Making my meal today I looked at the fresh organic vegetables on my plate, the spices in my coffee and more. I said a Thank You to the growers, the pickers, the truckers, the seed companies to nature, and more. I pictured the four people in the film I had just seen, ”Pariah Dog”. Those images and the feelings that arose from them will be with me always.

We wonder how we can make living more peaceful, how to have more fairness in our communities, our world. Why such huge differences in how people and animals are living in our world? What I want to say here is not political, yet as an aside, at this particular time, Biden has approved a $735 million weapons sale to Israel, though the U.S. already gives Israel $3.8 billion a year in military aid. If Congress approves, it will go through in about a day from this writing.

We live in what is rightfully called a generous community. Multiple thousands of dollars are regularly donated to local nonprofits to do their work for people and animals and the environment here on Vashon in the U.S.

Four people living in poverty in an Indian city, four people who love animals and one who is homeless, spend their days and nights caring for street dogs. They eat what they give the dogs, mostly rice. Observing the scenes of their lives one is reminded of an idea, a phrase “how can I help?” Each within our own limits taking a look at the bigger picture we ask how our monetary resources are to be best spent. Dr. MLK said budgets are moral documents.

With the deepening of thought and with awareness, so many ways to change, to help, to share.

“Pariah Dog” is at our library and also on their streaming platform Kanopy. One way to help is to look into the work of Help Animals India whose director and creator lives in Seattle. For more info or to discuss, contact Jo Ann Herbert at 206-567-5852 or by email at deergrazingbymoonlite@yahoo.com. Thank you.

— Jo Ann Herbert