Celebrating Martin Luther King's Love for All Creatures

Today, as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, "now is the time" to pause and reflect upon this brilliant man's gifts to humanity. He was a visionary man who embraced his dream that one day, all people of different races, religions and beliefs would join together in peace and love.

Sadly his life was violently extinguished before he was able to experience that great day when Barack Obama, another visionary African American, assumed the highest office in the United States, the Presidency. We can only imagine the joy and inspiration he would have experienced upon having part of his dream realized.

However Dr. King's dream was not just limited to his prayers for the healing of relationships between all human beings. He often spoke about his love for animals.

His words, "One day the absurdity of the almost universal human belief in the slavery of other animals will be palpable. We shall then have discovered our souls and become worthier of sharing this planet with them." clearly demonstrate his deep love for all living creatures.

Dr. King greatly admired that brilliant and exceptional advocate for peace and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi, whose words, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." speak to the core of Dr. King's abiding love for animals. Clearly there is no difference between how we treat our animals and each other.

All living beings must be honored and cared for with great responsibility and respect. The way in which we view and treat all living creatures sets ripples of energy throughout the world, positively or negatively affecting how Dr. King's dream of bringing the world together harmoniously will come to pass.

I often wonder, when we observe any of our beloved pets peacefully sleeping, deep in dreamland, if they too hold an inner vision of peace and love between all life's species. Since they have already attained that great gift, the ability to love us unconditionally, isn't it possible that they are also our teachers, just as powerful as Mahatma Gandhi or Dr. Martin Luther King? I would certainly like to think so.

As a special gift, watch the video of Dr. Martin King's brilliant "I Have a Dream" speech, with over 8 million views, uploaded to YouTube by superjsuh. It brings today's celebration to life, to inspire and remind us of this great man's dream.

What can we do to actualize Dr. King's dream, not only between humans, but to ensure the protection of our animal companions? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.