This is a trigger warning, since animals have a way of making the most sane and staid personality, into a romping, giggling, rollicking child.
I believe that God gave us the animals of the earth to develop the ability to love unconditionally. Why is our love of animals so strong. What do we see in them that frees our souls and turns us into the little children that Christ called us to be; and why do so many great saints have an unbounded love for all of God’s creatures.
And since we know that God is Braham, or the underlying basis of all things within creation, then you could say that the animals are the actual face of God, looking at us.
I also believe that once you are indwelled with the Holy Spirit, and your heart if filled with her love, you cannot but love and protect the animals within your reach. “In this moment, I praise and thank you, for giving all of the animals of my sight and that I have held as my own pets.”
One of the most devastating hours of my life was as I watch a cormorant that lived for many years on my lake commit suicide. I attempted help him and tried to prevent him from accomplishing his mission; which was his own death. He had eaten a fish hook or some similar trauma and could no longer eat. So he decided to die. I mean he was boldly attempting to kill himself. He was swimming as fast as he could and ramming his head against a metal leg on my dock. I couldn’t help, so I couldn’t watch as he rammed himself, again and again against the hard leg. An hour later, I returned and the cormorant was floating upside down dead. I’m not ashamed to admit that I wept at the sight. I carefully carried him from the lake and I buried his body, weeping the entire time.
So I won’t leave you with that; the very next summer a new cormorant appeared. He|She was very friendly for such a skittish bird, and I often wondered about that. Well, this spring, I was sitting in the kitchen with my 94 year old mother at her home, looking at the lake, and what did I see? There were five cormorants floating on the water, all drawn here, I believe by my loving actions toward that dying cormorant.
And here is something bizarre that happens; the ability of the written word to manifest in the world. I read about an adventrurers travels by kayak to Siberia where he was introduced to the crow God Kutcha. “Kutkh (or Kutcha/Kutkha) is a prominent Raven trickster deity, ancestor, and shamanic spirit revered by indigenous peoples in Northeastern Siberia (Kamchatka), including the Koryak, Itelmen, and Chukchi. He is central to creation myths, credited with bringing light, creating the landscape, and teaching humanity, often through comedic or selfish, greedy actions.
“The tales of Kutkh come in many, often contradictory versions. In some tales he is explicitly created by a Creator and lets the dawn onto the earth by chipping away at the stones surrounding her. In others he creates himself (sometimes out of an old fur coat) and takes pride in his independence from the Creator. In some, Kamchatka is created as he drops a feather while flying over the earth. In others, islands and continents are created by his defecation, rivers and lakes out of his waters. The difficult volcanic terrain and swift rivers of Kamchatka are thought to reflect Kutkh’s capricious and willful nature.”
“The bringing of light in the form of the sun and the moon is a common theme. Sometimes, he tricks an evil spirit which has captured the celestial bodies much in the style of analogous legends about the Tlingit and Haida in the Pacific Northwest. In others, it is he who must be tricked into releasing the sun and the moon from his bill. Kutkh’s virility is emphasized in many legends. Many myths concern his children copulating with other animal spirits and creating the peoples that populate the world.” WIkipedia
“In the animistic tradition of north-Eurasian peoples, Kutkh has a variety of interactions and altercations with Wolf, Fox, Bear, Wolverine, Mouse, Owl, Dog, Seal, Walrus and a host of other spirits. Many of these interactions involve some sort of trickery in which Kutkh comes out on top about as often as he is made a fool of. An example of these contradictions is given to the Chukchi legend of Kutkh and the Mice. The great and mighty raven Kutkh was flying through the cosmos. Tired from constant flight, he regurgitated the Earth from his gut, transformed into an old man, and alighted on the empty land to rest. Out of his first footsteps emerged the first Mice. Curious, playful and fearless, they entered the sleeping Kutkh’s nose. The fury of the subsequent sneeze buckled the earth and created the mountains and the valleys. Attempts to stamp them out led to the formation of the ocean. Further harassments led to a great battle between the forces of snow and fire which created the seasons. Thus, the variable world recognizable to people emerged from the dynamic interaction between the mighty Kutkh and the small but numerous Mice.” Wikipedia
Learning about Kutcha made me more interested in the crows that were always around and I set about caring for them with food and admiration. I’ve watch crows sliding down a snowbank on the top of a plastic cover just for the fun of it.
Father, thank you for the joy that comes from all of the animal friends, that have blessed my many lives. Imagine the train of animals that will follow me into heaven.
And here’s the last and I will make it quick. Growing up in the seventies, everybody was reading the book “Jonathan Livingston Seagull.” I never did, so my wife bought me a copy for my birthday. I know, I know what your going to think of me, but seagulls began manifesting everywhere after I read that damned book.
Homer, Odyssey, Book 17: [197] He spoke, and flung about his shoulders his miserable wallet, full of holes, slung by a twisted cord, and Eumaeus gave him a staff to his liking. So they two set forth, and the dogs and the herdsmen stayed behind to guard the farmstead; but the swineherd led his master to the city in the likeness of a woeful and aged beggar, leaning on a staff; and miserable was the raiment that he wore about his body.
