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A photo taken during a lonely morning walk. I miss my walking buddy; he is waiting for me back home. Vader, our dog, got hurt a few weeks back when he jumped and ran in the field. He leaped over a fallen tree and landed in broken glass.
He whined. I ran. His paw was cut open, our pet was in pain, bleeding in the middle of nowhere. The car was not too far away, only thirty minutes, which seemed like thirty hours on our way back. An 80-pound dog, limping, refusing to walk any further, was dragged by its human, the one in charge, who felt so helpless.
I am sometimes so angry and disgusted with humans; words fail me. Who in their right state of mind leaves a broken glass bottle in an area where there is wildlife around for all to see—and enjoy. Who brings along glass bottles on a walk or hike, to begin with? Our dog Vader will be fine; he was taken care of, but what about the rabbit or deer that might step into the glass shards next?
To answer today’s prompt. I like healthy animals. I like happy animals.
I often joke that I love our dogs more than humans. As a matter of fact, that’s not so far from the truth. Humans puzzle me, they anger me, and sadly, their behavior often disgusts me. If I were to pray to a god (the gods), I would thank them for the animals and the joy they bring. Even the dead ones, the ones we slaughter, cook, and eat, even they bring us joy—and nourishment.
I want them all healthy, even when they are dead, killed by us to be food. One of the many reasons that I live most of the time a vegan lifestyle is the fact that our meat cuts are often not healthy, and the animals have not lived a happy life. Chickens are caged for their entire lives because we want cheap eggs. We don’t mind that these eggs don’t taste right; we just want them to be affordable. That our demands come with a hefty price to be paid by the creatures, god’s creations, is something we don’t care much about.
The slaughterhouses are full of unhappy, unhealthy animals. Most of us will never set foot into one of them, because not knowing protects us from questioning our own motives. We have butchered on our farm, and I watched and helped. I also watched and helped when they were born, as I helped, watched, and learned to take care of them.
There is always a right way, a wrong way, and a cheap way. The latest causes the most harm.
To live in harmony with all life forms (which includes ALL humans), we need to find a way to coexist and respect each other.
Happy and Healthy!
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I really agree with you! I am so often (most of the time) really frustrated, angry or disgusted by the way that people do not think beyond their own convenience. Since my husband died last year I cannot describe the strength and love I’ve received from our pets! The two dogs sat by me for days on end, and just by their presence I was comforted. And then I added my new kitty, and he is companionship that only gives, and never takes. I’m not able to adjust my energy for even my closest of friends much of the time. And I think I might concern my children by the way that day after day they hear me say, “I think I prefer people to animals.” LOL! Well, I’m just being truthful. I think you and I would get along just fine, dear Bridget!
Poor Vader! I hope he is healing up and isn’t enduring too much pain. Did he need stitches? Pets are so much more to us that “just” an animal they love us and we love them, they sense our feelings, they miss us when we are gone… they are family. A very nice response to the question, Bridget!
Your usual sound attitude. I am pleased Vader was not more seriously hurt
When I was a teenager, I had a dog that ran through my neighbor’s yard right over a broken glass window laying on the ground. The wife scolded the husband for not cleaning it up since it had been there a while. I had to have my dog stitched up just like your Vader. 🙁
I adore bears. I also love big cats–cougars, jaguars, tigers, lions…
You are right about “There is always a right way, a wrong way, and a cheap way. The latest causes the most harm.” It is true in respect to animals, but also in respect to our planet’s resources. Especially oil and natural gas, we underestimate the pervasiveness of these products. They don’t just fill our tanks, but are a major contributor to nearly every item we use daily. Solar and Wind do not provide us with clothing, storage bins, plastic bottles, and other one-time use products. How do we go back to the time before plastics? But it isn’t the cheap way. So we continue to destroy the planet to save a few bucks.
Thank you for the photo of Vader – hate to think of the unnecessary pain he suffered – hope each day the healing will progress – the love he gets from you will actually lead to that faster! I am a meat-eater but only too aware of the suffering most animals go thru’ and the unhappy lives they lead – my ‘need’, my ‘weakness’ . . . but I do make a conscious effort to buy from the right sources. . . . Hope you two are soon walking together again . . .
Glass is dangerous in the wrong hands! One moment of fun smashing a bottle and trouble for animals and children.
It broke my heart and it made me angry. I don’t understand why people would do that. I always have a plastic bag with me when I go for hikes. I pick up my own waste and other’s people trash. Leaving trash behind is so unnecessary.
A heartfelt post with views that we should all aspire to!
Vader’s surgery was so unnecessary and it made me angry. It’s not just the pain it caused, but also it wasn’t cheap to stitch him up. We tried putting a sock on him, which he ripped to pieces. So it looks like I might be alone on my walks for a while. The paw is a hard place for healing.
I hope he’s bouncing around soon!
Thank you.