to me, i sorta think it means "responsibility" for those lesser beings than ourselves. That we were given brains and hearts so we would see creatures in need and help them and take care of those who can't take care of themselves.... When I was a kid we actually grew and raised our own food and grew their food. Animals worked so hard back then, ploughing all day in the hot sun, my gosh our horse worked so hard. But maybe because she contributed so much to our welfare, her and the cows, and were so valuable in terms of our survival, that I always had the impression they were very very prescious. Like those times when I have heard people all upset about their cow or horse getting out, how that horse or cow is so BAD about that... when I was a kid if your cow or horse got out you better hide cause someone was gonna get their tail whooped. and if the horse got into the barn into the corn bin and it was your fault, oh lord , you would walk that horse all nite praying it didnt go down because you KNEW if that horse was sick and it was YOUR fault... oh man, there would be no crevice deep enough to hide in :)
today sometimes I think children get the impression from their parents that animals are disposable and that they have no feelings. if they dont water the rabbit, oh well, it died, we'll get you a new one honey. Janice -- even good horses have bad days sometimes.
