They are those with whom we share the earth Deserving of the same respect we owe each other How can one look into their eyes and treat them unkindly For they are our companions Perhaps they share your bed and lull you to sleep with a gentle purr Or greet you at the front door with a wet tongue and a warm heart They are all God's creatures We have no right to treat them with cruelty For to do so is cowardly and evil And be assured there will be a price to pay A crime against one of God's creatures is a crime against God Himself