Ever feel you need a break from this section?
 

This is definitely not regarding any specific thread (rather, it's cumulative)...but, do any of you ever need a break from this section bc it causes too much pain?

I've been bursting into tears at times lately...like, just while driving I might think of Star (the dog from Malta), or Oreo, or Patrick, or elephants in circuses, or cattle...or that little pekingnese who was found trapped in his own fur (a couple years back) - and I just can't contain the emotions properly.

Does that happen to anyone else? I know compassion fatigue happens to a lot of people involved in shelters/rescue...but I'm not doing that.

How do I handle it better, so that I don't have to take breaks from this section? Am I not setting the proper emotional boundaries? How do the rest of you do it?

Honestly, I have to stay away from this section. I don't deal with it well myself. I go from sad to furious. I just don't understand people at all. I really try to limit what I read from here. I thought I was being too sensitive. Glad others feel the same way.

I would love love love to foster. However, I know that I can't handle it emotionally. First, I would want to "kill" the people who did things to the babies. Second, I would want to keep everyone of them.

Wish I could give you some advice but I am afraid I deal with the same problem!

I understand what you're saying Ann. There's a local news story this week about a man arrested for starving several horses - some literally to death. And there was food ON THE PROPERTY!! He just hadn't bothered to feed them in so long that some of the horses have had to be put down and others still may not make it. These poor horses hipbones and spines.....:mad: WHY? Why would you not feed them when you have the food right there?!?!

I've been thinking about this for two straight days and I'm still just so angry. Sorry, it's probably obvious I'm no help in how to distance ourselves from these issues. I do come read the threads in this forum often, but I don't always reply.....I just get so worked up, and then some threads truly leave me speechless.

This is not meant to sound prejudice at all...but in S. Phoenix, there is a Native American reservation - and we see starving horses quite a bit. It kills me :(. I think the reason for this is that their financial situations are so dire and also that the rescues for horses is so limited. I only note this situation bc it's fairly close to us.

I am glad to hear I'm not the only one feeling this way about this section...

Well, you're not alone. A lot of YT'ers seem to not be able to handle the threads in this section. I couldn't sit here and read it all day. Honestly, for me this section represents depression and sadness. I know it's about how to help animals in these situations, but what's really being done to help? Signing petitions online is of very questionable value. Donating money is great, but it may or may not go where it needs to go.

I really want to be able to tell you how to deal with all of this, but it's impossible. For me it's a state of mind - I have to detach somewhat from things or there is no way I could do what I do. I don't think that's possible for everybody. And yes, it may have something to do with boundaries. There will always be some that you think and think about, worry about, maybe cry about, but in the end it's just not healthy to have an emotional flood about every one of them.

But again I say, these abuse/neglect threads get to me sometimes too, esp. if animal is still with idiot owner. And posts on CL giving innocent dogs to whoever calls first really make me mad (and upset for the dog/cat).

Oh, Gosh, Ann.....now I feel guilty. You replied to the Orangutan thread and then posted this. Part of me wants to make a joke to lighten the mood, but it isn't funny and I do know all too well what you're feeling.

I'm not sure that 'taking a break' is the answer. Really, how can you unthink a thought or turn off caring? There is so much wrong in this world and how can you la-ti-da along as if there isn't once you know there is? And honestly, I'm like you. There isn't a day that goes by that some of these things don't weigh on me.

I said something the other day about these subjects and how hard it is to become aware/get involved without getting stuck in the deep end of the pool. The one thing that works for me is to compartmentalize and let these thoughts live with me without taking over. As much cruelty as there is in the world, there is just as much beauty. We just have to seek it out.

Have a beautiful day, Ann!!

Sometimes I don't sleep at night. I have many organizations on my FB and it's days like today that I just want to walk away, but if we all did that then where would these animals be? Who would be their voices? Who would fight for them? It's getting bad. Worse then ever. Dogs, being mutilated, and dumped, puppies dying in shelters minute by minute because of irresponsible people. The newest heartbreak; Welcome to Facebook - Log In, Sign Up or Learn More

I know it's a longshot but anyone in this area able to help? Bad enough these dogs are being gassed, but to be gassed in a chamber that isn't even working right, and has to be done twice to work to me is as bad as the scumbags that abused these dogs and dumped them.

