What do you do to support Shantideva Center?

I’m an emotional support mascot for Shantideva Center and an emotional support animal for many sentient beings, especially humans.

Why do you offer service?

I can’t help it!  Perhaps due to my Paw-dhisattva Vows in my past life, I cannot help being cute and putting smiles on people’s faces. It comes very naturally.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

Well, in addition to savory treats and play-time, I find that utilizing my highly developed skills of cuteness in this way is very rewarding. Given my looks, I could have been a model for elite brands such as Fancy Feast. But I find that helping others is the most rewarding thing. I can’t tell you how many cats have been exploited in the making of those commercials with the food in the crystal goblets. Instead, I want to make a pawsitive difference in others’ lives. 

How has Shantideva Center benefited your life?

I have gained so much from Dharma teachings. I mean, who knew that catching mice would be so karmically destructive? Thank goodness I now know about the Paw-jrasattva mantra to purify past negativities. I’ve also learned how to meditate. Like the great masters of the past, ordinary beings would assume that I’m just sleeping all day. But really, I like to rest in meditative absorption while contemplating the empty nature of reality … as long as my food bowl isn’t empty during post-meditation.

What are other volunteers like at Shantideva Center?

Well, they are a little funny. None of them have paws or fur, so I can’t really understand where they are coming from. But they are also very sweet and helpful. I know I can count on them when the going gets rough (I mean, “ruff!”… dogs are scary). And they are very talented too at what they do, especially at giving me treats.