Finding Love In A Time Of Darkness

 AMONG THE MANY surprising silver linings of teh Covid 19 pandemic is the fact that since march dogs and cats in animal shelters have been and are being adopted by wonderful loving and no longer lonely people at record rates. This phenomenon seems to be holding true in every city and town in America, according to the national Humane Society. Good news indeed, that millions of previously ignored and homeless beings of beauty are now finding love, humans, dogs, and cats alike. Oh, that this surpassingly sensational trend would assert itself, and insinuate securely into the soul and fabric of America and global culture. Perhaps it will. In a culture as complex and multifaceted as American, what begins as fads of expediency in the face of undesirable circumstances can become embedded. Stray cats are less of a problem than stray dogs.Cats can be trapped, spayed, neutered, and vaccinated, and returned to a feral state, ans survive rather well. Dogs, not so much. As in most affairs of public concern and responsibility, America's attitude towards homeless dogs and cats is divided, contradictory, bordering on schizophrenic. Most folks in most neighborhoods have no concern for them. they are a mere inconvenience. This places an undo burden upon those who do care, those for whom the burden of concern and responsibility manifests as an overriding compulsion to do something, anything, to help. Fifteen years ago I built  a pretty new house and moved in, with no intention of caring for pets.  I had already had my share. I soon learned that fate had other plans for me, the decision was not entirely mine. Stray kittens started appearing in my yard, staring at me, beckoning to me for what I interpreted, perhaps correctly, as a plea for food, home, help, and a home. Fifteen years ago I built a pretty house and moved in. I had no intention of having pets, having already had my share I thought, and being somewhat newly in love with pristine environments. Three stray kittens appeared in my new yard, beckoning to me with stares which I thought, perhaps correctly, were pleas for food, care, and a home. Fate, it seemed, had its own plans for me, the decision was not entirely mine, and, like Goethe said: "Confronted with great merit, the only resistance is love". Today I have nine sweet babies, two indoors, and seven in my garage. Six females and two males, all spayed, neutered, vaccinated, complete with electric blankets, heating pads, cat beds, and cat trees. I'm thinking of installing a flat screen, but I don't want to spoil them. They fill me with joy, and make my life worthwhile. And now, in the midst of a nightmare, God's love has seen fit to provide millions of other Americans with the same joy and purpose. My cup runneth over with love and gratitude for God, for humanity, and for all the precious beings, dogs, cats, and people, whose love now enlightens human and American society. In this time of darkness, we have found love.