Our Pets and the Moral Dilemmas

What happens to the animals when a disaster strikes?

The most recent devastating forest fires in Australia killed an estimated 500 million to 1 billion such souls. But that does not make much news and doesn't touch most of us.

I was no different before we got our pet dog Holly, precious 45-day old indie rescued from the street side, five years back. And then the team grew, a six years plus lab, and a cat. We are now quite a family.

Holly and the team have made me change in many ways. I have given up meat and chicken, become a pet adoption votary, been contributing in whichever way for these silent ones to have a better deal. But possibly the most important change is the unspoken communication with the emotions of the silent.

I remember that couple of years back on a visit to Mumbai, I passed by the Tangas. And it seemed to be the mules are looking at me pensively and telling me how sad they are. And that was one of the many such experiences.

I now actively look for movies and writings and animals and feel very touched by each of them. And in a way, I understand, how so many people can leave everything to spend their lives with the animals. Probably in some ways they are the most evolved among us.

The ethical questions remain. Are we doing the right thing in keeping a dog in a small apartment, when all they want all day is to go out? Yes, we are caring, providing food and security, but do we know whether this is their choice too if they could express one? Are we loving them because we love to love them - in our terms?

In a way pets, we keep are more like in a communist country - we will provide you food, shelter, security but not freedom as in a democracy. While we propound the liberal values for ourselves.

Among my readings, I came across this beautiful but tragic story of Hathi, an elephant gifted to the Afghanistan government by India, who remained the star attraction in the Kabul zoo for years, only to die a tragic death when the Taliban came guns blazing.

I was wondering what happens today. When Afghans are again in conflict. Taliban is racing ahead. We are worried about the people, but what about the ones who can't speak, and only believe in the goodness of the humans.

How many more "Hathi's" may be waiting in the Kabul zoo.

https://fiftytwo.in/story/hathi/