Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Act of Humanity

The smallest act of kindness
is worth more than the greatest intentions.
(Anonymous)

Puppies for Sale

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign to advertise the 4 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. “Mister,” he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies. “Well,” said the farmer as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, “these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.”

The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then, reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. “I've got thirty five cents. Is that enough to take a look?” The farmer thoughtfully said, “Sure.” And with that, he let out a whistle... “Here, Dolly!” he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something moving inside the doghouse.

Slowly, another ball of fur appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. In a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up. “I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, “You don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.” With that, the little boy stepped back from the fence and reaching down, he rolled up one leg of his trousers. In so doing, he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg and attaching itself to a specially made shoe.

Looking back at the farmer, he said, “You see, Sir, I don't run too well myself and he will need someone to understand.” With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully, he handed it to the little boy. “How much?” asked the little boy...“No charge,” answered the farmer, “there's no charge for love!”

The world is full of people who need someone who understands.
(Gratitude to Tom for the above story.)

Snapping Turtle's Samaritan

Pablo Cafiso and his wife, having previously visited Southern Ontario, left their home in Buenos Aires and immigrated to Canada a few years ago. They loved Niagara Escarpment's surrounding beauty that Mother Nature has provided...and moved to Burlington. They were astounded at the canopy of tree cover over the city and nearby towns...Lake Ontario, Burlington Bay, Cootes Paradise and abounding species of wildlife. Currently, they live in Dundas.

Mark McNeil wrote the following, published in The Hamilton Spectator's July 2 issue:

Turtle Watch
Pablo Cafiso didn't waste any time. He saw the snapping turtle walking on Olympic Drive so he hit the brakes and pulled over to help. He and another person stopped motorists, halting the traffic and “saw it to safety across the road,” he recently wrote on the Dundas Turtle Watch web page.

The rescue was a scene that's been played out many times over the years. Sometimes, it's Good Samaritans who happen to pass by at the right time. Other times, it's members of the turtle assistance group who do shifts watching for the reptiles along Olympic Drive and Cootes Drive.

But despite these efforts and extensive study and rehabilitation work by the Royal Botanical Gardens, turtle populations are continuing to decline. Cootes Paradise used to be teeming with numerous varieties of turtles in healthy numbers. “It's a problem all over the continent because of...declining habitat...road mortality...pollution...and even illegal collection for pet trade. It was estimated in the 1980's there were more than 600 snapping turtles in Cootes Paradise. Now, that number has fallen to about 60,” says Tys Theysmeyer, head of natural lands for the RBG. “We know the snapping turtles we have are really old. In captivity, they tend to live to be about 50 years old. In the wild, it's thought they can live somewhat longer, but scientists are unsure.”

The turtle, rescued by Cafiso had a tag with the number 544. He took a photograph of the reptile and submitted it to the Turtle Watch group, which passed it on to Theysmeyer.
Based on the number...and size of the turtle,
he believes the creature is at least 50 years old
and nearing the end of its lifespan.

The photo, taken by Pablo Cafiso, shows “Grandfather Turtle” set safely amongst tall blades of grass.

May you always walk in the sunshine, my Friend.
May you always have love to share;
health to spare and friends who care.
(Native American philosophy)

Crafted by Merle Baird-Kerr...November 9, 2014
(updated July 4, 2015)
Comments appreciated...email to:

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