Do you notice the difference between how I would describe what is happening in Japan versus how the AP writer describes it? Why is it that the many in the media feels that its necessary to ridicule loving, caring actions towards non-humans? Are humans just so all around wonderful that we’re the only species that deserves to be loved and pampered? I think not!
Okay, I know some will say that there are humans suffering all over the world. And that’s terrrible. I don’t want to see unnecessary suffering among anyone, human or other species. But let’s get real. Just because a guy tries to help the dog who helped him get through hard times in his life have less pain in his own, shorter life, doesn’t mean that the human cares less about the unknown human in need. It means that the human caring for the dog or cat is a better person and making the world in general a better place. If we can care for the other species we share the world with, then we can make the world a better place for us all.
Let’s look at children. Children who learn empathy for other species go on to be better people. Who are the problem children? Those who never learn to care about other species. Those are the children who grow up being much less likely to care about other humans as well.
So how about it media folks? Let’s get off the, “oh how odd it is that someone would try to make their old dog feel good” bandwagon? Let’s remind people that when people or cultures begin to realize that they share common bonds with other species that’s a good thing. It shows that the people and the cultures are maturing and expanding in positive ways.
Thanks to the Seattle Times for this article.
Japanese owners indulge aging cats and dogs
By Hiroko Tabuchi
SHUJI KAJIYAMA / AP
TOKYO — Andy has sprouted white whiskers, suffers from lower back pain and no longer bounds up the stairs like he used to.
Still, the 11-year-old Siberian husky isn’t lying idle: every week he meets his personal trainer for a run on an underwater treadmill, does laps in a doggy pool to strengthen his hind legs and unwinds with a hot spa and massage session.
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