Of dogs and people, peace and love: What is this world?

    How do we live in a world that is so hardened and crass that life is thought of with such flippancy?
    Today I read about a man who's dog was getting to be so old that it embarrassed him to think of what his neighbors must think, so he decided to put it down. WHAT?!?!?!?!!! It's not like we're talking about an uncomfortable pair of shoes or a wardrobe malfunction, "Oh, it embarrassed me, I think I'll just get rid of it." THIS IS LIFE that we're dealing with here!!!
    What does this say about our relationships? What does it say about how we value anything outside of ourselves? "Well, if it doesn't suit your purposes then discard it." So DISGUSTING!!! And to think of the people that are affected and the animals that are being held at their mercy! Now, you might be saying to yourself, "Joy, calm down. You're freaking out over a dog. It's just a dog. And it was old. Not a big deal." YES! This all started because of hearing about an old dog. But here is an important point: it is not just a dog. People argue, "Look, they are animals. They are here for us to aid us in labor and to be food for us. That is their purpose in life." The way I see it is if it is breathing, it needs to be cared for and protected and even the things that aren't breathing need to be treated with respect. It might start with dogs, but people are and will be treated even more in like manners if we don't take a stand.
    What would it look like to get a piece of land (which would have to be bought because of the system), but then just to let everyone use it? People would have to agree to a set of guidelines, simply to live in harmony with the land, nature and each other. Such a set of guidelines would be in place to gently encourage those involved to live up to their ultimate potential/happiness/peace. It would be a place where nature belonged to all and was respected and supported by all.
    This brings me to another point. I am reminded again that people are often encouraged to pursue money and happiness and fulfillment while being fed the lie that the two options are really one and the same. Using our talents to the fullest often means that we don't make as much money as what would otherwise be possible. Is that actually bad, though? To be fully human, we must value humans more than the little pieces of paper and metal that we are so fond of accumulating. What does it look like to live as though the money doesn't matter? To live in a way that does truly value people more?