“The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places.
But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now
mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Author Dean Koontz wrote in his beautiful moving tribute to his retired service golden retriever Trixie, A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog, " ...we cherish dogs because their unblemished souls make us wish - consciously or unconsciously - that we were as innocent as they are, and make us yearn for a place where innocence is universal and where the meanness, the betrayals, and the cruelties of this world are unknown.” Yet humanity has shown and continues to show its cruelty to dogs and other animals. Human beings over breed puppies then euthanize them for population control, viciously fight dogs to their death, lock them in cages without food and water or leave them outside in the elements to starve. Human beings abuse dogs just as much as we abuse each other. Despite all of our cruelty, dogs are loving, loyal and deservedly crowned "man's best friend". They show us their resilience. What painful and triumphant stories would dogs reveal if they could pen their own memoirs for the world to read?
Human beings are incredibly egotistical and selfish yet also unbelievably selfless and noble. Most of us have probably spent the last week reading and analysing data from countless news stories. We need to always be aware of what we are capable of building and destroying. We look to one another and embrace our commonality to heal.
This blog entry was intended to elicit a hidden smile. Although we may find it difficult to smile at the moment. Just like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, dogs and many humans are a few of my favorite things.(... plus birthday cake. Happy birthday to my brother-in-law, Father of the Year, Chuck.) What could be more welcoming than a little dose of therapy dog? Dogs help us heal as "furry counselors" offering unconditional love. They keep our minds in the moment and take away our preoccupation of pain, emotional or physical. Their "unblemished souls" allow us rare glimpses of the beauty, courage and selflessness we aspire , release some of the negativity we hold and help us maintain our grasp on hope. Below are just a few examples of what love can do. If you click on the NBC link it will take you to a story about the Comfort Brigade LLC K-9's. The video clip of Carly the Golden Retriever therapist was discovered online. The video powerfully demonstrates why we must protect and advocate for dogs and other animals like Carly. This is powerful healing.
Link to NBC news story: http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/51576569#51576569
