Be Friendly to Pets

As the aftermath of the two hurricanes in the Gulf Coast plays out, cattle and pets are having a tough time, too. Having had some experience with cattle, and with pets, primarily dogs, I can tell you that animals have feelings! They have emotions, well, not necessarily human emotions, but animals can be hurt. Our Saint Francis was very familiar with all sorts of animals, because he was basically friendly to them. When you are as close to God as he was, there is no other possibility. God is love, St. Francis knew that, and treated his brothers and sisters (that means everyone else) as he felt, in his heart, God wanted him to treat others, and this included animals.

We always had dogs when I lived in Holland, but my family itself did not have animals while in New York. But we had close friends who had a number of dogs. I am reminded of "Barney," a Hungarian Vizla. A Vizla is a medium-sized short-coated hunting dog of distinguished appearance and bearing. Robust but rather lightly built; the coat is an attractive solid golden rust. This is a dog of power and drive in the field yet a tractable and affectionate companion in the home. Barney was very affectionate. He belonged to one of my teachers from High School who became a life-long friend. She was a teacher on Long Island, New York, and her keen interest in natural history, particularly birds (also my passion for about 25 years) was a reason to become friends. Unfortunately, she passed away some years ago. The memory of her dog, Barney, is a happy memory and when I think of the great times I had with Barney, I also think of Irene. Irene was a strong Catholic. God bless her for the many times she bailed me out of difficult situations.

Barney and I were pals. No question about it. When I entered the avenue where Irene lived with her husband, Ed, in Huntington, N.Y., a loud howling broke forth. And it got louder when I got nearer to the house. When I stood on the stoop by the kitchen entrance to the house, I had to hold onto something, because when the door was opened, Barney would surely jump up on me, with his paws reaching for my shoulders, and so he would stand, friendship in his eyes. Of course he'd attempt to lick my face, too. I really had to watch out because he could easily bowl me over backwards. But then, not to be outdone, Irene also had a huge Irish Wolfhound, who would follow next in line. I forgot his name, but he definitely was strong enough to flatten me with one paw! I'm not exaggerating! It's just that he was a heavy animal.

Then, once inside, Irene always made coffee and had cookies. And, of course, both dogs begged knowing full well that I would eventually give in, and split the cookie in two, and divide it between them. But I loved to play 'hard to get' - and both these guys know it was only a game!

In my early years in Holland, I had a dachshund, you know, a frankfurter with legs (No insult intended to dachshund owners); these little dogs are personalities. Their very stance cries out "I am a little person and you better believe it, buster!" Dachshunds are very smart, and particularly good at getting their way in, what seems sly ways. For instance, in Europe it was common for houses to have open hearths in living rooms. The metal around these hearths tend to become very hot, so we forbade our dachshund to sit in front of the stove. It was for the dogs own good. So when we weren't looking, the doggie would sneak under my Mom's easy chair (which was on the low side), so that the doggie would come out right in front of the stove. Of course we knew what he was up to, and at the appropriate moment would say "Nee, dat mag niet, hondje." (tr. No, that's not allowed, doggie).... and there would be a struggle to slide back in reverse. It was a daily circus!

Cattle, steer and cows, aren't the stupid animals most people think they are. I must admit that their main emphasis in life is on food. I remember six young steer (2000 lbs each), who were at the opposite side of the 20 acre field, diagonally. When my friend, whom I was visiting called them, he told me to be just behind the feeding trough... and a mini-stampede followed. These six steer made straight for me, I thought, although it turned out they weren't interested in me, but in the food bin at my toes... I must admit I was very apprehensive as they got nearer, but they stopped ONE FOOT from me. A big sigh of relief on my part!!! My buddy said, see, I told you they would stop.

Horses are good animals. I mean, all animals are good, but I like horses. They are good natured, once they get used to people. And donkeys are good too. Just remember, Jesus rode into Jerusalem, on Palm Sunday, on the back of a donkey. When you examine the back of a donkey, a cross is visible. They have a light or dark color dorsal stripe down the back and over the shoulders. The dorsal stripe is known as the "donkeys cross." There are variations of this gray-dun from dark to light. Many believe that this 'cross' had something to do with Jesus riding a donkey! Anyway, despite the fact that donkeys can be very temperamental and, in fact, stubborn, they are good natured animals.

Any animal suffers under maltreatment. If you don't feed an animal, he or she will wither and possibly die. I fully believe there is also psychological harm that can be done to an animal. If humans can feel "unloved," then surely animals, particularly house animals, can feel "unloved" too. Not feeding animals is a lack of love to animals. Never let animals suffer because we suffer. Animals are often our closest friends. They love us no matter what. Reminds one very much how God loves us. But if you mistreat and animal, the dog or cat's love will lessen. A nasty animal is usually nasty because it has been mistreated.

The Rule which was written by Saint Francis of Assisi, which all Franciscans, priests, brothers, sisters, Poor Clares, and lay or "Secular" Franciscans follow, all have something to say about animals. Our Secular Franciscan Rules states this: Rule 18. "Moreover they should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which bear the imprint of the Most High, and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the Franciscan concept of universal kinship."

Now, if we can get other people to treat all creatures, animate and inanimate, in this manner, we'd be a lot closer to world peace!

God bless you, and be at Peace!