Supply and demand might be the law
of consumerism which has propped up
a dubious economy for decades,
but when it comes to believing it is
the only way through the veils of fear
and lack hanging over too many
these days, perhaps we ought to consider;
Maybe it is time to cease ignoring
those less fortunate, our kindreds
who do not fit slick models spoon fed
us by the media and societal expectations,
outcasts in a country that possesses values
that exclude those who are different,
while not forgetting animals euthanized
or turned loose to fend for themselves
when we no longer accept
that sacred stewardship;
Aren't we all unique souls on this journey,
are we not fellow travelers on the same planet
where some find their way and others languish
in forgotten dreams if they ever had the luxury
to contemplate options, and what is the
imperative driving us forward?
Are we so afraid of one another or our own
insufficiencies that we turn our heads at what
we consider unsavory? Or perhaps it piques
our own fears that we, too might join them,
homeless on the streets of cities funded
with graft and too many taxes, and how have
circumstances changed in that way
since feudal times? Lords and ladies
of the gentry, snubbing noses at peasants
they depend upon for their own
lush lifestyles;
Yet here in a democracy that has degraded
into shadows of its former self, we speed
along in standards of living we grew up
with or aspire to duplicate, as the forgotten
become more desperate, living with a kind
of terror most westerners can only imagine,
and so ponder the options for these
mounting numbers of souls, leaking
from streets into the roadside rubbish that
suddenly appeared only decades ago, and how can
we mend what is broken? Surely as the brilliant
sun rises on your world and mine though, we
must begin, each in our own way, to right this boat.
Mr. Peanut is one of the lucky ones. He tore an ACL and has early hip dysplasia, and we continue to work with him in rehabbing these injuries. After spending thousands, it is easy to see how many simply do not have the options we did.
Well Tubularsock can see that at least Mr. Peanut had enough intelligence to pick you guys to team up with and be loved.
As for mankind, it appears the boat will have to sink before it can be righted again. And hopefully with a better crew!
Peace
Thanks for the Pnut love. He almost didn’t make it. But then we stumbled into options. It’s too bad too, because I’m sure a lot of dogs in his position would end up in extreme pain for the rest of their lives or have to be put down. There are no vets left around here after Covid! We had to drive three hours to Albuquerque to get him x-rayed and diagnosed. And it was from there that we proceeded to rehab in Santa Fe. And then on our own, ongoingly. Living and learning every day!
As for humankind, I am going to try and be hopeful, it is part of why we live so distant from everything. If I lived in the city, I think I would have absolutely nothing but despair. And so. 🙏💕
Mr. Peanut is one lucky dog! 💕
Thanks, Eliza! Finding that Vet gave him a second lease on life. I think the luck goes all the way around! 😍🙏
It is very sad that many are now abandoning their animals as they no longer can afford to care for them.. Same here in England, the animal rescue homes are full of unwanted once loved pets..
Your words hit home Bela.. In that yes some are fortunate in being able to afford the what is now a huge cost in vets bills .. Peanuts is very lucky having you care for him..
How did we become less caring to one another? as we walk by homeless people, often through no fault of just trying to make ends meet.. While landlords would sooner have an empty apartment or property than have some one staying there sheltering from the winter storms rent free.. Compassion for our fellow human brothers and sisters is sadly lacking in many.. Replaced by the $ and £’s signs… Of only what is in it for ‘Me’….
A thought provoking post Bela… I send Peanut lots of love and hope his treatment soon has him running around feeling brighter again..
Much love my friend <3
Beautiful comments, Sue. Agreed on it all, though i do hope this transition into the Aquarian age shakes enough people up that the paradigms shift. It’s getting pretty dire for so many. If for no other reason, just because our numbers are higher than ever before.
And yes, Peanut was lucky that we could afford days of driving time back-and-forth to distant places to get him care. The emergency vet three hours away was nearly $1000 just to take a look at him. And then it was ongoing physical therapy and that wasn’t cheap. At least that pt vet told us after a time how to do these things ourselves, saving us hundreds. I don’t know how things blew up like this all of a sudden, but they sure did.
