No one knows this about me. Not my neighbors. Not my closest friends. Not even my family. I possess superhuman strength and telekinetic power. I can effortlessly move anyone and anything across the room without lifting a single finger, but when I do, it always ends in disaster.
It started on what should’ve been a peaceful night. The air was still, and I sat alone in my backyard, lost in thought when I heard the growls. Low, menacing and getting closer and closer. A pack of aggressive dogs, snarling, wild eyes burning with fear or fury- I couldn’t tell. And.. they launched their attack. I almost got maul to death, thanks to my fast reflexes, I easily did my defense. At first, I managed to keep them away from me using my telekinetic power. I yanked them away from me, holding them back as they lunged toward me with vicious intent, eager to bite my skin. But they were increasing rapidly, and I soon realized that my telekinesis alone wouldn't be enough to defend myself. It left me no choice but to use my super strength ability as the fear and panic began to rise within me, pushing me to make a difficult decision.
I tried to catch the nearest dog, gripping its mouth with my hands as though I were tearing paper. But just as I was about to take drastic action, I heard a scream, as if a cry for me to stop. I saw a woman filled with concern, urging me to stop hurting the dog. When I turned my attention back to the dog I was holding, I was startled by its appearance. Its mouth was badly injured, so I immediately dropped it in shock. Everything around me stopped moving. I feel like all the people and animals are staring at me in disbelief at what I had done. Hesitant, I tried to reach out to pet it, and to my surprise, it didn’t bite me. Instead, it nuzzled against my hand like a helpless puppy that was simply looking for comfort.
Then I woke up, shaken by the intensity of the dream. I didn’t understand why I had a dream like this, it doesn’t make sense. It makes me so sad and disappointed because of its gruesomeness. And it hit me, this dream (almost a nightmare actually) resonated with me when I thought about the current situation in the Philippines, where the treatment of animals is a growing concern.
According to a GMA News report, a vendor in Subic, Zambales fatally stabbed a dog after it allegedly stole meat from her stall.
From Sunstar, a stray cat in Davao City sustained a “life-threatening” injury after its head was struck by an arrow.
Inquirer posted news about an incident of animal cruelty involving a security guard who was caught on video throwing a puppy off a pedestrian bridge.
ABS-CBN shared a video posted by a concerned citizen in Pasig City, showing a neighbor violently swinging his dog by its leash.
Philstar covered a case of animal cruelty in Murcia, Negros Occidental, where a dog was shot five times with improvised dart arrows.
Tribune reported that a community cat in Makati died after being attacked by a foreigner.
And many reports from various local and international news outlets, along with numerous viral videos (including those not widely circulated) uploaded by different concerned citizens. But for every case caught on camera or documented in the media, there are likely countless more that go unnoticed. Imagine how many of those animals that are not recorded or reported, those strays that do not have witnesses to expose the horrors they endure and end up at the hands of the monster.
As we continue to see more stories of pet abuse and neglect whether through the news, social media, or even in real life– perhaps in our very own neighborhoods, it becomes painfully clear that there is an urgent need for positive change in how we treat animals.
In many parts of the Philippines, stray animals are still subjected to cruelty and harsh treatment. This is not just a matter of neglect; it's perhaps a reflection of deeper societal norms and attitudes that needs to be addressed. Thankfully, there are organizations, animal rights advocates, and individuals working tirelessly to change this narrative. They are raising awareness about responsible pet ownership, pushing for stronger animal protection laws, and encouraging the public to treat animals with the kindness and dignity they deserve.
The dream I had continues to haunt me, not because of the violence it showed, but because of the questions it raised. I realized that the dream that I had might not just be a display of raw power, it was a reflection on the fine line between turning a blind eye and defending the abuse, or perhaps the dilemma of using that power by being a Jedi or a Sith. In the dream, the woman’s plea made me question the morality of my actions and power. Same as what’s happening in reality where a lot of people use that power, however not to protect themselves, but to inflict violence.
Whether pets or strays, animals are sentient beings. They feel pain, fear, joy and love, just as we do. Thus, it’s crucial to understand that their feelings and emotions are just as important. A single act of kindness, a moment of respect, can change their whole world, in turn, will make our world a better place to live.
Just like my dream, we must learn to recognize when to act with strength and when to act with compassion. It’s not just about having power, it’s about how we choose to use it. The power that is given to us could also be a way for us to protect the weak and the powerless, including those animals. The mere fact we have a voice is a power in itself. We can use it to protect the voiceless and to uplift the weak. Whether it’s defending ourselves or protecting the helpless, we must always consider the impact of our actions and strive to make the world a better and kinder place for all creatures.
Sometimes, it takes a dream that feels like a Star Wars showdown to remind you of a real-world horror. And a hero’s strength? It’s not just in what power they possess. It’s in who and what they choose to protect.
