A Privilege or a Problem
This is a true story that I have heard told too many times, that absolutely breaks my heart, to the point that I agonised over the title, whether to call it The Last Ride or The Ride to Freedom.
It is one borne out of either ignorance or selfishness or both and almost every time I've reached out to people who had the opportunity to help and to save, I have been met with the same bad attitude, lack of respect for life and oftentimes, hostility.
This is one of those times that I've experienced humanity at it's worst, and it's devastating, but we have the power to choose the outcome, if we arm ourselves with knowledge, understanding, wisdom, courage and truth.
Rescue is the most wonderful, most rewarding, most fulfilling act one can do for another, and anyone who is privileged enough to hold a life in their hands, should hold that life with the most perfect intent, and in such high regard that they will do whatever it takes to protect them.
But sadly, not everyone thinks like this and for most people, an animal in need is just too much trouble and they are seen as nothing more than a problem to be passed on to someone else to deal with.
Trickery & Treachery
I'm referring to people who "save" a dog they see wandering around somewhere, because they are lost, abandoned, homeless, neglected or injured, who lure them in and either take them home for a short time or take them straight to the SPCA or other such kill shelters.
They put up a post in a Facebook group notifying people, sometimes asking for a foster, giving people a few hours notice, maybe a couple of days maximum, and when no-one responds, because they haven't put all that much effort in, they drop them off at the nearest vet or SPCA.
Many of them know that when they take them to the SPCA, that they have 10 days for the "owner" to come forward, after which time, they will be put up for adoption if they can move them quickly for a hefty adoption fee, but in most cases, they are euthanised.
Of course, where a dog is lost out of area, abandoned, homeless or neglected, it's almost certain that no-one will come forward, because there is no-one and unless they fall into the above category, it's tickets for them too.
Lastly, certain breeds such as Pitbulls and dogs who show fear aggression, a totally understandable response when they are taken by cold hands and even colder hearts, put in a cage and given a death sentence, are euthanised immediately.
Population Control
People need to understand that the SPCA and other such "animal welfare" organisations are predominantly population control as opposed to actual rescue organisations who truly stand for the animals.
Their mantra is that there are not enough homes and that the supply outweighs the demands and therefore, they have no option but to euthanise them and that it's kinder than a life of suffering.
Instead of raising a high bar, thinking outside of the box and focusing on creation, pioneering strategies and genuinely caring for the animals, their focus is death and destruction.
They have a revolving door policy, making space for more dogs by ending the lives of those who are taking up space and the rivers of blood that flow from these heinous and cruel acts can probably outweigh the weight and span of the world's Oceans.
Vets often do exactly the same and hand over the animals to the local SPCA to do the dirty work, and their oath of "Do no harm" goes out the window, together with the morals.
A Cruel World
We live in a cruel world where people are too busy, too selfish, too ignorant and too lacking in everything that is good and right and even though many of them know this, they do it anyway, justifying their actions and closing their eyes, ears and hearts to the cold, hard and ugly truth.
When I have asked people if they understand the consequences of their actions, they ask me "what must I do?" yet when I tell them what they must do, they don't want to hear it.
Is it really so hard to give an innocent, helpless and vulnerable animal in need shelter and safe passage until a plan can be made?
Where their life will be held in the highest regard, respected, revered and rewarded by someone who loves and cares for them?
Is it really not possible to offer them a spare room, even a bathroom, if the rest of the house is not available, making as many calls as necessary and taking the necessary time to protect them?
A Wake Up Call
Humanity has lost its way, on such a grand scale, and rescuers like myself feel that we are carrying not only our own crosses, but many other people's too, and we are breaking under the weight of it all, yet we have no option but to continue.
And we do it, willingly and unceasingly, for those without a voice and without a choice, because we cannot fail them too, but the people just break our hearts with their callousness.
I have often wondered if anyone would pick me up if I was lying in a ditch somewhere or at the side of the road, lost and broken, shivering and cold, suffering and in pain, scared and lonely, crying out for a helping hand.
Would they take me to safety, give me a nice meal, get me the medical treatment I need, meet my scared soul with soft hands and a soothing voice and give me a warm bed to sleep in with a nice pillow and a blanket?
Would I be able to rest my weary head in their lap and greet their gentle pats with my pain-filled eyes, beating heart and tired bones that long to be held, caressed and loved?
An Hour of Need
An hour of need is so much more than an hour, it can be days, weeks, months or even years, depending on the severity of what is needed.
I would like to think that someone would be there for me, a kind stranger if necessary, someone who will care for me and not abuse me, respect my life and not want my death and provide for me in whatever way was needed, for however long.
I would hope that if they couldn't keep me themselves, that they would make a plan to get me to someone who could.
It is never convenient to help someone, it requires us to be selfless, putting our own needs aside in order to be there for someone else, who we haven't accounted for.
We may have to cancel existing plans, move things around or give things up altogether, but this is all part of the wonderful tapestry of life beyond the mundane, ordinary and habitual grind, and if we fail to see the beauty of such moments, we will miss out on so much.
Rising In Love
Let us strive to think beyond ourselves and our own challenges, lets us be open to the beauty of each unexpected moment and let us rise in love as we see further and more fervently than before.
Let us humble ourselves to the challenges that are presented to us, seeing them as opportunities to truly serve one another, welcoming the blessings that enter in moments such as these.
Let us think differently, lovingly, carefully and honestly, about the fate that awaits those who we pass by, who had we just stopped, but for a moment, to give a little of ourselves to, we could make such a huge difference to.
Let us make space in our hearts, our homes and our hideaways, for a little lost soul who needs us in a moment of weakness, helplessness and vulnerability, whose blessings are tied to ours.
Let us care deeply, let them touch us and let their little faces be etched on our hearts, so that we may be broken open, for the river of life to pour forth from and the light to enter in, so that never again we feel the need to say "not now, not me, not ever."
God Will Make A Way
This photo is of a dog called Tammy, an old girl of around 13 who I rescued in January 2024 as one of 6 dogs who were not being looked after and who was the most critically in need being severely malnourished and dangerously sick.
One of my helpers notified me of their plight and the second he called me to tell me they were ready to be collected, despite only just recovering from being really ill, I jumped in my car and went to fetch them.
Having too many dogs at home, I took them to the vet, gave them flea and tick and worming treatment, Vitamin C injections for Tammy & Limit and medication for Tammy for tick bite fever, I then paid the bill in faith and took them to my friend's where I stayed until I had made a plan.
Within 2 days, they were all in safe hands and have been an absolute blessing to their respective Trusted Guardians, including myself when 3 of them stayed with me for over a year, loving me unconditionally, and me them in return.
God will never give us more than we can manage, and if we step forward in faith and action, focusing on life, love and letting Him lead, He will always make a way to support us, with help from others to whatever degree is needed including funding, fostering and forever homes; we have so much power for greatness inside of us, if only we knew how to tap into it.
The Ride To Freedom
We must educate ourselves and learn the cruel fates that await those we turn away from, that we have the power to make such a difference to, and cast away all doubts, fears and the demonic strongholds that harden our hearts.
We must step out in faith, even though we don't know how to help, in the hope that God will make a way, both for those in need and for us.
We must be kind, patient, brave, strong and available, to everything that life wants to bring our way, to each moment and to each pair of eyes that meets us in unexpected moments, longing for love.
We must look into those eyes, really look, and speak and act from that place of connection, camaraderie and companionship, being a light in the dark and bringing hope, peace and comfort.
We must save every soul that needs us, making the necessary space to do what is required of us, honouring their trust, gracing them with our presence and making their ride with us the ride to freedom, the ride of their life and the first of many, not their last.
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