Our species, human race is bestowed with the gift of thought, speech, action and reaction, whereas every other species lack the ability to verbally communicate their thoughts, feelings or express how they feel. Animals might bark, purr, whistle, moo & birds might quack or coo and plants might wilt or wither, but it is only humans who have the gift to put it out right. Animals and birds form a part of our existence and until we have truly loved animals or birds, a major chunk of our psyche is still sleeping. We cannot expect good deeds from a man or woman who does not treat animals or birds with equal love and affection as to other fellow men or women. A famous saying goes like, “Compassion to animals is intimately connected with goodness of character; and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man.” – S Chopenhauer.

The movies Noah’s ark is a true embodiment of this. When the world was coming to an end, it is only animals and birds were given a chance by god to be taken to the new lands of a peaceful existence, while the entire mankind is washed away. This and many other movies time and again prove the profoundness animals & birds possess in comparison to the human race. The irony is, the question ‘why should we be kind to animals and birds’ is a baseless question in itself, because if we have to ask ‘why’ or understand ‘why’ it is an indicator of low spiritual awakening or unsympathetic, insensitive behavior.

The terms equality, justice, love and compassion do not merely apply to us, but to the animals and birds as well. The theory of non-violence, love others and be kind by helping them, applies to these creatures too. While many will come up with genuine reasons like they have had a bad experience with a dog or cat or a bird, but we have to understand that we can think and analyze whereas they can’t. It is us who have to respect their space and gave them consideration for being who they are. Also, as adults we might be scared of animals, but if we teach our kids since childhood about the love and sympathy towards them, they will grow up to become loving individuals. Animals teach us small lessons on an everyday basis and we should receive the same from them by learning the act of unconditional love from them.

If you wish to be kind to animals, but you do not have a pet or a bird, you can do little things to be kind. Place a bird feeder in your garden or in the balcony, add food and water to it (separately), help the street dog by offering vaccinations to them or warm clothes in winter, feed the street dogs or cows, educate children to be kind to animals, and most importantly if you find someone being cruel to animals raise your voice their and then. Little steps go a long way and if you can adopt a cat or dog or a parrot or any other bird or animal, it can be a great start to build a lifelong relationship.