From David Cowardin's book "Down South Justice"
"The words of Charles Bukowski's famed poem, 'Roll the Dice'..."
"If you are going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery-isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are tests of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is."
What I learned about the people Down South is that there are two sides; one working for the rights of animals and the other ignoring them completely.
The passion or mission that the rescuers live with is remarkable; how they are willing to go into dark places for the rights of innocent dogs.
It seems in order for humanity to see its own actions, there needs to be people out there willing to shine lights upon it. Willing to step into the dark places and rescue the abused. Even when all appears hopeless. When it appears you are fighting generations of thinking that doesn't include empathy. Or maybe where power is gotten by beating those weaker than you.
Who among us are willing to lose it all in order to try and lend sway to an old mind set?
You truly have to believe to the core of your being YOU are making a difference....in at least the very few lives you touch. You can't change it all, but you can make change.
I applaud the people in the South who are going against the old mind set and affecting change in many animals lives...while trying to poke holes in old beliefs.
How interesting to see the worthless way they (abusers) view animals....and how that translates into other areas of their world.
David also writes about the correlation between how those abusing dogs cycle up to humans as well.
"Animal cruelty affects more than the animal, more than the rescuer, more than the taxpayers wallet, and more than a study correlating animal abuse with other domestic crimes. It leaves a permanent stain on society and immeasurable pain on innocent families."
"Aiden was in the first grade. He loved football. But he never was given a fair shot at a future. He became another tragedy of the culture of animal cruelty." David
When David and I were filming my segment on "Call Me Mental" I told him, that victims of child sexual abuse were like these dogs he found Down South needing to be rescued....but, that their wounds were not clearly seen.
While he could clearly see the horrific abuse against animals...it wouldn't be so easy to show the scars of human to human abuse.
The heroes he writes about and the unthinkable abuses of animals seem to be clearly defined. And, yet his story shows it is not.
Those who are abusing...are not aware.
For if they truly could see value in the animal....there would be no abuse.
And, then no need for rescuers.
The meer fact that there needs to be rescuers...means there are people who are unaware.
This unawareness towards the feelings of other is the cross roads for abuse.
Something within them can't see value or connect with another's feelings.
While it seems impossible that there are people who will willingly and righteously hurt animals; the same holds true for people.
Value and feelings are what is important; not the container in which they are held.
Perhaps what makes the efforts of rescue so maddening IS that we can't legislate value and feelings.
Just as in Child Abuse cases; we can't force parents to feel value or connect with feelings.
It is my humble belief that those who are abusing have zero self-value and are disconnected from their own feelings...for we truly see and project onto the world who we are.
And, many are just doing what generations before them have done.
Once powerless...they grow up and become the powerful; gaining their power by doing to others what was done to them. The cycle continues.
There are those among us who are willing to roll the dice to end abuse.
As I finished this book last night...I remember looking at David across the table as I told him how alone I was...estranged from family. And, he said, "you are not alone...you have me and many others."
He is right.
I thought of how many silently and boisterously are with me...how strangers have become friends.
The new ones who I have friended have walked with me on this new pathway that cycles away from abuse. They have held spaces for me to speak and share my story...they have listened and offered compassion.
Many are doing what they can to help those who are trying to right themselves after abuse. Some of my newest friends are like me. They have traveled similar roads and are heading toward brighter futures...free from abuse.
The author of the poem is right.
"If you are going to try, go all the way."
I see no halfway out of abuse.
And on the other side are new people who see and feel your value.
Thanks David for being you! I love how you share you completely as you investigate the lives of others. You strength is your vulnerability and we feel valued looking into your lens.
