My heart breaks for the people of Japan. Watching video of the tsunami’s immense power sweeping away an entire town doesn’t even seem real, but more like well-crafted special effects. But it is real. Very real for the people in the devastated areas, their family and friends, their countryman and the world. Five thousand miles away in our own beloved Santa Cruz, the harbor was rocked and dozens of boats capsized all caused by a voluminous shaking of the earth on the other side of our planet.
A tragedy such as this temblor and resulting tsunami reminds me how closely we are all connected. A geological event halfway around the world is felt on our very shores mere hours later. When wretched, unforeseen natural disasters occur, we are always treated to great acts of courage, bravery and generosity from individuals across the world.
My canine consciousness fully understands generosity and giving of one’s self, as these are characteristics of connectedness that we, as pups, naturally experience. I’m still not clear about how the human mind computes, as I view many bipeds who require a huge calamity to notice others who are need. Not all bipeds mind you, but as a collective the human species tends to take action when the tragedy to overcome seems insurmountable, like an earthquake or terrorist attack, but barely seem to notice (or even try to ignore) the needy in our own communities.
On the lookout -- to help someone in need
Don’t get me wrong lovely human readers, I admire and respect the benevolence and altruism that is displayed whenever an event such as this tsunami occur, but I have to wonder why that good-heartedness and unselfishness isn’t accessible more often and on a smaller scale.
Like all portions in our country – big cities and rural communities – the Sacramento area has seen a rise in homelessness as foreclosures increase and jobs are scarce. It’s also been almost forty years since Govenor Reagan closed nearly all of the state funded mental health institutions, creating a population in need with nowhere to go for assistance.
It’s disheartening to this dog that folks who graciously donate to feed and clothe victims of disasters, regardless of geography, forget about victims in their own neighborhoods. Of course there are segments of the homeless community who choose a vagrant lifestyle or are drug/alcohol abusers, but many are families fleeing domestic violence, are mentally ill, or are destitute without a job or familial support. Where are the big hearts and fat wallets for these folks, many of whom are victims of our own society’s ills?
A group of churches in our area, in conjunction with Loaves and Fishes, has created a revolving system giving some homeless a warm place to sleep for the night. While this is a drop in the bucket compared to the need, it’s encouraging to see people of faith opening their doors to the less fortunate. FYI: Loaves and Fishes now offers a kennel program for the pets of homeless persons.
If you read the Bee’s recent article on this subject your heart may cry, as mine did. I cry with joy and hope for the organizations and individuals who are standing up to help those who are most needy, but I also cry reading the comments to this article. Humans can really be cruel sometimes.
In preparation for this column I ran across an interesting website about homelessness in the Sacramento region and the author presented a very telling graphic today (via Daily Kos). What do you think about slashing social services in favor of tax breaks for the wealthiest individuals and lobby-heavy industries like power and oil? I think it’s very un-doglike and cringe knowing that some humans cling greatly to such inequity.
Blessed are those who come to aid of people (and pups) in need. The need may be over-whelming and super-human, like searching through tsunami devastated villages for survivors and housing and feeding them. But your generous efforts will be felt just as deeply by helping a needy individual or family within 20 miles of your home.
Once again I plea to all humans for tail-wagging tolerance and compassionate canine consciousness, as we are all connected and deserving of grace. All belief practices stress that it is more blessed to give than receive.
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. ~~ Judaism
The Giving of a gift is superior to the acceptance of a gift. ~~ Hinduism
It is more blessed to give than to receive. ~~ Christiantity
In the minds of the generous, contentment is produced” ~~ Sikhism
Peace, friends.
Atticus & Heidi,
I read the article at Bee’s, those commenters obviously have no respect for life, they should feel ashamed.
I absolutely agree with you, I mean it’s nice that so many are helping Japan but in my impression many just use this to polish up their reputation. Remember Haiti? I don’t see those individuals and companies raise money throughout the year helping the homeless right in front of their doorsteps.
I just watched the show with Andrew Zimmern where people in San Francisco feed the homeless with foods restaurants throw away (I mean whole bananas and other foods that are still good but don’t look good). Kudos to all the people who just selflessly give and don’t expect anything back!
Franziska San Pedro
The Abstract Impressionist Artress
We are So on the same page, Franziska! Reading the comments really zaps my faith in human-kind. I’ll stick with the dogs… we understand compassion!
Thanks for the thoughtful comment!
Atticus, I was just thinking about this today as I listened to several radio pleas for emergency aid. I couldn’t help but think of all the children whose educations are being undermined by terrible budget cuts, all the lost arts programs, all the threatened sports programs, all the big and small ways childhood is being slighted. And this is apart from the horror of poverty and violence.
Of course, a disaster of the proportions facing Japan is so unfathomable and so fear-inducing, humanitarian responses are perhaps one way of coping, and hardly something to be devalued. It would just be nice if that same humanitarian instinct could operate under situations that are devastating in a different way.
As always, Attticus, your canine consciousness has a way of helping us see important truths. I don’t know what kinds of animals live in Japan, but surely there is a canine consciousness there as well.