Yes, I need a break. Anyone invovled with rescue feels this way, but we don't take a break because the minute we do an animal goes without help. No voice. No one to fight for them.

Elaine

Aw, not at all Jim :). What truly triggered the thoughts of allll kinds of past situations was this weekend. We watched a just released western called True Grit. It was an extremely good movie, but there is a scene toward the end involving a horse - and I burst into tears while it was happening. I just couldn't handle it. Part of the reason it affected me so much, is that I read a lot of books that reveal 'life in the 14th-19th centuries' - and they really did used to do this to horses.

I know a lot of people have horses these days, and they are loved and so well cared for. But, I've learned I'm just no longer able to feel okay about the mastery of a horse...and/or people who have only one horse, which is against a horse's nature.

I'm *always* open to humor, so never feel you can't post that to me :)!

You're so right on this. Taking a break really does take us a step back. The 'other side' doesn't seem to take a break. Not only with dogs and cats, but mankind has mucked up the whole planet. I wonder just how much Mother Earth can take? Sometimes I swear I can hear her crying.

Too bad...the moment's passed :rolleyes:. You'll just have to settle for a big ole virtual hug!!!:)

Oklahoma sees this happen pretty often, too. Knowing financial problems is the main cause gives me some understanding of why people let it happen but this man HAD food right there. And apparently he could afford the cost of feeding them - he just did not bother.

That's what infuriates me more than anything in this case...someone who has the physical and financial ability to feed them and yet he deliberately let animals starve to death because he wouldn't get off his duff to feed them. :mad:

I sometimes wonder if its age? Maybe not. I can remember being involved in organizations for humanitarian work when I was younger, and I truly believed one voice could make a change. The older I get, it just seems like things are getting worse instead of better, despite ppl who have worked tirelessly to turn the tide of mistreatment of animals and humans. It's funny, husband and I were just talking about this. Of all the increased $ going into educating ppl, does not seem to be making a dent.

A friend who is a nurse/mission worker in central america once told me when she goes into villages she delouses (sp?) children, explains lice are coming from chickens children sleep w, some listen and get chickens out of the beds, some don't. You help who will listen and onto next village. Some ppl will never want to admit or learn the lice are coming from the chickens.

I'll take it :)!

Can't even wrap my mind around that man. What a terrible human being. Was he prosecuted, or were the horses rescued or anything?

Wow I have had horses my whole life and these stories break my heart. I love them as much as my yorkies. Having feed and not feeding them because of laziness is just un acceptable. These animals would be better of destroyed then to die a slow death of hunger.( sorry but I think dieing a slow death would be much worse). We have seven and they all are fat and happy ( i think anyways)

Now about the dogs I started going to utube and watching the puppy mill stories. I had to stop as I was having nightmares of these poor dogs hair grown into cages. Nails so long. I really think people don't realize how they where brought into this world. I never even thought about it till lately and could not believe the horror stories. I WiLl Never Understand how you could treat these little ones so horrible.

I come from a much different background because my father and grandfather bought furs and this is how they made money. I use to get so mad as a child about this and my dad would say it's the way we make our money. As a child you have to deal with it. But I can not tell you how bad I felt for all these animals. And how many nightmares I would have. I hope saying this does not turn people against me. I just felt I needed to say it.
I truly love all animals. This winter I had a baby opossum that I feed all winter I think it lost it's mom. It grew up and moved on. My way of giving back. Anyways I think any small way we can all help the bigger picture is best . Don't turn away and a few tears shed is not a bad thing. Around the next corner there is a happy ending. You have to stay strong for them because they have no one else. Sorry to ramble on

Good point! I'm 43, and the older I get...the more affected I am. I too think when I was younger, I had a lot of hope for major change. Even though dogs aren't crash tested anymore, and less companies do animal testing etc etc...I thought we'd be further along. Feels helpless, but not hopeless I suppose.

That's right, you and hubs were possibly going to start a foundation, I think...?

He was just arrested on Monday after a neighbor's complaint. The surviving horses are in the care of rescue and vets who are trying to save as many of the rest of them as they can. He better da*# well be prosecuted! He can get up to five years and a hefty fine - much, much less than what he deserves.

I haven't seen an update on this story in a while, think I'll do a quick search and see if I can find out how the horses are doing today.