Dexter Daily Statesman

What about the animal's feelings?

Posted Thursday, October 25, 2007, at 1:19 PM
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I am most likely going to tick a few people who visit this Web site off and I imagine they won't hesitate to tell me about it.

There are two people, in particular, visiting this Web site who seem to NO have understanding of the word "compassion." Many of you will have seen posts regarding not worrying about the animals, instead focus on children -- stuff along those lines. These people repeatedly post about how animals are not as important as humans, etc.

I'm going to rant now, so everyone be prepared.

I tend to agree that human life is more important than animal life. However, we are all created by God and so I think in some way that doesn't really make one more "important" than the other one. Only human arrogance makes us think so.

Let's imagine, for a minute, a world without animal life. The only living creatures on the planet would be human and plant. Wow. Imagine watching a mistly field in the early morning light without the graceful deer grazing quietly, or greeting a sunrise with absolutely no sound from the birds.

Let's imagine a night outside without the chirping of crickets and the croak of frogs. I guess I'm funny. I find all those things enjoyable. I wouldn't like a planet without animals at all, I think.

Also, there seems to be a mindset with some that just because it's a dog or cat or mouse or chipmunk, it doesn't have feelings. How wrong is that? Animals have feelings too. I have seen dogs grieve themselves to death following the death of an owner and I have seen dogs jump to the defense of their families when called upon. I have seen dogs comforting their owners when they don't feel good or are sad and I know most everyone has seen their dog or cat happy to see them when they get home in the evening.

I have seen animals suffering stocially in pain, while their scum owners stand around claiming that it's "just a dog." If it is the right circumstance, a dog would die for it's owner. Most people I know probably wouldn't be so willing to give up their lives.

Yes, I love children. I love my daughter probably more than anything in this world. But we all need to get over the mindset that we should ignore disgusting examples of cruelty just because there are more "important" things going on in the world.

For those two who want to ignore such cruelty I say this -- I'm glad I'm not you. I can show compassion not only for my fellow man, but for other creatures created by God also. I have enough love to go around, I don't have to be stingy with mine!

Comments
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To lady:

You probably ought not to talk about situations that do not pertain to you as you obviously have no idea what the truth is. You should be ashamed of yourself to bring children into this. It has nothing to do with the children or these young mens families. Worry about your own and don't start dragging innocent people into the drama you are trying to create.

-- Posted by adema721 on Tue, Nov 13, 2007, at 12:30 PM

Change of venue from Stoddard county would make sure that there were NO relatives on the jury.

-- Posted by D.W.B. on Thu, Nov 1, 2007, at 1:45 PM

I for one do not understand this change of venue thing. I can't believe we have arrived at the point where we can not be trusted to listen to the evidence and make a decision based upon the evidence. It is ridiculous to think that there are not 12 people in Stoddard County that could do this.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Sun, Oct 28, 2007, at 8:36 AM

Not everyone reads these blogs. They just have to find jurors who haven't. However, even if I were chosen for the jury, feeling the way I do, I know that I could set aside my personal prejudices and look at the issue objectively. I think I'm smart enough to know that the full story rarely reaches the media.

-- Posted by goat lady on Sat, Oct 27, 2007, at 9:56 PM

I keep reading this and lets all forget it those that have found them (him) guilty already have your stand. People that havent have another, let me tell you one thing as being a person, reading this there is no way in the world that this can ever be tried in Stoddard County.

-- Posted by country girl 2 on Sat, Oct 27, 2007, at 5:10 PM

Thats OK, we understand.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Sat, Oct 27, 2007, at 4:15 PM

Yes, I do like animals better than most humans.I may not be a big fan of cats...but I still like some of them more than humans. We, as humans, are spiteful, mean, cold, rude, and when following the rule do unto others as we would want done unto us...we usually only use that to get even...example..."well if she is gonna steal my boyfriend, then I'll just have to sleep w/ him while he is w/ her." Granted, there are good people out there...I'm friends w/ some of the best of them (in my opinion)...but, for the most part, I have met more bad people than good. Animals, on the other hand, are almost the complete opposite. For example...if you smack there nose for digging in the trash, they don't turn around and poop on your floor. They either go hide for some private time, and then come out to see if you're still mad...or they just stay right there w/ you saying they are sorry (w/ their eyes and body language) and ask for your forgiveness and love. I think animals love in a way that we as humans would only be lucky enough to understand. In fact, if all of us loved each other or God in the same way, Heaven would be our guaranteed destination after this life. Some of you may not agree w/ this, but that's ok...I'm not after anyone's approval.

