Everyone of the St. John’s Residence boys said goodbye to me, to Maria, to Red and Fate. Everyone of them shook hands with us or hugged us, thanked us for having them visit the farm, hugged Red and Fate. In the way of working dogs who sense what their humans need both dogs formed a greeting party and said goodbye to each one of the St. John’s boys. Next time, I said, you can spend more time with them.

These boys remind me of the healing and loving power of dogs and animals, how much we need them in our lives, how much good they can do, given the chance. We need a new movement to keep animals in our world, not take them away. I think the movement is underway.

I saw how much love there is in the hearts of young men today, even those who have every reason to be hateful and angry. They do good work at St. John’s.