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/blog/
Balance, Boundaries, and New Life Directions Through Writing
Judy Stone-Goldman recently posted..Not Your Ordinary Food Vacation- Eating in Israel Part I
Comments… I’ve learned not to read them on news sites. It’s not just that they’re disturbing in and of themselves, but I don’t really want to think what I end up thinking about the people who write them.
I feel really torn about this entire issue, because while I agree with everything being said, I also wonder what we’ve done in creating a system in which people have to live with the kind of regimen the temporary shelters provide, in order to be safe for the night. I wish I had an answer that helped people enough to help themselves, helped them maintain their dignity, and left enough money over to do all the other things that need to be done.
Also, as far as earthquakes are concerned, on February 22, one ripped through Christchurch NZ. Granted it was less than 9.0 and there was not tsunami. But 140,000 homes were lost, people died… and there was little on the news about it. And who thinks about the people still without shelter there, less than a month later?
Chance the Gardner stood in the street with his remote control, trying to change reality… it seems to me that we are all like him, except we’ve gone back inside to the changeable reality of media.
Allison recently posted..I’ll Die With My Boots On
You are right, Atticus the blockbuster movies with their special effects have insulated us from real life, even though we watch the clips with horror, the sheer scope of the damage fades too quickly since we assign it to a level beyond our comprehension.
Sadly we are an instant society, instant celebrity but also instantly forgotten once the news paper or headline fades. Hopefully this devastation will hold our consciousness for longer as Japan was (and with time will again be) a prosperous nation, a country not unlike our own – and close enough to be ‘in’ view. New Zealand should have been seen, on this basis but was just too far away and seen as a world of hobbits.
Our world needs us each to step up and volunteer, not just the mighty dollar but time, effort, love – a true investment; not just for credit in high school but in our normal life. It is only when we force ourselves to remember the situations others creatures (people and fluffy ones) deal with that we can know ourselves!
What has moved me more than anything is the impeccable manners and overwhelming concern for others that the Japanese people are exhibiting ~ a quiet stoicism that insists that others in more dire circumstances be taken care of first. What grace under horrific circumstances.
A man’s stature is not measured by those who he towers over, but by those he helps up! (LDS)
(I use man merely as a term for individual
)
Laine D
“Aspire to Inspire”
http://www.ThoughtsfromABroad.net
Laine D recently posted..Serendipity – Luck by Chance
Wow! I’m blown away by your post. I often try to stay away from the news because it puts me in that state of worry or sadness. I do hear of the events like what is going on in Japan and it breaks my heart, but you are right there are ways to give and support. Really wish I could see something where all us Americans are bonding together to create a stand for Japan. I do hope we hold them in our prayers and hearts longer then just a blink of an eye…like gossip passes through the pages of a magazine. Sending waves of prayer to Japan now. Won’t you join me?
Alara K. Castell
Your Sassy Spiritual guide
Alara Castell recently posted..3 Ways to Be Friends With Your Inner Critic
Dear Atticus, I have had much the same reaction as you so eloquently share here in your post…the unreality of it all, the horror of the loss and suffering, and also the questions surrounding the apparent apathy of so many to the ongoing loss and suffering in our neighborhoods every day. It is so easy to become so wrapped up in our own lives that we become somehow insulated to what is going on around us, especially when it is unpleasant; and sometimes I think people feel so helpless when faced with the enormity of need in a hurting world that they don’t believe they can make a difference. I am so grateful for those who do reach out and aren’t afraid to try to make a difference, even if it is in a small way — all the small ways add up very quickly! I love how in the New Testament it talks about the early Christians providing unselfishly for each others’ needs — they watched out for each other and if one had an excess, they would share with those who had little, and no one went without. Those were the original “churches” and it would be wonderful if the churches today were still following that model. I saw a video today that I am going to share on my Facebook page showing how a dog in Japan was protecting and guarding an injured dog-friend until they were both rescued and I know you will be so proud of this act of selfless heroism and loyalty, Atticus! It made me cry! and it also reminded me of all the many animals and pets that were affected by the crisis in Japan, as well as all the animals and pets right here in our own neighborhoods that, just like us humans, need help, too. It can feel overwhelming, but if we all do our little part, trusting in God’s love and protection, it will make a difference!
Yes Judy, the budget cuts are in the wrong places, at least in this humble dog’s opinion. It seems to be taboo to talk about, but when is someone (congresspeople, senators) going to have the guts to cut defense and foreign aid? But that’s an entirely different post…
Great, thoughtful comment Allison! and I wish I had an answer too… it’s all so very complicated but I truly believe that we have to begin somewhere – each one of us – in creating a greater sense of community and our realize our individual responsibilities to keep our community whole.
I was heartbroken about the earthquake in NZ too. I have a friend who lives in Christ Church and was worried, but thankfully he is fine (although his favorite pub was demolished).
Thanks for stopping by, Allison
Great self-quote miss Laine! Your comment is so poignant and you know I agree!
I’m joining you Alara in sending waves of prayers to Japan…
Thank you for pointing out that in our own small little ways, we can all help others in need. and yes, Donna, I saw that video yesterday and couldn’t stop crying… it was too painful for me to even link in the post.