Priority check

There was this bit of semi-interesting news on GMA the other night. An old destitute man ekes out a living by collecting what appears to be empty plastic containers and whatnot from garbage. He was prime-time news material all of the sudden not for his career choice but rather because he was employing his dog in this private enterprise. Apparently, the old man makes his dog help him pull his cart.

As expected and right on cue, with media's light focused on the old man, "animal cruelty" cried PAWS. Informed by the charge, the old man was visibly befuddled and could not respond. Clearly he is in no financial shape to pay the possible fine. And in even worse physical shape to face possible jail time. The very reason he employs his dog in that manner. The old man is OLD. He is too weak to push that cart on his own, he cried out in defense. His dog on the other hand, appears well-fed and looks none the worse for wear doing that chore.

But I know where PAWS is coming from. Dogs are meant to be pampered in doggy salons and whatever else the Paris Hiltons of this world can afford. Dogs were never meant to do manual labor.

But in the interest of fairness, I dare these people to go to Alaska and charge the Inuits of animal cruelty for making those dogs pull those sleds. Why not ask the New Zealand farmers to not use their dogs in herding cattle and sheep? And what of the police? Sniffing for drugs and bombs is dangerous! Charge them too and do not single out this poor old man.

These concerned citizens of PAWS should get their priorities in order. Nakita nyo ang paghihirap ng aso, hindi nyo man lang napansin ang paghihirap nung matanda, mga paws ng ina nyo.