This morning started off so nicely. I walked to my pilates class and did some exercises that finally made my back stop feeling like it was on fire. I was walking home afterwards and I saw a young boy with a puppy. Ah, boys and dogs. So I crossed the street so that I could maybe pet the puppy. I realized that the boy was trying to train the pup and then I heard him say SIT and LAY DOWN one right after the other. I wanted to tell the boy that the poor dog could not possibly understand what he wants if he hollers out command after command. Then the boy did something that brought my heart into my mouth. He hit the dog and then hit it again and again. I ran over and told the boy that he should never hit a dog and he told me I should go fuck myself and it was his damn dog and he could do whatever he wanted. I asked him how much he would like to be beaten, realizing quickly that this was probably the genesis of the problem.
So here I was stuck. The boy was never going to hear what I had to say. I briefly thought of taking the dog from him, but had the feeling I would get in big trouble if I did this. But I swear that little pit bull puppy's life flashed before me. And it sunk my heart and made me full of rage and sadness. I asked everyone I could on the street if they knew where the boy lived, to no avail. So I came home and immediately called Animal Control. They promised to send someone out to try to find the boy in the neighborhood, but I must admit that I am not highly optimistic. The woman from Animal Control also informed me that it's a good thing that I did not take the dog because I could of gotten arrested for assault of a minor. Imagine! What a crazy, fucked up world we live in. She told me that all I could do was what I was doing. I felt so POWERLESS. Why do we treat each other so badly? After Katrina I thought my feelings on the evil of humanity could not possibly sink any lower. But this morning they did.
I keep picturing the face of that little puppy. And I weep.