Kipling News: Columnist recovering from broken hip
Life has many challenges but falling and breaking a hip is an enormous one. I am showing progress and appreciate some of my Kipling neighbors who have been guest columnists and helping out until I can continue. This week’s column is written by Grace Gibson:
Kipling Community is a special, safe, and caring community. Many of our citizens have animals that they love and care for---from cats and dogs to chickens, cows, and horses. However, it seems that when some individuals have more cats or dogs than they desire, they decide to share them with someone else by setting them out, hoping someone else will take care of them.
Within the last six months, two families of kittens (four in one family and five in the other) have been placed on Kipling Road, hoping they would be picked up and given a home. Of course, my grandchildren can’t endure to see a stray animal needing food and care. So, what do you think they do? They bring them to Nana’s house, and this means nine kittens to either keep or to find a solution for their care.
The owners of animals should be solely responsible for them. Kemper County has a great veterinarian who can assist with population control. The use of his services will prevent dogs and cats being left out in the weather or dying of neglect.
Sometimes we say that someone is a “cat person” or a “dog person,” meaning they like cats or dogs the best. In many families, special dogs have been treated like family members for many years, and after their passing, remain in our memories as special and devoted loved ones.
One of my favorite poems is “A Dog’s Life,” by Beth Harris. In it, she shows the needs of man’s best friend and how owners should care for these special ones as they approach the ends of their lives during which they have loved us.
“A Dog’s Plea”
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me. Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I might lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when the sound of your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I might stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing, and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun.
Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this Earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in our hands.