Some years ago, I read a fascinating article in The Week magazine about a young “lady” who could teach us all a thing or two about love and relationships.

At a Berlin animal sanctuary, six wild boar piglets, whose mother had apparently been killed by hunters, were brought in shivering and cold. Instantly, a French Bulldog named Baby, a "veteran" resident, ran over to the piglets and snuggled them all to keep them warm. She has not left their side since. A video shows Baby playing with the piglets, who have clearly taken to her as "Mom." What's even more remarkable is that according to sanctuary worker Norbert Damm, Baby has adopted and raised "raccoons, cats and many other animals."

And there it is. I felt almost ashamed that Baby knows more about love than some people I know. If you think that the love between Baby and those piglets is somehow different or less significant than human love for one another, then I double-dog dare you to try to harm one of those piglets in Baby's presence. She is, after all, a bulldog. And if you know anything about the strength, power and ferocity of a full grown boar, I dare you to harm a hair on Baby's head once those piglets have grown.

While we're arguing over the internet about whether or not one type of human being can love another, and what it might mean for one's sense of identity or self-appreciation if one dares to love a human that is <gasp> different, Baby just lives her life giving love to all creatures who come across her path, irrespective of appearance, species membership, etc., and they're all the healthier and happier for it.

And a French Bulldog named Baby shall lead them.

May we all learn from her example.
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