Just recently the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, signed into law a ban on de-clawing cats. He stated that “by banning this archaic practice, we will ensure that animals are no longer subjected to these inhumane and unnecessary procedures.” Huh. That same governor, just last month, also signed a new bill into law that protects abortion and infanticide. His comment on that one was that “we are sending a clear message that whatever happens in Washington, women in New York will always have the fundamental right to control their own body.” Huh. What happened to concerns about inhumane and unnecessary? Please, just take a minute to ponder and appreciate the ultimate irony (among other things) inherent in those two laws.
I have owned and loved four house cats. I have had all four of them de-clawed. I did this to protect my furniture and curtains and to enable my cats to live happily in harmony with their humans. You are welcome to come over and watch Shoot the Kitty play and romp and run through my house, and by doing so you will see that she is happy and healthy. Losing her claws was not and is not something that seems to bother her or slow her down. It keeps the peace between feline and human and if anything it helps me love her more.
Sixteen years ago today I had the awesome honor of watching my daughter give birth to her first child. Often I picture that scene: the hard work – labor – of birth, the unbridled joy at seeing perfect, tiny ears and marveling at the wonder and detail of this complete but miniature person full of personality and energy. At what point exactly did that child become a person, the vessel holding a soul? I can guarantee that it was long before that moment of birth. It was long before the ultrasounds that showed arms and legs and beating heart. The Bible says that God creates our souls: Psalm 139:13 – “You created my inmost being” and that God’s eyes “saw my unformed body”. How can we as a nation, as a culture so quickly protect the claws of a kitten but kill human beings? It’s something that troubles me and makes me sad. I pray for all the babies that weren’t welcomed, weren’t loved. And, I say Happy Birthday, Riley. Your gramma loves you!
