ritings about animals

Many people have written eloquently throughout the centuries, imploring compassion for the so-called "lesser" creatures. Here are a few of their writings. We'll be adding more from time to time, and welcome you to stop back.

Loving-kindness requires that we shall not inflict pain upon any living being, even an animal. We should be merciful and compassionate toward animals ... The sum of the matter is that in the saint's heart compassion and benevolence must be firmly rooted, striving always to increase the happiness of the world's creatures, and never to cause them any pain.

Moses Luzzatto,
Path of the Upright, 1740

Remorse
by Truman P. Reitmeyer

A hunter shot at a flock of geese
That flew within his reach.
Two were stopped in their rapid flight
And fell on the sandy beach.
The male bird lay at the water's edge
And just before he died,
He faintly called to his wounded mate
And she dragged herself to his side.
She bent her head and crooned to him
In a way distressed and wild,
Caressing her one and only mate
As a mother would do a child.
Then covering him with her broken wing
And gasping with failing breath,
She laid her head against his breast
A feeble honk -- then death.
This story is true though crudely told.
I was the man in this case.
I stood knee-deep in snow and cold
And the hot tears burned my face.
I buried the birds in the sand where they lay
Wrapped in my hunting coat,
And I threw my gun and belt in the bay
When I crossed in the open boat.
Hunters will call me a right poor sport
And scoff at the thing I did.
But that day something broke in my heart,
And shoot again? G-d forbid!

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord G-d made them all.

Cecil Frances Alexander

A Prayer for Animals
By Dr. Albert Schweitzer

Hear our humble prayer, O G-d, for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

He is very imprudent, a dog is; he never makes it his business to inquire whether you are in the right or in the wrong, never asks whether you are rich or poor, silly or wise, sinner or saint. You are his pal. That is enough for him.

Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927)

What is the use of this fuss about morality when the issue only involves a horse? The first and most difficult teaching of civilization concerns man's behaviour to his inferiors. Make humanity gentle or reasonable toward animals, and strife or injustice between human beings would speedily terminate.

Dr. Edward Mayhew (1813-1868)

Can there be one kind of justice for men and another for brutes? Is feeling in them a different thing to what it is in ourselves? Is not a beast produced by the same rule and in the same way as we ourselves? Is not his body nourished by the same food, hurt by the same injuries, his mind actuated by the same passions and affections which animate the human breast, and does not he also, at last, mingle his dust with ours and in like manner surrender up the vital spark? Is this spark or soul to perish because it chanced to belong to a beast? Is it to become annihilate? Tell me, learned philosophers, how that may possibly happen.

John Lawrence (1753-1839)

If chimpanzees have consciousness, if they are capable of abstractions, do they not have what until now has been described as "human rights?" How smart does a chimpanzee have to be before killing him constitutes murder?

Carl Sagan

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together ...

Anonymous