[290] Thus they spoke to one another. And a hound that lay there raised his head and pricked up his ears, Argos, the hound of Odysseus, of the steadfast heart, whom of old he had himself bred, but had no joy of him, for ere that he went to sacred Ilios. In days past the young men were wont to take the hound to hunt the wild goats, and deer, and hares; but now he lay neglected, his master gone, in the deep dung of mules and cattle, which lay in heaps before the doors, till the slaves of Odysseus should take it away to dung his wide lands. There lay the hound Argos, full of vermin; yet even now, when he marked Odysseus standing near, he wagged his tail and dropped both his ears, but nearer to his master he had no longer strength to move. Then Odysseus looked aside and wiped away a tear, easily hiding from Eumaeus what he did; and straightway he questioned him, and said: “Eumaeus, verily it is strange that this hound lies here in the dung. He is fine of form, but I do not clearly know whether he has speed of foot to match this beauty or whether he is merely as table-dogs are, which their masters keep for show.”
311] To him then, swineherd Eumaeus, didst thou make answer and say: “Aye, verily this is the hound of a man that has died in a far land. If he were but in form and in action such as he was when Odysseus left him and went to Troy, thou wouldest soon be amazed at seeing his speed and his strength. No creature that he started in the depths of the thick wood could escape him, and in tracking too he was keen of scent. But now he is in evil plight, and his master has perished far from his native land, and the heedless women give him no care. Slaves, when their masters lose their power, are no longer minded thereafter to do honest service: for Zeus, whose voice is borne afar, takes away half his worth from a man, when the day of slavery comes upon him.”
[324] So saying, he entered the stately house and went straight to the hall to join the company of the lordly wooers. But as for Argos, the fate of black death seized him straightway when he had seen Odysseus in the twentieth year. Now as the swineherd came through the hall godlike Telemachus was far the first to see him, and quickly with a nod he called him and to his side. And Eumaeus looked about him and took a stool that lay near, on which the carver was wont to sit when carving for the wooers the many joints of meat, as they feasted in the hall. This he took and placed at the table of Telemachus, over against him, and there sat down himself. And a herald took a portion of meat and set it before him, and bread from out the basket.
I love the simplicity and love of St. Francis and his Animals
When St. Francis decided to give himself totally over to God, his wealthy family was horrified because he was the fortunate son. How could he give it all away. When he joined the monastery, he stripped naked in front of a large crowd and told them he was giving all of himself in surrender to God.
The Wolf of Gubbio (Taming a Beast): The city of Gubbio was terrified by a ferocious wolf. St. Francis went to meet the creature, made the sign of the cross, and called him “Brother Wolf”. The wolf stopped its attack, became docile, and pledged peace by putting its paw in Francis’s hand. The town then fed the wolf, which lived among them peacefully for two years.
Preaching to the Birds: Francis was no stranger to walking great distances to share the Good news. One story tells us that Father Francis and his companions were making a trip through the Spoleto Valley near the town of Bevagna. Suddenly, Francis spotted a great number of birds of all varieties. There were doves, crows and all sorts of birds. Swept up in the moment, Francis left his friends in the road and ran after the birds, who patiently waited for him. He greeted them in his usual way, expecting them to scurry off into the air as he spoke. But they did not move.
Filled with awe, he asked them if they would stay awhile and listen to the Word of God. He said to them: “My brother and sister birds, you should praise your Creator and always love him: He gave you feathers for clothes, wings to fly and all other things that you need. It is God who made you noble among all creatures, making your home in thin, pure air. Without sowing or reaping, you receive God’s guidance and protection.” At this, the birds began to spread their wings, stretch their necks and gaze at Francis, rejoicing and praising God in a wonderful way according to their nature. Francis then walked right through the middle of them, turned around and came back, touching their heads and bodies with his tunic.
It has been said that the brothers who journeyed with him stood in amazement. Then he gave them his blessing, making the sign of the cross over them. At that they flew off and Francis, rejoicing and giving thanks to God, went on his way. Later, Francis wondered aloud to his companions why he had never preached to birds before. And from that day on, Francis made it his habit to solicitously invoke all birds, all animals and reptiles to praise and love their Creator. And many times during Francis’ life there were remarkable events of Francis speaking to the animals.
The Falcon Friend: “While staying in a secluded hermitage, a falcon that nested nearby formed a close friendship with Francis. The falcon would wake him for prayers by calling out, but it would not wake him early if he was ill or tired, a gesture of deep care.”
Rescuing a Lamb: “Upon seeing a lamb being taken for slaughter, Francis was moved to compassion. He gave all the money he had to the owner in exchange for the lamb, which he then nurtured, according to.”
Saint Francis with Rabbits and Fish: “One day a brother brought a rabbit who had been caught in a trap to Francis. Francis advised the rabbit to be more alert in the future, then released the rabbit from the trap and set it on the ground to go its way. But the rabbit hopped back up onto Francis’ lap, desiring to be close to the saint.”
