Animals / Pets

     Not everyone can understand why people love their animals so much.  An abuser will often hurt or kill a pet because it helps him or she to control who he is abusing and it is also a way for her to vent her anger to the pet.  Again, society has a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves, the elderly, children and animals.  There are rightfully laws in place to control abuse. 
     After the Oklahoma bombings, dogs that were utilized to find bodies were provided with dolls to soothe them, because they were getting depressed.  In New Orleans during their flood, people died needlessly, choosing to remain with their pets.  We have learned from that disaster.  In Toronto should we have a disaster, people will be able to keep their pets, according to an Emergency Management seminar I attended at York University several years ago. 
      An elderly Italian woman who was about to sell her home, did not because she was not able to bring her beloved cat of many years with her to a senior's apartment specific to her culture.  She was devastated.   I wonder how people hurt each other sometimes intentionally and sometimes because they simply do not know.  During my undergrad I learned in one elective course, how an American man began an initiative of having pets and plants in a senior home for his mom.  He could not find something suitable for her so he began a novel concept.  Some places in Toronto have discovered and implemented this as well.  It has been learned that people in senior homes live longer and are happier when they have an animal to love and when they have responsibility for the pet and/or other responsibilities such as watering the plants.  As one senior dies, another takes on the responsibility of care for the pet etc...  Animals are so amazing and beneficial.  A little kindness goes a long way.  We need more people to become aware of what is lacking for seniors.  Love and stimulation is required.  They need to feel that they are loved.  They need to feel that they are needed and they need to feel that they still serve a purpose.  There are more suicides among elderly men in Canada than any other groups.  I know that in North America we offer a lot to our seniors.  However, we need to be more compassionate to their needs.  Not everyone likes animals and not everyone understands the benefits of having a pet.  But more needs to be understood by people who have a responsibility to care and provide for the elderly what is important to them.  What do you think?