You've likely heard stories about people who, out of goodwill and love, adopted their first rescued or stray dog, followed by a second. Over the years, their number of pets grew, eventually exceeding their capacity to properly care for them.

Unable to endure seeing a dog suffer or be put down, we might want to bring the dog home, feed it, bathe it, keep it healthy, and treat him/her as our own child. Watching him/her run and play brings immense joy and a deep sense of satisfaction and purpose. Yet, a great dilemma arises: With so many dogs in shelters waiting for a new home, how far should we take this rescue mission?

Moral dilemma of providing

In fact, we often feel that we have not done enough and never will. This inability to keep up can leave us feeling helpless and despairing. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Meanwhile, our love for animals and powerlessness to save them can morph into hatred towards those who abandon their dogs, leaving them to stray, get caught, and be put down. This anger and frustration may even spread to people who buy dogs instead of adopting them. Now, the mission is not only about saving puppies but also about judging and labeling others’ decency based on our personal moral measures and erecting artificial enemies. Turning compassion and good intentions into a nightmare.

Personal experiences and personality shape our perceptions. Perhaps you are sensitive and tender-hearted, with great kindness and empathy, which is a wonderful trait. However, compassion can be a double-edged sword—an intense feeling of sympathy that makes it difficult to endure the suffering of others. The misery of children, animals, or vulnerable beings can wrench your heart.

This becomes troublesome because the world is full of misery and cruelty. Logically, you understand that you don't have the capacity or resources to save all suffering animals or humans. Yet, the despair of seeing vulnerable creatures suffer compels a moral responsibility to save them. If you don't take action, you might experience a tsunami of intense guilt crashing down on your soul and body. 

You're eager to help, but you may find yourself overstretched and overburdened, leaving you exhausted both physically and mentally. This can lead to feelings of anguish, hopelessness, frustration, anger, anxiety, or depression.

Let go of the responsibility

Tackling this heart-wrenching moral dilemma, you might say: Doesn’t letting go imply giving up? How can I watch an animal or person suffer without doing my best to help? Does letting go make me ignorant, cruel, or even evil? We strive to help as much as we can, but just as a doctor cannot save every patient, we cannot adopt every stray dog and cat. 

Letting go of the responsibility to save every animal is not cruelty but the wisdom of apprehending the unattainable. From a metaphysical standpoint, it's important to recognize that the world is a grand illusion, a play on the stage, and a dream. This is not only a metaphor but a living reality. 

Clinging to the belief that we must save or provide for everyone consequently stresses us out and makes our own lives miserable. Therefore, letting go and surrendering to reality is important. Otherwise, we position ourselves in never-ending agony. Besides, our stress and troubles have a rippling effect, affecting people around us. 

Accept your limitations as a human being. You can also try Eye Movement or various healing techniques to release the overwhelming feelings of guilt and agony. As the intense emotion subsides, you will have greater clarity of mind, enabling you to make rational decisions free from the chains of guilt.