We are a caring society. It is impressed upon us by our inner compass that we will derive little comfort in living well while knowing that others around us do not, due to many reasons, some they might have had control of if they determined to face their destiny responsibly, and some experiencing events they would never have been able to conceive of happening to them, much less succeed in handling, when circumstances occur that we are helpless to overcome.

Such societies as ours then, do our best, or think we do, to help the unfortunate. From setting up food banks, from creating social service agencies paid for by the public dollar, from creating welfare that permits people to live a taxpayer-subsidized existence, from private interests and religious institutions planning emergency shelters for the homeless. From those in the healing and legal professions offering services pro bono to those in need. From people taking the initiative to let their consciences guide them in providing their charitable funds to any number of agencies set up to serve society.

Bruce Boyd is blind and relies on his four-year old guide dog Ziggy to help him get around.   Wayne Cuddington / Ottawa Citizen

In Ottawa lately, one story was published of a 59-year-old man, blind, suffering from Hepatitis C resulting from a blood transfusion during eye surgery in 1980. He lives with the assistance of a $1000 monthly Ontario disability pension. He receives an additional $77 to help him pay for the care of his guide dog, Ziggy. Juggling his expenses is a challenge for Bruce Boyd. All the more so since his seeing-eye dog had some serious health issues in the last year.

A nearby veterinary clinic had looked after the black Lab's medical condition, and for that care its owner was billed $4000. But when his ability to pay such an enormous sum for a man living under the poverty line was revealed, the veterinarian clinic cut $1,662 from his bill. Leaving him with a still-substantial bill to pay for a man chronically short of money.

People in the area swiftly responded to the story. As donations began showing up at the newspaper office, the man recommended that any such donations be made directly to the animal hospital. If a surplus accumulated, it could be used to help other people in a situation similar to his own; disabled, with the need to devote care and sustenance to an animal devoted to helping them live their lives as normally as possible.