by Revd Chrys M Tremththanmor
The feast day for St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, is on October 4. Although we’re not celebrating his day per se, we are in effect honouring his commitment to the animal kingdom by our speaker next Sunday. Just to remind you, we have the local representative from our local Wildlife Trust here next Sunday. This morning I thought I’d also spend some time talking about the importance of animals in our lives, but concentrating on those in our homes, our companion animals.
It is said that Britain is a nation of animal lovers. There are those who say that they love animals more than people. On the internet you can find articles which state ‘Why dogs are better than men.’ Here are a few reasons given:
Dogs don’t criticise your friends.
Dogs think you are a great cook.
You can force a dog to take a bath.
Dogs admit it when they’re lost.
Middle-aged dogs don’t feel the need to abandon you for a younger owner.
And, in the principle of fairness, you can also find reasons ‘Why dogs are better than women’.
A dog’s time in the bathroom is confined to a quick drink.
Dogs don’t notice if you call them by another dog’s name.
Dogs don’t shop.
Dogs never need to examine the relationship.
Dogs understand that instincts are better than asking for directions.
Churches throughout the world will hold Animal Blessing Services on or near St Francis’ day. My mother always takes her four parrots and five budgies to the annual animal blessing service at my step-father’s church. This reflects the fact that people feel a strong connection with the pets in their lives. When such a relationship is at its best, we are reminded by the animals in our lives that we are part of God’s creation. We are meant to be stewards, protectors, of the earth, and the responsibility we have for a dog, or cat, or bird, or any other animal can remind us of the wider commitment we should have towards creation.
We often talk about the pet we ‘own’. But is ownership the correct attitude to have? We do not really own animals, even as we don’t own the earth. The world is first and foremost God’s, as are any creatures entrusted to our care. When we take on the care of an animal, so that we may enjoy their companionship and love, we create a relationship of dependence and trust.
Trust. That is, to me, the most important word. This is probably a first for St Martin’s, but I want to read out something from a parrot training manual.
‘Remember that parrots are instinctively prey animals. Because of their instinctive fear of predators, many parrots can become mistrustful and even afraid if they are handled in an aggressive manner or if there is a great deal of stress in their lives. Sustained trauma can be very threatening to a parrot, in some cases even causing phobic behaviour. Make sure that no one handles your parrot in an overly aggressive manner. While parrots may occasionally have to be in situations that are uncomfortable for them, it is critical that the general atmosphere should always be one which is protective and benevolent towards the parrot’s needs.’
I try to make sure that every encounter with my parrot, Xander, is trust building. She has no natural reason to trust me. Her grandparents (grandparrots?) were flying free in Bolivia. It wouldn’t take much to make her wild herself. She needs to know that I can always be trusted. Sometimes I have to do things she isn’t sure about, like clip her claws or free a trapped foot. But because I have built up that relationship of trust, she trusts me when I have to do something which makes her uncomfortable.
I know, I know, you all think this was just as excuse to talk about my parrot. Well, yes, I am besotted with her. But there is method to my madness. I’m going to read out that parrot training paragraph again, but I’m going to change just one word.
‘Remember that humans are instinctively prey animals. Because of their instinctive fear of predators, many humans can become mistrustful and even afraid if they are handled in an aggressive manner or if there is a great deal of stress in their lives. Sustained trauma can be very threatening to a human, in some cases even causing phobic behaviour. Make sure that no one handles any human in an overly aggressive manner. While humans may occasionally have to be in situations that are uncomfortable for them, it is critical that the general atmosphere should always be one which is protective and benevolent towards the human’s needs.’
Rowland Hill said that a person ‘was not a true Christian if his [or her] dog or cat were not the better for it.’ How we treat our animals is often a reflection on how we treat each other. Having Xander in my life reminds me that she is not the only living being who needs to know my gentleness, my kindness, my trustworthiness. I have to remember that the people around me need to know the same.
That is what the companionship of an animal can do for us. Our pets are vulnerable, vulnerable to our changing moods, the changes in our live circumstances. Our fellow human beings can be equally vulnerable, equally in need of our care. To commit to an animal can be seen as part of a greater commitment, to everything God has entrusted to our care, animal or human. A commitment to ensure that those who are dependent upon us have every reason to trust us.
Make sure that no one handles any human or animal in an overly aggressive manner. While humans or animals may occasionally have to be in situations that are uncomfortable for them, it is critical that the general atmosphere should always be one which is protective and benevolent towards their needs. Amen.