Throw Aways

One of my greatest friends is a "thrown away" dog.

That’s a harsh term, and his former owners might not see it that way…but in its most simplistic form, the term applies. For reasons I’m sure they felt completely justified in, they decided he wasn’t worth the trouble it would be to keep him. In all fairness, there were extenuating circumstances in his case, and to their great credit they did turn him over to a rescue - but they made the hard choice to let him go, nonetheless. I was in that position once too, for different reasons, so I’m not casting stones.

Don’t be surprised. It happens every day.

What DOES still continue to surprise me in this age we are in is that the majority of the human race has still not evolved past the "use it up then trash it" stage. We (in VERY broad general terms) have taken the throw away mindset to a new high- or low- depending on which camp you belong to. We’ve thrown away our fellow creature’s rights to life, because we’re so positive we belong at the top of the food chain…we’ve completely trashed our children’s future of a healthy planet because we’re so motivated by greed we cannot bear the thought that there’s money to be made in the game and we might not get a piece of that pie…our government lives and breathes big business, but we just keep right on drinking the "American Dream" kool-aid and trusting that it’s all going to work out just fine in the end. Another generation will come along and clean up our shit storm, right?

So… the fact that someone would toss out their four legged friend is sort of a no-brainer. In fact, four million dogs and cats are euthanized every year. We have chosen to be a disposable society. Hell, we even dishonor our Elders and throw them away. That tells me we (as a species) maybe aren’t quite as enlightened as the New Age disciples would have us believe (they have their own flavor of kool-aid). It makes me want to cry- for all the furkids that will never have the chance to be someone’s friend and teacher like Owen is to me; for all the ones on chains who were starved for attention like Tater or starved to death for food ten feet from their "family’s" back porch; for all the ones tossed down garbage chutes (the amazing Patrick of The Patrick Miracle), those thrown out of cars and used as bait dogs (Kekoa), and the ones who’s wonderful breed qualities are perverted by their time in the fighting pits; time that typically ends in their death, either by brutality or a merciful euthanasia. Once in a while you see a sensation like The Vick Dogs, but most don’t get either the chance or the exposure they did. Most don’t survive it. Our president thinks Michael Vick deserves a second chance. I think he missed the memo on the definition of REAL throwaways.

I’m not perfect- and I’ve done things out of ignorance and youth…but I’m trying to wake up. The past twelve months have been life altering for me, and I feel that if I can change not only my perspective and opinions but my priorities then it’s possible for all of you- if you want it.
It starts with loosening the stranglehold your ego has you in.

Are you walking awake, or asleep?

For all the Annie and Owens out there, who will never, ever, know these simple comforts. The comfort of safety, and the joy that comes with redemption.

 

Solace Pit Bull rescue
Project H.O.P.E. and Kekoa's Rehabilitation
The Vicktory Dogs
Tracy Wilson on Facebook