I don’t know about you, but I find this time of the year very emotional. With all the excitement of Christmas, planning, buying gifts, extra cooking and greeting guests, there is an awful lot to do. However, in addition to all of that, there are the advertisements for help with charities. I like to give as much as possible but with the best will in the world, it isn’t possible to do what is needed and I get a feeling of inadequacy. This year in particular I feel the need to help animals because they get a very raw deal, in my opinion.
I am on Facebook and I enjoy it, particularly keeping in touch with all my Australian cousins. In the past, postage was too expensive to be in regular touch with them all and my Uncle and Auntie, who emigrated in the 60’s, but now I can tap in to their lives almost every day and it’s wonderful. However, underneath their posts are the ones about animal suffering and I find it almost impossible to comprehend. How can people be so cruel to animals? There are some horrendous stories to see. I won’t repeat them here, but you know what I mean. What can I do about it? Recently I got posts about the Soi Dog Foundation, which helps dogs in Thailand, on the other side of the world to me. They are asking us to buy a banner to let the people over there know that dogs are being taken off the streets for farming purposes. Again, I won’t go into detail but it is a horrid practice and could be stopped if people come together and stop it. A lot of the trouble is not knowing what goes on over there, I presume. If you’re feeling brave, click on the link above and see what I mean.
I considered that: buying a banner, but then I thought about all the animals over here that are being ill treated and I wondered if perhaps I should do something about that first. It is a dilemma and one not easily solved. It bothers me that there are still so many dangerous dogs on our streets even after the governments Dangerous Dogs Act, which was supposed to protect the public from these animals. In most cases it isn’t the animals that are at fault, but their owners who either deliberately train them to be vicious and/or fight or just don’t know how they should be treated. There are so many more suitable breeds of dog for keeping as pets. I can only think that people buy the dangerous kind as status symbols. It should be stopped and soon.
Do you feel inadequate at this time of the year? Do you go to bed and think about all the poor donkeys that are mistreated and abused? or is it just me?
Oma
Oma 
You are a good soul. I agree with you, there are so many in the world who desperately need our help and in many cases, the only thing we can do is fervently pray for them and let their plights be known in any way possible(such as what you are doing on your blog and other ways). Doing what we can do in any way possible. I have a friend in Canada who recently became concerned with all of the wasted food…and the people who didn’t have enough in her area…so she started very small by word of mouth…in just a few months, it has morphed into a website and people/food/money pouring in from many places. She is an inspiration. So, a trickle becomes a bigger trickle and then a stream and then…
the ripple effect.
WIshing you a good Sunday…<3
I am not brave enough to click that link. I know what goes on, and it’s easy for me to get overwhelmed and depressed if I don’t find ways to do things to help in my own little part of the world. You are indeed a sensitive soul, Star, and I know you will do what you can, but please don’t try to save the world! One person can only do so much.
I didn’t click the link because I just hate seeing any abuse towards animals altogether. I know how frustrating and upsetting it can be when we’re overwhelmed with cruelty on any level. I really believe helping charities is easier when you can do it ‘hands on’. It’s fine to send money, but you don’t know where that money is going and if it’s really helping at all. Maybe working at a local animal refuge may help – even if you save one puppy or kitten that would be an amazing thing xxx
Yes you’re rught Dianne. I have always taken in rescue animals, but these days I have to consider other members of the family, some of whom are allergic. What bothers me most is some people’s total lack of respect for animals who often have more dignity than humans do.