New York Animal People

Animals reveal the softer side of humanity even in places that are usually associated with brashness or lack of compassion. Rightly or wrongly, movies and news reports often depict New Yorkers as too busy to befriend strangers. Yet, we were delighted by an especially rewarding experience prior to the event we were about to do at a Barnes & Noble bookstore in Long Island.

As residents of Minnesota, we have often watched lines of cars stop to let a family of ducks waddle cross the road. But what we experienced in New York showed us that people's loving connection with animals unites all of us in ways that express the best in human nature.

Mary was a bookstore patron who had arrived early to attend our presentation. She rushed into the area where we setting up the event and urged Allen to go with her. She asked, "Can you help an injured sparrow?"

Allen followed Mary to find that a baby bird had flown into the storefront display window. The little fellow stood very still on the sidewalk, looking dazed and in shock.

By this time, a circle of men, women, teens, and children, who were rooting for the little fellow, had surrounded the stunned bird. Nearly a dozen New Yorkers all wanted to help the bird. Mary repeatedly and sincerely said to those who had gathered, "This sparrow was trying to attend the God’s Messengers’ book lecture." Pointing to Allen, she said, "This is the person who is doing the lecture. The bird was trying to get into the store but didn't know about the glass."

Another woman, Pat, gently touched the bird's back, stroking his feathers. The crowd gave a cheer when the bird moved his head back and forth and opened his tiny eyes, blinking, and taking in all that was going on around him. After a few seconds of Pat's gentle touch and the encouragement of the onlookers, the sparrow flew off into the parking lot area. At that moment, the people who had been watching began shouting and saying things like, "He's going to be okay! Look, he's flying!" They were delighted to witness the spunk and courage of this tiny New York survivor.

Pat stayed outside to follow the sparrow's progress. Allen went back into the store and continued to prepare for our presentation. A few minutes later, Pat hurried over and said, "Good news! The little bird flew to the trees. He's going to live!"

We were touched by the love, respect, and openhearted generosity that these Long Island, New York residents gave to a small creature. When Pat announced that the sparrow was fine, someone said, "God keeps his eye upon the sparrow." Such a beautiful moment reminded all of us of the truth in this statement.

Just the previous day Linda went to a hair salon in Stony Brook, Long Island. Her visit started a party when she asked if anyone had pets. The first words out of the manicurist's mouth were, "I have a cat and she saved my life." From that point on, everyone had a pet story to share. Animals brought Linda, a stranger, together with a roomful of the salon’s regular clients in an instant bonding as they shared their mutual interests.


We loved our visit to the Big Apple where we found friendship flourishes among humans and animals in homes, businesses, and in nature.

What does your love of animals reveal about you?