3 minute read
The Leader of the Pack Speaks
Dear Friends and Readers,
On July 4th, we celebrate Independence Day, the historic American story of bravery, patriotism, and freedom and of course, most of us will be enjoying a day of relaxation that will include the usual barbeques, parties, fireworks, and time with our families and friends.
We have come a long way since 1776 in many ways of life including animal welfare. Believe it or not, 135 years earlier, Animal protection entered the American records in 1641 in Massachusetts enacting its legal code, “prohibiting Tyranny or Cruelty towards any creature which is kept for man’s use, and mandated periodic rest and refreshment for any cattle being driven or led”. The radical animal advocates of that day believed that the cruelty of animals was a consequence of Adam and Eve’s fall from the Garden of Eden. Kind ownership reflected their reformist ideals starting the long historical relationship between religion, reform, and animal protection.
Flash forward to 1866, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded, to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. Referencing that “creaturely kindness was a marker of advanced civilization, which could rectify a fractured nation and world”.
It took a very long time to even get to that point, and now… we still have a long way to go!
I happened across this Declaration of Independence for animals written by Peta. I’m only sharing a part of it.
“All individuals are entitled to have certain liberties as their birthright, whether they were born an orca, a macaque, a chicken, or a bat. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that no human being is entitled to use a perceived difference as justification for robbing a sentient individual of his or her inalienable right to freedom, dignity, autonomy, the pursuit of happiness, or the avoidance of needless pain and suffering. Therefore, we have conceived this declaration of the rights of all animals…
Our fellow animals are capable of experiencing hope, joy, love, fear, pain, loss, and sorrow, and we hold that all individuals are deserving of respect and consideration. In conclusion, animals have the right to be free of the crushing grip of human oppression, and we must grant them their independence”.
I hope you will take the opportunity to do your own reflection this Independence Day. As for me, this weekend I’ll be celebrating my independence and my dogs.
I wish you and your pets joy and comfort this holiday. Have a carefree and happy 4th of July!
Yours,
Heather McShea
Publisher & Editor In Chief
WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS to The Tucson Dog during these trying times. Your donation will help us to continue serving our community by continuing to promote local shelters and rescues (at no cost to them), helping homeless pets find homes, provide local resources and events and continue to shore heartwarming stories about local people who give their lives to saving animals and animals saving humans.
Please send donations and your story, if you’d like to share, to: The Tucson Dog Magazine 5151 E Broadway Blvd Ste 1600, Tucson, AZ 85711 Or call 520-345-2801
