The Lingering Shame Of Mankind ..................Continued

The whaling industry is another example of mankind’s brutality to creatures we share this planet with. Japan’s yearly whale hunt slaughters many species including the endangered humbacks, not only for their blubber used in cleansing and other commercial products, but also their flesh for human consumption, considered a delicacy by many middle and far eastern societies. The killing method of choice for the very large mammals is by firing harpoon laden explosive charges that detonate within the whales body, usually killing them instantly, but at times causing a slow agonizing death to these gentle giants. For many of the smaller whales, non explosive carrying harpoons are fired into their bodies, often two or more times as they struggle to stay alive. After being hauled aboard the whaling vessels, sometimes still slightly conscious, they are skinned and dissected for the processing plants while being towed to port. It is pointed out that Japan, though the most prominent offender, is not the only country engaged in the barbaric slaying of these gentle ocean going beings.

The Lingering Shame Of Mankind .................continued

The way a society treats its animals, particularly horses, speaks to the core values and morals of its citizens. The cruel treatment and slaughter of horses, both wild and domesticated is of grave concern to equine rescue groups and horse lovers around the world. Although the slaughter of horses for human consumption in the United States has been banned, around 100,000 horses are killed annually by foreign owned slaughter houses in America for human consumption in other countries. Additionally, many thousands of horses are shipped annually to slaughter houses in Canada and Mexico for the same purpose. They are transported in low clearance, deck cattle trailers for 24 hours or more without food, water or rest; and without separating the stallions from the mares or foals, causing injury from crowding and infighting during the trip. Upon arrival at the slaughter house, they are rendered unconscious, usually by captive bolt to the head before being shackled, hoisted by a rear leg and slit across the throat. However, some are improperly stunned, and despite repeated blows, are still conscious when they are being shackled. In Mexico, an alternate, more tortuous method of ending their lives is by stabbing in the back and severing the spinal cord, causing a slow agonizing lapse into unconsciousness and death to an already terrified animal. And the horror goes on and on against these very loving, gentle and sociable animals. Probably, the most superhuman thing about horses is th contrast between their unearthly strength and their inherent gentleness. The passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act
(H.R. 503/S. 1915) would put in place an immediate and permanent ban on, not only the slaughter of horses within the United States, but the exportation of horses for slaughter abroad.

The Lingering Shame Of Mankind ............continued

The inhumane treatment of factory farm industry animals is no less unconscionable than that which mankind is capable of inflicting upon itself, to wit, “the holocaust” during World War I l. Calves taken from their mothers when they are less than one month old, are confined to tiny enclosures called “veal crates”, where they are unable to turn around and have to lie in their own excrement while sleeping. They are put on a special diet which causes them to become anemic and keeps their meat lean and pink for future human consumption. This is the way these helpless creatures live out their short sixteen years of life until they are led to slaughter. Farm pigs undergo a similar fate when pregnant sows are imprisoned in two foot wide “gestation crates”, where they too have no room to turn around and must live, eat and sleep amidst their own feces and urine until being slaughtered for pork. Egg laying hens are mercilessly jammed into “battery cages”, wire enclosures so restrictive, they cannot spread their wings or even turn around. AS baby chicks, the tips of their upper beaks are cauterized and smoothed tp prevent pecking injury to handlers while being confined to their cages when they become adult hens. The modified beaks also make it difficult to eat and engage in the natural habit of grooming their feathers.

The Lingering Shame Of Mankind ............continued

Household pets, like cats and dogs, are considered as much a family member as their very own children by many caring, responsible people across the land. Yet in less considerate situations, they are neglected and abused when their owners decide they have become a financial encumbrance and shirk all responsibility for their continued care. Rather than being taken to an animal shelter, rescue facility or sanctuary, they are often abandoned in remote, desolate, uninhabitable places where their chances of survival are very slim. Dogs acquired as puppies become “backyard dawgs”, chained to a fence, post or tree for hours or days at a time, without shelter from the ravages of hot, cold or inclement weather, and with minimal food and clean water at their disposal. As a result, they become susceptible to life threatening disease and ailments from prolonged exposure to such conditions. Yet , in spite of neglect and abuse, many dogs remain inexplicably loyal to their owners, perhaps because of an intrinsic need to love and belong to someone, rather than not belonging to anyone at all. Sometimes, even under the worst imaginable conditions, a dog’s ongoing loyalty to its owner(s) is legendary. Is it any wonder then, that the indomitable canine has earned the noble distinction of being called “Man’s Best Friend”?

