In animal rescue, we discover a lot about ourselves. But we also discover a lot about the world, much of which, we dislike and learn to resent.
We realize that the rights of animals are low on the list of priorities for those people who possess the ability to protect them, such as police, lawyers and prosecutors, politicians, owners. Many laws that are meant to protect animals, are shoved onto the back burner and other "more important" ones are pushed ahead. In some ways, I understand this, as we all make decisions and prioritize things in our lives. But animal care requirements are still in the dark ages. For instance, the laws of Texas, and I believe they are the first to make such a change, no longer consider dogs personal property with no intrinsic value. "Dogs have finally moved up in legal standing from just “personal property” with no additional value, to personal property with recognized intrinsic or sentimental value. It took 120 years, but the law finally figured out that people value their dogs more than your average inanimate household item. Dogs now are in the same category as irreplaceable family pictures, heirlooms, and other personal property with sentimental value." Dogs are still considered objects, with no credit given to their ability to have feelings or feel pain, but this legal precedent at least recognizes the fact that we have feelings for them, at least as much as that photograph of Grandma holding the new baby of the family... Our question, "why is it taking so long to progress?"
We realize that some people just don't care about animals, as impossible as that may sound to us. How they can look into the eyes of an animal and not see their soul, not see that they can love, and feel pain... It is unfathomable to me and many, but it is the truth. These people can go about their day, and not bother themselves with reading my blog or visiting my office. I like to think they are dedicated to correcting other injustices in the world, as there are many out there.
We also realize that there are millions of people who do care about animals, treat them as family, yet do nothing about the injustice that is served upon them. "I could never do what you do" is my LEAST favorite quotation from fellow animal lovers, yet I hear it so often. This is a big source of frustration, and I have addressed it many times in my blog. Here is one of them: "Help Your Local Animal Shelter While On a Budget"
But the biggest thing we face is burnout. We submit ourselves every day to seeing things that hurt us. Animals abandoned, animals hurt, animals being treated like trash. We hear owners say the most repulsive things about why they need to "get rid of" this pet. We get yelled at when we have no room to take in an unwanted pet, or stray. They yell even louder when we request financial help with the intake of that unwanted pet. We are always expected to do it all for free and with a smile on our face. We watch as those we try to protect, get no protection from those who have the ability to make the necessary changes. We cry happy tears at adoptions and sad tears at our losses. We get tired, hurt, exhausted.
Until one day we struggle. We struggle to the point of needing a break, yet rarely do we take one, because if we do, who will fill in where we are needed?
I struggled as the death of my cousin was treated as insignificant. In the same state where a young man is facing felony charges for beating a squirrel with a hockey stick, my cousin's death is left unpunished, with no answers, and no punishment for inadequate investigation. I wondered why I fight for animals when there are so many injustices for people as well.
I struggled when a friend felt comfortable enough with me to reveal her past abuse, the likes of which have made me again question why I am helping animals when people also suffer. I am so grateful for her honesty and trust, and would not want her to take those words back. The point is that it opened my eyes to yet another injustice I have heard about, but I have never been a witness to until now, and it rocked me at the core. I recognize now that while I cannot change the past, I can be there for her when she needs me. I hope I am a strong enough person to do so.
So, why am I helping animals when at times the injustice of people creates so much pain in me that I could run in circles for days trying to outrun the tears?
I think I now know why. It is where my confidence lies. It is where my background is concentrated. I cannot fix everything. I cannot change the world. But if I can inspire one person, then I have made a difference. Perhaps I have made that difference and inspired one person, but now I need to inspire person number two!
I have to leave the other missions to those who can prioritize them into their lives, and hope they step up to make the necessary changes. I cannot bring my cousin back. I cannot change the past of those I love. But I can and will be there for those I love when they need me, or at least I will try my best to do so. I am human, after all.
I realize I have to focus on the fact that my training makes animal care my specialty. If my life had led me down a different path, I do believe the intensity of my passion would be focused on whatever endeavor I took on. But in this lifetime, this is where I can make the biggest difference. Even when the difference I am making seems futile, and too small in the grand scheme of things.
When someone asks, "Why do you help animals when children/environment/elderly/poor suffer?", I have to say because this is who I am. This is what I know. This is what I have chosen. Or perhaps this is what has chosen me. If I could do it all, I would... (perhaps I should buy a lottery ticket so I can do it all? :) But I can't do it all. And if you are asking that question of me, you better be doing your share in whatever mission inspires you.
I guess I am saying something to all of you that have followed my blog, and noticed my absence. I am saying...
I am back... so brace yourselves! :)
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You are invited to share a link of the blog http://www.vetrescue.blogspot.com/ on Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter.
If you would like to receive this blog into your email inbox each time it is published, go to http://www.vetrescue.blogspot.com/ , and enter your name into the subscribe box on the upper right side of the page. The blog will send you a confirmation email. Reply as instructed in the email to confirm your subscription. This is a required step. You will then receive the blog as it is published. You will not get junk mail as a result of subscribing!
