September 15, 2011
“To speak for those who could not …”
“You no longer belong to God, but to a man …”
“To make the blind see …”
“And to lead a movement that will change the world …”
“… you have work to do.”
“You still have passion, that matters more.”
“I once was blind, but now I see.”
The preceding quotes are from the movie, Amazing Grace.I mean no disrespect to the seriousness of our horrific and sad past with slavery. But when I listen to this words spoken in this movie, I see so many similarities to what we face in animal rescue. Do you see it? In Texas, pets are ‘property’ and they have so few rights. And way too many, beautiful, healthy, adoptable pets are killed in municipal shelters with the taxpayers’ dollar, or tossed aside, abandoned on a Texas country side.
In animal rescue …
We speak for those who can not.
Recognize that they do belong to God, even though Man disposes of them with reckless abandon.
We advocate to create awareness to those who do not understand how bad it is.
We want to change the world for the pets.
We have work to do.
We are fueled by our passion.
I personally was once blind, but now I see how horrific it is for our pets, and how very much they need our voice. And this is true for most people, they are shocked and horrified when they learn the fate that many shelter pets face. Far too many people are appalled and sickened by what they see happening to our pets, but they look away, because the reality is too painful. And they say they can not deal with it. It is painful. But I choose to look the horror in the face, because if we all turn away, who will help the innocent pets? I found my place in Pawsitively Teas, a way I could do the most good for the paws using the skills and resources I had available. I truly believe there is a place for each of us … networkers, fosters, fundraisers, shelter walkers, pet photographers … there truly is something each of us can do, regardless of how much time we have, or how much money we have.
Ryan Clinton, no kill advocate, often quotes St. Augustine:
“Hope has two beautiful daughters: their names are anger and courage. Anger that things are the way they are. Courage to make them the way they ought to be.”
So I ask; If not us, who? If not now, when? Don’t just be angry and rant. But take the anger at the way things are, and let that fuel our courage to continue to speak up for the paws and advocate for change. We have a strong voice when we work together. The horrific act of slavery was finally recognized for the inhumane cruelty that it is. And because of the courage of a few, it is rightfully our past. I believe we too must remain steadfast, determined to change Texas to a state of compassion for ‘the least of these’ because it is the right thing to do. We still have passion, and that matters most! We still have work to do … until they’re all safe, free, and loved.
