The Need to Love

So long as we love we serve;
So long as we are loved by others,
I would almost say that we are indispensable;
And no one is useless while they have a friend.
—Robert Louis Stevenson

Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
—Anatole France

I’m not sure the words “an animal” is needed in Anatole France’s quote…one’s soul can also be awakened by loving humans, too…especially babies. But it is true that often children learn how to love and be compassionate by connecting with an animal. The above photo was taken by Gregory J. Smith working with Children at Risk, a program to help street children in Brazil. He says,

“It’s so typical of these kids to attach themselves to stray animals whilst on the streets. Probably the only innocent love they feel they can receive and give back without negative consequences.

During the last couple of months I have had to attend not only the street children’s needs, but also tend to the collection of animals they bring along with them from the streets.
We have had umteen dogs, cats, chickens, spiders, mice and even a horse!!! ”

Even if they’ve been neglected, children need to connect, to love.

St. Francis Project–Final Week, Last Lines
To me that need to love is what the last lines from Bob Clubb’s St. Francis Project are about:

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

As I’ve said before, I don’t believe in a theist god, so I don’t believe in eternal life or that we will be rewarded by some higher being for loving and giving. I believe the awakening of the soul that these actions bring is reward enough.

Stray Dogs and Human Hearts
Other examples of this need to love and connect can be seen in Iraq, in the interaction between homeless dogs and some of the American men and women serving there. Members of the U. S. armed forces are not allowed to have pets in a war zone, but this rule is often violated because it goes against human nature. Iraq has a multitude of stray dogs looking for companionship and a home. And service people can’t always refuse them.
marine-and-stray-dog-80.jpg

Photo of homeless dog and marine by panzerwaffen43. Used with permission. Owner reserves all rights.
 

The story of Marine Major Brian Dennis and Nubbs, the abused dog he rescued, is one example of the power of love and loyalty. Major Dennis nursed Nubbs when he was on death’s door, and when he left the area Nubbs tracked him down to his new location 65 miles away. After a lot of red tape Nubbs is now in California waiting for the major to join him after his tour of duty is over. It’s a story well worth reading.

kinship-circle-1-240.jpgPhoto by smiteme. Used with permission. Owner reserves all rights.

The story of Hero, shown on the left, has a sadder ending. He was adopted by Army Spc. Justin Rollins the day before Rollins was killed by a roadside bomb. Hero is now safe in New Hampshire with Rollins’ parents, a precious connection to their son.

 

The Prayer of Peace
Once again The Prayer of Peace (often called The Prayer of St. Francis) is:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

baghdad-stray-240.jpg
Photo by Mr.Jadkowski. Owner reserves all rights.

Life can be harsh and heartbreaking at times. but we’re not helpless. We can’t do everything, but we can do something if we don’t close our eyes and our hearts. Love and caring can hurt at times, but the alternative…putting on blinders and having a heart of stone…to me would be infinitely worse.

What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.


Thanks to Robert, bikehikebabe, Al, Ellen, Jonathon, and Truthteller for commenting on last week’s post.

This entry was posted in Living Fully, Taking Risks. Bookmark the permalink.

6 Responses to The Need to Love

  1. bikehikebabe says:

    Jean, You say you don’t believe in a theist god or eternal life. Neither does my husband who is the kindest, most loving to everyone, helpful, honest etc. person —along with you Jean. I was agnostic, (even tho’ I went to church every Sun. with my family. My husband did too.) But I was none of the above. I’ve improved greatly but am still a Progress in the Works. (P.S. I LOVE animals. My husband doesn’t care for animals. He never had one.)

  2. Jean says:

    bikehikebabe,
    🙂 Thank you!

    I think you’re doing a great thing by letting your neighbors’ dogs hike with you. They must love it.

  3. This reminds me of a lately at my work who trained dogs to be “comfort dogs” for sick patients in the hospital. Sometimes just a “kiss” from one of the golden retrievers could make their day.

    Great article, thank you for sharing.

  4. Jean says:

    Jonathan,
    If I were in the hospital I would love to be visited by a dog. As it is, if I’m feeling low I either go over to the local shelter to get my doggie fix or else just look at pictures of happy dogs. It works every time. 🙂

    Thanks for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it.

  5. Pingback: cheerfulmonk.com » The Power of Listening

  6. tammy says:

    i think we have no real idea about the eternal connection of mankind to animal kind. when dolphins help autistic children to communicate… and horses help angry lost teens to trust and love again… when dogs sense seizures coming on in their child-owner… when they can just lift our hearts without even trying! how could people not know them?
    you don’t have to have owned one to love them. they are simply magnificent. all of them! i gush. forgive me.
    i love them all, ugly, handsome, small, large, whatever.
    the closest i could come to doing someone physical harm is if i came upon them abusing an animal. i could and would break both of that person’s legs without batting an eye.
    shock? well, it’s too true.

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