Loving Ferrets
04-21-2006, 12:44 AM
There is another story about helping animals. This one isn't mine, I found it at the Ferret Aid website, http://www.ferretaid.org/cruelty/special_ferrets.html#paris . I hope they don't mind me reproducing it here, but it's a story that really touched me.
a story to share ...
Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer.
He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?" The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"
"The sun is up, and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."
"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach, and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely, then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."
Several years ago an old crow had the misfortune to wind up in my dog's mouth. I discovered her strutting around with the poor bird in her mouth at the same time my neighbors, whom I hadn't met yet, noticed it.
We gently pried open the dog's jaws (she was a golden retriever and had a soft mouth), and took out the poor, frightened bird.
My neighbors and I agreed the best thing to do was take it to the http://www.northislandwildliferecoverycenter.org/, where injured animals such as eagles and cougars are nurtured back to health and released when possible.
I had my doubts whether or not they would think that bringing in a mere crow was, well, silly or not. I raised my doubts with Robin, who runs the center, and he said simply, "His life is just as valuable to him as is an eagle's life to an eagle".
That stayed with me. I didn't hesitate or doubt my actions for a second when I took my next animal in need to them - a very elderly robin. :D
The story had a happy ending. The crow recovered and was released, and the neighbors I met that day remained wonderful friends. They were an elderly couple and always had biscuits for the dog, treats for the cat, and cookies for my kids.
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a story to share ...
Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer.
He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?" The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"
"The sun is up, and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."
"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach, and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely, then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."
Several years ago an old crow had the misfortune to wind up in my dog's mouth. I discovered her strutting around with the poor bird in her mouth at the same time my neighbors, whom I hadn't met yet, noticed it.
We gently pried open the dog's jaws (she was a golden retriever and had a soft mouth), and took out the poor, frightened bird.
My neighbors and I agreed the best thing to do was take it to the http://www.northislandwildliferecoverycenter.org/, where injured animals such as eagles and cougars are nurtured back to health and released when possible.
I had my doubts whether or not they would think that bringing in a mere crow was, well, silly or not. I raised my doubts with Robin, who runs the center, and he said simply, "His life is just as valuable to him as is an eagle's life to an eagle".
That stayed with me. I didn't hesitate or doubt my actions for a second when I took my next animal in need to them - a very elderly robin. :D
The story had a happy ending. The crow recovered and was released, and the neighbors I met that day remained wonderful friends. They were an elderly couple and always had biscuits for the dog, treats for the cat, and cookies for my kids.
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