White Dog
and the White Dog Army gather together every January 19 to remember and pay
tribute to a wise and compassionate man who had a Dream. Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. inspires us in our efforts to help create a better world that is loving,
accepting, and caring.
This year,
Zsofia listened to the story, wide-eyed, and for the first time considered the
importance of Service to her fellows. “Did this great man have anything to say
about dogs,” she asked. “Let’s find out,” White Dog suggested, and we all
headed to the office and computer.
Turns out
that like most famous people, Dr. King has been misquoted and quotes that have
been attributed to him are not his. Zsofia was crestfallen. But then we found
an article by Karen Biehl, a writer for the New York Examiner. She, too, was
seeking the words of MLK that were appropriate for our four-legged as well as
two-legged followers. We all cheered at her authenticated list, which we will
share as food for thought on this special day…
From the
article: Below is a list of a few MLK quotations that can apply to dogs and
their owners as well.
On the
unconditional love of dogs:
“Love is the
only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”
"Let no
man pull you low enough to hate him."
“Occasionally
in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be
completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be
articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.”
On animal
rights:
“Our lives
begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
"A
right delayed is a right denied. That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves
everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing."
“Whatever
affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be
until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of
reality.”
On rescue
dogs and mutts:
“Human
salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.”
On pet
illness and loss:
“The
ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and
convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
“The
quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.”
The WDA asks that you take a moment to send a prayer for
peace and harmony to the Universe tonight. May the disenfranchised, both
humans and pets, be given shelter and protection…and love. Raise your voice at
injustice and demand change that will create a better world for all. And most
important, fiercely, passionately and genuinely love every creature without
regard for species, race, color or belief. Be a part of completing the work of Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. that was cut short.
1 comment:
he was a very smart and inspiration man....
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