Reality check

I think I failed my humanity test today. 


While driving to the store, I noticed a dog lying in a patch of grass in a primarily industrial area.  The quick glance I got gave me the impression that the dog's hind legs were flat. Turning back to check on the animal, I confirmed that the dog was seriously injured but it seemed to be an older injury.  In addition to being injured, it was clear that the dog was hungry and thirsty.  We scoured the car for water and found about a bottle's worth. We found a discarded plastic dish and gave the dog what water we had.  He lapped it up with gusto.


I immediately got onto the phone to try and get a hold of animal control.  That was when the owner emerged from the car he lives in to come talk to us. He said that "Airborne" was not able to walk and that animal services want to put him down, but he just couldn't let them do it.  It was clear that he cared for the dog but was unable to provide him with much of anything.  In the end, I did not call animal control.  All I did was ask if he had water or anything to give to the dog.  Then I went on my way.


My heart broke for the dog, who was clearly suffering.  I just didn't know what to do.  Animal control would not have any choice but to euthanize the dog. And I would be livid if some stranger intervened in my life and arranged for my pet to die.  It was a really helpless feeling.


However, some hours later I realized that I was so concerned about the dog that I did not think to offer any assistance to the old man who lived in a car and was trying to let his dog live out the rest of his life.  We took a different route home so I don't know if they were there all afternoon.  I imagine that they are not there during the week when the surrounding businesses are open.


I was ashamed at how easy I was able to brush aside the suffering of another person. Ultimately I guess I also brushed aside the dog too.  Should I have gone back to them with food and water?  Should I have called animal control knowing how that would end up?  I just don't know - but I think my decision to not get involved was not right either.


A good friend of mine said that if the universe wanted me to do something, I would have thought of it in the moment.  But I'm not so sure.  I think that we are all so conditioned to mind our own business that we neglect each other with dangerous results.  I wish I had some words of wisdom to sum this up - some kind of lesson learned.  But overall I just feel bad and still don't know what I should have done.  


I hope that when I am faced with this kind of thing again I show more compassion and charity than I did today.