Animal Angels

Has anyone else noticed that the most uplifting world stories lately usually involve animals? This past week I have read about the female sperm whale who after divers had worked hard to free her from a life threatening entanglement of fishing lines and traps, returned to the boat after a joyous swim and thanked each and every person by nudging them gently.

There was the story of a small abandoned dog who had adopted a five week old kitten and refused to be rescued without it. Then a story of a chimpanzee rejected by it's mother. Zoo keepers placed it with a mastiff who had a litter of four pups. The chimp is loving and being loved by the mom dog and it's dog siblings. There are so many stories of cross breed mothering.

I remember the story from a few years ago of a lioness who went without eating for a number of days while it tried to keep a baby gazelle alive. Nobody knows why. This week there was also a piece about a terrier and a baby fox who have become great friends after the dog's owner found the fox pup.

Who can forget the story of the mother dog that made numerous trips into a burning building to carry out each of her babies. Or the dog who picked up a garbage bag and carried it home. It's owners checked the bag and found a newborn baby! Or the dog that slept on and around an abandoned baby, keeping it warm in the cold, dark night until they were found.

Then there is the story of the grieving pitbull who stayed by it's dead mate for over 12 hours. She had been run over by a car that didn't even bother to stop but her companion would not leave her. We've all been touched by the dogs who mourn their owners passing by visiting grave sites to touching coffins to waiting for them to get off the train.

Hundreds of stories abound of animals saving their humans from all kinds of danger. The ones that touch me the most are the dogs that sense subtle dangers. There was the dog who went crazy in his owners bedroom until they woke up and checked their new baby who had stopped breathing.

Or the newly adopted cat (just adopted that day) who sensed his new owner slipping into a diabetic low in her sleep. This cat sat on her chest and slapped her face until she woke up enough to call for her son. The son, however, did not hear her. This cat ran to his room and sat on his chest slapping him until he awoke and checked his mother. In some cases it can be said that the animal is so familiar with it's owners that it knew something was different. But not this time. This cat was completely unfamiliar with the people and it's surroundings and yet, it knew. It was an older cat and had been someones beloved pet so the shelter must have truly felt like prison to it. I think it was so grateful to be part of a family again that it bonded quickly and was determined to show its gratitude.

I watched a montage of pictures involving our troops and the cats and dogs that they befriended in the war zone. Even in hell, God sends reminders of gentler, kinder times. These animals help them to retain their humanity in an inhumane place. They bring comfort and love when it is most needed. And our soldiers give love back.

My favorite story of the past week happened somewhere in South America. A young girl walking home was grabbed by an older man and being dragged off. We can probably guess for what. A pack of wild street dogs heard her screaming and ran to her rescue. They attacked the man, who let go of the girl. She ran home and the dogs moved on. Who says there aren't angels?

So, today, I thank God for animals and the lessons they teach us, the unconditional love they give us, and for the wonderful examples of how we should really be. They are still listening to their small inner voices even when most of us are not. As a matter of fact, I think that the animals are becoming more human and the humans are becoming more animal like. Does anyone remember “Planet of the Apes”?

That's the view from my side of the street, what's yours?