Marley & Me

"Mind your own business." This is something we hear everyday. It's something that has been ingrained in our minds. Something we are taught from a very young age. Mind your own business.

I, for one, despise this lesson and I pray that I never teach it to my daughter or any future children.

Today I was taking my dog for a walk - a pathway we take literally every day, sometimes twice a day. I know all the dogs on the walk. I know them by name, and say hello to them all as we walk by. Sometimes I bring treats for them, but because I know that I would not like it if a stranger handed my dog a treat, I keep it on the down low. I love animals, and would never hurt them, but I don't trust others.

As we walked by this one house, with this one particular dog who tends to bark and jump, his female owner was outside. She started yelling at him when he got excited that we were walking by. Then she kicked him and started hitting him. At first, my instinct was to keep tight lip and walk by quicker. I heard him bark, I heard her yell at him, I heard her kick him, and I heard him whimper. I couldn't by "that guy" and keep my mouth shut. I whispered "stop." She kicked him again. I said it louder, "stop." I heard him whimper again, and I yelled as loud as I possibly could, "STOP! STOP! STOP HURTING HIM!" She ignored me. I yelled it again, louder and louder every time I said the words. Stop hurting him.

She stopped.

I started walking away again. I stopped, turned around and yelled again "He's JUST A DOG! We have no right to hurt them. STOP hurting him!"

She ignored me. She didn't even look up.

I called the SPCA. Please, we need to stop being bystanders. We need to start standing up for those who are being abused. If you have a friend who's being beaten by his or her spouse, or if you know of a child being abused by its parents, we'd call someone about it, right?? We wouldn't let it continue. Animals deserve to be treated with the same kindness. It is said that "animals don't ask for anything from us, but love." That's what they deserve.

If you ever hear of someone treating an animal poorly, please take the initiative and call the SPCA. Their number is 1-800-455-9003. They are open Monday - Friday, but they check their messages regularly throughout the weekends and evenings. Please, don't "mind your own business." Stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves.

Thank you,

Denise