The Ties that Bind

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We all have heard the saying that the eyes are the windows to the soul. 

If you look in the eyes of an animal, you see nothing but unconditional love and absolute trust.

Animals can gaze out at the world with such endless joy and a sense of fun; or at least that is how they should see the world.

If you happen to catch the gaze of an animal who has experienced the dark side of human nature and been subjected to unspeakable horrors, you will see fear, pain and a deep seated mistrust of mankind.

Yet in that tortured gaze there is a glimmer of hope, hidden and buried, but there nonetheless.

Hope that the worst is behind them as a calm, loving hand tenderly reaches out to pet them.

Hope at the gentle voice that beckons and consoles their tormented emotions.

And hope of a safer future as they are lifted from their struggle by strong arms that will shield them from the terrors of their past.

These strong arms, soft voices and gentle hands belong to those individuals who are selflessly and compassionately driven to rescue those animals who have been forgotten, abused and shoved to the fringe of society.

Countless numbers have been rescued from their plights, yet countless more remain.

Those with the higher calling to rescue will continue their mission; and those suffering will be found and healed.

“Not to hurt our humble brethren, the animals, is our first duty... We have a higher mission – to be of service to them whenever they require it.  If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who deal likewise with their fellow men” – St. Francis.

Those who rescue the lost are shining examples of the compassion, love and above all hope that can be seen shining from the eyes of those animals who have been saved. 

Those loving gazes; that hope, that compassion and unconditional love are the ties that bind us together as a community; those ties are what calls us to value each other and above all the animals.