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How could anyone abuse or neglect their guardian
angel? |
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May 25, 2017 |
By Foster Mayo
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| Guardian
angels come in many forms, shapes and
sizes. |
Is there no greater classic old movie than “It’s
a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart? Remember
the story? George Bailey had to take over the
savings and loan after his father died. All of
his big plans to travel and see the world were
reduced to the size of the small town where he
was born and raised.
Then, when mean old Mr. Potter stole the money
that George’s forgetful uncle was trying to
deposit, and the bank examiner was on his way to
the savings and loan, it looked like George was
going to lose the savings and loan and also go
to jail.
George, thinking he was worth more dead than
alive, jumped in the river to kill himself.
That’s when Clarence, George’s guardian angel,
jumped in and rescued George. Clarence, as you
may recall, was an Angel “third class” working
to achieve his wings. Clarence saved George by
giving him the chance to see what life in the
community would have been like if George had not
lived. Sorry if I ruined the plot for you.
There may be someone, somewhere on the planet
that has not already seen the movie, but I doubt
it.
April 10 was the 151st birthday of the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(ASPCA).
The ASPCA was founded in 1866, in New York City,
by Henry Bergh after he witnessed the whipping
of a horse by the driver of a heavily laden
cart. At the turn of the century ASPCA’s focus
shifted from livestock to small animals.
Their current work encompasses assistance to
animal shelters, aiding research in veterinary
medicine and animal diseases, promotion of
animal cruelty legislation, and the prevention
and reduction of euthanasia by promoting
adoption and the spaying and neutering of
animals. Many larger jurisdictions have animal
control officers, usually with police powers to
enforce local and state ordinances against
animal cruelty and neglect.
ASPCA’s website,
www.aspca.org, lists ten ways to reduce
cruelty to animals:
* When you observe animal cruelty, REPORT IT.
* Recognize the symptoms of abuse and neglect such as untreated injuries,
malnourishment, animals left outside in the
elements, animals cowering at the presence of
their owners.
* Know how to report abuse by knowing what agencies enforce animal
cruelty crimes.
* Be a good witness, provide accurate specific information “who, what,
when, how.”
* Contact prosecutors and law enforcement, show your support by urging
prosecution of abuse and neglect.
* Learn the cruelty ordinances and inform others.
* Contact your city council, county commission, state legislators and
push for tougher anticruelty legislation.
* Set a good example. Not only provide the basics of food, water, and
shelter for your animal but insure that they
have good medical care and give them the
attention and love their deserve.
* Talk to kids and teach them to respect and love animals.
* Support your local shelter, they need money for foods, shelter, and vet
bills. And they need people to adopt animals.
And what does Clarence, the angel have to do
with animal cruelty? Well, I happen to believe
that we don’t choose our animal friends, they
choose us and act as our guardian angels.
When my little boy came to me, I thought I was
going to take care of him. But, I was wrong, he
came to take care of me. When I thought I was
teaching him to heel, fetch, rollover, or speak
on command he was teaching me how to love and
how to respect life forms smaller and fluffier
than me.
I got the best end of that trade.
How could anyone abuse or neglect their guardian
angel?
If you already have a guardian angel, have it
spayed or neutered. If you know or suspect
animal cruelty or abuse, call the police or
sheriff’s office and report it. It’s the right
thing to do.
Foster Mayo has been a career law
enforcement officer having served with Salt Lake
Police Department and retiring at the Bonners
Ferry Police Department as deputy police chief.
He continues to serve Boundary County as a
reserve sheriff's deputy and writes crime
prevention and safety articles to help the
public. |
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