Work in animal activism is not easy – if you mean it and really do not spare yourself. It gets even more difficult if you have health issues (and I do not mean mental h. i.), because your strength is limited, and you forever hear from family, friends, doctors — do NOT overdo it. You know what’s at stake.
It’s called “compassion fatigue” or “secondary traumatic stress“.
But – and let me say this, Mark and I have met many, over the years, whose commitment, especially when handicapped, disabled, chronically ill, was, and to use a much abused term in US Politics at the moment, “ironclad”. In the best sense – so throwing caution, and their own welfare, to the wind, for the cause, for the animals they care so much about. Quite of few of those have since passed away …
Both, Mark and I, are struggling with health issues of our own – Mark with MS, me with advanced cancer. But, personally, and I think I can speak for Mark also, who has been “in it” longer than I have (live export being his special area of expertise) , I’ll be damned if I give up now.
Especially the issue at the kill shelters of the US, San Antonio (articles on this site), and others, is draining me currently. I happened upon it working on another issue two weeks ago, and was .. shocked. And believe me, it takes a bit to shock me, after the “Cat Torture” and various other, extreme, issues over the years. I do not spare myself – both of us don’t – and being blessed (!) with a photographic memory I never forget any of it …
Today I am waiting to see what dogs have been murdered (I say murdered, because that is what it is) at San Antonio, on Instagram. As every day clearly, it is too many, healthy and mostly young – going against every law of nature there is. Like hunting and shooting the individuals among wild animals that nature meant to reproduce – before they can do so – being turned into sick trophies.
This entire family – mother and pups died today …
It is beyond unbearable. And I fear the 4 little ones I have developed a special love for, Squirtle, Mudkip, Chicorita and Totodile may be among today’s killed and incinerated on site. How sick is that …
I wrote to the authorities two days ago, it was past midnight, to show mercy – for these, and so many others. I’ve heard nothing, mails came back as undeliverable.
It is that, more than anything, that drains us all – the ignorance, the denial, the refusal to listen, the helplessness – and the reckless, brutal and stubborn continuation of cruelty and mass murder, on and on and on.
We do not intend to give up – and personally, if it’s the last thing I do, I will stand up until my last breath. And so will Mark. But sadly too many colleagues and friends who have devoted their lives to animals, their welfare and rights, have decided to depart this world voluntarily, and prematurely – their compassionate souls too hurt to be able to cope with any more of it. They will, no doubt, join the animals they care so much about ..
And I find a quote very fitting, from someone who also, at his time, was a voice for the helpless innocent creatures we continue to fight for …
“All that is best in me I have given to animals and I mean to stand by them to the last and share their fate whatever it may be. If it is true that there is to be no haven of rest for them when their sufferings here are at an end, I, for one, am not going to bargain for any heaven for myself. I shall go without fear where they go, and by the side of my brothers and sisters from the forests and the fields, from skies to seas, lie down to merciful extinction in their mysterious underworld, safe from any further torments.”
Preface to The Story of San Michele by Axel Munthe
Diana, and Mark
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To name but a few … Rest in Peace, dear Friends.
https://vegnews.com/respected-animal-activist-mary-max-has-died-by-suicide
Respected Animal Activist Mary Max Has Died By Suicide
Wife of legendary artist Peter Max, Mary Max dedicated her life to helping animals in need.
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https://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/10/us/ohio-animal-rescuer-suicide-dogs
Ohio animal rights activist kills herself, 31 rescue dogs, police say
The founder of an animal rescue organization in Ohio committed suicide, taking dozens of pets with her, the Moreland Hills Police Department told CNN. …
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https://www.animals24-7.org/2021/02/08/vegan-animal-advocate-thomas-tommy-bloom-raskin-25/
Vegan animal advocate Thomas “Tommy” Bloom Raskin, 25
Second young activist suicide in six months raises profile of “compassion fatigue” …
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https://theirturn.net/2020/08/04/in-memory-of-animal-rights-activist-shimon-shuchat-tribute/
In Memory of Animal Rights Activist Shimon Shuchat
Shimon Shuchat, a 22-year-old animal rights activist from Brooklyn, died on Tuesday, July 28th. In spite of being so young, Shimon was one of the most wise, humble, ethical, empathetic and hard-working activists in New York City. ….
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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36573395
The vet who ‘euthanised’ herself in Taiwan
… On 5 May last year, Ms Chien took her own life, using the same drug she used to put down animals. She said she wanted to help people understand what happens to strays in Taiwan. …
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Regan_Russell
On June 19, 2020, 65-year-old Canadian animal rights activist and protester Regan Russell was run over and killed by a livestock transport truck after a demonstration outside Sofina Foods Inc. subsidiary Fearman’s Pork Inc., a pig slaughterhouse in Burlington, Ontario.
World Animals Voice 