Sir Frank Peters :
Not only is it extremely sad, but it’s a clear indication that compassion is tethering on the brink of extinction.
In the majority of homes there is leftover food that could readily provide a nourishing meal – or even a tasty snack – for our canine friends that roam the streets.
But, out of sheer laziness, predominantly self-centered thinking, lack of empathy with the less fortunate, total inconsideration, or sheer ignorance, the food is confined to the dustbin to decay and be of no benefit. That just couldn’t be right in the eyes of Allah.
Such wastage of life-giving substance is a blight on humanity itself and much to our shame.
Countless tons of food is shamefully discarded every day throughout Bangladesh in homes, hotels, restaurants, and eateries like KFC, Dominoes Pizza etc.
Most homes, except the poorest of the poor, who can’t afford food sufficient, even for themselves, continuously throwaway good nourishing, life-sustaining food.
Instead of giving it to their canine friends, the starving dogs and cute puppies who roam the streets in search of food and encounter all forms of abuse and brutality on their ever precarious life-threatening journey, the food is confined to the bin.
That couldn’t be right.Have we become such an indifferent and heartless society that we won’t even give what we don’t need… what we discard as waste … to help fellow travellers on this earth who are down on their luck? And still expect to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
Where is the level of compassion within a human being, if they can’t even give what is worthless to them to benefit the canine homeless, destitute, and hungry?
Why should stray dogs suffer from hunger when food is abundantly plentiful?
Dog is an anagram of God
A dog is the only creature on earth that loves you more than you love yourself and, not too surprisingly, it’s an anagram of God.
If it weren’t for dogs, none of us would have any sincere friends. A dog is the most sincere creature Allah created: totally trustworthy and impeccably reliable.
Stray dogs especially help mock and break down the false facade of humanity we endeavour to project as good, decent, honourable and caring humans.
No dog deserves to live a stray dog’s life as they do in Bangladesh. A little bit of compassion and consideration is all that’s required to remedy the situation.
Be kind to dogs
Make it a daily routine to save all the leftover food that dogs would eat in a plastic bag (bones especially). Food that would normally go into the bin, and simply give it to the first dog you meet on the way to school, work, or mosque.
It is not necessary to hand-feed them as I do. Just throw it on the ground near them and they will open the package as if they were opeing a gift-wrapped Eid treat.
People often ask how an individual can make a difference. This Ramadan, help restore compassion, humanity, kindness and charity to Ramadan and make that difference.
Niceness is priceless – it costs nothing to be nice and it’s never too late to make change.
(Sir Frank Peters is a former newspaper and magazine publisher and editor; a humanitarian, canine admirer, human rights activist, and an Honorary Member of the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters.) <SirFrankPeters@gmail.com>
