Today is your lucky day. It has never been easier to do a good deed, cop good karma, change lives for the better.
Somewhere, right now, a pet is wearing a collar, band or shackle which is too small for it. As the animal grows, the inflexible, dirty restraint is cutting into its flesh, creating a festering wound, choking the life out of this creature which cannot tell anyone where it is hurting. Is this happening in your backyard?
Somewhere, right now, an animal is confined to a filthy area where it is prey to a million fleas, ticks and lice. Its body is crawling with tiny vermin which torment it and bite into its flesh, day and night. It scratches ceaselessly-- in vain-- there is no relief. It is being eaten alive.
Somewhere, right now, an animal is dying of thirst . . . within earshot of dripping water. Nobody notices. Tomorrow or the next day, somebody will notice, but it will be too late.
Somewhere, right now, an animal is writhing in pain in the relentless baking sun or in a closed parked car, unable to free itself, unable to reach a friendly frond or even a rock that could provide it some shade. The sun will eventually go down . . . but not for another seven hours.
Somewhere, right now, a creature is being deprived of attention and affection, or any stimulus whatsoever, except when someone comes out to curse at it or torment it. It sadly wonders, in vain, what it has done that is so terrible, that it does not deserve better.
Somewhere, all this is happening right now . . . it is happening not only in Third World countries where adult people commonly suffer like animals, but also throughout this most "civilized" and "humane" nation, America.
In America today, the animals which suffer the most are not homeless-- they just belong to the wrong people. People who in many cases have paid good money for purebred animals-- or who have tearfully rescued abandoned pets last year-- are today letting them languish, neglected and starving, in back yards.
People who eagerly leaped into parenthood last year are today neglecting and abusing their offspring, as if they were cheap pets which failed to entertain. Helpless suffering is not limited to animals.
"Saving the environment" is good and well, but don't we have even more morally compelling reasons to save the domestic creatures and the children we have brought on to the planet?
You can be a hero, save a life. Look around you-- don't avert your eyes any longer.
Do something today to save a suffering or abandoned animal-- or child. Feed or water it. Free it from mortal danger. Comfort it. Adopt it. Report animal abuse to the SPCA. Roll up your sleeves. Intervene. Get involved.
Give these words new meaning: "Not in my backyard!"
Sugar is missing! She left atThanksgiving to chase a cat on T-Day and didn't return.
Sugar, John Muhly's treasured dog, is a 35-pound grey terrier female, fixed. She went missing from 825 Elizabeth, near Olivia Street, on Thurs., Nov. 23. Please, if you see Sugar, or know someone who's found her, call John at 293-6983 or on his cell phone, 923-1162. REWARD!!
Come one, come all to the pet party of the year -- Kritter Kristmas will be held next Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Curry Mansion, 515 Caroline St.
Key West Kritter Patrol's Ce Ce Crane has planned one heck of a party for all of you animal lovers out there-- and your pets will be the guests of honor. There will be entertainment, good food, and Edith's famous egg nog. Wondering what cards to send out this year? Well, you can have your photo taken with your animals on a decorated Harley motorcycle-- that'd make a great card, wouldn't it? And what to get for animal lovers up North? or down South? Step right up to the T-shirt booth there and purchase a shirt with drawings by internationally famous cartoonists Jeff McNelly, Mike Peters, and Jim Davis.
You, your pets and family won't have more fun anywhere else-- so go to the Kritter Kristmas Party and have a ball!
Info: 293-6983.