Dead Dog on the Side of the Road

[McCamy Taylor]

There’s a dead dog on the side of the road, red and black, fur drenched in the rain. Once, it was a puppy, basking in the love of its human. The puppy grew. So did its human. The dog spent most of its adult life in the backyard, alone except when its human’s mother brought it food. When strangers approached, it would bark to let the family know. When its human left the house, it would wag its tail. The dog was good at digging. It buried bones all over that backyard. When it got tired of being left alone, it started digging under the fence. Nothing could keep that dog at home. After getting complaints from the neighbor’s, its human’s father decided enough was enough. One night, the dog was invited into the car for a ride, one of its favorite things. They drove and they drove to a deserted stretch of highway. Its human’s father pulled the car onto the shoulder and leaned over to open the door. “Out!” he said. The dog jumped out. The car sped away. Alone and confused, the dog tried to follow. A truck smashed into it, and the dog staggered to the side of the road where it died.

Motorists pass by. Some of them avert their eyes. Others stare. Most of them think about their own dogs, the ones they have now and the ones which are gone. They think how sad it is for a dog to end up that way.

Once, there was a child, basking in its parents love. The child went to school and grew up to be a man and a father himself. He worked hard each day, even when he was sick, even when he was tired. He was good his work. He was proud of his family and their home. Then, one day his employer was told by his accountant that he could make more money if he sent his company overseas. The man was fired. When he tried to find another job, he was told that he was too old. He lost his house. His family fell apart. He got sick and could not afford to see a doctor, so he died.

He didn’t die in the road. It might have been better if he had, because then the 1% would be able to see him. Then maybe they would care. If they cared even a fraction as much about the dead father and husband as they care about the dead dog, maybe they would think twice the next time they decide to send jobs overseas, foreclose on a home, rob from a pension, contribute to the breakup of a family or kill a man from lack of healthcare.

[Mimosa]

1. McCamy, I wish our so-called leaders would read this and give a damn.

You are the heart and soul of what Democrats USED to be like.

[Demeter]

2. Parables for the Pharasies and Politically Tone Deaf?

I'd prefer the whip in the temple, driving out the money changers. Because that is what it's gonna take.

[mod mom]

3. Thanks for this...

I just called my brother & spoke to his wife today about no longer sending my kids b-day presents. My brother has been laid off for over a over a year now and although his wife works they are having problems paying bills. He told me every 10th house in the suburb where they live is in foreclosure so they can't sell w/o out losing a fortune. Their daughter is attending a community college instead of a 4 year because they don't have the resources to send her and are afraid of the debt. He is 48 yo and has tried everything even working retail at drastic reductions. I told them it could happen to any of us and we might be in the same boat in the near future. It was hard because I know they have pride.

Thank you for this post.

[malaise]

4. Poignant- brought a tear to my eye

Rec

[DeSwiss]

5. K&R n/t

[rpannier]

6. That's really good

Excellent work

[Stinky The Clown]

7. The 1% don't give a damn. Their enablers (conservative voters) don't, either.

Read any conservative site, where they mock us, to get a flavor for heartless is the conservative part of this world.

[DearAbby]

8. Do you hear what they are telling you America?

AIG - Superior Person = Bail out
Poor child on lunch program - disposable Person = Program Cut.

Bank of America - Superior Person = Bail out
Grandma's healthcare - disposable person = eliminate program


Get rid of Corporate personhood.