Becoming Overwhelmed
Recognition of priorities, feeling forced to make choices can often become cruel experiences. When people are hard-pressed by circumstances, particularly financial straits that force them to search for what can be sacrificed and what kept, the decisions are often brutal and nasty. Rising unemployment and the need to keep a family's head above steadily rising waters of poverty have meant an increase in the numbers of people using homeless shelters.
It's hard for people who live comfortably and financially securely to even begin to imagine the misery of those whose fortunes have taken such a downturn that they become homeless. Area food banks are serving larger numbers of desperate people, among them children, to a far greater degree than formerly. The economic downturn that has universally struck far and near has taken its toll in ways hard to imagine. Families with children struggling to survive.
Homeless shelters now hosting children, their families, not merely single loners, men and women of all ages whom personal circumstances have brought them to live on the streets of our cities. Shelters so newly crowded that people have been forced to sleep on their floors. Municipalities recognizing the imperatives resting on their decisions to make more assisted housing available.
And the other victims of financial collapse? Family pets. Abandoned, or brought to local animal shelters. When public appeals go out those who are able to, respond and rescue young animals, puppies and smaller breeds to adopt and bring into their homes. The older dogs, and those suffering ill health because their owners were unable to afford veterinarian care, languish.
They are quietly distraught, confused. They turn away, bewildered. Refuse food and water. Their needs are emotional stability, affection, attention. They have been in a home where they were once comfortable and appreciated, and suddenly their life support system has been removed, and they are caged, unwanted, rejected.
Reflecting in some part the afflictions that fortune has visited on their humans.
It's hard for people who live comfortably and financially securely to even begin to imagine the misery of those whose fortunes have taken such a downturn that they become homeless. Area food banks are serving larger numbers of desperate people, among them children, to a far greater degree than formerly. The economic downturn that has universally struck far and near has taken its toll in ways hard to imagine. Families with children struggling to survive.
Homeless shelters now hosting children, their families, not merely single loners, men and women of all ages whom personal circumstances have brought them to live on the streets of our cities. Shelters so newly crowded that people have been forced to sleep on their floors. Municipalities recognizing the imperatives resting on their decisions to make more assisted housing available.
And the other victims of financial collapse? Family pets. Abandoned, or brought to local animal shelters. When public appeals go out those who are able to, respond and rescue young animals, puppies and smaller breeds to adopt and bring into their homes. The older dogs, and those suffering ill health because their owners were unable to afford veterinarian care, languish.
They are quietly distraught, confused. They turn away, bewildered. Refuse food and water. Their needs are emotional stability, affection, attention. They have been in a home where they were once comfortable and appreciated, and suddenly their life support system has been removed, and they are caged, unwanted, rejected.
Reflecting in some part the afflictions that fortune has visited on their humans.
Labels: Animal Stories, Companions, Health, societal failures
posted by Pieface @ 1:39 PM
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