Whenever I am watching television I am always a
little bit nervous. You never know when it might happen. I’m always on edge,
waiting for it, hoping that it won’t come. Just about the time you’re all
wrapped up in whatever it is you’re watching and have let your guard down, it
happens. You see one of those ads from the Humane Society.
Watching one of these commercials is about the most
horrible experience imaginable. It takes me to such a dark place of the soul.
To see innocent, beautiful animals treated in such a way rips a hole in my
heart and I can hardly bare to watch. Why is this?
Needless to say, there are actual human beings
treated far worse each and every day all around the world. This world has become
a Petri dish of cruelty, with new forms of inhumanity mutating
practically every day. But when I watch a news report of some mindless
terrorist attack or a school shooting I am saddened, but mindful that on some
level it is the result of a decision that was made by someone based on some
screwed up ideology or pathology. But at least there was a reason. When I see
an abused dog in one of these ads I see an animal that didn’t get to make a
decision. His tragic circumstance is the result of evil neglect. His fate
sealed by a cruel master.
For me it goes back to Genesis. When mankind was
given dominion over the animals it came with responsibilities. We were entrusted
with their care. They depend on our provision and hope for our mercy and when
we offer them neither, a place inside me erupts with righteous indignation of
the sort that used to start wars. It’s so strange that I can find it in myself
to forgive almost any failing in my fellow man, but I can never bring myself to
forgive Michael Vick.
A friend of mine posted a picture on Facebook
yesterday of a Golden retriever that appeared on her front porch yesterday
morning freezing to death. She looked to be about ten years old, beautiful but
in bad shape. I wanted to drive out there myself and take her home with me. I
finally had to delete the picture or I would have.
I would be a much better person if I was as moved to
righteous indignation at the suffering of my fellow man.
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