There
was a time when I liked nothing better than enjoying a box of chocolates. Of course, that was before my pre-vegan days though. Since then I have
moved on and there are things which bring me even more pleasure than a box of
chocolates.
And today -- Valentine's Day as well as the feast of our Slavic patrons- Ss.
Cyril and Methodius has started with the account of one very caring vet from
Turkey. Reading about him was even better than getting a box of vegan chocolates-
if there is such a treat.
Harmony Fund carries the accounts of the good work which is being doing
overseas by various fledgling animal groups in Romania, Serbia and others. There I
came across their post re a "Veterinarian With a Heart as Big as the Moon." Intrigued,
I read on. I soon realized that the writer for Harmony Fund describes him so well in
two sentences that I copied them:
"If we didn't know better, we'd swear that Dr. Osman has supernatural
powers. He seems to float from one place to the next, instantly appearing by the side
of animals who are very ill."
This Turkish vet can be found in his clinic checking the temperature of a
street cat with a bacterial infection, and then an hour later he will be found on his
knees by the side of the road trying to gently coax a homeless dog who has been hit by a
car to come out from under the car where he has taken refuge.
Though he has some paying clients- most of his patients are homeless
animals and, of course, he treats them for free.
Harmony Fund has been sponsoring the care of street animals in
Avsallar, Turkey where Dr. Osman has his clinic. And then, it wasn't long before they began
to notice his work for the animals. They learned that he uses a spare room as a
foster care center for street cats awaiting international adoption. They found out that he
uses his own car when he is told that there is an animal who needs help on the street.
Sadly this wonderful, caring doctor is not appreciated by all. Some of the
nearby residents confront him angrily for his concern for animals. They not only do not
care if they are killed on the streets --they even care less if they are suffering. How sad that
these cruel people don't even begin to know the meaning of the word compassion.
Finally though- through Harmony Fund -Dr. Osman will get some compensation
for work that he has largely been doing for free. They recently sent him a donation
to spay/neuter another 100 stray cats. By doing so, they want him to know that they and
those who support
Harmony Fund stand beside him. And they note, that even though the group
and its supporters may be separated by thousands of miles -we all stand together.
Today on Valentine's Day - reading about this incomparably kind and
compassionate vet is much better than even getting a box of vegan chocolates on Valentines Day.
