While in Boston, I had the opportunity to visit the New England Holocaust Memorial, and to say that I was touched by what I read would be an understatement.  What resonated with me most was this:

They came first for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up.

—Martin Niemoeller

I am a firm believer that if we do not learn from History, then we are bound to repeat it.  It is terrible to know that we, human beings, are capable of such atrocities.  And then, I take a look at my Alex, and say to myself, “Yes, but there are also amazing people along with amazing dogs.”  I don’t know, for me, a canine companion such like Alex, is essential in my life.  Alex makes me do something I have a hard time doing and that is to live in the moment.  So, with that in mind, I would say carpe the heck out of the diem, and if along the way you are able to make a difference in the life of a person or a dog, then in my book you are an angel.