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more articles Help To Reduce Suffering In Our Town - A Matter of Perspective
Real sacrifice in an effort to improve life on some level is something that most people
these days seem to not have an interest in.
It is in the giving that we receive. Few are willing to give their time and energy,
hands-on, to eliminate suffering on any level. We have become a me me me society, and it
seems that most people have an enhanced ability to look the other way when someone or something
is suffering upon their path. That is the easiest solution.
I think the primary focus of our deeper thoughts and motivation should not be what works best
for us, personally, but what works best for all living things on this earth.
We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals.
Animals suffer as much as we do. True humanity does not allow us to impose such sufferings
on them. It is our duty to make the whole world recognize it. Until we extend our circle of
compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace. ~Dr. Albert Schweitzer, The
Philosophy of Civilization.
Many people believe they are on the right track. Hey, they dress nice, have attractive homes,
nice cars, smile with their friends and talk about how much they care. They speak softly,
don't swear, and read lots of books about love, God, and freedom. Ask one of them what they
do hands-on to make a difference. You might want to prepare yourself for a long pause.
There are exceptions. There are those who do sacrifice their time and energy to try, on some level,
to make the world a better place in which to live. But they are definitely a minority.
I receive hundreds of calls each season from people who expect me to remove suffering life from
their yard so they don't have to look at it. They don't care how I do it but make it clear they
want no part in helping, they simply want the suffering animal removed so they don't have to see it.
They are only interested in their immediate life and their immediate surroundings. How things affect
them. Their main concern is what works best for them. Many of these people don't stop to consider
that S.P.A. is but one, local organization. I answer all S.P.A. calls. I am not a paid employee but
do what I do in an effort to reduce suffering, one animal at a time.
Looking the other way because it is the easiest thing to do and not seeing and/or feeling the
suffering in our world, ignoring the pain that is constantly inflicted on many life forms, would
make me feel hollow inside.
It is in the giving that we receive. Maybe it takes some people a lifetime to truly understand this.
Maybe some live a thousand lifetimes before they understand. It is all a matter of perspective,
I suppose.
I think the primary focus of our deeper thoughts and motivation should not be what works best for us,
personally, but what works best for all living things on this earth.
All I know is that it is our duty to eliminate as much suffering as possible, one life at a time.
You can't escape reality by picking up a book to read or praying that fewer animals will be killed
in shelters... praying that someone else will sacrifice their time to save them. You have the
ability to really make a difference. One life... just one life... saving one life would be an
immense help.
You can become part of the solution. Please think about helping the stray cat or dog in your yard.
Cats and dogs have feelings... they feel the physical pains of hunger, illness, and injuries. When
they don't have food, they become stressed.
Many of these animals were obtained by irresponsible humans who decided they no longer wanted the
pet animal and do what is easiest for them... dump the animal in another neighborhood or at the
dog pound or shelter. The pet cat and dog have no control. They feel abandoned and afraid.
Usually these animals have not been spayed or neutered, and the suffing increases by leaps and
bounds becuase of irresponsible owners.
Most families' lives have become complex and very busy. But it is my contention that we,
as a society, should never become so busy that we look away from suffering that is there upon
our path.
Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. spaohio@sbcglobal.net.
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