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Sat, Oct 27, 2007, at 11:19 AM

Yes, I read it this morning. It's at the top of the Statesman page under the main story by Corey. I'm glad she took that approach, instead of just getting more angry and lashing out - Though I disagree with you when you said that this would be a better world if more people were like her.

-- Posted by goat lady on Sat, Oct 27, 2007, at 8:28 AM

I hope that all of you have read the blog where mgulmer said that she was sorry if she offened anyone, she was only expressing her feelings with all else going on in this world.

-- Posted by country girl 2 on Sat, Oct 27, 2007, at 7:56 AM

The wise Missouri philospher Mark Twain said it best,"The more I get to know people,the more I like my dog."

-- Posted by Yellow Rose of Essex on Sat, Oct 27, 2007, at 7:55 AM

Really, you like animals more than most humans?

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Fri, Oct 26, 2007, at 9:34 PM

I love animals...and I can say the same for humans...just not so much...haha. The companionship of animals is a wonder in itself...especially w/ the studies that animal companionship can even have health benefits on us. I am a firm believer that if we have to follow the rule do unto others as we want done unto us, that should apply to humans as well as animals. Granted, they won't scratch our bellies for us, but they will show us an amount of love and devotion that I'm not quite sure us as humans can repay. I love my sons more than anyone else on this earth, and I love my dogs, but of course I love my sons more. But you can guarantee that my dogs are a huge part of my family. My registered Great Pyrenees even has our families last name on her papers as being her last name. And the point was made that animals aren't as important, but you can also guarantee I like animals more than most humans. This was a great blog Sacha, keep em coming.

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Fri, Oct 26, 2007, at 6:28 PM

More important or not? The fact is that both animals and people are important. A matter of degrees is irrelevant. No person or animal should be made to suffer for another's enjoyment. I'd be just as outraged if Jamie had put two adult men in a pit and forced them to fight until one was dead or unconscious and then chained the winner.

Well, I can think of a few adults I wouldn't mind seeing in that situation. No. Seriously, there is no reason why anyone should have to choose to defend either people or animals - we can, and should, do both.

Good job on the blog, Sacha. Keep it up.

-- Posted by Ducky on Fri, Oct 26, 2007, at 3:42 PM

I'm sorry if I didn't read your blog correctly. The paragraph I was talking about was the fourth one.

(Sacha wrote:)

**I tend to agree that human life is more important than animal life. However, we are all created by God and so I think in some way that doesn't really make one more "important" than the other one. Only human arrogance makes us think so......**

I just disagreed with the part you put about neither one being more important than the other.

When it comes down to it....these guys broke the law, and they should be held accountable for that.

Good blog Sacha....not trying to downplay this subject at all, because it is very serious.

-- Posted by blessed on Fri, Oct 26, 2007, at 12:17 PM

Sacha Champion's response:

That was my fault! I was in such a rant that I just didn't make my meaning clear enough for anyone outside my own mind to understand!! I hope you didn't take it that I was angered by your comment, instead, it made me go back and look at what I had written and that's a great thing. They should be held accountable and I really didn't mean to make it seem like I thought animals were equitable to humans. Anyway, I enjoy having you on my blog and hope you keep coming back! Have a great day!!

Wow Lady, I just read another of Sacha's blogs and you are on to something. I thought they were just trying to flame,but now I think it reeks of "hidden agenda".

Live and Learn-and Goat Lady-hahaha-you are sharp as a tack-I can't believe it either!

-- Posted by CharlesSmith01 on Fri, Oct 26, 2007, at 10:42 AM

I have to wonder why certain people are shrugging off the violence involved in this case.

I want to know...

Is this an attempt to take the spotlight off Jamie?

Are these comments coming from other people involved in the ring?

Maybe trying to downplay the situation?

