Just Little Turtles... ?

Something happened just the other day that pretty much stopped me dead in my tracks. But it was a good thing to see. A very good thing, indeed!

There is a 10 mile stretch of rural country road that I travel each day to and from work. For the past several months - now that summer weather has settled in - about 2 or 3 times a week I would find a turtle (a small tortoise with a shell any where from about 4 to 7 inches across) somewhere in the road. Whenever I saw one, I'd stop my car, pull off on the shoulder, pick up the turtle and put him (her?) safely in the field on whichever side of the road was closest. I would always place the turtle a good 5 - 6 feet from the road, pointed in a direction away from the road (usually the direction in which the turtle was moving). And believe it or not, I have yet to see a squished turtle anywhere along the length of that road. I have also, not surprisingly, yet to see any other human being do this. Until the other day...

On the way to work one morning, I saw a turtle in the middle of the oncoming lane. I slowed down, pulled off onto the shoulder and came to a stop. Just as I was preparing to make a U-turn, I saw a mini-van approaching in that oncoming lane. I was pretty sure at this point that I would never make it to the turtle before that van! And that's when it happened. As I waited for what appeared to be inevitable, the woman driving the van slowed down and came to a stop on the shoulder not 6 feet from the turtle. THEN SHE GOT OUT OF HER VAN AND MOVED THE TURTLE TO A SAFE PLACE WAY OFF THE ROAD! I sat there for a few minutes with my jaw hanging open. I don't think she ever knew that I was watching her. Or that I was cheering her on. I watched her get back in her van and drive off before I continued on my way to work. What a great morning! Now there are two of us keeping the turtles out of harm's way on this dangerous road. Their odds of survival just doubled!

Oh, I'm sorry, did you say, "what's the big deal... so you saved a few little turtles... they're just turtles... so what"? Well, maybe they are just little turtles, and maybe it doesn't amount to much in the grand scheme of things, but I'm betting that God and each of those little turtles may look at it differently! And maybe the reason that woman saved a turtle is because she saw me do it on a previous morning. Okay, probably not... but maybe. Answer me this: why kill any animal if you don't have to? Or, more appropriately: why not save an animal when it is so easy to do? And if you can't see the point of these two questions... please turn in your human-race membership card. You obviously don't need it any more.

On a less sarcastic note, yes, of course I realize that this is just a "small" thing. But it is something. And isn't that what's really important? Mother Teresa once said, "We cannot do great things on this earth. We can only do little things with great love." Dr. Richard Carlson, in one of his books, paraphrased it this way: "We can' t change the world, but to make the world a brighter place we don't need to. All we really have to do is focus on those little acts of kindness, things we can do right now."

Animals are entitled to our protection simply by their existence.

How Will We Be Judged?

Selfish:
1. [adj.] Concerned only with oneself

Arrogant:
1. [adj.] Having too high an opinion of oneself

Are we really “better” or “more important” than any and all other animals with whom we share this planet? Do you actually believe that when God (or nature) gave us dominion over this earth and all its creatures, we were intended to abuse, waste, destroy and ultimately eliminate, whatever natural resource and living being this earth offered up? The level of selfishness and arrogance required to support such a belief system is beyond comprehension. And inherently labels us unworthy, undeserving, unfit and - worst of all - unjust. What a loathsome epitaph: the human race rose to the very top of the food chain and became rulers of an entire planet, only to leave behind a legacy of oblivious and uncaring cruelty towards all life save their own.

Have we “evolved” to a level of consciousness that is devoid of compassion and humanity towards any living creature save one… ourselves? It would appear so. How else to explain why the average person neither cares about, nor is even aware of, the plight of so many animals - and entire species - across this country and around the world. For most it is a non-issue. They have no opinion or concern because for them it just simply does not exist. The unspeakable atrocities and acts of outrageous depravity, which occur every single day in this wonderful country of ours, go largely unknown because of how distasteful and graphically appalling the stories are and because media coverage of such incidents is basically nonexistent. Unfortunately, such an “ostrich” attitude does absolutely nothing to help the pitiful state of animal welfare on this planet. Denial and avoidance changes nothing.

