As wars rage around the globe, it seems the nature of man has changed little since Stone Age times. Although technological advances has made man's lot in civilized countries much more comfortable, the basic drives behind man's actions seem to have changed little. It's sobering to observe man's inhumanity toward's fellow man. I've noticed the same disregard for life in how many people treat animals. I've known many people in my life who look at animals as not life, but things to be used and disposed of like old clothes. Ever since I can remember, I've always had a appreciation for life it all its forms, and it's bothered me to observe the callous disregard for life by many people.
I was probably about eight the first time I observed this. The incident is as clear to me now 40 years laters as it was back then. I was playing on the back lot when a couple of friends called me over to see somthing 'neat'. There standing in the alley was John Tywaa a big Indian boy just back from some war somewhere(Vietnam). He had a pigeon in his hands, which we commonly called Diggs. John looked at us and said "watch this". He took and grabbed the pigeon's neck, twisted it around and yanked off the pigeon's head, commonly called 'wringing his neck'. I stood there shocked, not knowing what to say. It was the first time that I had experienced inhumane actions but far from the last.
That's why I'm thankful that there are organizations like the Humane Society to offer a voice and some protection to animals that would otherwise have none. Cable Television has helped a great deal in giving these organizations exposure. The Animal Channel has several programs that feature the Humane Society in places like Detroit, New York, Houston and Miami. These programs show vividly just how cruel people can be in their treatment of pets and other animals. Seeing images of dogs and cats that have been beat, burnt, starved and abused in other ways adds an impact that you wouldn't get through words alone.
If man has little regard for the life of fellow man, how can we expect him to value life in 'lesser' forms such as animals? That's why I'm glad to support organizations such as these, and hope that they continue to exist. For I believe that a society can be judged not just by how we treat other people, but animals as well.
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