Today, I want to talk about a topic very dear to me which is kindness to the stray dogs of Egypt.
Animals of all kinds DO have feelings and CAN and DO feel pain just like us. Imagine how much it will hurt you if you get shot! They CAN feel it just as strong; if not even more.
I know a lot of people will respond by saying, mostly in an angry voice: “there are many humans in need, why don’t you go help them first?!” and I understand where they’re coming from but here’s the thing: the fact that there are humans in need, does not mean we shouldn’t help animals! I know that you’ll say that man is honored by God and I reply: man really is honored by God but he is not honored to be the top priority over other creatures, but rather to be the caregiver, the keeper, and the server of other creatures! God gave man a wonderful mind and the ability to create things so he can use it for the good of all. To me, it’s as if man is the parent of this planet. A parent never puts their needs before their child’s and leaves their child hungry, do they? It’s the same for us and the planet with all its inhabitants.
I’m not saying that we should take all these dogs in our homes, no, but at least let’s not hurt them! Let’s not abuse them and ask the government to poison or shoot them. When we see someone abuse or hurt them, let’s stop them. Let’s make kindness to animals be an important and an expected moral just like the morals of honesty and generosity…etc.
Some may say that the stray dogs attack them and their children but that can only happen if the dogs feel threatened! Dogs ARE NOT predators, they’re known as man’s best friend! The only reason for them to be aggressive (but never attack) is when they’re being defensive as a result of a trauma or some sort of abuse they experienced. As I said, they’re just like us and CAN experience trauma just as we do! In these situations, you just need to go away from the dog’s sight and they’ll calm down. But mostly, the stray dogs are really kind and just minding their own business.
I believe that respecting animals is not only a civilized act but a spiritual one as well! Because he, who loves God, loves all his creatures and is kind to them! If we want to embody the divine way of living and worship God in a true and practical way, we have to start by showing compassion to animals. Because showing compassion to a creature that can’t voice their need for help is a sign of a big and a sensitive heart, and that makes us calmer and more peaceful which eventually will reflect on the entire society.
When you give love to an animal by being kind to them, you feel happy and that you’ve contributed something good to one of God’s creatures. That in itself is therapy. I’m not exaggerating, it’s well known that petting pets or owning a pet gives great emotional comfort to the owners and can be a therapy in itself. That’s why there are therapy dogs whose job is to just sit with people and people start feeling better and happier almost instantly. It’s also proven that pet owners experience less stress and anxiety than people who don’t have pets.
I want to tell you about a woman in India who can barely make ends meet; yet, she buys food and cooks for the stray dogs and cats in her area. Here is the Instagram post about her story. I’m very humbled by her love to animals and her efforts despite being poor, she leaves us no excuse not to be kind to the stray dogs and cats of Egypt!
In conclusion, I just want to say that true kindness and compassion DO NOT discriminate between creatures and DO NOT prefer humans over non-humans. Because respecting animals – who are God’s creatures - is respecting God himself! The stray dogs of Egypt DESERVE to live and not suffer such horrible deaths of poisoning and shooting! Please share this article to help me spread this message.
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