tonya, for me the answer is to focus on my small part of the world, and remember that being a good example (well, at least about the critters!) is a big thing, tho decidedly slow....
some people can handle dealing with the huge issues, many can't. for me, if i try to handle a huge number of injustices at once, i end up overwhelmed, and paralyzed, and unable to act on any level. for me, saving the critters i can, and continuing to educate-educate-educate, is what enables me to go on. a fervent belief that these critters come to US, out of all the humans in the world, also keeps me going. some of us have the "gift" of being able to handle the constant heartbreak of having to say goodbye to cats with FeLV and other conditions. it's not something i think i chose, but clearly the cats know better..... i pull back and remember that these cats who have come into my life leave this world when it's their time having known warmth, and love, and a roof over their heads, and competent medical care. for those for whom human companionship is something they want, they leave in the arms of someone who loves them, thanks them for sharing their lives, and who tries desperately to honor their needs over my own. how many humans these days can say as much? you did exactly what jaws needed you to do: you rescued him from that street, you surrounded him with love and caring from yourself and your wonderful vet--in those few hours, jaws KNEW that his life was of value to someone. THOSE are the memories that he took with him to the bridge. would you have been there with him had you known he was going to leave so soon? of course--but you did not know, and you did what you needed to do for yourself. as much as we are driven to care for these without anyone else to stand up for them, we MUST take care of ourselves, too, or we diminish our ability to continue to be there for the next one, two, twenty. this group gives us a place to all do whatever it is they we can do, while having a wide group of folks doing the same thing--and when we reach out and hold hands (and/or paws), we enlarge the circle, and support one another in ways that radiate out from that circle. we may not encompass the world and its evils, but we each make a difference--and, together, we amplify and magnify one another. -- MaryChristine AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892
