If there is any consolation to what transpired the past few days, it would be an update containing good news. If it were the other way around, it would have been a long post on Facebook consisting mostly of a plethora of rants.
Allow me to paint a narrative of the events that had me at the edge of my seat: It was a lazy weekday, and I happened to simply be mindlessly scrolling through social media in between breaks as I chanced upon a post that caught my attention.
The post in particular showed images of dogs in rusty cages – looking forlorn as far as interpretation of their actions go, that is how I saw it… through their eyes – the eyes are indeed the windows of the soul, and theirs were wrought in desperation.
The post contained the necessary details one might need to know the full background of why these helpless creatures were cramped in small enclosures. It stated that they were caught by the Pound and, if not rescued within three days, they would be – for a lack of a better word – euthanized.
Three whole days. What can one do in the span of 72 hours?! This was a ridiculous notion that 21 dogs can be saved (or claimed, as it seemed like some of them have owners) within the course of three days.
Like any social media user, the least I did was share the post with the various social media groups I was part of. In a matter of hours, I checked the original post, and astoundingly, it had been shared hundreds of times over. But it was one thing the post gained traction, it is another that the dogs would really be saved from their impending doom. The fight was not over. What once was simply entertainment to while away the time became a priority for me to keep on checking the fate of these destitute furry little beings.
Day 2. Various animal shelters and social media groups shared the post (even outside the confines of our small City). People in the comments section flooded the post with an assortment of reactions that ranged from outrage to criticism to sharing their own experience.
Some were opening funds for donation – though, of course, even with the need to help, one should always make sure to check credibility.
Some were planning to go to the City Pound to see what they can do to rescue the dogs. Others said they could not afford to rescue all of them; there’s a fee to pay for every dog rescued.
Even though the post gained some traction and attention, the dogs were still, much to all our dismay, locked up, and stuck there.
Day 3. It seemed that people were waiting for whatever update they can grasp. Suddenly, as if hearing the numerous prayers of compassionate and empathic individuals, an update appeared in the form of a long and very detailed post.
Turns out, a group of women banded together, and with the funding they amassed, brought supplies and paid for all the dogs. It was indeed a joyous day as the ladies – now with puppies in their arms – rode off leaving the City Pound empty. Can you imagine, all 21 dogs were rescued that day.
Though the rescue was a success, such a solution appears to simply be a temporary one since the City Pound will not cease to do its job in capturing stray and feral animals; and thus, the cycle will continue, and lives of these unfortunate creatures would still be lost.
Among the chaos, one comment caught my attention, and it was purely because the person was thinking out loud: What if there are good politicians out there willing to genuinely share an equal love and compassion for animals? And that like our women heroines, they would enact humane means and solutions to solve this growing number of strays in the City?
I am left to ponder whether we would have at least one good politician who would step up to the plate, and be the voice to these poor creatures.
Sure, these dogs are not humans, yet surely, they are humans’ best friends, and are part of our families; they should be afforded some semblance of their own animal rights. How strictly does our local government and our policymakers adhere to the rights for our furry friends?
There are still so many other cases of animal abuse, of heartless killings (and eating) of these strays. So many people around continue to act violently towards these strays, and would not hesitate to even demonstrate these acts (some, even in public) just to prove a point.
It is disheartening to even hear of children finding sport in harming these animals. It is equally heartbreaking to find a greater number of people around who look at the current situation, and just easily shrug it off – as if openly accepting that this is the reality we live in.
We need more heroes to serve as the beacon especially for all the strays. Politics may be a dirty game, but if they could also show some kindness and compassion for animals, these politicians could get votes from a large community of animal lovers here. (This is a long shot, I know, but one is allowed to have these simple reveries, no?)
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