Read only if you want to be sad

I read a story of cnn.com today that has just bothered me from the moment I read it. The story was extremely detailed to the point of making me almost throw up in my mouth. It chronicles the dog culling in Iraq right now, and how Iraqi officials are using shotguns and poison to kill stray dogs. I understand that strays can be a problem, especially if they're aggressive, but these methods of killing are NOT humane. No animal deserves to bleed to death because it's been shot in the abdomen by a shotgun (like the one detailed in the article). I'll spare you the exact words, and I found a link at the SPCA website that is a little less nauseating. Reading this just saddens me. It's bad enough that there are stray dogs out there, but to be killing them like that? Yes, I know Iraq is a 3rd world country, yes I know that the world is not fair or perfect, but come on people. We need to evolve here. I sincerely hope that the SPCA gets enough support to at least euthanize these aggressive or sick dogs, and can also vaccinate/spay/adopt out the healthy ones. Whatever the case, these dogs are in my prayers.

Also, I know that people make arguments that dogs are "just animals." How would you feel if that had been your pet? Does the thought upset you? It upsets me very much. Regardless of the fact that they are animals, it doesn't give us, as the dominate life form on this planet, the right to be cruel and abusive. I've also heard the argument that "If only people cared about other people as much as animals..." touted in cases like this. Yes, many innocent people are dying in Iraq, and all around the world every day, and I'm not saying this aid need to come at the expense of human life, but these animals were born into a situation they can't control. They are at the complete mercy of ANY human being (where as people are at the mercy of military leaders and governments). They didn't choose to be born, and their parents didn't make a conscious decision to have them (unlike people who can at least know the risks), and unlike most children, they don't have anyone to take responsibility for them - they are completely defenseless. Call me a bleeding heart...call me a liberal, I don't care, because nothing anyone says can change the fact that what is happening there (this isn't an isolated incident for Iraq...or even the rest of the world) is WRONG. *takes a deep breath* ok my rant for the day is over, and I feel much better.

I know that I'm posting links for charities all across the country and encouraging anyone to donate to any of them. I understand that most aren't made out of money (and I am definitely no exception), but helping out one of the thousands of charities out there is extremely gratifying, and in the end, your help DOES matter to these organizations. Regardless of whether you donate money or time, if everyone just gave just a little, we could help prevent at least some of these inhumane, heartbreaking situations from happening. I'm going to do my part (gonna buy an SPCA shirt and make a small donation after I get my tax refund), it helps me sleep at night knowing that I'm not just sitting back and doing nothing.