January 27 – Kindness to Animals: Go to a local animal shelter and be kind to the animals next scheduled to be “terminated” — Walk them. Pet them. Feed them treats. Let them know that, at least for today, they are Loved.

Despite our best intentions, one of the common traits of being human is the subconsciously-inspired tendency to look down upon other “lesser” species. We tend to think that beings who cannot speak verbally or wear clothing or use a cell phone are somehow not sophisticated enough to cherish their own lives. You’d think that we, as “intelligent” as we are, would know better. Of course, in the deepest levels of our being we do know better. And yet, like so many times when we are faced with gross injustice & cruelty, we choose to believe that we are powerless to effectuate any change – and we simply look away.

Such is the case with the way our society treats its homeless animals. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that approximately 60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats entering American animal shelters are killed each year (about 4 million animals in 2008). We can choose to turn away from these murders, and yet ignoring them will not stop them from happening.

Some would say that this high rate of “euthanasia” (note: there is no such thing as a “humane murder”) is mostly due to a lack of space or resources to care for these animals. In reality, the only reason behind this travesty is our own apathy.

And many will tell me that animals don’t really appreciate their lives as we humans do; that they are not as aware of their own existence, and therefore don’t suffer as much when killed. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE! Animals know very well when they are incarcerated; yearning just as much for their Freedom as we would …

… and they know very well when they have been abandoned; yearning just as much for Love as we do.

Oddly enough, there are quite a few animals that are showing more Compassion to other species than we are.

And so the question for any Awakened Human becomes: what can I do? How can I do my own small-but-significant part to ease the suffering of these brothers & sisters?

For starters, of course, if you already share space with an animal, please begging to cherish that relationship – not merely as “good owner”, but rather as a true Friend.

Secondly, if you are intending to obtain an animal as a new Friend in your home, please adopt from a shelter instead of buying one from a dealer. Not only will you save money and obtain a generally healthier animals (“mutts” are notoriously healthier than “pure-breeds”), but you will be saving a life. Rest assured, if you have the courage to go to your local animals shelter, you will find hundreds of more than willing Companions.

Thirdly, you can donate to a non-kill shelter.

Or you can encourage a traditional shelter to become a no-kill facility. Some opponents argue that this trend is intensifying the over-population of homeless animals, and yet recent studies* are showing the opposite to be true. It seems that when a community knows that its shelter is a no-kill facility, adoption rates dramatically increase – more evidence that we are indeed Good deep within (we just have to find the courage to let that Love out).

*As just one example, the Nevada Humane Society adopted a no-kill policy in 2006. In less than a year, cat adoptions nearly doubled, from 2,100 in 2006 to 3,745 in 2007. Dog adoptions increased 51 percent, from 2,439 to 3,707.

It is also a Wonder-full option to find a no-kill facility and volunteer there for a few hours every week.

And finally, and perhaps most importantly, you can engage today’s task with regularity – simply going to a local animal shelter and extending kindness to the animals there. This will prove to be most difficult, as your heart will reach out to them, and a part of your heart will “break” when you depart without them. And yet never underestimate the immense Power of one small instant of pure Love. Your visit, however short and seemingly “insignificant”, will literally mean the world to those animals – and just might inspire that shelter to adopt a similar level of perfect Kindness as well.

See You when I see you …

… and until then, Be Now!

Scaughdt

Filed under: 366 Days of Kindness by Scaughdt