NOW and again I find myself just sitting at my computer terminal and staring at the screen, waiting for some divine inspiration to force me into writing something that might make a difference to the animal cause.
Just lately I’ve been feeling all burned out, and for the first time in 17 years, I’ve felt that all my efforts may have been for nothing.
Then a colleague of mine sent me the following parable, and it made me realise how even the smallest step can make a huge difference to the life of some unfortunate creature.
It read as follows:
One day a man was walking along a beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”
The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “Don’t you realise there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
“You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back gently into the surf.
Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”
After reading this, I instantly felt revived and, as if to reaffirm my commitment to the cause of animal rights, I received the Reverend James Thompson’s quarterly newsletter, which was full inspiration.
I must say I’ve always felt that the Rev is being driven by some splendid unseen force for good, and that those it touches are truly blessed.
The Rev James Thompson and myself campaigning against the live export trade.
His writings are strong and to the point, but when you actually meet him, he is a most gentle, serene person.
Make no mistake the Rev, like me, is 100% behind the cause of animal rights. His latest newsletter has plenty to say about that!
I feel everyone should read it, if only to unravel some misconceptions about the movement itself.
He even touches upon the latest book (From Dusk Til Dawn) by one of the ALF’s leading activists, Keith Mann, who goes on to describe the ALF as totally against damaging life of any species - and that includes the most predatory of all - mankind!
This was also backed up by an article written (in the Observer) back in July 1992 which read as follows: “It is a very strange sort of terrorist campaign, to say the least, which has waged for over 20 years without killing anyone.”
Well, that was 15 years ago, and still nobody has died at the hands of an activist.
Property, on the other hand is not considered out of bounds, which is why there are people serving sentences for what the courts deem criminal damage.
Some have even been imprisoned for merely breaking a window. Yet your average yob can smash windows just for the hell of it, and be let off with only a warning.
Some justice system!
To hear more about the cause of animal rights, email AnimalPadre@aol.com.
Melissik wrote...
One afternoon, I was in the backyard hanging the laundry when an old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home. But when I walked into the house, he followed me, sauntered down the hall and fell asleep in a corner. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back. He resumed his position in the hallway and slept for an hour.
This continued for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap. "
The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar: "He lives in a home with ten children - he's trying to catch up on his sleep."
I cried from laughter
Posted by: Melissik | May 6, 2008 2:47 PM