A Point To The Pain
Everyone always says that they don't want their animal to suffer, and of course we don't, but we fail to see the beauty in the suffering, that without it, wouldn't be possible.
Suffering is as much a part of life as pleasure, joy and happiness, it's not possible for any of us to live a life free from suffering.
I've suffered a lot in my own life, many of us have, a long time ago I spent many years in a pit of despair, when all I had remaining was a tiny flicker of light, that I felt could go out at any moment.
But there was something very powerful about being in that pit, it softened me, changed me and re-moulded me from the inside out.
I know animals are different, but they are also sentient beings with the breath of life, the same as us, so maybe, there's a point to everyone's pain.
The Enemy Comes To Steal, Kill & Destroy
I'm not advocating the kind of suffering that is untenable and can not be alleviated, where the animal themselves beg for death, where it would be cruel to keep them alive.
I'm referring to the type of suffering that is short-term pain for long-term gain or suffering that whilst difficult, can bring years of quality of life and a new start.
I'm motivated to write this post because I've experienced what I feel to be grotesque misuses of power when it comes to animals, all in the name of not wanting them to suffer.
These instances result in needless suffering and untimely death, based on fear-based decisions that I'm certain are always deeply regretted afterwards.
It's so easy to make a rash decision in a weak and vulnerable moment and we have to guard against the tricks of the enemy, as the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. (John 10:10)
The Sad Loss of 3 Innocent Lives
Two instances come to mind, the first where I was helping a couple who were emigrating to find a perfect home for their 3 young Pitbulls, and in time, a way would have been made.
They contacted me at the busiest time of the year and everywhere was full, yet by a miracle, a very kind soul made a spot available for them.
It wasn't five star, which is always the ideal, but it was available at a very difficult time and it was only for a couple of days until another plan could be made.
If it really wasn't right, another option could have been made available, but instead of moving in faith, which was required, they acted in fear.
Citing that they didn't want their dogs to end up in a Pitbull fighting ring, the enemy got into their heads, and they drove them to the vet and put them all down, which was devastating for everyone.
Abuse & Misuse of Power
It's baffling that they were even allowed to do that and as far as I am aware, the euthanasia act was designed for untenable suffering that cannot be alleviated.
I am also horrified that vets participate in what can only be described as cold-blooded killing, negligence and unlawful use and abuse of their power.
Euthanasia is not a solution for emigration, not enough room in the shelter, old age, expensive medical bills, behavioural challenges or any number of the inappropriate reasons that are given.
Barking too much, digging too much, too big, too annoying, too much attention, too clingy, the list goes on, yet too ridiculous a reason to take a healthy, innocent life rarely gets factored in.
Something has to be done about this gross miscarriage of justice, by both "owners", vets and vet technicians, to safeguard innocent lives.
Learning To Love Again
Another incident I recall is three people who told me that when they die, the instructions in their will was to put their animals down because no-one can look after them like they can.
I just find this so arrogant and appalling.
Yes, the animal will suffer by losing their caregiver, but in time, their heart will heal and they will learn to love again, in the same way that we do.
Death is a part of life, but taking a life before it is time is wrong, and if we cannot act with decency, we cannot be allowed to ride roughshod over the very animals we have committed to protect.
Suffering hurts, but it's also necessary for purposes that we perhaps can't understand.
Repairing With Gold
Let us look to the Japanese art of Kintsugi 金継ぎ (golden joinery) also known as Kintsukuroi 金繕い (golden repair) for inspiration.
Kintsugi and kintsukuroi is the art of repairing broken pottery by mending the breaks with urushi lacquer, dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum.
This process renders a new piece that is more exquisite than it was before the break and the joining with gold is the treasure that the new object is imbued with.
Sometimes I get really down, because I can't seem to figure out a way forward or I feel overwhelmed by all the responsibility I have to bear, and I find myself in a hole again.
I can spend days in that hole, it's very dark, depressing and lonely and I rarely come up for air, but whenever I come out, I bring treasures of wisdom, and this is what the gold repairs reminds me of.
Reinforced Golden Scars
In a book called Suffer Strong by Katherine and Jay Wolf, Jay says:
"The story of kintsugi - this style of pottery - may be the most perfect embodiment of all our trauma-shattered lives...
Instead of throwing away the broken beloved pottery, we'll fix it in a way that doesn't pretend it hasn't been broken but honours the breaking - and more so, the surviving - by highlighting those repaired seams with gold lacquer.
Now the object is functional once again and dignified, not discarded.
It's stronger and even more valuable because of its reinforced, golden scars."
Raw, Real & Resilient
None of us are going to get out of this thing called life alive, and we won't live a pristine life either, damage and breakage is inevitable.
Our imperfections and scars are what make us beautiful, valuable and unique and in the putting back together, we have a story to tell, and not one sparrow is forgotten by God. (Luke 12:6)
Animals are resilient, and the time-consuming, challenging and expensive process of putting a little soul back together, mending them with gold, builds connection, trust and a new un-breakable bond, and they emerge stronger than they were before.
We are more beautiful than we realise and more powerful than we know, and everything we need is inside.
This is the beauty in the broken, it's the place where the light comes in.
Customised Solutions
Sweet little Dotty, one of my kittens found his way into the front garden and 3 of my dogs got to him before I could, they fractured his hip really badly in an awkward place and gave him a hernia, and only a very experienced surgeon could restore him to his former glory.
The first vet I took him to said to remove his leg or give him a floating leg, telling me that he wouldn't miss it and that the cheaper option was best as he was "only a cat."
I asked about the best option, which was 5 times the price, and didn't hesitate to go for the gold star in the form of a steel plate, even though this required a long period of cage rest.
I found the best surgeon and we built Dotty an amazing space that was both inside and outside, customised for maximum rest, comfort and company in a safe way, and we endured together.
God bless Dotty, this little feral cat became my friend and a beautiful bond grew between us, Dotty found his way into my heart and me into his, and in time, he was as good as new.
Suffering Softens Us
Suffering can be a great healer, smoothing out our rough edges and changing us in a way that we could never have imagined.
We may have to surrender things we could do before that we can't do now, but new situations, new opportunities, new adventures and new relationships arise, and this is all part of the blessing.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
God's power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Let us look to God, the Provider, Protector and Creator of all things, the source of all Wisdom, Grace and Truth, to guide our steps and light our way, so that we always wait on Him and walk in faith, together.
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