Cats and Dogs

 I recently adopted a cat , it was given by a friend- her name is Nila. My son almost 30 years old, Sean has downs syndrome and likes cats. He doe not have a lot of friends and Nila is good company for him. I also just looked at some old albums and found Cat Stevens , who he was known as in my generation. Today Cat Stevens is Yusuf Islam. For the last 30 years Yusuf has fought world hunger, he adheres to the practices of Islam and makes very infrequent appearances, though a superstar in his time.
 Though a christian, I will not judge Yusuf for the path he chose. His music is awe inspiring of simple human truths. How can a christian love music produced by a muslim, its easy the human spirit is one with God, whether Islam , Hindu or Buddhist we are all humanity in its frail condition.  Cats were often kept to keep away evil spirits , it was said the spirits of the dead were afraid of cats. In the wicca cats are kept for this purpose, we often hear of the witch with her cat. Somehow things can get distorted and people can treat a pet more fondly than a family member.
 My mother -in -law has her dogs ashes-Minnie to be kept with her in burial. In the Zeroaster religion a dog is considered sacred. Many pages of the book of Zeroaster are dedicated to the treatment of dogs and how they will go to heaven with their masters, doggie heaven I guess. I attended a lutheran church for a time and when I first was introduced they asked if I was a dog or cat person. Knowing my hobby in archery they guessed a dog, but really I was neither- actually a bird person. Birds have always pecked on my window or if you see my photo of a bird. That was a wild bird that sat on my shoulder, once I held out my hand and a sparrow landed in it. If I leave the window open in the morning they will actually come next to my pillow. This may seem strange and my wife and friends can verify it. Now this may be because I feed them all the time and after awhile they are like children.
 In christianity the Holy Spirit came in the form of a dove at Jesus baptism. Soon after accepting salvation through Christ a white owl descended upon me, it was on the pacific island of Hawaii in the kohala region. This happened when I was twenty years old at Upolu point a mating spot for whales.

 Why do I not argue against other faiths or go on a crusade to stamp them out. Instead I reach out to the muslims, preached at jewish funerals. Speak at catholic funerals , whenever the opportunity is presented will speak about God's Love, Hope and Forgiveness leading to Word , Thought and Deed. That is my doctrine which I live by. It does not exclude anyone, I have been in prisons , hospitals many corners of the world not to speak to christians but all of humanity. I know Jesus and believe me , he would not just be speaking to christians to revive their spirit. He would be out there among all the people, touching all faiths, and judging no one.  Perhaps we know a different Jesus - maybe thats why I do not fit in traditional christianity.
 What has cats and dogs have to do with all of this. Before we categorize a person , by their pets or religion- lets not judge each other. It starts with cats and dogs , then goes to what they eat or not. We separate ourselves by denomination, by ethnicity, by color , by gender, by dividing humanity-  we see hatred breeding, war becomes the solution. Innocent children get caught in the crossfire, elderly are tossed aside. It may seem a speck but it can all start with cats and dogs - the person you are is acceptable to God , changes will take place but they will not replace your diversity and free will. We are each unique but connected.