"All
that is gold does not glitter, not all those
who wander are lost......" J.R.R. Tolkein
I could never explain
the affinity I have always had for animals. I don't really understand it myself,
but it is there nonetheless. I feel very connected to them and very protective
of them and they touch a place deep within my soul. So much so that as a child
I was always bringing home strays and finding homes for them. In high school
I accepted the "F" in Anatomy and Physiology rather than dissect the cat. It
was not a fashionable thing to do in 1968 and I didn't receive a lot of support,
but it was something I felt that strongly about. I belong to various animal
organizations. My real dream is to open a home for lost, hurt or abandoned animals.
I am a vegetarian for almost twelve years now.
I think we often
forget how kind the animals of this world are to us, and how patient. Unlike
people, animals rarely, if ever, attack without provocation, and never kill
for the sheer pleasure of it. Yet animals have the capacity to do us great harm
if they so desired. Perhaps we can learn something from them.
The
animals of this world have been entrusted to us, to our care, and we have failed
miserably at it. They are abused, neglected and
yes, tortured as well.
Considering that they have the capacity to feel,
as we do, it is a travesty. There is not an animal that will build a city nor
send a ship to the moon. They will not figure into progress, as we know it.
That does not mean they should be used or abused by us.
Perhaps
they will figure into the progress of the human soul,
when we can evolve to the place where we treat them with the
dignity and respect they deserve.
Although
mankind has made great strides in creating a progressive and technical society,
our technological and scientific advancements have far exceeded our capacity
for understanding and compassion.
On
the next page, I have provided some answers to questions you might have. Subsequent
pages contain links to organizations that help
animals. Please visit these sites for more information on what you can
do to help. Additional areas in this section include an editorial on Xenografts
by yours truly, writings devoted to animals and the feelings they evoke in others,
information on the breed of dog known as the Chinese Shar Pei and a bit about
my own dogs as well. Not to forget the section on training your dog. It's not
really just about training for within the lessons you will find my philosophies
and feelings and how I relate to mankinds best friend. Don't leave without visiting
the gifts page. It's a gift for you and for the animals. Spread the word by
posting a button at your site. Spread the word and show that you support animals
and their welfare.
Cowardice
asks the question, is it safe?
Expediency asks the question, is it politic?
Vanity asks the question, is it popular?
But conscience asks the question, is it right?
There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor popular,
but he must take it because his conscience tells
him that it is right.
Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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