“Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission—to be of service to them wherever they require it.
—ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Dr. Christian Bernard performed the world’s first human heart transplant in 1967, had the following to say about his observations of a chimpanzee:

"I bought two male chimps from a primate colony in Holland. They lived next to each other in separate cages for several months before I used one as a [heart] donor. When we put him to sleep in his cage in preparation for the operation, he chattered and cried incessantly. We attached no significance to this, but it must have made a great impression on his companion, for when we removed the body to the operating room, the other chimp wept bitterly and was inconsolable for days. The incident made a deep impression on me. I vowed never again to experiment with such sensitive creatures.”

“If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals." 

- Albert Einstein

"By ethical conduct toward all creatures, we enter into a spiritual relationship with the universe." - Albert Schweitzer

"The only thing I know that truly heals people is unconditional love. Everything is bearable when there is love. The only thing that lives forever is love."
 - Dr.  Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

We discover our own courage by our 
willingness to face, feel, 
live through,
 and recover
from difficult events 
such as the loss of a beloved pet.

                               ~ Judy Tatelbaum

• "On this globe there is almost endless diversity. Nevertheless, the greater fact is that when it comes to the treasures of the soul, differences vanish. In the place of the heart, only one light shines. This light is the same in all beings."
  -Gurumayi Chidvilasananda