Many times I have used this article as a vehicle to try to reach and teach. To teach readers that animals are wonderful creatures that love unconditionally and share a powerful bond with humans.
Animals are not for everyone and we all know that there are those that aren't even good parents to their children. Kids do not understand cruel treatment nor do animals. We constantly read of dysfunctional families that accept abuse as an everyday occurrence and even expect it. Too often family just accept it as a way of life.
Abuse is never acceptable! To animals nor to humans. All this to say -- we were placed on this earth for a reason. Some of us never know what that reason is however we know it ain't to abuse, to be cruel to one another or any living thing.
I have often written that animals that are socialized become like family to us. Animals have been known to save lives. The story I am about to disclose came from one of our own doctors. In this very county, a young, unmarried, pregnant girl delivered her baby out in a plowed field. It was a cold night -- she left the infant and returned to the house. Early the next morning, it just so happened that a farmer heard the baby crying. When he found the infant, it was covered with long red hair. The young girl had an old long haired dog with red hair. It was obvious that the animal had curled around the child and kept it from the cold night air.
It is a proven fact that animals in prison rehabilitate inmates and be socialized at the same time. It is an ongoing project in this state and in other states as well. Doctors and animal advocates will tell you that animals help humans to live longer. It has even been stated that some animals can detect cancer in individuals. Hmm!
Now in the latest text, they state there is such a thing as "animal assisted therapy." Taken straight from a periodical, "AAT has been shown to help children who have experienced abuse or neglect, patients undergoing chemotherapy or other difficult medical treatments and veterans and their families who are struggling to cope with the effects of wartime military service." It is expected AAT will grow in mainstream healthcare acceptance and practice.
The therapy animals are not limited to dogs and cats only. Now they are introducing horses, mules and even llamas, for therapy purposes. Ain't that something?
As Jazz would say: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
Thought for the week: "The grass may look greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed!" That would describe our ongoing project -- Mississippi County Animal Rescue. We sure could use your help! Box 2374 Blytheville.