“Francis took the rabbit a few steps into the woods and set it down. But it followed Francis back to his seat and hopped on his lap again! Finally Francis asked one of his fellow friars to take the rabbit far into the woods and let it go. That worked.”
“This type of thing happened repeatedly to Francis—which he saw as an opportunity to praise the glory of God. If the simplest creatures could be so endowed with God’s wonder, how much the more so we humans!”
“Fish were also known to obey Francis. Whenever a fish was caught and Francis was nearby, he would return the fish to the water, warning it not to be caught again. On several occasions the fish would linger awhile near the boat, listening to Francis preach, until he gave them permission to leave. Then they would swim off. In every work of art, as Francis called all creation, he would praise the artist, our loving Creator.”
St Francis and the Wolf:” “Perhaps the most famous story of St. Francis is when he tamed the wolf that was terrorizing the people of Gubbio. While Francis was staying in that town he learned of a wolf so ravenous that it was not only killing and eating animals, but people, too. The people took up arms and went after it, but those who encountered the wolf perished at its sharp teeth. Villagers became afraid to leave the city walls.”
“Francis had pity on the people and decided to go out and meet the wolf. He was desperately warned by the people, but he insisted that God would take care of him. A brave friar and several peasants accompanied Francis outside the city gate. But soon the peasants lost heart and said they would go no farther.”
“Francis and his companion began to walk on. Suddenly the wolf, jaws agape, charged out of the woods at the couple. Francis made the Sign of the Cross toward it. The power of God caused the wolf to slow down and to close its mouth. Then Francis called out to the creature: “Come to me, Brother Wolf. In the name of Christ, I order you not to hurt anyone.” At that moment the wolf lowered its head and lay down at Francis’ feet, meek as a lamb.”
Francis explained to the wolf that he had been terrorizing the people, killing not only animals, but humans who are made in the image of God. “Brother Wolf,” said Francis, “I want to make peace between you and the people of Gubbio. They will harm you no more and you must no longer harm them. All past crimes are to be forgiven.”
“The wolf showed its assent by moving its body and nodding its head. Then to the absolute surprise of the gathering crowd, Francis asked the wolf to make a pledge. As Francis extended his hand to receive the pledge, so the wolf extended its front paw and placed it into the saint’s hand. Then Francis commanded the wolf to follow him into town to make a peace pact with the townspeople. The wolf meekly followed St. Francis.”
“By the time they got to the town square, everyone was there to witness the miracle. With the wolf at his side, Francis gave the town a sermon on the wondrous and fearful love of God, calling them to repent from all their sins. Then he offered the townspeople peace, on behalf of the wolf. The townspeople promised in a loud voice to feed the wolf. Then Francis asked the wolf if he would live in peace under those terms. He bowed his head and twisted his body in a way that convinced everyone he accepted the pact. Then once again the wolf placed its paw in Francis’ hand as a sign of the pact.”
“From that day on the people kept the pact they had made. The wolf lived for two years among the townspeople, going from door to door for food. It hurt no one and no one hurt it. Even the dogs did not bark at it. When the wolf finally died of old age, the people of Gubbio were sad. The wolf’s peaceful ways had been a living reminder to them of the wonders, patience, virtues and holiness of St. Francis. It had been a living symbol of the power and providence of the living God.”
St Francis of Paola:St. Francis of Paola
St. Francis of Paola “(1416-1507) lived a pious life devoted to the Lord, residing in a cave and dedicating himself to prayer, humility, poverty, chastity, and nonviolence. In keeping with those tenets—and in an expansion of Lenten fasting—he refused to kill and eat animals, or anything made from their milk or eggs. He knew that animals’ lives were precious to God, that they possessed souls, and that they continued to exist after departing this life. Francis performed many miracles, healing the sick, walking on water, and raising the dead—including animals who had been killed for food!”
St. Cuthbert: “Cuthbert has Scottish heritage, and he was a shepherd in the early first century. It is recorded that he made friends with the birds, protecting them from hunters and feeding them his very own meals. One tradition says that otters would come warm his feet when he stood in the North Sea, reciting nightly prayers. His feast day is in March.”
St. Roch: “Dog lovers should know St. Roch as the patron saint of dogs. He was the son of a nobleman. His birth was considered a miracle, because his mother was considered barren. Strangely, it seemed as if he was marked from birth for the priesthood, because he had a birthmark on his chest which resembled a cross. He contracted the plague while caring for others with the disease. The healthy people of the town threw him out of the community. Legend says that a dog brought him bread every day and licked his wounds. In August, his feast day is celebrated by thanking companion dogs who care for the elderly, the sick and lonely people.”
St. Jerome: “St. Jerome might be the inspiration for “Androcles and the Lion.” Legend says that Jerome, a scholar who became a priest, removed a thorn from a lion’s paw. The lion was so grateful that he gave up eating other animals and lived at the monastery with Jerome.”