How can we ever express our thanks to a man who helped us integrate our Spirituality with that of all Creation. That to befriend a dog is to experience some of the attributes of God's love, compassion,and friendship. We are one with All creatures, One with the Spiritual vitality of this Earth. How can it be any other way?

 I'm not quite sure where to put limits on Francis or Assisi: the cat sanctuary (Parco dei Gatti); the farm sanctuary (Il Sorriso di San Francesco); the dog shelter; the town, the history, the art, the architecture?....

Assisi's pink stone which was exported to San Francisco to build its Porziuncola? 

the Spiritual essence that permeates the very stones.... Why is there not greater acknowledgement of the animals that made this miracle possible?

This interpretation of St Francis, found on the outskirts of Gubbio (the town Francis walked to when he met the wolf), strikes me as a Plea to the Divine for Justice - not just for the wolf but for all Creatures. Francis is down on one knee, supporting the wolf's head, he's on the same level as the wolf - 'we are equals,' the passion, the sadness, the frustration! His hands providing protection & compassion, but also the suffering of Christ and the World. The sculpture strikes me to the Core as it moves us from that place of Serenity we associate w/Saints & Prophets to the Reality that if we want change we must do more than pray, we must work for it.... his rolled up sleeves…

Lars Pardo