Lesson of the Starfish

The Lesson of the Starfish

One day a man was taking a sunrise walk along a beach. In the distance he caught sight of a young woman who seemed to be dancing along the waves. As he got closer he saw that the young woman was actually not dancing, but picking up starfish from the sand and tossing them gently back into the ocean.

"What are you doing?" the man asked.

"The sun is coming up and the tide is going out; if I don't throw them in, they'll die."

"But young woman, there are miles and miles of beach with starfish all along it--you can't possibly make a difference."

The young woman bent down, picked up another starfish, and placed it lovingly back into the ocean, past the breaking waves.

"It made a difference for that one," she replied.

I understand the feeling of the man at the overwhelming number of starfish dying on the beaches. I feel the same way when I see the rows and rows of kennels at the shelters and the dogs and cats I see on the streets and chained in backyards. How will we ever really make a difference?

But I also understand the dedication and the hope in the young woman. Every life is worth saving, even in the midst of others that aren't saved. For every pet we can save, we make a difference in for that one, and for the people who share that life.

I must be honest. Lately, I have been overwhelmed by the number of lives we need to save here in Atlanta. But I hold on tight to the hope that we are making a difference. I have to believe that with every life we save, we make our community a kinder place, a place where every pet matters.

I share this story with you today for my own reminder as much as for you. I invite you to join me on this sometimes difficult and painful, yet always meaningful, walk along the beach. We may have many miles of beaches to walk, but there are starfish to save with every step.

Recognizing Animal Cruelty and Neglect in Our Community

Will 2011 be remembered as a cruel year? So far, it seems to be. We have had more emails and phone calls about animal cruelty and neglect than we have ever had.

Unfortunately, this increase is not unexpected. We are trying to emerge from one of the worst economic times we have ever seen. We continue to be mired in two wars. We see constant reports of violence and cruelty in the news and entertainment. We live in a culture where stress is high and violence is often tolerated, and sometimes even glorified.

It is not surprising that more animals are being abused and neglected. They are literally the voiceless victims. For people who need to feel important and powerful, pets in their homes and on the streets are easy targets.

There is absolutely no excuse for animal cruelty and neglect. And we should not tolerate it in our community. Recently, a group of neighbors rallied to fight for justice for a stray cat who was a victim of cruelty by a man who followed his act by publicly bragging about his act. (See the original news story about the case here.) The actions of the citizens who care about this single cat are standing up and demanding that animal cruelty not be tolerated.

Do you know the signs of animal cruelty and neglect? Do you know what to do when you witness cruelty? Learn more about recognizing and reporting animal cruelty here. Visit our Facebook page and share your own ideas on preventing and stopping animal cruelty and neglect in your own community.

You are their voice. Speak loudly.

How Will Our Greatness Be Judged?

Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest leaders of modern times and the inspiration for many non-violent movements across the globe, cared about all of his fellow living beings. One of his most often used quotes in animal welfare ties a nation's treatment of the animals in their midst to their measurement of greatness and progress:

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

It seems to be such a simple statement, yet is so profound in its meaning. How do we treat the living creatures that share the space within our borders? And what do we learn about ourselves by what we do, or do not do, in defense of those that rely on us?

At the recent Golden Globe awards, a movie about animal welfare pioneer Temple Grandin won more awards. From a woman who many would avoid in their daily lives comes some of the most influential changes in how farm animals are treated.

But you don't have to have a PhD to make a difference in the lives of the animals around you. You can make a difference right where you are. If you are in Georgia, the state legislature is back in session. Become informed on pending legislation, and let your state representative or senator know that how animals are treated matters to you. If you live in another state, become involved in your own local and state government to advocate for those that have no voice of their own.

You can define how our greatness is judged, by the presence, or absence, of your actions.