Article 18 of The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order states: "Moreover they should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which bear the imprint of the Most High, and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the Franciscan concept of universal kinship."
My husband and I are both Secular Franciscans. We have four Maltese dogs. Also, I am a foster mom for Northcentral Maltese Rescue, Inc., a Maltese dog rescue organization, caring for surrendered or abused and neglected dogs until they are well and ready for adoption. For me this is following Article 18 of our Rule and a Franciscan ministry. At the moment, I have two fosters, Rosie and Teddy. They are both seniors and were rescued by me from a local shelter. They are very devoted to each other. Rosie has cataracts, and Teddy has a collapsed trachea but are otherwise healthy. Both are very, very sweet and deeply bonded to us.
I have a link on this blog to a youtube video on "The Faces of Northcentral Maltese Rescue" as well as a link to their website. The video shows Gypsy and Pal who were two of my fosters. Both were at death's door when I picked them up and took them to my vet. I cried all the way for the hour's trip. Both were provided extensive medical treatment, paid for by Maltese Rescue. Gypsy recovered quickly and was adopted. Pal had heart worms. The treatment took several months. We adopted him, and no dog could be healthier nor happier. He has unlimited energy, it seems. Pal's picture is at the beginning of this post.
Saint Francis would agree that all these little dogs bear the imprint of the Most High, especially love, which they give so freely and completely. To think that the God of generous and humble love bent over, even to them, to breathe into them his greatest gift - love.
Little Scribe
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