I work in a large hardware store. Yesterday, I saw a strange sight. A little girl was holding a guinea pig in a piece of cloth. Later, the girl, the guinea pig, and, I assume, her parents approached me. The man had a question for me. I noticed that the girl hit the guinea pig on the face at least a few times. She did this with the palm of her hand. I didn't say anything, for which I am ashamed of myself. I should have said something. I don't know much about guinea pigs. The guinea pig did not make a noise while this was happening, nor did she try to squirm away. Maybe she didn't hit her hard. It's no excuse. I was at work. Fear of being fired may have been the reason why I didn't act. That is my only explanation. But I was a coward. I have said things to other people before about how they, or their kids, are treating animals. Animals need people to take a stand and help them when they need it. I let that tiny, defenseless animal down. Is she living a life of fear and pain, because this little girl is terrorizing her? Do the parents not care if the girl treats the guinea pig like a toy, and not a living animal that can feel pain and fear? And, once again, there is another reason to not bring kids into this world. Many of them abuse, terrorize, and torture animals.
I had hoped I would get another chance, but I didn't see that family again. If I do see them again, I hope I will have the courage to say something. The man was a tough-looking, muscle-bound guy, but I shouldn't be afraid. Right is right, and wrong is wrong.
But, again, as an animal lover, how can I possibly enjoy myself while tons of horrible shit is happening to animals all the time?
