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I’ve always loved animals. I love how my dogs know the sound of my vehicle. I love that at 3:45 my youngest dog begins to let us know that it’s almost time to eat. I love how my fat chihuahua, Lola, couldn’t care less about all the attention…but as soon as she knows you’re in the kitchen she is under your feet. We couldn’t find her in the house last week and my genius wife simply opened the pantry door and here comes Lola waddling in for a snack.

I always admired my great Uncle Frank Bailey who with a very distinctive voice could call the cows and they’d come running to eat. They knew he was the man who fed them. They trusted him. They depended on him, just like my dogs trust and depend on me.

I recently read the stories of two men who are protected by animals in Africa: Abbas Yusuf and Patrick Kilonzo Mwalua. Check out their abbreviated stories:

Abbas Yusaf is known as “the hyena man”. In order to protect the local livestock, Abbas started feeding the hyenas in order to keep them away from the local herds. By feeding the hyenas, he gained their trust and was even led back to their den to meet some of their cubs.

This trick worked! By regularly feeding the hyenas, they began trusting and relying on “the hyena man” to bring them food. His feeding them on a regular schedule trained the hyenas in that area to leave the livestock of local farmers alone. They no longer attacked and ate the livestock knowing this man was coming and feeding them.

Patrick Kilonzo Mwalua is known as “the water man”. Patrick comes and fills a man-made watering hole every day. Every creature around depends on this water for survival. These animals line up around the pond and wait for him on the daily. The more “social” animals (baboons, hyenas, etc.) come and greet him. Nobody messes with “the water man”. This dude is often escorted into place by lions and elephants. The animals trust him. They rely on him. They depend on “the water man” to bring them the needed water.

It’s crazy how much smarter animals are than people. Yeah, I said it. The more I hang around people the more I love my dogs. Animals learn to trust and depend on certain ones whom they know are there to feed them, water them, help them. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).” Why can’t we simply trust Him. He supplies all our needs (Philippians 4:19). Be a smart animal.

Rev. J. Cameron Bailey is pastor of Kenbridge Christian Church. He can be reached at jamescameronbailey@gmail.com.