“Keep smiling, keep shining,
Knowing you can always count on me,

For sure,
That's what friends are for;
For good times and bad times,
I'll be on your side forever more,
That's what friends are for.”

Dionne Warwick,

That’s What Friends Are For

She was severely depressed

She had lost her loving mate

Zookeepers were very concerned

They were worried about her fate

She now sat very glumly

She refused to eat or play

She had lost all zest for life

They fretted for her everyday

Tondalayo the female orangutan

Was already forty five years of age

When a tiny furry friend showed up

Who was both compassionate and sage

This friend cared not they didn’t look alike

Nor that they weren’t even of the same race

But this new friend truly brought her much solace

His loving companionship her loneliness soon replaced

Soon old Tondalayo was feeling much much better

She and young T.K. have been together now awhile

These best friends cuddle play and comfort each other

And this is one animal story that truly makes me smile

This young stray orange tabby cat just showed up one afternoon

In this old grieving orangutan’s enclosure in Panama City Beach

Zoo World custodians soon named him T.K. – Tondalayo’s Kitty

And it still amazes me the many life lessons animals can truly teach

How many of us can really and truly claim

We do all we can for our sad or grieving friends

And some wonder why I love earth’s animals so much

To me their amazing compassion - just never seems to end

That's what friends are for;
For good times and for bad times,
This cat will be on her side forever more,
Why? Because that's what friends are for.

©2006, Ed Kostro