A Dog In Winter
by Charles Simic
So, that’s how it’s going to be
A cold day of smelling snow
Step around the bare oak tree
And see how quickly you get
Yourself entangled for good.
Your bad luck was being friendly
With people who love their new couch
More than they love you.
Fred, you poor mutt, the night
Is falling. The children playing
Across the road were cold,
So they ran in. Watch the smoke
Swirl out of their chimney
In the windy sky as long as you can,
Soon, no one will see you there.
You’ll have to bark even if
There’s no moon, bark and growl
To keep yourself company.
With My Eyes
by Brenda Shoss
Kinship Circle 2005
My prayer tonight is for all who
lie down in chains and cages.
Alone and afraid on
a concrete floor.
Soundless screams behind
the clang of metal.
Locked in rooms
most will never see.
I feel their fear arise in my soul
Ancient yet new…
A primal flame burning against
the walls of my heart.
I want to scream an endless note,
Loud and true:
Clubbed.
Forgotten.
Dismembered.
Forgotten.
Gassed.
Forgotten.
Beaten.
Forgotten.
Burned.
Forgotten.
Electrocuted.
Forgotten.
Abandoned.
Forgotten.
Poisoned.
Forgotten.
Skinned.
Forgotten.
Shot.
Forgotten.
Caged.
Forgotten.
Shackled.
Forgotten.
Murdered.
Forgotten.
And with my eyes,
they will be seen.
With my voice,
they will be heard.
With my hands,
they will know comfort.
With my action,
they will be free.
Dear God, fill their oppressors
with mercy and empathy.
Dear God, instill compassion
where there is apathy.
Replace horror with grace.
Bloodshed with healing.
Restore all humans and animals
to their natural place.
Liberate all humans and animals
from greed, violence and hate.
So that tonight and evermore,
ALL may lie down to sleep
unchained
uncaged
free.
AMEN
Videos
Cute videos of Miss DeeVa,
the pink poodle mascot.
www.youtube.com/deevadarling
In Hope, An Animal Shelter Story
A powerful video depicting the extreme suffering and death of millions of dogs and cats in animal shelters, making urgent the case as to why one should spay or neuter their pet.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYBz2gjlEfA
Quotes
“My doctrine is this: that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and we do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt.” — Anna Sewell
♦
“I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter…the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal. And I was angry.”
“God,” I said, “this is terrible! Why don’t you do something?”
God was silent for a moment and then He spoke softly.
“I have done something,” He replied. “I created you.” — Jim Willis
♦
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
♦
“A hundred years from now, it will not matter the sort of house I live in, what my bank account was, or what car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child or one of God’s creatures on this earth.” — Dr. Forest E. Wilcraft
♦
“Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission: we must be of SERVICE to them whenever they require it.” — St. Francis of Assisi
♦
“If the screams and moans of the animals used to provide for us could be heard, the sound would be deafening. If their misery and suffering could be felt by us, it would be unbearable.” — Anonymous
♦
“It is with an intense sense of urgency that the Universe cries out for a plea of gentleness, and empathy for all living creatures. God created those who are voiceless, and defenseless for their own glory and for a far greater purpose than most humans can contemplate.” — Marijo Anne Gillis
♦
“The one absolutely unselfish friend a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be at his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.” — United States Senator George Graham Vest
♦
“The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind.” — Theodorus Gaza
♦
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” — Anatole France
Animal Organizationswww.animalrescueneworleans.com |
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To ALL the people, including my sister Sheila Mahon, who tirelessly, selflessly and faithfully give their time, money and emotion; who literally give their blood, sweat and tears to save God's beautiful, helpless creatures...
I ADMIRE YOU . . . I RESPECT YOU . . . I THANK YOU.