Animal Aid's Plea to Leave Animals Out Of Christmas Festivities

Animal Aid have recently made a plea which was published in my local paper (and probably published also in countless other papers in the country), to leave animals out of festive parades, for the sake of their health and well-being.

The article can be read here.

I remember when I was little, a real live donkey was used in our church's nativity play. The donkey became very stubborn and refused to move after going half way up the church aisle.

The nativity play nearly fell in to chaos except that the donkey finally agreed to co-operate!

Having read the letter opposite though, I wonder if the donkey should have been used in the play at all?

Season's Bleatings!

This flyer shows some extremely happy looking sheep - racing.
 It is very pleasant to see these interesting and complex animals being taken seriously, as worthwhile and lively, vivacious creatures in their own important right.
Pan is the most famous God of shepherds and flocks.  He is also the God of wine and merrymaking.
The word 'panic' comes from this god form and rituals associated with Pan can cause this uneasy anxiety feeling...
Dion Fortune's interesting novel 'The Winged Bull' deals with the Pan ritual...

Little Donkey, Little Donkey On The Dusty Road...

I stopped by the library yesterday evening and I found a distressing leaflet, part of which is shown here.  It is a great shame that, in the 21st century, some animals, particularly beasts of burden, are so badly treated in some parts of the world.

Whilst yes, such animals as donkeys are needed by some to earn their family's daily crust,what doesn't seem to be realised is that a fit, healthy and happy donkey would be far more beneficial to their owners than a sick and ailing one.

All life is precious and as such animals should be treated with a lot more respect, regardless of what religion (or not) their owner's follow.

We humans are supposed to have come a long way since the 'War Horse' syndrome of 100 years ago. So why aren't some people reflecting a more positive and caring attitude towards the working donkey?

It beggars belief that world governments even allow creatures to be treated in such a dismal and cruel way.  Poverty is no excuse for abuse of animals such as that being inflicted on the donkey shown in the photos contained within this leaflet.  It is truly sickening.