Not sure if it is a poem, however, with the arrival of a small white terrier something I am compelled to write
SPAY is NOT a four letter word
It has been almost twenty years now that We moved to the Bible Belt where everyone is loving and kind
You must be kidding
We quickly learned that critters are often disregarded, abused and left behind
House number 1:
SADIE Basset and something; abused and left behind
SAM beautiful boxer; got out of truck, no one looked for him
House number 2
MAUDIE Australian herding dog; dropped, starving unable to walk when she crawled into my car port
THOR Akita Wolf mix puppy, no teeth, eating road kill when I found him
HAYLEY terrier ; left behind, 'you don't mind do you? we can't take her to Tulsa with us’
ARNOLD large and playful something dog; see Hayley above, both left at same house
House number 3
GERTIE Beagle; she and her puppies dropped left on their own
HILDY black mixed breed; dropped, walking downcast down the road
MINNIE Beagle; wearing a collar, obviously house dog, downcast
MAGGIE MAY hunting dog elephant hound mix; found on road at 5AM, eyes barely open
PEGGY something coyote mix; she WILL eat the cat, but who is to blame, she or the idiot who allowed her mama to breed
BLACK GIRL Lab mix; she is not mine, just comes to eat, neighbors believe she should 'hunt'
GUYE dachshund; Kansas is equal opportunity, little fellow left behind at Truck Stop just across the state line
Uh oh!
If only they could talk and tell me of their life before they arrived
Well, what I have is a list of somebody’s excuse for not spaying,
The recurring comment that ‘we have dominion over them.’ rings in my ear
Listening to a Rabbi explain that in the original language that verse is ‘compassionate care’ I have come to question
what MORE did King James and his friends get wrong
Really. No kidding.
SPAY is NOT a four letter word
Over the years the critters have come and stayed.
Sadie is gone, took her years to trust humans, I miss her so, lovely girl.
Sam went to live with a family who have children he can love and who love him.
Hildy and Maudie were with us for several years, are buried out under the mulberry as is Gertie and her kids. One of the problems with 'strays' -- other than Maggie May we don't know their age or medical history.
In the dog pen today is Maggie, Thor and Minnie. Each year I expect Thor to face his last winter. At 16 or so he does not howl as much as he did one day, he is arthritic and moth eaten, but enegizer bunny like when snow begins to fall.
Peggy is on a chain, cannot keep her in the pen, and do not want her shot by neighbors who have dominion.
Hayley and Arnold disappeared in the woods.
We have managed to spay and neuter each one as they come.
(and please do not send me admonitions re Biblical meaning, us and critters. I AM Christian, and have read many versions, editions and texts over the years. Am only sorry that I cannot read the language of the original writers and must rely on what others tell me they said or meant)
YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND HAVE CERTAINLY RENDERED A MOST NEEDED KINDNESS TO THE ABANDONED AND STRAYS YOU HAVE TAKEN IN. SOME GET IT AND SOME DON'T...THANK GOD YOU TWO DO. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE AND BLESSINGS, JOYCE*HIS INSPIRATIONS
I don't think it has anything to do with religion, it's most likely only human weakness. Enjoyable write that gives the reader a peak into the compassionate heart of the writer. May the Lord guide her to His Light.
Safi
Just thought you'd like to know that as a farm kid growing up in Kansas, part of the bible belt you refer to, I was lovingly taught, and sometimes received personal discipline if neglected the teaching, that christian dominion means responsibility for the animals you care for. They are real, with feelings and needs that as their caretaker you can not ignore even if your hope is also for them to provide for you too. It was part economics and part morality. This applied to many animals I grew up with, cattle, horses, hogs and poultry as well as the pets from dogs and cats to parakeets. Many of these animals were personal acquaintenances. I like your inferences as to what dominion really means, and believe that some folks will hate reviewing their disregard for animals before God. Thanks for your well-meant, well-done poem.
Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)
Reviewed on March 23, 2007
Spay is a beautiful word :-) I am amazed at the ignorance of people when it comes to animals............Wonderful that you are their friend. Thank you each one would say :-)
powerful write/message. if this is a depiction of the plight of defenseless animals, what can we expect for defenseless humans/brothers/sisters? scary.
Very sad situations Molly. Your big heart is showing! I think the only ones to blame are the people who desert them. It is up to parents to instill a heart of compassion for all life, into their children
I am Christian, too, and I believe having dominion over them, gives us the responsibility to care for them properly and lovingly and make good choices for them. Spaying and neutering are essential! God bless you.
interesting how you've mixed this in with Christianity, domestic animals offer the most unconditional love to mankind, too bad they can't write the scriptures...thanks for rescuing these beautiful dogs from humans who don't know the first thing about love
A n y o n e who drops off animals.......don't get me started!!!! Tragic how people treat our four legged friends: thank God they have friends in you and Mr. Ed. There's hope yet.........compassionately penned heartbreak.
You have a loving and giving heart, dear MJ. Thank God, they have you to come to -- the knotheads that abandon pets like that should be charged as criminals. Pets ask so little of their owners in return for so much unconditional love and devotion. How sad to be dumped ... A wonderful poem of enlightenment.
Love,
CJ
This is absolutely horrific, heartwrenching! How we treat our animal friends is a travesty; this should not be! A powerful call for change! Very well done, Molly! BRAVA!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :( >tears! <
We quickly learned that critters are often disregarded, abused and left behind
And yet many like to brag about our Christianity, and our compassion as a nation. This very sadly occurs from coast to coast in America, and I sadly see no end any time soon to our blatant cruelty to animals.
God Bless people like you, Molly - and the 'good old US of A' truly needs many more of your kind.
Robin Ouzman Hislop's poetry is certainly in dialogue with some of the key architects of the 'poetics of indeterminacy' – both the Modernist strands represented by the likes of Beckett and Stein, and the postmodernist strands represented, initially,
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Nice, very nice!!
Lance
Safi
Just thought you'd like to know that as a farm kid growing up in Kansas, part of the bible belt you refer to, I was lovingly taught, and sometimes received personal discipline if neglected the teaching, that christian dominion means responsibility for the animals you care for. They are real, with feelings and needs that as their caretaker you can not ignore even if your hope is also for them to provide for you too. It was part economics and part morality. This applied to many animals I grew up with, cattle, horses, hogs and poultry as well as the pets from dogs and cats to parakeets. Many of these animals were personal acquaintenances. I like your inferences as to what dominion really means, and believe that some folks will hate reviewing their disregard for animals before God. Thanks for your well-meant, well-done poem.
Amor
Regis
I am Christian, too, and I believe having dominion over them, gives us the responsibility to care for them properly and lovingly and make good choices for them. Spaying and neutering are essential! God bless you.
Love tinka
A n y o n e who drops off animals.......don't get me started!!!! Tragic how people treat our four legged friends: thank God they have friends in you and Mr. Ed. There's hope yet.........compassionately penned heartbreak.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. :(
Love,
CJ
This is absolutely horrific, heartwrenching! How we treat our animal friends is a travesty; this should not be! A powerful call for change! Very well done, Molly! BRAVA!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :( >tears! <
And yet many like to brag about our Christianity, and our compassion as a nation. This very sadly occurs from coast to coast in America, and I sadly see no end any time soon to our blatant cruelty to animals.
God Bless people like you, Molly - and the 'good old US of A' truly needs many more of your kind.