It's uplifting to read stories of beauty, redemption, and goodness of soul, even if such is in tribute to a lost loved one.  But, from time to time, we need to be starkly reminded of the dark side of our human nature, so that some might be prodded to at least try to do better.  I know that a common thread in my pieces is our relationship with other animals, but the following piece speaks so poignantly and succinctly to the point that I would be remiss in not including it.  No images because the words paint a vivid picture.   

I Am Famous Now

I was born today.  One of 10.  My daddy was very famous.

I have lots of half brothers and sisters.  My mother is very famous.

Since she got famous, she has only had puppies.  No more loving

hands, no more fun trips... just puppies.  She is always sad when

they leave her.

I left home today.  I didn't want to go, so I hid behind my mama

and my three littermates that were left.  I didn't like you.  But one

day they said I would be famous.  I wonder; is famous the same

as fun and good times?.  So you picked me up and carried me away,

even though you were concerned about me hiding from you.

I don't think you liked me.

My new home is far away.  I am scared and afraid.  My heart says

BE BRAVE.  My ancestors were.  Did they go to good homes like mine?

I'm hungry because I can't eat too much because it will be bad for my

bones.  I can't bite or snap when the children are mean to me.  I just run

and play and pretend I am in a big green field with butterflies and robins

and frogs.  I can't understand why they kick me.  I am quiet, but the man

hits and says loud things.  The lady doesn't feed me good like I had with

my mother.  She just throws dry food on the ground, then goes away

before I can get too close for touching and petting.  Sometimes my food

smells bad but I eat it anyway.

Today I had 10 puppies.  They are so wonderful and warm.  Am I famous

now?   I wish I could play with them, but they are so tiny.  I am so young

and playful that it is hard to lay here in this hole under the house nursing

my puppies.

They are crying now.  I am so hungry.  I scratch and worry my fur.  I wish

someone would throw me some food. I am also very thirsty.  I now have

eight.  Two got cold during the night and I couldn't make them warm again.

They are gone.  We are all very weak.  Maybe if I take them out on the

porch, we can get some food.

Today they took us away.  It was too much trouble to feed us and

someone came to take us away.  Someone grabbed my puppies, they were

crying and whimpering.  We were put in a truck with boxes in it.  Are my

babies famous now?  I hope so, because I miss them.  They are gone.

The place smelled of urine, fear and sickness.  Why was I here?  I was

beautiful, like my ancestors.  Now I am hungry, dirty, in pain and unwanted.

Maybe the worst is unwanted.  No one came though I tried to be good.

Today someone came.  They put a rope on my neck and led me to a room

that was very clean and had a shiny table.  They put me on the table.

Someone held me and hugged me.  It felt so good!!!  Then I felt tired

and looked over to the last one who cared as I laid down.

I AM FAMOUS NOW. Today someone cared.

Author unknown