I Am An Animal Rescuer

I received this wonderful poem from our receptionist, Madonna. Her daughter had sent it to her. I would like to share it here with all of you. This is for all of those who have ever taken the time out of their busy schedules to lend a helping hand to a fellow living creature in need. Whether it was to help a nestling bird who had fallen from the nest, to save a nest of baby bunnies at a construction site, or to give a home to a litter of orphaned kittens--you are an animal rescuer.


I Am An Animal Rescuer

My job is to assist God's creatures.
I was born with the drive to fulfill their needs.
I take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures
without planning or selection.
I have bought cat food with my last dime.
I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand.
I have hugged someone vicious and afraid.
I have fallen in love a thousand times.
And I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body
too many times to count.
I have Animal Friends and friends who have animal friends.
I don't often use the word "pet".
I notice those lost at the road side and my heart aches.
I will hand raise a field mouse
and make friends with a vulture.
I know of no creature unworthy of my time.
I want to live forever if there aren't animals in Heaven,
but I believe there are.
Why would God make something so perfect
and leave it behind?
Some may think we are masters of the animals,
but the animals have mastered themselves...
something people still haven't learned.
War and abuse make me hurt for the world,
but a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind.
We are a quiet but determined army
and we are making a difference every day.
There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan,
nothing more rewarding than saving a life,
no higher recognition than watching them thrive.
There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play
who, only days ago, was too weak to eat.
By the love of those who I've been privileged to rescue,
I have been rescued.
I know what true unconditional love really is,
for I've seen it shining in the eyes of so many,
so grateful for so little.
I am an Animal Rescuer.
My work is never done.
My home is never quiet.
My wallet is always empty,
but my heart is always full.

Where it Begins

Now 70 more horses have been rescued from a barren pasture on reservation land. The article stated that conditions were so bad that all they had to eat was their own manure. I've been reading the comments in the RC Journal that people have posted online regarding these two stories. A good number of those commenting feel that the reason this type of thing happens is because people no longer have the option of taking their unwanted horses to slaughter. A few people commented on the stallion being adopted to a family who plans to use him for breeding purposes. And a few people commented on the REAL problem, where it all begins. THE CONTINUOUS, IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING OF HORSES. Two comments stand out in my mind. One from "Horsewoman in IL" and one from "gentlereins". Gentlereins makes the comparison to a manufacturing plant. If you are producing a product that no one is buying do you continue to produce that product?

Those in favor of the slaughter houses opening back up blame Congress, PETA, animal activists for the overabundance of horses. They don't seem to place any of the responsibility on those individuals breeding all of these horses that no one is buying. The truth is that years ago when slaughter houses were still in operation the problems of abuse and neglect were still present. There were still cases like these two most recent ones. But now that the slaughter houses have been closed it's easier to place the blame on the parties responsible for their closure rather than where it really belongs--THE IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDERS.

We have humane societies and animal shelters available to absorb the overflow of puppies, kittens, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, rats, etc. Some are equipped to care for horses as well. Many of these animals are the result of people not spaying or neutering their pets and then allowing them to reproduce. Again IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING. Many of them are the result of puppy and kitten mills. Again IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING AND HUMAN GREED. The solution to these problems? Do not allow your pets to reproduce. It's your responsibility. Why do people see it any differently for horse owners?

There is a wonderful quote by Gandhi:"THE GREATNESS OF A NATION AND ITS MORAL PROGRESS CAN BE JUDGED BY THE WAY ITS ANIMALS ARE TREATED."

I think it's great the way people came forward, let their compassionate spirits soar and made homes for the horses surrendered to the local humane society. But if you look at the big picture. If you think about all the puppy mills, kitten mills, backyard breeders, animals kept in barren enclosures trying to scrape a life out of the dry soil, animals that are literally bones with skin covering them, how do you honestly think our nation would be judged? Would our good deeds and acts of kindness outweigh the bad? Think about it.

Things to Ponder

So, eighteen horses were recently surrendered to the Humane Society by a man who, by his own admission, could not physically or financially care for them any longer. An article in today's paper said that 16 of the 18 had already been adopted. The remaining yearling filly and an 18 year old stallion are in a foster home. The family that adopted the other stallion thought he would "make a nice addition to their herd". They are hoping he will produce offspring that will be more compact. My first question is this--Why was he not gelded before he was adopted out? Had these been dogs or cats they all would have been spayed or neutered prior to going to their new homes. Seems to me that the responsible thing would have been to geld him or to at least have a no breeding agreement in the adoption contract to help prevent more horses from being produced. I believe the HSUS has a no breeding agreement as part of their standards. My next question is this--What kind of requirements did these adoptive families have to meet in order to qualify as an adoptive family? Did they have to meet certain standards as far as housing? shelter from nasty weather? proper feed? vet care? What requirements had to be met in order to ensure that these horses went to loving homes where they will never be cold, hungry, neglected? The two young men who arrived to pick up the adopted stallion had to bring along another guy because they have trouble loading horses. What?? Why do they think that breeding more horses is a good idea if they aren't capable of doing something as basic as loading them into trailers? Are they lacking in other areas of horse handling abilities? I know that even the most skilled horseman/horsewoman can have trouble loading a horse that doesn't want to load. But it just makes a person wonder. And what about the man who was responsible for the horses in the first place? Sure, he surrendered them of his own accord. But some of them were thin and under nourished. Some had injuries. What part of all this was he held responsible for? Just makes me wonder. And if people don't wonder about things, don't question things, nothing will ever change. Don't get me wrong. I think it is wonderful that people stepped up to help these horses and I really hope they all went to homes where they will be loved and never be hungry again. That they will be warm on these sub-zero nights and that they will have shelter from the sun on days when the thermometer reads 100+. But, this is just one story. This type of situation is happening more and more. Breeding more horses is not going to help the problem. There is a quote that goes something like this-'We are responsible for that which we have tamed.' Some horse breeding facilities are no different from the puppy mills we hear about. But, unfortunately, horses do not receive the same protection (in our state anyway) that other companion animals receive. These beautiful, proud creatures deserve better. It's time to take responsibility "for that which we have tamed". Just some things to ponder.