Michael is named after a friend of mine whom I love VERY deeply, and spend so much online/phone time with, that we've come to know quite a bit about each other, good and bad. The plushie was one I adopted from Defenders of Wildlife. It always has this weird "Elvis" smirk on it, but I don't care, because it really symbolizes my beloved friend in every other way, and it just feels so good to simply hold him in my arms and keep him safe...

In the end, I am human. We all are, no matter how hard we wish to be someone else. My only desire is to bridge the gap between man and animal, to love and be loved by creatures and creations outside of our own "dominions", and to know and learn from such beings as well, that we may become "better" and more understanding of them and each other.

As I've said before in millions of ways, love is the force that binds the universe, and when it is felt, shared, given, and received, all is truly right with the world, and we no longer need anything else.

Merry Christmas to you all.

I love you.

-- Royce