Hello, today’s post may not be easy for some to read or see but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t.
King and Day are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
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Amazing Animals on Pinterest
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God created man
To rule with kindness and love
Not to kill or maim
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Many kings shall have their day
Until Mother Nature reigns
When God said,
“Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
~Genesis 1:26
I’m extremely certain that He didn’t mean, breed animals and torture them everyday of their lives until they die or hunt them down, not for sustenance but for sport or profit until they are extinct. I believe the key words in the statement above is God made mankind not only in his image but in his likeness as well which I interpret as ‘with his character’. Hunting animals for fun, testing products on them and killing them for profit was not what God intended when he put mankind to rule over them. God is love and he would not condone this behavior toward his defenseless creatures.
I’m sure this will not be a popular post, because many people rather live in a bubble and not know the truth of what is really happening in the world when it comes to animals and what greedy corporations are doing to them on a daily basis.
I saw an article on Facebook about animal testing. I had no idea how many companies tested their products on animals. I knew some companies did but I had no idea what these tests involved. After reading this article I went on to do my own research and investigation and what I learned made me sick. I’m not kidding. I was crying and vomiting at the same time. I was very affected by what I read and the videos and pictures I saw. This knowledge shook me to the core and changed my life.
These tests are cruel, inhumane, monstrous and they’re done on a daily basis to dogs, cats, rabbits, monkeys . . . intelligent animals that feel pain, fear, anger and sadness just like we do. These poor animals are being tortured everyday for hours until they die.
Take a look at your dog, cat, parakeet, pig, monkey, horse, snake . . . whatever pet you have and imagine that sweet animal living that kind of life––it’s heart-wrenching.
If you’re a good, kind human being you’re probably asking yourself, ‘I’m just one person, what can I do?’ There are lots of things you can do. First of all, do not buy products that test on animals. That alone will help a great deal. When you’re at the grocery store or pharmacy or Costco, Target, Walgreens . . . look at every bottle, jar or box you pick up and be sure it says ‘No animal testing’. You’ll see these words somewhere on the product––look for it. If it doesn’t say it that means the company does torture and kill animals.
Animals deserve better. No being created by God deserves to live a life of pain, fear and sadness. Please do your part.
“Don’t turn your face away.
Once you’ve seen, you can no longer act like you don’t know.
Open your eyes to the truth. It’s all around you.
Don’t deny what the eyes to your soul have revealed to you.Now that you know, you cannot feign ignorance.
Now that you’re aware of the problem, you cannot pretend you don’t care.
To be concerned is to be human.
To act is to care.”
Please, be well informed and follow at least one of the links below and read the article.
Beauty Without Bunnies
What is animal testing?
11 Facts About Animal Testing
These Companies Test on Animals, Never Buy These Brands
Avon Almay Clorox Windex Tide
Revlon Aquafresh Febreze Vicks Nivea
Covergirl Vaseline Lysol Secret Coppertone
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I know, these were some of my favorite go-to brands too. It was difficult to change them but I believe these poor defenseless creatures are worth this small sacrifice. I’ve been finding some great replacements for them and I’m sure you will too. You can also write letters, emails and make phone calls to these companies asking them not to test on animals. There are alternatives to testing on animals. Other companies and products have found a way so can they.
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life in a bubble
my skin would bring tears to eyes
if tested
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That’s right, Frank. Very well done. Thank you. 🙂 xx
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Hi Vashti
Firstly great poem very meaningful, such a thought provoking yet necessary post it is your space and right to view your opinions. Most of us are aware but we often bury our heads in the sand and from the comfort of our own homes we switch off. I find it hard to watch these type of shows and read about it so horrific! Thank you for highlighting this subject and flagging up those brands, I use some of those and will be making changes.
For me some of the worst culprits are the ones that choose to have a pet then mistreat them why!!! So sad that so many dog pounds etc are over full and there are so many unwanted pets who have been given as gifts and discarded, it makes my blood boil then you have the celebrity handbag dogs who are lavished with all sorts of crazy parties etc, beggars belief. Take care Vashti and thank you so sharing x x x
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I felt a need to write this post and I told myself that if just one person decides to make changes then it would be worth it. Thank you for being that person.
You’re right, and I don’t understand it either. I tell people who mention that they’re getting a pet that having a pet can be a lot of work and costly. I honestly believe that if you can abuse an animal you can abuse a person too. I don’t trust people that are cruel to animals.
It was my pleasure sharing this with you and thank you again for your decision to make changes. ❤ xx
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Ignorance is bliss for many. Hopefully, this will shake a few people enough to take action. I applaud you for standing up for those creatures that can’t defend themselves. A great post, well said, well done Vashti.
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Hello Melissa. I know this is a tough subject. I was devastated when I did my own research but people have to be made aware. If more people took action by simply not buying these products it may make a difference. At least I hope so. Thank you for the kind words.❤xx
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Yes, and thank you for the list of companies to boycott.
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impressive, great words…amazing!
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Thank you Mihran❣
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❤
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😙💕
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We are such cruel creatures. You have truly highlighted the importance of not tested on animals labels…and the irony is that a lot of these products are not very good for humans even after the nasty experiments.
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It breaks my heart that for years I used so many of these products not knowing what was going on in those companies’ labs. I’m glad I broke out of my bubble. You’re right, many of these products are now known to be bad for you.
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Realizing that we as consumers are in a bubble (a clouded one) is very difficult…and then there’s the task of finding alternatives…there’s effort involved…worth it for sure but harder for some people than for others. Of course we probably don’t really need half of the magic chemicals that we have been marketed to us as ‘essential’.
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I appreciated your bringing up this concern. It’s very painful but important to know. I feel good when I see ‘cruelty free’ on a product but it is even better to take note and enquire when a product’s package doesn’t claim this.
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I agree. I love products that say ‘Never Tested On Animals’ even better. I recently found out that a supermarket called ‘Trader Joe’s’ has excellent products (groceries, cleaning products, cosmetics) and most are ‘Cruelty Free’ or ‘No Animal Testing. They also carry a lot of organic products and they’re not as expensive. I hope you have a Trader Joe’s or something like it near where you live. It makes things a whole lot easier.
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We don’t have Traders Joe here but the grocery store carries some of their foods..good to know about their reputation.
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Such an important and compassionate post Vashti. Many may not like the post, but they should. Nobody should turn an eye to violence or abuse on any human or animal. And glad to say, I don’t use any of those mentioned brands. 🙂 ❤
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Thank you. ❤ Yay! That's wonderful, Debby! Those are some of the most popular products around. I'm so happy you don't use them and as Janice mentioned above, many of those products are not good for you anyway.
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Thank you for highlighting this Vashti. It has got me thinking more carefully aboiut what brands I should use. Fortunately out of your list I probably only use one brand so losing one and finding an alternative shouldn’t be too difficult.
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I’m happy to hear that, Marje. Thank you for doing your part. ❤ xx
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🙂
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This is horrible! Thanks for pointing out some of the brands, I will make sure to cross them off my list of things to buy.
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Thank you Traci! That’s wonderful! We have to do something to help these poor defenseless creatures. Good for you. ❤ xx
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When I look at my pets, I shudder at the thought of anyone hurting them that way.
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I feel the same, Traci. 😦 Thank you for taking steps toward ending this. 🙂
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Awareness is the key to making wise choices in life. You are absolutely right that we can all help end animal testing by not buying the questionable products and finding alternatives. Some images were hard to look at, but necessary to get the message across. I did my own research after viewing your post and discovered my shampoo was on the cruelty list, but my face cream was not. Powerful post, Vashti.
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Hello Olga. Yes, it’s very difficult to look at pictures like these, and believe me, I used the least horrible ones. Shocking people with the reality of things sometimes works better. It did for me. I was so disappointed with the Neutrogena and Aveeno brands. I loved these products and I thought they were wholesome but obviously I was wrong. I’ll never use them again, unless they stop using animals to test their products. I plan on writing a letter to the companies and having it signed by as many people as possible. 😉
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Vashti, your sensitivity toward animals and recognition of all life being sacred is a beautiful thing, as is the poem you open with. Thanks for highlighting the dangers inherent in buying and using particular brands of toiletries and cosmetics. I mostly use cruelty-free brands, preferably organic as well, though I do need to find a good alternative to Vaseline, not liking to use it, but also not wanting to throw it out until empty! Using cruelty-free brands may cost a bit more sometimes but a clear conscience makes it worthwhile. It’s better to source alternatives rather than use something that can harm the planet, never mind be so hurtful to our animal friends. Well said, my friend. xo ❤
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Thank you Joy. I found a supermarket called ‘Trader Joe’s’ near where I live and they carry mostly organic, cruelty-free products and they’re not very expensive because this place only have their products, so they cut out the middle-man and are able to sell cheaper. I feel so lucky. I also order some thing online. I’m trying to find replacements for everything but some things are definitely more difficult to find than others. Thank you for doing the right thing. ❤ xx
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Very powerful Vashti, it took much courage to bring this together . When women rule across the globe there will be peace and love.
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Aww, that’s so sweet of you to say. Thank you. ❤
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Photos of these poor animals make me feel sick and sad and your haiku is just harsh reality.
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I know, they’re horrible and by no means the worst I’ve seen. It’s hard to believe that people can be that cruel. Thank you for reading.
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Thank you for sharing this. This awareness will sure help in many ways!
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You’re welcome, Prakash. It’s an important topic for me. 🙂
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We have pets(cats and dogs) at home. So I can understand!
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