Actually, I don’t only have to read the news in order to visualize how some nefarious people regard the offerings of nature.

As I was walking, the other day, on the grounds of the school that I attend, I found myself gazing in delight at a gaggle of Canada Geese enjoying the delights of a very pleasant February day. I stopped for a moment and watched the affectionate bonding of a particular pair of geese. It was a serenely heartwarming scene.

Suddenly, I heard the verbal posturing of two young men who were walking behind me. Their comments were disgusting.

“Hey, Dave, don’t you wish you had a shotgun right now? Boy, I’d like to blast the hell out of those geese. They’d make a son of a…of a dinner.”

“Yeh, Pete,” bellowed one of the goons, “that would make my day. I just love to shoot them. Bam, bam, bam! What a great sport!”

At some point in this life, those two miserable excuses for humans are probably going to enjoy destroying a host of innocent wildlife. (I can only assume that they’ve already been practicing for quite sometime.) My hope is that they eventually realize that being a man doesn’t necessitate trying to prove your worth by murdering the gifts of nature.

I realize that some of my readers may be hunters and that my comments will cause them to despise me. That would be a shame, but I’m prepared to risk the rejection in order to vent my anger. Of course, for those who must hunt in order to provide the sole source of nourishment for their families, I comprehend the importance of their acts. For those, however, who simply get a kick from robbing an animal of its life, I remain appalled by the “sport.”

On the other side of the coin, I admit that leather shoes cover my feet and that a great number of steaks, chicken, fish, etc. have found their way into my stomach. I don’t know if I have the mindset to become a vegetarian, but am quite willing to give it a try, a very determined try. I’ll let you know how I make out.

Sadly, everyday many animals are neglected, brutalized and killed by those who have no respect for God’s creatures. This is tragic and the acts of terror inflicted on these precious gifts sicken me. Thankfully, great numbers of animals receive outpourings of love and care. Millions, however, are not so fortunate.

Over the years, I’ve read terrifying stories about people who practice satanic rituals during which animals are tortured and then murdered. I’ve never been able to imagine what kind of a person would do such despicable things to harmless, intrinsically love-filled creatures. This, however, is not the only arena in which animals serve as victims of repugnant acts.

Quite often, newspapers and television news programs report stories about beasts that have been mistreated by circus personnel. My stomach always churns when being presented with revolting pictures of elephants, tigers, horses, etc. that have been starved, whipped, and maimed. These magnificent creatures should be roaming free in their native environments, but instead are forced to perform some very unnatural stunts simply for the amusement of people. If the animals step out of line, they are punished in a terrible manner. That is simply disgusting.

I don’t have to turn on my television, walk outdoors, or pick up a newspaper in order to be presented with additional stories about crimes inflicted on animals. All I have to do is pick up the telephone and call my veterinarian. If I ask, she will tell me about the hundreds of cats, dogs, and other gifts of God, she has come in contact with, that have been neglected and obviously beaten. It is her job to treat these unfortunate pets and yet, if demanded, return them to their masters. It breaks her heart to do so.

Every year, thousands of pets are cast aside like so much dirt. These wonderful, beautiful animals end up being killed by speeding motorists or spend their days trying to live on scraps found in garbage dumps and other places. Eventually, a handful of the stray animals are placed in shelters. The relatively few pets that can be physically rehabilitated spend their days locked in cages while waiting for the opportunity to be given a new home. Some do indeed find new and loving friends, but those animals that are not adopted enter heaven much too soon.

Whether they are domesticated or wild, many animals throughout history endured terrible abuse. It is a crime that countless numbers of their present day counterparts continue to suffer so egregiously. The story appears to be never-ending. I can only pray that, at some point, the tragedies will cease.

To those of you who treat animals with great love and consideration, I offer my admiration and respect. To those of you who do not, for God’s sake, stop torturing and killing our friends.

A particularly moving hymn reads in part, “All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small. All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.” It will be a blessed day when all creatures are treated accordingly.