Animals are a special gift for this tough guy By Mike Malfi

I’m a 59 year old man – a Vietnam veteran, law enforcement, NYC guy. Not your stereotypical animal rights guy. But, animals are who taught me my humanity. I guess that was God’s way of doing it. Animals are such innocent creatures, defenseless in some ways. I can feel sorry for a person in need, but that’s a world away from feeling almost parental in your wanting to take care of another of God’s creations.

I know when I was broken, in just about every way a man could be broken, it was my pets, my substitute children who were the physical manifestation of God’s love to me. They and no one else were there comforting me, showing me that someone did care that I was still alive. That I had to stay strong because they needed me to be there for them, as I needed to have them there with me – their warmth and their love showing in their eyes.

They lay beside me while I recovered. Remember, it was the animals in the manger who helped Baby Jesus stay warm that first night. Their love helps gives us strength. They are a gift showing us what compassion and gentleness means in this life, even as other people can make you question those very things in this life.

There’s no shame in caring for an innocent life. It’s an imperative. And, if nothing else in life shows it as clearly, those eyes looking at you with love that will never betray you, are the example and lesson God give you.

~Mike Malfi