Saint Theodora/Mother Theodore said that if we love God, we will love, honor, and respect all of God’s creation. Her diaries note many of her interactions with animals. She was particularly excited to see whales and fish in the ocean and the birds in the sky while on the ship to America. She also had great appreciation for the livestock the sisters raised for food, her horse, Finette, and dog, Taillard.

One day after a long ride on Finette, Saint Theodora climbed down to find her habit covered in horse hair. She wrote that she initially became upset but quickly softened.”I believe I would willingly have given her to Mr. Crawford’s mother, but the little rogue, guessing my thoughts, gave me so many caresses and showed herself so gentle that I was disarmed.”