The Lingering Shame Of Mankind ............continued

I truly believe our animal friends were put on Earth for a godly and moral reason, and deserve the same respect, love and consideration we desire. They are “God’s other children” our unspeaking earthly companions that cannot tell us of their suffering and pain. Why then are millions upon millions of them treated so egregiously by nations throughout the world? Even The United States Of America, the most resourceful, abundant and sociological advanced nation on earth, has yet to enact and enforce stringent laws prohibiting inhumane laboratory experiments on innocent, helpless animals, and by its inaction, remains a shameful partner in the global animal cruelty arena.

The Lingering Shame Of Mankind

(A Treatise On Animal Abuse And Cruelty Around The World)

THE GREATNESS OF A NATION AND ITS MORAL PROGRESS
CAN BE JUDGED BY THE WAY IT TREATS ITS ANIMALS
Mohandis Ghandi

Descriptive Detail Throughout This Article May Be Upsetting To Some Readers. Reader Discretion Is Advised.


PROLOGUE
I have often pondered the question ”do animals, like human beings, have a soul"? I believe they do. Although it cannot be seen or held, weighed or measured, the soul exists, nevertheless ,beyond the persona and physical form; an unseen (spiritual) entity that defines the very essence of what it is to have life, i.e., to be alive! Many years ago, when I saw my beloved cat Jason, right after he died, I had the most eerie awareness that something was missing; indeed gone. His soul (spirit) had departed to another realm, and, in that very moment, I realized that Jason, as I knew and loved him, was no longer here, nor will he ever be again. I also believe that animals have feelings and go through the same litany of emotions, i. e., fear, anxiety, anger, joy, sadness, loneliness and depression that we human beings experience throughout our lives. ..............to be continued

Get A Professionally Written Story About Your Pet

Get A Professionally Written Story About Your Pet(s)
Household pets are, of course, cherished members of many families. If you love animals, as I do, and would like a professionally written story about your pet(s), I encourage you to contact me to discuss the details of your pet’s story. If you are interested, let’s get together soon.

Animal Hit And Run: Misdemeanor Or Felony?

In virtually every state in the nation, the act of drivers knowingly hitting an animal and fleeing the scene of the incident is considered a misdemeanor rather than a felony. I suggest that every such incident be mandated and prosecuted as a felony just as it is when a human being is the victim. The animals certainly deserve that consideration. What say you, dear reader?

Amadeus

Hello! I am a Hermann tortoise and my name is “Amadeus”. My species hails from France, where I was adopted by an American tourist visiting an exotic pet store in Paris, where I spent two miserable, boring months in captivity. Anyway, my new adoptive parents took me home with them to America and glorious Southern California where I am now part of a wonderful cooky family. I say cooky because how many people do you know that are nutty enough to take on a turtle as a household pet? Not too many, I’m sure.

My new home is an elegant three story town house in Santa Monica, where I now get to roam (slowly) about a beautiful high rise patio garden and sundeck all day long. I must tell you, it sure beats the living heck out of that noisy pet store in Paris. One of my adoptive parents (female version) is an avid equestrian, so I also get to go horseback riding on “Christopher Robin”, her miniature stallion, and sometimes on “Goliath”, her high rise stallion. Since saddles for turtles are hard to come by, I have to ride bareback. And what an experience it is. I love it!

This coming weekend, we’re going ti the high desert, where I’ll get to meet lots of interesting critters like Geckos and other tiny lizards (which I love to eat if they’re small enough and I’m hungry enough) and also some big guys , like desert foxes and coyotes which I’ve heard so much about. If any of them get rambunctious with me, I’ve got my shell an beak to have a go at it. Snakes I can do without, especially rattlers, but if I come across any, I’ll just have to keep my head tucked deep into my shell. And who knows, I might even come across a friendly desert tortoise or two. And how about rock climbing? I guess I could do it if it isn’t straight up. Na, even then I don’t think so. My schtick is level! Anyway, we’ll spend two days in the desert and hope I don’t get lost. Then Its back to the city.

My new human mom and dad are really cool, and very smart too. And I know they love me. Next week they’re taking me to the vet for a thorough checkup. And after that, I’ll be going to the groomer where my shell will be scraped and polished and my nails trimmed. After that it’s back to the patio garden and sundeck where I’ll lull about all day long doing absolutely nothing. Ah, what a life!  What a life!

By the way, dear reader, this has been my first cut at story writing. Not bad for a turtle, eh? I hope you enjoyed this little tale as much as I enjoyed writing it. And remember, don’t be a finger nipper when someone tries to pet you, as I once did until my human dad broke me of the habit. It doesn’t win you many friends.

Au revoir et salut

Mel Salvat
Cathedral City, California