The Magic, Mystery, and Miracle of Human-Animal Relationships: A Manifesto

Before I ever launched My Funny Valentine, I had given years of deep thought and contemplation to the question of the spiritual sigifiicance of animals and our relationship to them. What follows are the insights this question has revealed to me and an organizational manifesto of the views of My Funny Valentine. We believe animals are a bridge to deeper soulfulness – that these are the relationships through which we receive insight, inspiration, and instruction from the intelligence of the heart.

We believe anmals are a bridge to expanded consciousness – That consciousness found only within the heart that connects us to one another in empathy, respect, curiosity, and advocacy to create a gentler and more beautiful world.

When we mourn the loss of any animal, we mourn the loss of a beautiful and transformative experience. Our hearts are broken so that they can be opened. In this way, mourning is a gift, offering opportunity for rebirth.

When we understand that the relationship with our animals is no less coincidental or meaningful than that of our relationships with our parents, siblings, friends, and lovers, we will all speak with animals. We will be moved, even feel compelled to deepen our own way of being and become stewards and protectors of their lives and the purpose they hold, which is equal to that of any humans.

Animals are one of the earth’s great stewards and shepherds of human consciousness. They offer us a template for unconditional love and compassion.

The being of animals allows us to access the vast sea of our hearts. Within our heart we find our greatest creativity, enlivened presence, and willful nature. This is harvested by a source greater than our self to promote connection, beauty, and change within our own human world.