was reward enough. It makes one wish more people reacted the same way. The importance of selfless care and compassion is sensed and so the importance of that principle is also learned. With heartfelt subtlety, Zoe Weil teaches the reader to manifest some of the same principles in their own life.

I recommend Claude and Medea, The Hellburn Dogs, by Zoe Weil as a wonderful quick read that causes readers to rethink our personal attitude to living humanely and prompting us to evoke charity in our lives, but also as a book for educators to share with other faculty members and students alike as a tool to teach some very important life principles.

When I finished Ms. Weil’s book, I revisited The Institute for Humane Education through their website and spoke briefly with Zoe Weil. She encouraged me to “click” on “Begin Movie” at the top of their home page, right beside, “What is Humane Education”. I invite you to do the same! You too will agree The Institute for Humane Education is a Destination for Healing. Immerse yourself in the descriptions of the institute’s workshops offered throughout the U.S. and Canada. The workshops help the participant to think forward in the sense of encouraging or educating others to do the same. For example “Sowing the Seeds” workshop is offered in the east, on the west coast, and in Canada at different times of the year. IHE’s website summarizes the workshop and explains that the participant learns “how to provide people with the insight they need to make truly informed choices that help create a humane world!” Then it continues sharing that participants also “learn how to offer empowering, effective, transformative humane education programs!”

In effect, The Institute for Humane Education, as a Destination for Healing, acts in the capacity as an educational catalyst, training educators to teach others how to heal our planet toward humane, sustainable, and peaceful lifestyles. In its efforts, IHE confronts vital issues. The Institute for Humane Education believes “we can solve the many challenges facing the world and that the solutions can and must serve everyone: all people, the environment, and other species. In all its training programs, IHE teaches about the connection between human rights, environmental preservation, animal protection, and issues of culture, and promotes an approach – Humane Education – that not only explores the relationships among these issues, but also inspires answers – and personal actions – that work for all”.

I encourage you to seek out the institute at www.humaneeducation.org or call them in Surry, Maine at 207-667-1025. The institute not only offers challenging workshops, but a Certificate Program for people who would like to immerse themselves in humane education training programs, a Masters Program for those wishing to make a difference in a truly effective, exciting, and worthy way.

Many terms define the concept of charity. Love is one common example, giving to those in need another. A firm believer in synchronicity, I still found it unusual when asked to review “Claude and Medea, The Hellburn Dogs” for destination healing. Now I would say, “Isn’t it great how everything comes together?” It’s especially gratifying when we don’t see the result in the beginning. We try going with the flow and then witness the events weave themselves together like a beautiful tapestry unveiled by its Creator.

Giving, sharing, caring, compassion, and humane actions offered toward the world around us may sum up some qualities of “charity”. These qualities positively describe the essence of “Claude and Medea, The Hellburn Dogs” and the foundation of The Institute for Humane Education where you’ll also find the book’s author, Zoe Weil. Well done Zoe!

Kevin Pennell, an author from Bethel, Maine, wrote Two Feathers - Spiritual Seed Planter and has written for other periodicals and media. Kevin is also an Usui Reiki Master, Certified Hypnotherapist, Ancestral Healing Techniques and Psychic Empath. He conducts Reiki workshops and other workshops that assist spiritual and personal development. Kevin, with his wife, Vickie Cummings, operate SpiritWings, their Compassionate Healing Center and therapeutic Store located in Bethel, Maine.