How precious to my child’s eyes and heart were the animals who shared my living space. From the horse who lived behind me and stuck his head in my window, to the cat who stalked into my yard and took me as his human. 

As a teen, my big tom listened to me and never judged as I told him about my teenage crushes and cried my silly teen-aged tears. His fur wet with my tears, he never moved away, only softly questioned me with a single miaow why I cried. He did not expect the answer to make sense. He did not lecture or judge me. A good friend never does. 

As an adult, now, all my animals give me love, unconditionally. Their love is true, filled with purrs, whines, soft looks, sandpaper tongues, and sloppy kisses (with occasional poky noses and poky toeses). 

So who are they, these animals who have joined their lives to ours, who forgive the most egregious of treatment, and defend us with their lives? I believe they are furry angels. We treat them disrespectfully at our own peril. They shine like stars in our darkened nights, keeping toes toasty and hearts from falling into despair. Remember this, our animals are, quite simply our– 

Allies & Neighbors (who) Instantly Make All Love Simple.