The wolf will live with the lamb,
    and the leopard will lie down with the young goat;
    the calf and the young lion will feed together,
    and a little child will lead them.
 The cow and the bear will graze.
    Their young will lie down together,
    and a lion will eat straw like an ox.
 A nursing child will play over the snake’s hole;
    toddlers will reach right over the serpent’s den.
 They won’t harm or destroy anywhere on my holy mountain.
    The earth will surely be filled with the knowledge of the Lord,
    just as the water covers the sea. (Isaiah 11:6-9)

ALL photographs and video by Naomi Campbell

So, typically I write about what is happening right here with us, directly. But I guess when the grandchildren get a new kitten then it is – in a way – happening to us too!

So here’s the story. First, the grands in Orlando are: David (12), Beks (10), and Geoffrey (3). They have always had pets around. First it was Star and Capriccio and then – currently – it’s Kylo the dog and Bristow the black cat. The kids are good with the animals, respectful and kind, and other than the fact that Kylo is a weirdo and Bristow is a ninja assassin cat with a taste for my blood, all is well.

Beks has been wanting her own cat for a long time. She’s been saving up her spending money and lobbying her parents. Apparently she managed to wear them down because Monday they went to the animal shelter and this (above right) happened.

Beks has named the kitten Milo – Milo is a rescue – and he is all kinds of adorable (well, they both are!). Beks has also already learned a lot about looking after a kitten after just the first night. She did not sleep at all!

But then – being a 5th grader – Beks went to school and now until she comes home Geoffrey is the “Interesting New Human” in Milo’s life. But Beks is absolutely – and enthusiastically – the Number One human!

Back at the Humane society, Geoffrey waltzed in and politely inquired after his own favored pet: “Geoffrey wants dinosaur,” he said, looking around carefully and hopefully.

Evidently they didn’t have one small enough to put in the car.

Later Naomi took Geoffrey to the pet store to pick up cat supplies for Milo and he also became very excited about “the fishies”. You can see that video, at right below.

Magic. It is magical when children and pets find each other. It is pure joy to see the natural affinity and communication between a three-year-old and a brand new kitten.

You know, just pay attention and you can see how there is so much genuine love to be had in this world. And, even though I am sixty-eight years old and should know better by now, I still find it incomprehensible that so much of the time the love is set aside and it all goes the other way.

“And a little child shall lead them.”

I write all this in the name of love, and because I know deep in my heart – and my experience – that it is only love that has the power to redeem this world. – DEREK

Pictures: first, Kylo the dog and Bristow the cat (they are both staring at the newcomer). It really is a zoo down there in Orlando!