Silent suffering

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I was thinking tonight about all the animals we can help, but I simply cannot stop thinking about the ones that just don't make it or are still with us yet are beyond help. I captured the image that was at the end of my first rescue of a kangaroo. Unfortunately any leg breaks mean they are PTS (put to sleep). Sadly on this day we just could not get a veterinarian to come with a dart and lethabarb so we had to resort to calling an RSPCA inspector who (a nice young lady) shot it with a .22 rifle once between the eyes from a distance, then at the rear of the head from point blank range. As I stood in the middle of the road keeping traffic at a distance for safety and from the prying human nature, all I can still remember is the two pops from the rifle and thinking how the life was extinguished from such a magnificent creature. So this little poem I conjured is my tribute to ALL the animals I cannot help and the ones that I will never see to even try to help. Sorry about this long-winded speech. :( Suffering animals just make me very sad.


Life is fragile, precious and frail,
Blood flows freely, a vessel broken,
Suff’ring in silence, with clenched paws,
My quiet thoughts, not one word spoken,


Lay quietly, by the side of the road,
Writhing in pain, it is all too much,
Can’t comprehend our compassion,
I’ve no hope of a reassuring touch,


Go in peace precious life in this world,
A gentle end is the only way for you,
I’ll see you on the other side, with
The others I’ve already seen go through