here is my sob story ~ or ~ what shall we do?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Jan 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

napaea	10 Jan 2003
o boy. my heart is very saddened today, and i needed someone to tell, and who better to tell than a whole group of loving people... i just read an article about Pitbull fighting in America. the good thing is that many street gangs have stopped shooting and killing each other to show off their "manliness" and "family" ties. the bad news is: tons of young people are getting involved in dogfights. there is apparently a huge underground movement where people gather and eat, do drugs, drink, and bet on which dog will kill the other first, or just give up. these dogs live in little kennels and are chained up with festering wounds and broken legs that are never taken care of. the article claimed that in 1998 (i think, sorry, no photgraphic memory here) some 3300 pitbulls were put to sleep. on and on it went, and just made me cry, right in the doctor's office. what do we do? spiritually, do i just pray for these animals? pray that someone or group in the universe will rise up and help these little guys? i can't afford to financially contribute right now, and am trying to find other ways to get active in this ... but spiritually, how can i help? my little heart grieves for these animals - not just dogs, but roosters, and whatever else - that are trained to be aggressive, fearful and dominant. their lives are only full of hatred and fear. please someone come to MY rescue and offer some sage advice to help my heart.... :( :( grieving :( :( (edited to be more pc)

violinlily	10 Jan 2003
hey napaea!! ((((((((((napaea)))))))))))) I do have a book that you could read: "The Dog Who Spoke With Gods" By Diane Jessup. I haven't read the whole thing, but it's about a girl who met a pit bull that lived in the wild while scientists were doing an experiment. It's very good so far! hope ya feel better!!

Centaur	10 Jan 2003
That is awful. Life can be a real bitch :o(

zorya	10 Jan 2003
(((napaea))), just by spreading the word, like you are here, you are helping. praying to ease the suffering of these animals would be another way to help. you may want to first find out if this activity is happening in your area. if so, writing letters to your congress people, asking them to help put a stop to this illegal activity in your state, might be another way to help. writing to newspapers and other periodicals may help bring attention to this problem as well. maybe you could contact peta (people for the ethical treatment of animals). http://www.peta.org they may be able to direct you to a group that is more specific to cock and pitbull fighting.

Alissa	10 Jan 2003
I'm so sorry to hear of your grief. The emotional residue from these kinds of experiences like you just described are hard to rid yourself of. I send you love and light while you deal with this inside. Here in the American Southwest, I've heard of rumors of cock fights (which are illegal) that still occur. I also find it sickening, but I wonder how much of this is conjecture and how much is actually happening? Since you read the article, I'm hoping it was a credible source, and could present the information factually, and not in a sensationist manner. In any case, I will pray for these souls as well, and hope that energy goes to do something positive. Thank you for coming and sharing it with us, as I agree with zorya that spreading the word is a good thing.

mrsjvan	10 Jan 2003
I live in a rural area of Michigan with many migrant workers and heard a great deal about "cock fights". It seems to be big entertainment. I don't see the entertainment value in it at all. From everything I have heard it is extremely cruel. The most desturbing thing about it though is the fact that my students see no problem with it. They think it's cool. What are our youth being taught?

Royal Cat	10 Jan 2003
((((Napaea)))) I think I saw the same article today. :( I looked at the picture on the first page and knew that I didn't have the stomach/heart to read it right now. I've always felt a very strong connection to animals and it just brings me to tears to read that things like this still go on today. If you want some of the good news about animals in America (and worldwide) and to get in touch with a wonderful group of people that works hard to help the animals you can visit: http://www.bestfriends.org My kitties and dogs are sending out a big wet kiss to you. :* Cat

mrsjvan	10 Jan 2003
hi, It's me again. Is Michigan a hot spot for Tarot readers or what. (notice all the locations) :) We should start a club. lol

Woof	10 Jan 2003
If you really want to know what you can do: VOLUNTEER. I have been volunteering with animal shelters for the past 26 years. It costs you nothing in terms of money, just some of your time and heart. Check with your local humane society. See if they have an education program that you can help out. Many societies have programs with volunteer educators who will actually go into classrooms and talk to kids. If they don't have an education program see what they do have that will fit into your schedule. At one point, the shelter I volunteered at had a pretty high euthenasia rate. I made it a point to spend time with those dogs before their time came so that they would have at least a few good hours on this earth. It wasn't easy for me, but I believe what I did was valuable. Believe me, your help will be greatly appreciated! Woof and her pack: Moogie, retired racing greyhound, Shep terrier mix who was scheduled to be put down (11 years ago), Gulliver the rabbit (also scheduled to be euthenized as the shelter didn't want to deal with his treatable illness), Lucy the rabbit girlfriend of Gulliver, Norman & Little Man the rats (also rescued) and Wheatena the Guinea pig. All my guys are spayed or neutered!