(The guilty are always trying to get you to look somewhere else.)

Do these people have children? Pets?

Or are they just looking to argue?

By the way, on the subject of children being more important than dogs, I agree. And in this case both children and dogs should be protected. Children are involved in this case because Jamie has children. They need to be protected too! No child needs to be exposed to any of this - the dog fighting or his drug habits. If Jamie had put his children first and made them more important than the dogs he wouldn't be in this situation.

-- Posted by Lady on Fri, Oct 26, 2007, at 10:25 AM

Well, that makes two of us. I can't believe you were born and raised in this country, either.

-- Posted by goat lady on Fri, Oct 26, 2007, at 7:22 AM

To the person who loves creatures all. Do you dust or do the dust bunnies keep you company?

Did you name them too? Do they agree with everything you say? Do you keep your cobwebs because you want every creature to have a home of their own?

A little humor.

-- Posted by love life on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, at 10:56 PM

Sacha Champion's response:

Thanks for injecting a little humor into the situation. It's nice to have someone who is willing to help break up the tension a little bit. And I don't know about you, but with the way I get around to dusting, my dust bunnies probably have little towns and metropolitan areas set up by now! Ha! Ha!

I AM SO DISAPOINED IN ALL OF YOU, YOU REALLY THINK OUR GOD CARES MORE FOR ANIMALS THAN US..HUMANS.. COME ON WAKE UP.........I CANT EVEN IMAGE THAT I WAS BORN AND RAISED FROM THIS PART OF GODS COUNTRY...

-- Posted by mgulmer on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, at 10:48 PM

YOU KNOW PEOPLE AS YOU REALLY PISS ME OFF DONT PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH. IF YOU CAN SAY THAT A MOUSE IS AS IMPORTANT A HUMAN BEING YOU ARE A VERY TROUBLED PERSON.....................................

-- Posted by mgulmer on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, at 10:35 PM

Sacha Champion's response:

First off, if you can't say it without posting cuss words, please don't post on my blog. I'm sure there are other blogs out there who might welcome your "potty" mouth, but I don't.

Second, as I stated earlier, I don't believe animals are equal to humans. Would I die for my dogs...probably not. Would I die for my daughter, you better believe I would.

Third, I didn't put words in anyone's mouth. I took a few samples from posts made to various stories on this Web site and merely repeated them.

Fourth, I am more than open to debating a point or view different from mine with a rational person. As your post obviously shows, I don't believe you are open to any suggestions other than yours and that no matter what anyone says to you, you are going to believe what you want. If that's the case fine, it's definately your choice, but I prefer my blog to be used by people who are open to a nice civil debate with an open mind. If you can't do that, I suggest you move on.

Thank you and have a great day!

I don't think anyone's posted a comment claiming that animals and humans are equal. Let's not put words in each other's mouths.

-- Posted by Youngest Child on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, at 3:51 PM

I agree with not being cruel to animals. This topic shouldn't be shoved out of the way for the other important subjects. Each has it's own separate importance. The only thing I think you need to check closer is what is really said in the Bible about man and animals. They are not equal to humans, in anyway. (Human ignorance isn't the case) Human's can be the cause of the cruelty, but the concept of being equal to each other is just not true. We love them and care for them, but Man is created in God's image. The whole point I think you are trying to make, is be kind to every creature, man or animal. Animals bring us joy, are companions, and in some cases workers. No one should suffer.

-- Posted by blessed on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, at 3:17 PM

Sacha Champion's response:

I have re-read the blog and I don't believe that in it that I state that animals are equal to humans. If I implied it in any way, I apologize. I do not believe animals are equal, but I also don't think it's really a matter of importance, either. There is a difference to me between being equal and both being important. Isn't any form of life as important as another, even if it isn't equal? Thanks for your post and keep up the good work.

Ah you know I always comment on the animal-related blogs. I really like this one, Sacha.

Regardless of why you feel animals were placed on Earth, you have to agree that God's intent was not for us to exploit the animals and cause them pain. Is The Golden Rule not one of the Bible's central messages?

God's eye is on the sparrow. He loves all His creatures and does not want any one of them to suffer.

-- Posted by Youngest Child on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, at 1:34 PM