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Patsy shivered in the new home, despite the heat and the friendliness of the other occupants and the happy sounds, despite the good food waiting for her, despite…everything.
She had never, in her whole life, been in a place where she was welcomed and where nothing was expected of her.
Someone approached her and Patsy reflexively ducked her head and curled up, waiting for the first strike and subsequent kick, over and over again.
Instead Patsy found a kind hand and quiet reassurances that she was home, that this was now her home: love, friendship, food, and a warm bed were hers if she wanted them.
If she wanted them?
Patsy licked the offered hand and gazed into the gentle eyes, with her tail wagging for the first time in a long time.
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"The way we treat our children in the dawn of their lives,
and the way we treat treat our elderly in the twilight of their lives,
is a measure of the quality of a nation."
Hubert Humphrey
"The greatness of a nation
can be judged
by the way its animals
are treated."
Mahatma Gandi
I can never understand cruelty, but I think that many times it is learned.
ReplyDeleteAbuse seems to be part of one's past and future. Too many memories of what I saw as a child makes me shudder.
DeleteI'm terrified of dogs, but could never harm one.
ReplyDeleteI knew that about you just from your writing.
DeleteWOW, so deftly expressed. I love it. It is wonderful when we can feel we have been put within the skin or another being. Not every writer or speaker can do it.
ReplyDeleteI did love this. It SAID BUNCHES!
A beautiful day here but we are leaving another home.
Sherry & jack
To where?! Safe travels.
DeleteLove is sharing your bed with a old, falling apart, stinky and no-longer-so-physically loving old boy that adores you.
ReplyDeleteThis is so perfect.
DeleteThis touches me so deeply. I shouldn't say this, but I hope there's a special kind of Hell for anyone who abuses an animal!
ReplyDeleteThe hate and disregard surely is a reflection of their souls and hearts. If only they would experience even a bit of their actions.
DeleteWhat Mevely said! I don't know how anyone could abuse an animal.
ReplyDeleteI do not either.
DeleteAnimal abuse is abhorrent. I spent 15 years of my life rescuing, rebuilding and rehoming such abused souls. I often angrily hoped the abusers would come back as abused animals themselves. Then I thought if that were true, what if I were actually rescuing a reincarnated abuser?? Sometimes I think too much.
ReplyDeleteWhat is done to animals transfers to what is done to people. That mindset doesn't value life.
DeleteFor every pup or kitten who finds a good home there are so many others who do not. Poor little souls.
ReplyDeleteSadly true.
DeleteSusan:
ReplyDeleteYou can ALWAYS touch my heart when you talk about animals in general and our pets in particular.
To echo others who commented, we CAN judge a society by the way they treat animals.
(so sad but unfortunately true)
And that's why we have two community cats (plus our two indoor ones).
Your cats are so lucky to have you and yours.
DeleteA shame he didn't win.
ReplyDeleteNot sure where you are here, but I hope you see the preciousness of lives.
DeleteYep, anyone who abuses an animal deserves to rot in their own special spot. Deal with at least 1100 dogs and a few such douchebags I've seen. Let's just say things don't turn out rosey for said douchebags.
ReplyDeleteSuch douchebags deserve the evil they have perpetuated.
DeleteAwww, you brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you share this tenderness.
DeleteCruelty is learned, I think. And it flourishes when no one is there to tell that it's wrong.
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it. Cruelty IS learned when it is experienced.
DeleteI'm so happy that Patsy found a place at last where she would feel loved and could learn to trust. If only all animals could find this. I dislike animal abuse as much as people abuse.
ReplyDeleteLife is precious.
DeleteThat made me both sad and happy. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Her tortured life to one of love is the hoped ending.
DeleteTears to my eyes too.
ReplyDeleteWhen we love our own pets, it is even more infuriating to see these horrors in our society.
DeleteSuch a tender post, and somehow quite beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
All the best Jan
Everyone has commented with such caring.
DeleteOh my goodness, that story didn't go where I thought it was going. Got me right in the feels.
ReplyDeleteThen the story went to where I intended. Thanks!
DeleteWell written.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks!
Deletethis is so sensitive and deep Susan!
ReplyDeleteyou made me cry!
finally she had shelter and warmth of love by the Grace of Lord!