tonya, for me the answer is to focus on my small part of the world,
and remember that being a good example (well, at least about the
critters!) is a big thing, tho decidedly slow
some people can handle dealing with the huge issues, many can't. for
me, if i try to handle a huge number of injustices at once, i end up
overwhelmed, and paralyzed, and unable to act on any level. for me,
saving the critters i can, and continuing to educate-educate-educate,
is what enables me to go on.
a fervent belief that these critters come to US, out of all the humans
in the world, also keeps me going. some of us have the gift of being
able to handle the constant heartbreak of having to say goodbye to
cats with FeLV and other conditions. it's not something i think i
chose, but clearly the cats know better.
i pull back and remember that these cats who have come into my life
leave this world when it's their time having known warmth, and love,
and a roof over their heads, and competent medical care. for those for
whom human companionship is something they want, they leave in the
arms of someone who loves them, thanks them for sharing their lives,
and who tries desperately to honor their needs over my own. how many
humans these days can say as much?
you did exactly what jaws needed you to do: you rescued him from that
street, you surrounded him with love and caring from yourself and your
wonderful vet--in those few hours, jaws KNEW that his life was of
value to someone. THOSE are the memories that he took with him to the
bridge. would you have been there with him had you known he was going
to leave so soon? of course--but you did not know, and you did what
you needed to do for yourself. as much as we are driven to care for
these without anyone else to stand up for them, we MUST take care of
ourselves, too, or we diminish our ability to continue to be there for
the next one, two, twenty.
this group gives us a place to all do whatever it is they we can do,
while having a wide group of folks doing the same thing--and when we
reach out and hold hands (and/or paws), we enlarge the circle, and
support one another in ways that radiate out from that circle. we may
not encompass the world and its evils, but we each make a
difference--and, together, we amplify and magnify one another.
--
MaryChristine
AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ICQ: 289856892