I know it seems unfair and minimizing to focus energies only on one specific or select group of animals. But that is the unfortunate reality of things as they exist in our world. Is it not better to save even one animal, or one group of animals, than to simply do nothing while bemoaning the terrible state of affairs for all? I wish I could change the world. I cannot. I wish I could save them all. I cannot. But I will no longer allow that truth to prevent me from saving as many as I can… one at a time! I cannot tolerate the torture and cruelty. I cannot bear the images in my mind. I cannot continue to cry every day and every night. And I can no longer accept as “human”, these “creatures” who are so willing to allow this to be… who do not care at all.

You may be familiar with some of the more sensationalistic cases of cruelty and abuse that have managed to reach mainstream news in recent years. You know, like the guy who buried his Rottweiller’s puppies alive in the backyard; or the guy who tied up a live dog inside a burlap bag and then threw it into a river; or the kids who tied a large tortoise to the bumper of their car and dragged it up and down the road at 40 miles per hour. These are real cases. They made the news. Maybe you remember them. Maybe you don’t. Maybe you care. Maybe not. Well, how about the stuff that happens every single day and doesn’t make the news. How about the concept of “passive abuse”. Any idea what that is? “Owning” a dog - or any animal, for that matter - and viewing it as nothing more than personal “property”, and treating it as such, giving it no more thought or caring than your precious TV, can be passive abuse. You want an example? Okay... here’s an example.

Every day, on the way to and from work, I drive past a fairly new, typically suburban housing development. This particular road I travel - the road upon which these homes are situated - is a main thoroughfare. Meaning four lanes and lots of traffic. There was one new home that caught my eye. Not just because it was a large home situated on a very nice corner lot... but because a dog lived there. A dog who was in the yard - the unfenced yard - whenever I drove by, every morning and every evening. So I kept waiting to see the fence which I knew for sure was going to be built. I kept telling myself no one would ever let their dog run loose, so close to the road - especially this road - without putting up a fence. I would see this dog running around the nice corner lot home, with all the traffic in the road that was only 20 feet from where he would run and play. I kept praying for the fence. I kept asking God please don’t let this happen. But there was never any fence built. And then one day I saw the dog, the one whose name I never knew, the one who seemed to have so much fun running and playing, the one I couldn’t save... the one who is now lying dead in that road, not 40 feet from the front door of the house where he lived, where those people live... the ones that didn’t care. I hope God forgives them. I never will. And I pray for that dog. The one who lost his life for no reason other than having had the misfortune of “belonging” to a family that just didn’t care. But what I pray for most is that those people will never again have another dog. Ever.

An Essay on Animal Abuse

I do not know how a society that likes to think of itself as evolved, enlightened, humane and civilized can tolerate any level of animal abuse. What is it in the brain of certain human beings that would allow him or her to not only torture, maim or otherwise abuse and/or deliberately injure another living creature (one that feels pain, anguish and fear)… but to enjoy such activity and derive pleasure directly from those acts of depravity… feeding off the fear and pain of that animal? I have seen the pleading look of tormented eyes… begging for help, crying out for some relief… “please help me… or at least end my suffering… please!” I have watched a dog belly-crawl across the floor in a desperate agonizing attempt to avoid being deliberately hurt again… and again… and yet again! Just wishing… “please don’t kick me again. Please!” I have witnessed the aftermath of months of being tied to a tree, with only occasional food and water. (And yet, in spite of such dispicable treatment, the tail wags each and every time - rare though it be - that a “person”(?) is sighted!) We have failed and we will all be judged. Every single one of us. For not caring. For not trying. For not protecting and guarding. DUTIES TO WHICH WE HAVE BEEN PRE-ORDAINED. It is our responsibility as rulers of this earth. IT IS OUR SOLE OBLIGATION.

Starvation, suffering, anguish, fear, pain, slow agonizing death, constant torment… these are unimaginable conditions to most people. But there are countless and untold thousands of dogs whose lives will never offer anything but those conditions! These are intelligent animals who feel love, sorrow, pain, fear, happiness… the only thing they are incapable of feeling - or understanding - is hate. But I guess they have us for that. Can you even comprehend what it must be like to live - exist(?) - like that? Will you even allow yourself to attempt a level of empathy so you can picture inside your evolved, enlightened, humane and civilized mind what that is like?

