We're All Animals

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi

Located a scant 2 blocks from my house in Aberdeen is an organization (PAWS) dedicated to animal rescue. As there aren't too many progressive groups in this area, I decided to volunteer with PAWS.

The place is filled with discarded animals, mainly cats and dogs. The cats are housed in the main building, while the dogs are boarded with a local vet. The organization has one solitary paid staff person, Val, who has given 30 years of her life to these cast-offs. Aside from Val, the work is performed by volunteers like me and, I've been told, there really aren't enough volunteers.

Yesterday, a family brought in a 10-year old cattle dog who, they said, they could no longer take care of. Let me tell you, that was an understatement. This poor dog was skin and bones; it was very obvious they had quit taking care of it months ago!

For far too many people, pets are nothing more than another commodity. They enjoy them while the animals are young and fresh, only to discard them like an old newspaper when they grow in size.

It saddens me greatly when people talk of other animals as lesser beings. We were all created by the same cosmic forces; we all have our place at the same cosmic table.

We are all one with Tao.