This morning I saw a powerful line in a thread on Facebook: “If you see something, say something.” It was related to a man witnessing a dog left in a sweltering car in the parking lot of a restaurant. His sense of concern and outrage were in equal measure and it prompted him to go inside, get water for the distressed critter and was about to call the police when the dog’s people arrived with their take out food. He confronted them on their carelessness and they reacted defensively and then went on their way. Whether these people were conscious of how hot it gets in a car, in a very few minutes, even with windows open, that is only part of the story. Ken spoke up for one who couldn’t speak for him or her self.
We see everyday what happens when people don’t speak up. The rape culture thrives on that mentality. Consider what happened a few months ago, when it came out that a young girl was raped at a party by a few of her ‘friends’ (peers, classmates) and not only did the others who also claimed to be her friends, not intervene, but some recorded the activities and posted them on line. How horrific and how irresponsible on so many levels. She was violated physically, emotionally and spiritually.
I remember when I was in my 20’s, driving in Philly late at night and I stopped at a gas station and at another pump, saw a man with a gun, attempting to rob someone. Now, I didn’t directly intervene; I’m not THAT crazy, but I hightailed it out of there to the nearest payphone (that was pre-cell phone era) and dialed 911 and with very shaky voice told the dispatcher what I saw. Hopefully the police got there before something tragic occurred. I’m no hero. I just followed my conscience and what I was taught by my parents; that you help because you can. Imagine if you were the one in need.
The same holds true if we witness domestic violence, child abuse or animal abuse. I ALWAYS step in in one form or another. We are all responsible to each other.
Bless you, Ken for seeing it and saying it. Tail wags and paw claps for you!
Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward stays in a parked car on a summer day to see how dangerous it is to leave a pet inside a car.
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