Who're you callin' an animal?

Over the last couple of years, I have seen a increasing number of videos posted on the web, that show the amazing capacity of dogs to show love and compassion. In one video, a dog blocks highway traffic to protect another dog whom has been injured. Dogs protect their owners. And the babies of their owners. Dogs protect each other and in the case of search and rescue dogs, people they don't even know.

The only times that these dogs get upset or frustrated, is when they don't have the resources to do more. These magnificent creatures will risk their own lives and go to whatever lengths are in their ability to protect and save their charges. They have no promise of monetary reward. There is no outside agency that motivates them. They don't crave media recognition. They won't be going on a speaking tour, or given endorsement deals. They do it for love. Isn't that incredible?

In a lot of religious traditions, these heroic creatures are considered to not have a "soul" and therefore, cannot go to "heaven." First of all, I wouldn't want to go to a "heaven" that didn't include dogs. They are better "people" than most of the people I know.

Now, when there are "people" who refuse to use the resources they have (By the way, those resources are given to them by us!) to help others who are sick or poor, they have made themselves much, much less than any dog. Any. Dog. The same dogs that, by their religious beliefs, are not allowed into "heaven". A dog will use ALL of the resources it has, and go beyond, to help. When all along, there are "people" who refuse to help others, even though they have virtually unlimited resources (that they were given by US, the taxpayer), and they refuse to use them, insisting instead to give them to the rich and comfortable.

I think this demonstrates perfectly, who does and does not have a soul.
It shows without a shadow of a doubt who will and who will not get into "heaven."
It proves to me who deserves to be called an Animal.

Baby Steps...

Wish you were there

Well, Biggles and I spent the day yesterday (Sunday) at a fundraiser for shelter animals sponsored by Shelter Me, Photography. 

Biggles, is the perfect ambassador for an event of this type because he was, in fact, a rescue from a shelter. My friend Robbie and I MC'd the event.  It was blazing hot.  I mean Tarzan hot.  Africa hot.  Or just Denver on August 28th hot.  We have been breaking temperature records all month.  You really have to give props to all of the volunteers who showed up and worked in that kind of crazy heat.

The physical space, was provided by Aspen Arbor Animal Hospital.  In addition to the hospital facility, there is a Whole Pets, which offers natural food, supplements, and all kinds of products for your dog or cat or what ever type of animal you love. 

At that same location there is also a unique facility, CRCG, which stands for Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Group.  It is as the name implies, a rehabilitation center for your four-legged best friend.  A lot of the rehab is water-based, with all types of different rehab pools.  They also boast a public dog swimming pool, which is set up for dock dogs practice. 

A fun time was had by all.  Personally I would've liked to have seen a lot more people there, but on a hot day like that, I can certainly understand why people might want to stay inside.  As far as I'm concerned, this is just an another reason why people should get out there and rescue shelter dogs.  The heat effects poor doggies too.  Most dogs, especially shelter dogs, don't have the wherewithal to cool themselves off.  So it is incumbent upon good, kind, compassionate human beings to adopt them and do something about this heat.  I know that I'm pretty shameless when it comes to generating excuses for you to go out and adopt a homeless pet.  If this particular heat argument worked, great!  If not, adopt a pet, anyway.  I hate to sound like a broken record (does anyone even remember broken records?), but, adopt a pet, adopt a pet, adopt a pet, adopt a pet…