January 19, 2015

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.