"Gypsy gold does not chink and glitter. It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark."

~ Saying of the Gladdagh Gypsies of Galway


Tuesday, December 6, 2011

2 Kinds of People


There are two kinds of people in this world - in my opinion.
Those who would do for an animal as they would do for themselves...and those who suck!

I am serious.

In the past week, I have heard more stories about animal abuse and have received more emails about people needing to off load their horses "like yesterday" than I care to think about. I don't want to get into too much detail, but one story in particular involved a dog and my heart broke for it. I wanted nothing more than to go to the owners and look them straight in the face, slap them, cuss them out, and get ALL the animals they have AWAY from them. And then let them live in the conditions they let their animals live in.

Here is a glimpse of the emails I received this past week:

Please contact me today at xxx regarding 5 Paso Finos and a Paint who need homes immediately.

I currently have 8 horses that need to go ASAP. Like this week, they vary from quarter horse, pasa finos, Arabs and a paint. 2 studs, and one gelding. Any help would be appreciated.

The things about these emails that anger me are the terms "immediately" and "need to go ASAP...like this week".

REALLY? Now I know I am assuming here, but for whatever reason you have these horses, I can assume that over the span of 24 hours you didn't just go from a happy horse owning human being to no longer wanting these animals. Whatever happened, you probably saw it coming and had ample time to try and make arrangements for these animals, rather than wait until you were in a position to pawn them off 'like yesterday'.

This is a total soap box for me if you couldn't tell! Don't get me wrong. If you can no longer financially afford to care for an animal properly, the right thing to do is find it a home that can. BUT, when you just try to off load them, or get rid of them in a hurry, chances are more than likely they won't find a good home. ESPECIALLY HORSES! You can't just let a horse move into your home as you could a cat or dog.

I could go on and on and in a million different directions with this. My point is that I truly believe, as I stated above, there are two kinds of people in this world. The kind of person I wish most of the world would be is those that would do for an animal as they would do for themselves.

Yesterday at work, I received a call from one of our construction guys out in the field, an hour away. I usually can predict these kinds of calls, especially at 8:30am. He was driving to the job site in a rural area and found a dog laying in a corn field. He was thinking maybe it was shot (since this past week was gun week for deer hunting) in our area. He said it appeared to have been laying there for a while, didn't look good, and was making 'moaning' nosies. He called me for help and wanted to know if I could get him an ok to get the dog into his vehicle and wrapped in some blankets. My boss said of course. She said it is good to know that the people we have working for our company are 'these kind of people - the kind of people who stop for a dog in need'. And I agree. I know what she means - and she couldn't be more right.

Two favorite quotes of mine....
"A man's soul can be judged by the way he treats his dog." - Charles Doran

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” - Mahatma Gandhi


And incase you were wondering, my co-worker found a lady in a house nearby that was willing to take in the dog and care for it until the local SPCA opened up.
These are the kinds of people the world need more of.

3 comments:

Susan said...

I hope you can hear the LOUD approval of your post today...all the way from the Pacific Northwest!
A few years ago, when we gathered all the family together for one of those "Family Portrait" times, I insisted our cat, Bailey, be part of the photo. Some members thought I was weird, but all the animals in my life have been part of my family--both growing up and after I was married. I'd like to think I fall into your first category. XOXO

Kim said...

Unwanted horses ~ that's a tough one. Chances are they shouldn't have had them in the first place.

Camille said...

Great post, Allison! Bringing an animal into the family is the same as having a child. It is a commitment you make to them. We rescued two huskies over 10 years ago and can't imagine our lives without them. We have gone into debt over medical bills, dealing with both autoimmune lupus and diabetes, not to mention having to put up 6 foot fences to keep them safe! LOL! You don't throw your animals away like that. So sad.