Musie	10 Jan 2003
This is horrible!! I feel soooo sorry and sad and angry for these poor animals!! I found a protective Blessing for Dogs from Everyday Magic by Dorothy Morrison that some of you may want to use: Artemis, Goddess of the Wild, Keeper of dogs both fierce and mild, Hold them safely in Your arms And protect these creatures from all harm. Bless them with a joyful life Free of hardship, stress, and strife. I slightly modified the wording to include all of them. Goddess Bless and may those who do these horrible acts get the justice they deserve!

Diana	11 Jan 2003
I'm with Woof on this one. Get yourself involved with animal welfare. Zorya also has some good suggestions. But I think that actually working with animals who need help, even if it's not these actual pitbulls (I think you may not be able to directly help there because this issue is too emotional for you and it would probably not be good for you and stir up too much anger), would help tremendously. On top of it, you'll meet like-minded people. Even if it's only a few hours a month that you can devote, the animal kingdom spirit will notice it, and you will find yourself being blessed in many ways. I hug you too.

napaea	11 Jan 2003
thanks everyone for your support and your care for these guys. actually, before i came on and posted yesterday, i went to the ASPCA to send some email letters, and to ask what i can do to get involved in helping stop this atrosity.(sp?) but i do agree that i want to do more, i have thought about volunteering at the humane society before, and started to get involved at an animal rescue center, but it got shut down. anyway, i definately want to find out more about this, and despite the fact that it makes me emotional, i feel i need to do what i can. musie: thanks for that prayer! funny you should post it, last night i did my own little prayer to Artemis about this! thanks you mental twin!! :) mrsjvan: i don't know why people in general love fights. fights at football games, hockey games, in the street...i guess we all don't know what to do with our aggression, and it's maybe a way to disperse our anger onto others? and kids, i don't know, when i was in fourth grade my friend and i had a funeral for a dead bee we found! how can these kids think watching animals hurt each other is cool? too many kickin' videos? sad. and yes, i think we should start a group too! i went to a psychic fair out here, and they were pathetic!!!!! i'm sure we could cook something up! royal cat: thanks! when i worked at a vet clinic someone gave me one of these magazines, but i've since forgotten to look up a website for them. thanks so much for the link!!! :)

Natalya	12 Jan 2003
Thats disgusting!!! PS: Stay away from the movie entitled "Amores Perros" It has horrible scenes with dogs fights.

anjocoxo	12 Jan 2003
This kind of thing makes me really sad... how can anyone take pleasure from somebody else's suffering??? I find that totally unbelievable. I have a dog (Pampi) for about 7 years and since may last year she has been sick with a disease no vet can accurately precise.... she has been taking medication, but there are days when she's a bit worse an can hardly move. Here at home we have already discussed putting her down, but we all agreed that we would only do that if she gets into a state of total pain and suffering. And I think: I would do anything for that dog to live, how can anyone organize and watch that kind of fight? Here in portugal rottweilers and golden retriviers "disappear" a lot; their owners look for them, and they just disappear. A few months ago, it was discovered that those dogs are snatched from their owners to be thrown to those fights.... and they are not used to it, they are normal dogs, who had a normal life with their owners... it's totally discusting the disrepect some people have for live (human or animal)... *anjocoxo takes a deep breath* well, I'm sorry, I just get really angry... I'm sending a prayer for those doggies... and stray cats.... and rabbits... and birds.... Anjo

Woof	12 Jan 2003
I grew up in the Bronx, New York City, in the 70's. Pet dogs dissappearing for use as practice in the dog ring was common. Think how often people abuse each other and even children, of course they will abuse animals even more often. There are even studies that show that people who abuse animals will very often move on to abusing people. I believe the only way to change this awful situation is to change the perception of life in the eyes of the young. Go to the schools and reach out to children who see their parents and parents friends abuse animals and use them for sport. Show them how to care for animals. Show them what a loved dog is like. Show them the value of animals. Also show them that THEY have value. Check with your local animal rescue, SPCA, or whatever. See if they have an education department. If they don't urge them to. Yes we need stricter laws but we need education as well. Woof