Centuries ago we took dogs as domesticated friends and companions. We promised to take care of them. They did not ask to be domesticated. They would have been perfectly happy to continue living their lives in the wild as nature had intended. But we took them. Promised them a better existence for being our guardians, protectors, workers, companions and friends. That is the hardest of all to swallow. That we deliberately did this to them. And give nothing in return. Nothing of our promises. We just take and take and take. When will we give? When will we honor our promise? Our duty? Our responsibility as a race of evolved, enlightened, humane and civilized people?

Has it not always been the mark of a good ruler, that he/she protected - truly protected - and cared for ALL his/her subjects? We have climbed to the top of the food chain. Does that alone give us the right to do whatever we may please to any other creature, supposedly beneath us, just because we can? Great power brings great responsibility. Are we destined to be judged as an unworthy species? Incapable - or unwilling - to accept the responsibilities that come with the power we have achieved?
What has become of our Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gratitude, Patience?

Compassion for all God’s creatures, for hasn’t He entrusted their care and well-being to us?

Kindness to every living animal, for they are entitled to such simply by their existence.

Humility to remember that we are not “better” or “more important” than other animals, just different.

Gratitude for all that we have, for all that this world offers… for being the rulers, rather than the ruled.

Patience with all living creatures whose only crime is that they may be different from ourselves.

Dogs are very wonderful animals, indeed! To understand and open one’s self to the love of a dog, is to truly know “unconditional love”! They know no other way to love. They give of themselves in spite of receiving nothing in return. They will remain loyal and protective, though they may receive no thanks or gratitude in return. They know no other way to love. Dogs ask only for the most basic and simplest of things… food, water, shelter, kindness, a gentle word occasionally and a warm hand to pet them. For no more than that, they will lay down their life for you. Willingly, eagerly. They know no other way to love. If you abuse them, they will forgive you. If you are unkind, they will turn another cheek. If you hurt them, they will accept it. If you ignore them, they will remain silent at your side. If you turn them out, you need only beckon and they will return gladly. They know no other way to love. Once you understand this, truly understand what it means… once you have allowed this to sink into your consciousness and let yourself grasp the true and loving nature of this animal, you will eventually realize what an abominable affront to God himself our tolerance of animal abuse has become!

A dog is a social animal. Left on their own, they live in packs. In the wild, all dogs are pack animals. They have a very rigid and structured social order within their pack. They are den-dwelling, socially oriented, pack animals. They are NOT loners! In a domesticated environment, dogs want, need and actively seek out the comfort of being with their people. A dog views his “family” of people as his pack. The pack is necessary for his very survival. Belonging to the pack is paramount for his existence. Interaction is required for his emotional stability and overall wellbeing. That understood… how could anyone possibly be the least bit surprised or confused at the distrustful, anti-social, unfriendly, nasty and uncertain behavior of a dog which is left completely alone and tied up in the backyard? IT IS BASIC CAUSE AND EFFECT. Do you know why solitary confinement is used as a method to “break” the spirit of a human being? BECAUSE IT WORKS!

I cannot change the world. I cannot save every animal. I cannot save every dog. I cannot rescue every senior canine that has been turned out because of old age or special needs. But…

“Better to light a candle for one lost dog
than to curse the darkness of man’s indifference.
Saving just one dog won’t change the world
but it surely will change the world for that one dog.”
…Richard Clyde Call

So that is how it must begin. One at a time. Not everyone can make a difference in the world. But anyone can make a difference for one dog. Think about that. If you think one person can’t change anything… if you believe that one person can’t make a difference… try changing your focus from “the world” to “a dog”! You will find that you can change everything… you will make a difference… a life will be affected by your actions… your love and caring will not go unrewarded!

I can’t help but question how we got to this point. Are we so involved in our own separate worlds… have we become so thoroughly selfish… that we no longer even care? Somehow, I still believe that there are people out there who cry for the suffering animals. Though I wonder, are we so few that we are drowned out by the sheer abundance of the abusers and those who really don’t care at all? Perhaps. And perhaps my problem is always setting my sights too high… like changing the world instead of saving one dog. If I can focus my energy and emotions on the reality of helping one animal, can I perhaps convince one other person to do the same. And could that person save only one animal and then also convince only one other person to do likewise? WOULD THAT NOT EVENTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD? THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD…?

There are those who would contend that it is naive to believe in such fantasy…

I am going to try to prove them wrong.