Today
is World Elephant Day. I am so glad that many of us respect these wonderful creatures.
I think though that God had a sense of humor when He created them. Such
huge lumbering mammals with swaying proboscises. And yet despite
their size,
they can be very gentle and are devoted to family. I also remember that
they can
be sensitive
and caring. When their friend died in S. Africa some years ago,
they marched
miles to the compound where he lay in state. That has always made
me look
at them in awe. How did they know he died? How did they know that
they
should
pay him homage in death? What ever the explanations, they deserve better
from man -- much better.
However,
I am writing today about their other fellow living creatures -- the
dogs and
cats who are suffering because of our poor stewardship. I am hoping
that other
people will help with this ever recurring and perennial problem -- the
over population
of cats and dogs. My letter to my local superintendent will explain
my
concerns:
Dear
Superintendent,
I hope this will be read by you. I wonder how many letters such as mine
probably are unceremoniously dumped and recycled without you reading them?
On Care2 yesterday I read about this New York Island which is a dumping
ground for unwanted cats. I was horrified, but to tell you the truth -- not
surprised. Since 1975 when I got my first inspirational little puppy Peaches I became more
and more disillusioned with man's lack of concern for not only cats and dogs but for
all of God's animal creation. But this letter is re the terrible OVER POPULATION
OF CATS AND DOGS problem by people with absolutely no concern about what
happens to them once they are born because they are basically uncaring and
irresponsible
stewards.
So you may commiserate, but are scratching your head as to what you can
do about this. Well, I believe that somehow we should get to the children in
a program which can be called something like SO YOU GOT A NEW PET IN YOUR HOME? I was trying to look at this suggestion from your perspective.
Some parents might object to any indoctrination in this regard, but a non-threatening
sounding course title probably would not alarm them.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if EVERY school in the nation had built into its
syllabus a chapter or a class on this topic --every year? It could be incorporated
in one grade like the fifth grade or it can be included in a science class for all
grades 5th to 12th. Yes, I'm making it sound easy. Well, if something is worth
doing, then it shouldn't be all that difficult to incorporate. If we can get to
the children and youth the importance of altering and spaying our pets, wouldn't that
be a worthwhile educational program?
Sincerely,
I hope I get some favorable responses, but sadly am not too optimistic.
CAN YOU HELP?
I have been writing letters like this for all the years since Peaches came
into my life almost 40 years ago. Do they do any good? I really can't say, but I
certainly hope so. Just today I mailed this letter to the superintendents of both
the Cleveland Metropolitan Schools and the Lakewood School System. I had written to the
Cleveland Superintendent a couple of years ago asking him to implement a course re
animal
care and compassion similar to the one a school in Philadelphia had
incorporated. Sadly, I never heard from him. Do I expect different now? Well, despite
many of my letters going to naught, I feel doing something is better than doing
nothing.
If you think the idea has merit -- will you also write any all
superintendents in your environ?. I hope to tackle all the suburbs of Cleveland next. Hopefully,
someone will respond compassionately.
