Relationships With Other Species

# Relationships with Other Species

Cats are often regarded as aloof creatures, difficult to approach, yet they consistently demonstrate that they can be remarkably gentle and caring. Anyone who has owned a cat will tell you: the affection of cats is truly something extraordinary. The tender gestures they show one another—playing together, rubbing against each other, or even grooming and licking each other's fur—are just as sweet and endearing. Adult cats often adopt orphaned kittens and care for them as their own. Sometimes, they do this with other animals too, such as puppies, baby rabbits, and even young mice. Moreover, cats can form deep bonds with other animals, not merely based on maternal instinct. Poet James Gaynor recounts that his cat, Bob Dylan Thomas, formed strong attachments with many dogs in the household, from Captain Sully and Emily Dickinson to Mr. Margaret Atwood. The cat would groom the dogs, follow them everywhere, and even grieve when a dog passed away. After adopting a new dog, the cat and dog would become close within just a few days. Such touching bonds can also occur between cats and species normally considered prey. Dr. Dench shares a childhood story of a cat and rabbit in her home sleeping beside each other, snuggling together, and sharing food like equal friends. Even when another cat wasn't particularly affectionate, all three lived peacefully together for many years.(1)

These examples show that friendship between species can transcend natural instinct, and bonds need not be confined within different species boundaries. Isn't that remarkable? In our human world, bonding between different races is also happening quite often, and "racial discrimination" has been greatly reduced! Evidence of this is that Black and people of color now have equal rights with white people. More importantly, within the Christian family, believers who love people and follow God's Word are all equal because they share the same Father in Heaven. Skin color or hair color cannot create differences that should divide or discriminate against them!

Scripture emphasizes unity and equality among all nations. God created all nations from one person to dwell across the face of the earth, and He is their eternal Holy Father: "From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that all of them would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us" (Acts 17:26-27). In Christ, all people can come to God freely, and we are likewise free to approach one another because we are all God's beloved people!

Jesus Christ is the One who brings all people and nations together freely, united in His eternal love. The Apostle Paul expressed this truth in Ephesians 2:14-16: "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility."

Thanks be to God, He has broken down the divisions of race and culture to create a united people—new people who worship God and love one another. Through His blood, there is no longer division between Jews—God's chosen people—and Gentiles—the remaining nations. All believers are brothers and sisters in Christ! "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26-28). The Apostle Paul emphasized that all believers are equal and united with no distinction existing among God's people.

Let us give thanks to God who has redeemed us from eternal death and chosen us as His people: "As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (Colossians 3:12-14). Cats can befriend and live peacefully with other animals. We must do the same and follow God's Word even more: Love others with all our hearts, rely on God's grace to testify and speak of Jesus Christ—our Savior—to them, so that when Christ returns, all people may be saved! We pray that God will help us break down all barriers that keep us from reaching those of different nations, and grant us His boundless love, so that we may love them and help them come to know Jesus Christ, open their hearts to trust in Him, and receive eternal life in Heaven! Amen!

*Thanks to God who has broken our chains,* *Bringing us close together again,* *His blood washes clean every part,* *We become new, overflowing with grace!*

*Fearing God, trusting with all our heart,* *Following His Word, rising to act,* *Brothers in Christ united as one,* *Loving together, blessed all our lives!*

*Go forth boldly, proclaim the testimony,* *Bringing the Gospel to all people,* *The day of Christ's return draws near,* *It is urgent, we must go out...*

*All nations, far and near must know,* *What is important and essential to do,* *Believe in Him, be saved, find peace,* *Without belief, death and destruction await!*

*Come now, with full faith in Christ,* *The only Way that saves us,* *The path of blessing homeward,* *Heaven's glory, truly a joy!*

(1) Charles Manning, Why Do Cats Mother Other Animals? The Truth Behind Interspecies Relationships, It's more than just freaking adorable, October 29, 2025, https://www.kinship.com/cat-behavior/cats-mothering-interspecies-relationships

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