People and their pets
Introduction: A story as large in scope as nearly the whole population confronts the society in which we live. That story is characterized by issues and conflicts differing to the extent of the feelings and affections as members of any given household.
The alienation of friendships of neighbors are often been assigned, whether spoken or visibly ignored, to the action of the pets “next door.” The story of people and their pets is widely told in all areas of the media on a regular basis. These stories capture the interest and the affections of all who are touched by a relationship with a pet.
The points and observations I will make today will be based largely on personal observations of a private and more public nature. All one has to do is lift up their eyes and look to see the great feelings people manifest toward their pets. This is not to indicate all feelings and actions are positive in nature. As this discourse continues there will be indications that there is often neglect and pain directed toward those in the care of those who have assumed responsibility toward pets.
Some Stories of people and their pets:
Animals of all kinds were on the farm when I was young and growing up on the farm with my grandparents. There were those providing a source of food: Cows, chickens, guineas, goats, and pigs.
There were our mules providing the power for the plows, wagons and mowers. Then there were the dogs and cats, the pets of the family. All those things true of our family were true, with variations, of other farm families in those hard days during and following the Great Depression.
The cats and dogs were like members of the family; and they were loved for and cared for like a little child. Dogs and cats in the house by the fireplace during winter months was a necessary situation. When we moved to town in 1945, the pets came with us. My late sister, Jackie McEntyre, adopted a love for the pets not true of other brother and sister. She probably adopted that sentiment from Mama Foster whose pride and joy were her two beautiful cats, one black and one white, with large and furry features; they were beautiful.
It has taken me many years but I understand all the things I read and hear about the emotions of people when their pets disappear or they are injured or killed. I am going to have to come back to this aspect of a discussion of people and their pets. I need to now share with you a most disturbing feature of human relationships with pets; that is cruelty to animals.
Cruelty to animals household pets:
It was the Bible Scholar William Barclay of Scotland who said, “In the vision of the perfect time there was perfect friendship between man and the beasts ( pets). Sadly, while we like to imagine that perfect time the fact is it is hard to find.
Our pets display a love and friendliness to us without reservations. For many decades I have drifted from the concept of and love for a specific animal. Then our daughter Kayla brought home a Miniature Italian Greyhound. In fact, the dog appeared first on the scene in Columbus when Calhoun won the first of their three State Softball Championships; she has accompanied the team to all three. Should the Lady Jackets make the trip again this year do you suppose Piper will be along?
As already suggested; all is not well with our pets. In the beginning, pets are greeted with excitement and affection. Soon many adults and children tire of the giving the attention and care needed to keep their pets fed and protected; health is neglected and the animals are not fed properly. While overt punishment is not evident, animals are neglected and cruelty imposed on them when they are allowed to roam freely, go hungry and are often injured or killed on the streets.
Barclay added in his comments, “Cruelty is always an ugly thing; and cruelty to animals in their dumb helplessness is specially an ugly thing.” He further said, “The love of God is the love that stretches out over man and beast.” Take Care of Our Pets: Our household pets deserve our love and care. I have come to feel that any household is of a richer environment with a pet which loves people and people love. They offer a companionship deep in affection and understanding. The stories of physical abuse shown on TV are heartbreaking. People who inflict pain or withhold care on animals are of the lowest kind.
Piper has changed my life. It is with regret I note that the dog is smarter than me. It is feared she dictates much more of my conduct that I do hers. Still, I like so many others and their pets would suffer great heartache should something bad happen to her.