I am so happy this little spotted dog made it. It’s been months of walking on a leash around the ranch, where he formally had free range. He will never had that again, but we do let him off the leash from time to time to thrash a big stick and race around in our presence. He is an active breed, and his spirit needs this. But we are careful, and I do trigger point on his hips every night. He doesn’t love it, but he definitely accepts it.
💕💕💕
He know Bela you are helping him… Sending prayers for his speedy recovery and I know with your help he will heal quicker.. <3
Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️
There are groups here in the city that help people keep their pets when they feel they no longer can afford them. A small thing, but for some, it’s the only companionship they have. Even without vet care, pets are expensive.
We need an economy that takes care of the basics for everyone. But in order for that to happen, people have to be willing to share their good fortune. No one would be rich (or comfortable) without the working poor. (K)
Absolutely, Kerfe. Wealth distribution ought to be a matter of great importance. After all, once you’ve earned 100 million, or stolen it or whatever, what the hell do you need more for? 😘
So glad Mister Peanut is with you. 💖 Our animals are so precious … and help us keep in touch with
unconditional love. 🙏
Absolutely, Val! I have learned more from this dog than any animal we have ever had in our midst. Perhaps it is because the kids are gone, and we have time to focus more on the animals. But either way, we are very glad he is still with us! 🙏❤️
Precious. Unconditional. Love heals. 💕
It may be the only thing that does. 🙏🌹💓
We are all unique and so clever! As are you!
A great post! Good luck with that ACL!
Aww, thanks, my friend. He’s doing well, considering. I truly hope all is well in your world! 🙏💓
The life of a human is definitely mobile. Back on the farm at the moment. I travel more now that the pandemic is over.
How about you? Still spending time on the beach?
Haha, C, not so much! We sold our HI house after 15 yrs there and bought a ranch in northern New Mexico 2 hrs from the CO border and 7500ft up in the forest. Remote, but it’s lovely. Still acclimating 2-1/2 yrs later, below zero this morning! Yikes. Hoping you are well and thriving! Big hugs! 💓
It is very sad that many are now abandoning their animals as they no longer can afford to care for them.. Same here in England, the animal rescue homes are full of unwanted once loved pets..
Your words hit home Bela.. In that yes some are fortunate in being able to afford the what is now a huge cost in vets bills .. Peanuts is very lucky having you care for him..
Thanks for weighing in, Max. I contemplate this all the time. At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, it seems to me that Covid lockdown time proved an excuse for the big to further subsume and subjugate the small. And maybe the event simply accelerated a collapse that was already in motion, albeit less physically obvious than it is now. (Notice the large corporations remained in business while small businesses were driven out in startling numbers.) And those suffering were, as history proves time and again, the little guys, the common folk, those who can’t fend for themselves (like our beloved animals).
In my opinion, this all pervasive consumerist model needs to transform into something more equitable to all, as we break societies back down into what once was – more communal, more cooperative. Otherwise we are doomed to continue with a crazy unsustainable future, where more find themselves on the street, and more and more and more animals are left to their own devices. It seems cruel that we domesticated them, only to lead them off the cliff in such a manner.
I’m sad to hear vet costs are just as escalated over the pond as they are here. We had to drive 3 hours to find a vet who would see Peanut, and we left with a $950 vet charge. And that was only the beginning. Longtime friends here in New Mexico (living near the poverty line) faced the slow death of the female partner, who adopted this sweet dog years before, knowing her time was limited and Bandit would provide her partner of 60 years some company. If we, ourselves faced expenses, they were submerged with a $6500 bill for a ‘necessary’ surgery for this dog. They set up a GoFundMe and were somehow able, between that and their own payments, to accomplish the deed. But, my god.
This clearly is a wake-up call for those who will attend to it. We need to do what we can, for both the animals and the people. We live in changing, challenging times.
Wishing you well, Max. Thanks again for your comments. With love, Bela