"Animal protection, it argues, defined kindness to "our silent friends" as a signature American Value." (540)
   Kindness is something that we are supposed to show to all people and animals. Although they cannot speak directly to humans, they still deserve to be treated with respect. When a

dog wags his tail, that usually means he is excited to see his owners and want their affection. When a dog has his ears downward, he is usually sad. Because we cannot directly communicate with animals, it is our duty to protect them. "The Gospel that ignores the weak and helpless, whether man or bird, or beast, is not worth preaching." (540) When we ignore the ones that need help, we are turning a blind eye to the ones who truly need us. When we are blessed to be in a position to help, we should do everything in our power to make someone's life just a little easier. When wiring p3, it really gave me an opportunity to think about what I believe in as a person and what I want to represent. Protecting animals is just one way we can be a voice to the voiceless. "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." — Anatole France

"WCTU members acknowledged that youthful animal cruelty was often the product of impulsive curiosity." (554)
     As a child, you usually are getting into everything and trying new things. Some of them are positive experiments and other ones can be harmful experiments. It has been reported that when there is animal abuse in a household, domestic abuse is also present. If a child sees his father abusing his mother as a normal thing to do, he is more likely to view hitting an animal as normal. Another cause to youthful animal cruelty is hunting. "He recalled that his own youthful adventures gunning down hawks, eagles, and small mammals on his family farm in western Massachusetts had been essential to forming his adult moral consciousness." (554) For many young boys hunting is something they are introduced to early in life. Hunting is a form of animal cruelty in its own

way. Killing innocent animals as a sport is a very selfish thing to do that many Americans take part in. This feeling of empowerment can be translated into other aspects of their lives, including animal cruelty. It is important to teach positive habits young in order to grow into responsible and kind adults. "The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others. "Albert Schweitzer