Dear humans! – Does My Life Matter, too?
Tariq RiazIn a world where the value of life often hinges on species and circumstance, my story may seem insignificant to some. My existence, like that of many others, was marred by neglect, hunger, and the constant fight for survival. In the shadows of conflict and indifference, our lives unfold, often unnoticed and uncherished.
I know that most of your mundane discussions are about the tragic losses in human lives. I understand. We, the animals, are used to being treated as less important species, and it is what it is. But today, I implore you to find a place in your heart for my tale—a tale not just of survival, but of the stark realities faced by countless stray animals like me.
This is my story, a small voice from the overlooked corners of Gaza, seeking to be heard amidst the clamor of human tragedy. Born to a mother who knew only the harshness of the streets, I never asked to enter this world.
Mommy had no loving family to care for her. No one provided her with basic needs. No one took her to the vet to be vaccinated against numerous diseases or to spay her out of unconditional love.
Like way too many of us around the globe who were created by “your ancestors” in the first place, Mommy had to fight for her survival every day. She did her best to protect us, her babies, from cold, hunger, and other potential threats.
She used to spend long days without eating so that my siblings and I could share the miserable amount of food she could find with much pain.
As strays, deprived of our original and natural environment after domesticating thousands of years ago and abandoned, we don’t have it easy. Sometimes, we get fortunate when some kind-hearted people find us and decide to feed us daily in our territory.
The situation in the so-called civilized parts of the globe isn’t as glowy as it may seem on paper. Their double standards that you may have figured out by now apply everywhere. It’s all about the “public image”. Animals’ rights and welfare are no exception.
If we were your equals, shelters wouldn’t have been overcrowded with abandoned and abused dogs or cats. If we were your equals, my friends wouldn’t have been euthanized in masses while being perfectly healthy. If we were your equals, landlords, for instance, wouldn’t have denied us access to their properties.
Coming back to my story, as if the standard situation wasn’t hard enough, we happened to be born in a corner of the globe where disturbed and mean people have been destroying everything and exterminating all forms of life for a while.
It felt like a collective punishment, but we never understood what wrong we did to deserve it in the first place. I lost Mommy and my siblings. I am still unsure about their fate. All I can hope is that they didn’t suffer.
I was too scared and heartbroken. I didn’t know yet how to care for myself independently. The noises were too loud all the time and too scary! I spent a long period without getting any water or food.
One day, I smelled something. I was starving to death. I didn’t think twice before putting my head inside the can. When I finished licking the minute left food, I realized, to my surprise, that something was off. I was stuck.
I panicked and screamed with all my force for help. There was no one around to hear my plea, sadly. Eventually, I had no energy left, and I gave up. It was a short visit. A life ended before even starting.
I am one of two many dogs and cats whose only crime was to be born in Gaza and slaughtered by a genocidal world.
Please spread the word. We do matter, too! You might help other animals in need!
The above is voiced out by my Angel friend Myriam Ben Salem. Myriam is a dedicated advocate for oppressed communities and animal rights. She is an author at Sacred Stories Publishing, contributing to the anthology “Mayhem to Miracles,” and a columnist for BIZCATALYST 360°, a global media platform. With over five years of freelance writing experience, she aims to create meaningful connections and inspire action through storytelling and articles on global issues. In her readers’ words, her knowledge of human psychology helps her craft impactful narratives.
In addition to writing, Myriam has provided consultancy services in project coordination, collaborating with software corporations to ensure project success. Volunteering has been a significant focus for her, including a three-month stint in Brazil in 2021, where she worked on environmental advocacy, diversity, inclusion, and education programs. She also taught English to students aged 12 to 17.
For over two years, Myriam dedicated her time and resources to supporting stray dogs and cats in Tunisia. Recently, she moved to Canada, where she continues her efforts remotely and engages in activism for Palestine. She also volunteers as a Veterinary Assistant in Abbotsford, BC.
Myriam BEN SALEM
https://medium.com/@myriambensalem
