A dog, a deer, and my dad ...which do you think is most capable of violence? I love Dad, so if you don't know him like I do ...

                                                                                                                                                                                                     If you don't know Dad like I do, you should not answer this question, unless you read this story first.   My dad grew up in farm country.  Dad fought in World War II ...and had a sailor hat that had a bullet hole in the brim.   He said he knew that shot was close.   After the war, everyone had to cope and try to rebuild their lives ...with hope for a better future, one they had fought to preserve.   Dad married Mom, and they began to raise a family.  When I was 5 years old, he moved the family closer to where his work was ...at the Veteran's Hospital.   Raising six children, he said that venison in the freezer helped him get through some difficult times.   Dad hunted on the old homestead, but I specifically remember that he would not shoot a doe.   I could tell he had a certain respect for the animal, and I agree that a deer is one of the most beautiful animals that God has created.  Yet, beautiful or not, every creature has its purpose and fits magnificently into God's design.  I will not argue whether that design is for my table or not ...that is not the purpose of this story.   Most of the people who still lived around the old homestead owned dogs.  Many thought the country was the ideal way to live, and I still tend to agree, yet with the easy living they didn't usually pay much attention to where their dogs roamed ...or how they bred.  I remember very clearly, Dad sharing a story about hearing wild dogs on a chase.   Suddenly a young doe, broke into a clearing, panting rapidly ...and at the point of exhaustion.  It could only spare that one moment, as the dogs were gaining on it. One of the dogs entered the clearing ...and Dad shot it.   The other dogs gave up the chase.  The doe was safe  ...for a time.

Tell me what you think!! And what is the difference between survival, defending yourself, or defending another ...from one that is out to devour? I've been accused of devouring a McDonalds hamburger ...but it would make for a shocking headline if I fell victim to a charging beef cow. (By the way, I don't charge, I pay cash.) Who wants to cash in on their comments here??

One last note:   If we were to consider the present philosophies (not the past, as we are all supposed to learn from our past ...and aim to correct mistakes), so considering current philosophies, of peoples and nations ...which ones hold fast to, or are at least willing to consider peaceful agendas; and in comparison, which ones are driven by anger and purposed for vengeance or annihilation?