I spent a few hours yesterday at the Santa Barbara Zoo and it got me thinking. The purpose of my zoo visit was to see California Condor display, and boy, did I ever feel like one lucky bird-nerd to get to see and learn about those guys. The four young adult condors seemed happy playing, hanging out and occasionally, flying around their pen.
But many of the animals were in their pens or cages alone, sometimes pacing or appearing distressed or bored. The red-tailed hawks were tethered to their perches across the cage from one another. The Asian elephant seemed sad and lonely. Same with the gorilla. And the big cats.
Just what is the quality of life of all of these animals? Of course there's the argument that if they weren't in the zoo, they would be dead. I know, like WILD animals or something. Survival of the fittest. And I do understand that that many of the wild animals were brought to the zoo or captivity because they'd been orphaned or injured, and were "saved" by humans to live out their existence peacefully and safely in the zoo, as "rehabilitated wildlife".
Is there such a thing? I struggled to see any shred of happiness or dignity in the eyes of the two bald eagles perching on the bottom of their cages, wings too damaged to fly. The purpose of such a bird's existence is to hunt, find a mate, and soar. With the clouds. These animals are being kept alive, even made to suffer, because their species is endangered.
Here we are, at my point. Humans have a fascinating attachment to LIFE, don't they? We spend all of our existence clutching to it, existence itself, our sole purpose in life being to STAY alive. Really? I'd like to think that the whole purpose of my life is to be happy, to learn and to live my life to the fullest extent possible. To soar. Not to merely exist in this body, on this planet. The thing I am most afraid of is not dying, but suffering, and being unable to do anything about it for myself.
Then I got this in my email inbox this morning:
My name is Amy Kaufmann. My husband and I own and operate OrthoPets. We make custom made Orthotics and Prosthetics for Animals. We like to take new charity cases every few months. Our latest case we took on was Andre. Andre is from Alaska, and last March, Andre was caught in a snare (trap) in Alaska. In order for him to survive, he chewed off his own front and back paw. He was nursed back to health by the Alaskan Dog and Puppy Rescue. This rescue contacted us a year ago to see if we could make him a set of prosthetics. Andre came to Denver in April and is doing great with his new prosthetics. Now, we are just trying to find him a home. He is a needy dog, and needs to be around someone that has alot of time on their hands. He has been living with me (my husband, 2 year old son, and 2 Italian Greyhounds). He has also spent time with two of my employees. They both have dogs and kids at their house, and he has done great. He spends his days at our clinic, where we have owners and dogs coming in and out. For the most part, he does very well. He does have a BIG bark, but we have never experienced any signs of aggression. My 8 pound IG bosses him around! He does have some issues, and I would be happy to go over them with you. I know that every dog has their [sic] own issues!
We have tried to place in a [sic] three different homes, and so far, we do not have a match. I am now writing to see if maybe any of you might have any leads for us or contacts. We just can not keep him any longer. We like to take on cases like this, and help out as many dogs as we can, but because Andre has been with us for so long, and we have been paying all his expenses (over $4000), we want to be able to help other dogs, not just Andre. The Alaskan rescue does not want him to come back because there is so much snow in Alaska, which would be hard for a dog with two prosthetics to get around. Please let me know if you might have any leads. We are in touch with the Denver Dumb Friend's league, who is willing to take him in as a special needs dog, and help with adoption as well.
Oh, boy does this open up a can of worms with me. Obviously the dog has some kind of will to live, to have chewed off his own feet to save the rest of himself and stay in his body, but his implied neuroses make him a whole other special needs case altogether. If you'd like to help, please contact Amy through the OrthoPets website.
My friend Jenny often quotes this line from the book The Little Prince - "We are responsible forever, for what we have tamed." This brings me back to our pets. Responsibility has nothing to do with keeping your pet alive. It means providing your pet with a quality of life. All creatures deserve that. Plant or animal. Wild animals (normally) get to choose, domesticated animals are dependent upon humans. So don't just water your plants, admire them. And don't just feed your cat, spend time with her. Don't just provide your dog with "the best medical care", try to understand what he would really choose, if he had his own voice in the matter. Before you write me off as wackadoo, I don't mean to say that you have to talk to a psychic about whether Rover wants a purple bandaid or a green one. Trust that you know your pet well enough, and really think about what it would be like to be in his paws. Be his voice. And remember that he loves you, too.
This is a topic I have have given much thought, with my own cats and horses. Several years ago, my old lesson horse Reggie colicked so severely that I had to take him to a large animal hospital for more comprehensive treatment. He ended up staying at the hospital for three days, for observation, fluids and treatment. Upon his arrival, the veterinarian asked me, "Is he a surgical candidate?"
That horse is worth his weight in GOLD. I could never replace him as far as my riding program was concerned, but even more importantly, as my teacher and friend. But the chances of a full recovery for intestinal surgery for an equine of any age is only about 50%. Reggie was twenty-four years old. I couldn't put him through that. And he knew it.
I replied, "No," knowing full well that the entire hospital staff was judging me for not agonizing over what would appear to be a cold, heartless answer.
He recovered, the incident inspired a much needed dietary change, and he is still with us today, at the ripe old age of twenty-nine. In fact, I half expect him to outlive me. Lucky for me, But it's not really about me, is it?
So Andre the famous two-legged dog has been rescued, flown from Alaska to Denver, rehabilitated, fitted with prosthetics, and had three homes willing to adopt him. But they didn't work out. The media and animal advocate groups are making a point of out of the fact that pets are getting caught in illegal snares and traps meant for wild animals with his story. Countless dollars have been spent, much time has been sacrificed to maintain his existence on this planet. But I hope, with all my heart, that he's happy, and not just being kept alive for the sake of a good story. Because merely existing, with no one to love, no one to understand you, that's not worth existing at all. If he finds that love, finds that someone, now that would make him a lucky dog.
Tell me if there's another way to look at it or if I have it all wrong. Certainly. Somebody. Has. An. Opinion. About. This. Use your words!
