All God's Creatures

ANIMALS I LOVE

Cats — From my adorable Georgia to lions and tigers and lynxes, cats possess an alluring independence. I love their nonchalance, their elegance, their ferocity, and their self-indulgence. I also love how they all share the same facial expressions and body language.

Deer — Blame it on Bambi. I’ve loved deer since I was a wee child. They have such an innocence about them. I know they can be pests, but they don’t play that role in my life. So, I see them only as angels of the wild. And it crushes me to see a dead deer alongside a road.

Elephants — Talk about intriguing and mysterious. To me, elephants are the most evolved of all animals. It’s like they hold the history of the world within them and would have the best stories to tell if they could talk. They’re also quite cultured, and they’re extremely caring and empathetic—not only to other members of their group but also to other species. We humans could stand to learn what they know.

Chimpanzees — First, I think they’re adorable. I love their childlike nature and, as with porpoises, their incredible intelligence. I wish I could have one as a pet and cultivate the ability to communicate together. I abhor the use of them as test animals and think those who use them as such should be shot.

Dolphins — Clearly, I’m a sucker for God’s graceful creatures. I never tire of watching dolphins in the sea—the way they play, the way they feed. I love that these creatures team up in pairs. And then there’s their extraordinary intelligence and sensitivity. They’re such mysteries to me, and I long for the day when we can actually communicate with them.