Amazed

It amazes me the things people say.  It amazes me the things people believe.  I had a conversation with two co-workers today about people and animals.  One was telling me about how she is sick of hearing about the pet food recall.  I was pretty offended considering I have 4 pets, love animals and have been involved with animal rights, not to mention the compassion I feel for the people having to deal with what this food has done to their pets.  It was just very flippant and careless.  My other co-worker said she basically thought people were silly to rescue animals in New Orleans.  My stance was why can't you love people and animals?  I told them that I don't really feel bad for most humans, because humans can think for and take care of themselves (for the most part I'm talking about autonomous adults).  I am still stunned.  I mean...what!!!???  I hope I don't sound intolerable, maybe I am being so a bit in tone.

Quite the food for thought tonight.  It amazes me because the tone of the first co-worker I'm talking about was pretty intolerable.

I do my best to strive for ahimsa, the first yama (principle) of yoga.  Ahimsa, in my interpretation and practice, is to be as non-violent as possible towards myself, others (both people and animals), or the environment.  We are all part of the same thing.  I don't see how you can just seperate things like that. 

My dog is my best friend.  She and I both are Katrina evacuees.  She has been there with me through thick and then when everyone else (including friends) haven't.  I am very sorry for all of the people who have lost their pets to the rat poison in this food.  I read online that thousands more are expected to die as a result.  Menu Foods produces pet food for 95 brands.  That is scary to me!  Maybe I should start cooking for my cats.  I would have to find special recipes for my dog, Shelby, as she has pancreatitis.

Please forgive me if I am coming across too preachy, but I think a raw nerve was hit.  I am sick of people being sick of things.  I am tired of seeing people bring other people into the world when they don't have the means or even the desire to raise them properly in a healthy and loving environment.

I guess I feel more compassionate for animals and am willing to do more for them because you can only do so much for people you know?  People can go to school, they can learn, they can get a job, they can stand for something, they can give a shit, or they can choose not to go to school, no to learn, not to work or even look for a job, or sit by and watch Grey's Anatomy until they're blue in the face and fat from McDonald's.  Now I'm starting to be very critical.  That's all for today.  Whew!

Love,

Ian Quiet