People see stray animals going through garbage on the street looking for food and they would just rather not see them. They don’t make the neighborhood look nicer—they just seem like they’re dirty and spread disease. They don’t really care where they these animals go, as long as they’re gone.

But you see, in many ways, I was a stray. I came to America. I had practically nothing. I didn’t know when I was going to eat. I didn’t know where I was going to sleep. I didn’t know what was going to happen to me. I knew I was good inside, but I was here in a strange place away from the family who loved me and I didn’t speak English and couldn’t talk to the people around me. It’s a scary thing to sleep on the streets and not know what the future is going to bring.

I was very lucky, because I was able to improve my situation by educating myself, learning the language, and developing my talents. I was even more lucky because people like Jada Pinkett had faith in me and reached out to help me raise myself up and become who I am. Things were bad, but with the help of good people, they got better for me.

But here’s the big difference between me and strays. I chose to come to America and I knew it would be a rough beginning and I went into it with my eyes open. The 600 million stray animals who live on the streets around the world didn’t make that choice. They were thrown away by their owners, born on the streets, or just simply got lost. They didn’t create their situation. They just have to live with it, or is more often the case, die with it.

Anyone who knows my philosophy, knows I only like to support no-kill animal shelters because I can’t stand the thought of euthanizing a dog simply because it’s unwanted. But an even crueler form of euthanasia is what these animals face on the streets. Starving to death. Dying of untreated injury or disease. Dying painful deaths at the hands of cruel humans.

In Los Angeles this week, two dogs were found with their heads cut off and thrown into dumpsters. I’m happy the City Council has offered a reward to find out who did it. But it proves that cruelty to animals can happen in anyone’s backyard, even mine. It’s a problem that needs to be addressed locally and globally.

I think most people look at stray animals and see them as a nuisance. But these are actual living feeling beings that lead incredibly brutal and painful lives. And it’s largely because of things that we humans have done.

When I rescued Argos in Spain he had been abused by hunters who had broken his leg and used electrical tape to bind his mouth shut. He was scared and alone. Now he’s happy and one of the most valued members of my pack. He’s a wonderful companion and you only need to look at him to see the gratitude in his eyes. I know I have a friend for life in Argos.

I needed help, I’m sure each of you has needed help at some time. We all need help. And these animals most definitely need our help.

Wednesday, April 4th is World Stray Animals Day. There are over 600 million stray animals all over the world who suffer lives of misery—starving, cold, sick, and abused. It’s why I wanted to be involved with this day and why I made this video.

Cesar Millan

You can find out more about what you can do at www.strayanimalsday.org

Click here to see the video I created for Worldhttp://www.strayanimalsday.org/

PLEASE SHARE this.

If you pass by a pet store and see those adorable puppies in the window watching you…

Oh, what a great temptation, and isn’t it?

It hurts. Breaks your heart. I want to take them all home with me.

Right, it’s just that these cute little things probably come from people who are not very humane, who abuse their mothers, confine the animals and use them for financial purposes only.

Sad. Horrible. Shameful.

Adopting one of those (normally puppies), does not solve anything in the massive killing of animals…

Just in America is up to 30,000 per day!

Another statistic says that each year, there are sacrificed here 3-4 million in shelters. All this, because there are not enough people considering adoption and they end up buying in stores. (according to Humane Society of the USA).

Which is much more expensive too.

And yet, there are many people who choose a dog only by physical appearance, never considering its temperament.

That’s wrong.

It’s the same as buying a car… You do not choose it just for the body style. You have to see the interior.

And dogs? There are different breeds with different temperaments, for different lifestyles of humans.

Find out about it. It is easy and free online.

NEVER adopt an animal on impulse, consider this act just as you would in adding a new member to your family.

And ask yourself:

• I am willing to have this responsibility? Considering a dog lives 10-15 years and a cat 14-20?

• I am willing to take on the daily responsibilities that they bring?

• Everyone in my home, are in favor of it? Would they help me with their care?

• Can I afford a vet? Vaccines and any problem that may eventually appear?

• I am willing to try to understand the behavior of an animal?

• Does my lifestyle, schedule, allow me to have time with him?

Consider also their physical space, if you have children, and the temperament of the animal… Never forget about allergies. If you’re not sure about them… Visit a person who has that kind of animal before bringing one for inside your home.

By no means; do I want to discourage anyone in this kind of decision! Quite the contrary. They are a tremendous blessing in the lives of humans. TREMENDOUS.

I can not imagine my life without my dogs around me.

I have 18 types of allergies and raise my hands to heaven that dogs are not on that list.

It is impressive as it is common on the streets where I live, seeing new signs of lost dogs and owners desperate to find them.

For me, a great lover of animals, to lose them is a very big thing.

Something that I take very seriously.

Some of these dogs are escape artists and ‘free spirits’… like our Shiloh which requires our constant vigilance.

When she gets out she goes straight under the neighbors’ houses and comes back filthy!

It looks like we are not her ‘owners’, and she is just our ‘tenant’ going out whenever she wants to.

At these times we get shook up running after her down the street.

And the more we run, the more she tries to get away. Running from here to there — like trying to catch a chicken.

If you have one of these escape artists you know what it’s like.

Losing your pet, is devastating.

Besides, looking for it and calling the neighbors and shelters, you can also call: call 877-738-8686 or visit http://www.findtoto.com.

They will call more than 10,000 people in the area where the dog was last seen with the message: “This is an alert about the loss of a dog in your neighborhood (give your name)… ”

A detailed description about the animal and how to contact the owner is provided.

It is not free, but it’s absolutely worthwhile.

Toby and Daisy

Does anyone still think animals have no soul? Then read this:

“In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man.” (Jo” 12:10)

Each fall, usually by mid-November, more than 13 million ducks begin to appear in the swamps of the Gulf.

And they are coming and passing on their route.

And we are right below it.

Year after year I’m amazed, puzzled, “How do they know which direction to go from so far away?”

And how is it that they can finish this huge trip?

They seem so fragile and delicate!?

Most of the time I hear the quacking from far away.

Even indoors, with everything closed.

I run outside and look up, hoping to see them…

It is one of the the most beautiful, impressive and exciting scenes of real life to see!! ♥♥♥

To be below the largest and most spectacular migratory journey in the world… It’s Something to see…

So just thinking about it, my heart gets tight, begins to beat stronger and stronger, full of concern for them.

And if a big storm comes before then?

All that oil will come up and brought back to the swamps?

If so, the ducks will have no food to eat!

I know everyone thinks pelicans look bad with oil. The ducks will look bad too.

But what about those ducks that are coming?

Pelicans go up on rocks, logs and stumps of trees, when they are in trouble… but the ducks do not, they go to the vegetation.

The terrible oil spill in the Gulf may be the biggest challenge of all time they will have to deal with.

For their sake, I hope this does not happen and that we can somehow help them.

In order of arrival, they are:

BLUE-WINGED

GADWALL

WIGEON

PINTAIL

REDHEAD

SCAUP

CANVASBACKS

If you want find out how you can help them, visit www.ducks.org