The American comedian and actress, Gilda Radner, said: “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.  For me they are the role model for being alive”. It appears that the brutal torturers of the mixed-breed dog Star, which was rescued in the vicinity of Għar Ħasan to pass away on 6 June, have totally ignored

this canine innate quality.

Such a senseless atrocity shocked many people both in Malta and around the world. For instance, the journalist Mary Papenfuss, from the Newser Staff, in her little article about Star entitled: ‘Bound, Shot Dog Buried Alive, Survives’ kicks off her piece of writing by saying: “Man’s best friend just found out how evil man can be”. She was absolutely right! What do you say when a female dog ends up bound, moaning with gunshot wounds due to her head injuries, and buried alive up to her muzzle? How can you remain indifferent when an innocent dog had her legs and muzzle tied, and was shot? Sadly, Star lost her life battle after having suffered an acute inflammation in her pancreas that evolved in the past days. Ironically, she died the following day after an animal cruelty silent protest was organized in Sliema by animal rights activists. No wonder the latter are forcefully demanding harsher penalties for animal cruelty, precisely because of Star’s ruthless treatment.

As a Franciscan friar I wholeheartedly not only condemn this barbaric act but also would like to offer St Francis ethos on how to care sensitively for God’s creation, especially animals, our beloved brothers and sisters. Everyone knows the famous story when the

Poverello tamed the wolf that practically was terrorising the people of Gubbio. Instead of going and slaughter the ravenous wolf at once, Francis, moved out of compassion, decided to meet the ferocious animal. Ignoring the villagers’ warnings for cautiousness Francis and his companion began to walk on to encounter their estranged brother.

Suddenly the wolf ran towards St Francis with his jaws wide open. As he approached, the saint, making the sign of the cross, cried out: “Come to me, brother wolf; I command you, in the name of Christ, neither to harm me nor anybody else.”  The power of God compelled the wolf to slow down and to close its mouth. At that moment the wolf

lowered its head and lay down at St Francis’ feet, meek as a lamb.

This sweet story taken from ‘The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi’, Chapter XXI, shows the saint’s humble solicitude and admiration for Christ’s presence in every creature, even in a ravenous wolf! Moreover, according to Thomas B. Stratman’s article, ‘St. Francis of Assisi: Brother to All Creatures’, “Francis was fond of saying that Jesus was pleased to liken himself to a worm, for the Lord quoted Psalm 22:6: ‘1 am a worm and no man.’ And Jesus clothes his teachings in the images of lowly things”. Additionally, Francis’ distinguished sensitivity to all creatures helped him extend his

unconditional love and respect to the darker facets of life, including the skies cloudy and fair and Sister Bodily Death, “whom none living can escape”. In St Francis’ life-transforming perspective, what looks evil is commendable to exist and be rejoiced in since in God’s plan it serves for sustaining life and proclaims a majesty and wisdom far

superior than our limited human comprehension.

Thus, Francis views the human person’s stewardship of creation not as domination but as submission to it, as he sings in his ‘Praise of the Virtues’: “Obedience makes us submissive to all persons on earth, nor just to humankind but to all animals and wild beasts, too, that they may do as they please with us as far as God so permits them.”

Star, the mixed-breed dog, taught us this costly lesson by being brutally massacred. What a brave heart.

■ Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap