Fluffy and Furry Saviours : On Sweet Wings and a Prayer
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| {Feathered friend illustration : On Sweet Wings and a Prayer © Shell-Sherree} |
It's a time of respect and remembrance for all those who have given their lives for their country and those who continue to put themselves on the line today. Hundreds of thousands of animals have served and protected, too. From dogs to donkeys, camels to horses ~ and cats {mostly on ships, but yes, they served!} ~ there are countless tales to be told.
And valiant little carrier pigeons gave far more than their weight in hearts of gold, both close to home and abroad. You can read the touching story here of how carrier pigeons helped our troops fighting in Papua New Guinea in WWII. I'm reminded of this quote from A Midsummer Night's Dream, "Though she be but little, she is fierce!"
In the here and now, animals help soldiers with wounded souls to heal, thanks to organisations such as The Dog Squad which unites rescue dogs with veterans suffering from PTSD. I spend much of Anzac Day sniffling back tears but some, like these, are happy ones.
Wishing you a peaceful and loving day. Lest we forget.
Thank you, Shell, so lovely. Everyone with PTSD should have a pet. Many shelter pets suffer from PTSD as well, and we can help each other.
ReplyDeleteI recently read an article about the horrors of Gallipoli. No one should have to suffer so.
Thank you, dear Petrea. Hopefully the happy stories will outweigh the sad stories one of these days.
DeleteTrust you, Shell, to take away the bombast and add your own touch of delicate humanity to the commemoration.
ReplyDeleteI am humbled. Thank you, dear Mise.
DeleteWhat a sweet and fitting tribute, ma chère.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Alexa. xo
DeleteWonderful commemoration!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ms M ! I can imagine weary carrier pigeons finding welcome respite in your trees.
DeleteThe poppy has some kind of special meaning? Lovely tribute. I remember seeing Peter Weirs's movie about Gallipoli. He's such a good director.
ReplyDeleteThank you, PA ~ the poppy is a remembrance poppy, used to commemorate soldiers lost in war. I howled both times I saw Gallipoli ~ it was beautifully made.
DeleteHere's some background on the poppy.
DeleteI mentioned the poppy because I saw public art piece where someone had cast a gazillion red ceramic poppies and placed them at some relevant location in England.
DeleteSounds spectacular, PA ~ would have made a beautiful remembrance tribute.
DeletePA, that was at the Tower of London. Here are pics of what you saw: http://bit.ly/1DPo7Sc
DeleteMy father was a veteran of WWII (American) and he wore a paper poppy in his lapel every November 11th.
Thanks for the link, Petrea. Magnificent but sadly so. I just looked it up ~ 888,246 poppies, one for each British fatality in WWI. I'm so very glad your dad was one of the American soldiers who made it home.
DeleteI missed the Poppy Link you provided. I didn't know the red poppy had a connection to the US. Interesting and a little sad that it's gone out of favor here in the states. That Tower of London link - wow wow wow
DeleteIt's a poignant and sweet tradition, PA ~ maybe it will see a gradual resurgence there.
DeleteIt's my loss and lack of historical knowledge that I only know about Gallipoli because of the movie, Gallipoli. Broke my heart, though.
ReplyDeleteAustralians grow up knowing about it, Hiker ~ if not for that, I might have been the same, as I do my best to be an ostrich with such things. That movie broke my heart, too.
DeleteOh, the waste and the tragedy of it all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0Ankn-AzC4
ReplyDeleteI tried, but still can't watch that final scene again. I've never been able to listen to the Albinoni Adagio since then without weeping.
DeleteWell, then I'm in good company.
DeleteBecause I did watch in yesterday and cried like a baby.
Deletexox
DeleteI'll be interested to see Russell Crowe's new film about Gallipoli.
ReplyDeleteApparently it's wonderful, Petrea ~ he has done his best to show both sides of things. I'd watch it, but I'm still doing the ostrich thing. :)
DeleteMe, too. I tried to watch Karin's link but couldn't.
DeleteFunny, Petrea, it's been over 30 years since I saw it, but as soon as I started watching that scene, it was like I saw it yesterday. It dug into the trenches of my heart, I guess.
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