Life is precious in all forms, human or animal.  But, in my experience, the unconditional love and forgiveness of animals is exceptional...something we all can learn from.  Handsome Jackson [link] is such an example.  He came to the shelter after long treatment at a Vet, he had been the victim of extreme cruelty.  Near death, he had been badly burned all over from cigerettes, plus he had many other terrible injuries I will spare you from due to the extreme violence of them. It took almost a year for Jackson to heal on the outside, but on the inside he had not lost his faith in humans.  I never met a cat who had endured what he had and not lost his capacity to love or trust.  Yet, he was and is the most loving gentle cat you could ever have the honor of meeting.  We may have healed his body, but he gave us something more...he renewed our faith in forgiveness and love, something all of us at the shelter made sure he got back ten fold in return.  Jackson is now in a loving home where no one will ever hurt him again.  I wish I could give that gift to all animals and humans alike.  Our world is vicious and cruel and it is up to all of us to make a stand against it.  I know not everyone came from loving homes like I did, but I know many who even still chose to make a difference and be different, to be better people...if you can influence just one person, teaching them to respect life, they can go forward and repeat it...pay it forward, if you will.  I try to do it everyday of my life and it can be so simple, like just holding a door for someone or slowing down to let someone cross the street.  I know it is a up hill battle, but, I believe we need to fight for it.