Ursula	14 Jan 2003
i couldn't even read your whole post, it makes me so sad. i currently have a mutt that's part pit & so does my mom. the pit characteristics in them are some of the most loveable--they really are sweet, expressive, intelligent, sensitive, loving, wonderful dogs, and it SICKENS me to think what horrible things are perpetrated on them by cruel, thoughtless, senseless people. the people who do these things need our prayers, too, because if they weren't so focused on their own pain, they could have compassion for those they cause to suffer. pray for healing for them and compassion from them and others for the animals. one thing that grieves me so much about our involvement in some kind of military conflict is that it turns our attention away from all the suffering we could and should be trying to alleviate here. who cares about animal suffering when we're about to send humans off to die in a (senseless, imo) war??? and Woof, kudos & many blessings to you for giving of yourself to animals soon to be euthanized. i've thought of doing that myself, but once i look into an animals eyes, i feel that i am somehow promising to look out for them, and how could i do that to a creature that i know will soon be killed??? i just didn't think i could bear it, but i'm glad someone could. blessings, ~Urs :OL

Royal Cat	14 Jan 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Ursula and Woof, kudos & many blessings to you for giving of yourself to animals soon to be euthanized. i've thought of doing that myself, but once i look into an animals eyes, i feel that i am somehow promising to look out for them, and how could i do that to a creature that i know will soon be killed??? i just didn't think i could bear it, but i'm glad someone could. I know exactly how you feel. Every now and then I'll go to the local animal shelter and just sit with the animals and bring toys or treats. But when I leave, I feel so bad/guilty about it. There's no way I can adopt every one of them (too much $ and space needed). It's just so hard to look in their eyes and then walk away - knowing they don't have much time left. :( All of the pets we have were rescued and shelter animals, but there are just so many more that need good loving homes. I have so much respect for Woof and those of you who are able to give your time and love to the animals. Thank you to all of you! Cat

HudsonGray	14 Jan 2003
Two of our 4 cats came from the Humane Society, and a third one came from just being taken in off the street, only one came from a pet store (and I won't buy from those again). If you want to be active, also check to see if the local humane society does a neuter/spay/catch & release program. I just got into ours here & have borrowed 2 of their traps to get the local feral cats in for free spaying, microchipping, vaccinations & de-fleaing. They ear tip them also, and test for FELV and FIV free of charge. The only beef I have is that this area euthenizes FIV positive cats whereas nationally they only do that for the ones that are positive for feline leukemia. A cat feeding station WITH fresh water is necessary during winter months, we have cats, raccoons, a possum & a mess of squirrels trying to pry off the frozen top of the water bowls in the evening, but during daylight hours I go out 4 times a day to pour boiling water in the bowls to keep the water liquid. There's 11 strays that show up when they can't find food elsewhere (well, 4 of them don't hunt elsewhere so this is their sole food), and though the crows do help themselves, and sometimes the squirrels too, to the dry food, it does NOT draw rats or other rodents. Feral cats have a hard time of things, and access to water is very necessary. The 11 and the squirrels go through about 4 cups of water a day here.

napaea	16 Jan 2003
[quote]Originally posted by Ursula [b] the people who do these things need our prayers, too, because if they weren't so focused on their own pain, they could have compassion for those they cause to suffer. pray for healing for them and compassion from them and others for the animals. Ursula thanks so much for your insightful words, you are so right. i know that people that would do this kind of thing are hurting, and they need something to focus their pain on. you're right, and i will try to keep this in mind. oddly enough, after i posted this thread, the next day i saw an episode on Animal Planet where they found a fighting pitbull that was left for dead (he obviously lost) and they rescued him and he was ok. just another sign that i feel i need to get involved. our cats are also "rescues" our first cat came from a family member who had just started buiding a family, and this cat is a bit needy so she felt it would get more attention in our house (which is true!) our second cat was a stray. my sister found him over by our local city college, sitting under a tree mewing, when it was snowy and freezing in Feb! she went home, brought him some food (he wouldn't come out from under the bushes for ANYONE!) but the food drew him out, and he followed her home. he's been here since! our third cat is silly! also a stray! i think he was a barn cat, and he snuck into someone's car - like their wheel well. a girl i worked with at the vet center brought him in, she found him at a little shopping area, he was full of car grease and oil and smelled like a barn! anyway, animals are a precious part of this thing we call life, and i'm happy to see so many people here that are caring and lovers of the little guys!

Sea Sprite	22 Jan 2003
Hi napaea, I think increasing public awareness/education of the problem is important. The once in a blue moon news report/article is not enough to end the abuse. I think that there needs to be a zero tolerance law that doesn't just fine the operators but also every spectator and calls for mandatory jail sentences of at least a couple of years without parole. Maybe collect voters signatures on a petition to the politicians to revise the laws and enforce them. In the meantime, lets hold a group prayer. :) Sea Sprite :CL

The here is my sob story ~ or ~ what shall we do? thread was originally posted on 10 Jan 2003 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.