Praying

O God, enlarge within us the sense of

fellowship with all living things,

our brothers the animals to whom thou

gavest the earth as their home in

common with us.

We remember with shame that in the past

we have exercised the high dominion

of man with ruthless cruelty

so that the voice of the earth,

which should have gone up to thee

in song, has been a groan of travail.

May we realize that they live not for

us alone but for themselves and for

thee, and that they love

the sweetness of live.

Basil the Great