A must read Rabbit tale!!!
In society today, there are many people who judge those who are homeless. With just $50 in my pocket and 2 bags of belongings, I ran away from home at age 16 and became a homeless teenager on the street. Hitch-hiking my way from New Jersey to Los Angeles, I slept under bridges, on the side of highways and ate the cheapest of whatever food that I could find…
Life isn’t easy on the streets… You’re always hungry, your body is exposed to the harsh outdoor conditions, you’re embarrassed and people can easily take advantage of you.
John Byrne is a 37 year-old man from Ireland. He has been homeless since age 14 and begs for change alongside his rabbit, Barney and dog, Roxy. Whatever he “earns”, he uses it to buy food for the 3 of them. How kind…
At the end of last year, John was begging on Dublin’s O’Connell Bridge. An 18 year-old street bully came up to him and snatched Barney out of John’s arms and threw him over the bridge and into River Liffey. River Liffey runs through the center of Dublin and is ice cold during winter. John thought that Barney died due to the impact and water temperature, but when he looked over, he saw Barney swimming in circles. He immediately jumped over the bridge and swam to save his rabbit!
There’s always a lot of news published about how people would torment animals, abuse them and even intentionally throwing them into the river like in John’s case…
John does not have a warm house to go back to, or have the funds for personal medical attention… but his consciousness made him risk his life for another. From his actions, he won the Compassionate Citizen Award for going above and beyond the call of duty to help an animal in need. It’s good to know that Ireland recognizes people such as John.
I found this news incredibly touching and wanted to share it with all of my blog readers.
Do watch the video below that was recorded by a bystander.
Would you jump from a bridge, into cold freezing water, with unpredictable currents and not having a spare change of clothes… just to save a tiny rabbit?
Tsem Rinpoche
Videos of John Bryne
RTE 6 pm News Coverage
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/Rabbit-River-01.mp4
TV3 News Coverage (Must watch this video. Very touching. Tsem Rinpoche)
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/Rabbit-River-02.mp4
Man Jailed For Tossing Rabbit into River
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/Rabbit-River-03.mp4
Man Rescues Pet Rabbit from River Liffey
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/Rabbit-River-04.mp4
[Extracted from: http://www.care2.com/causes/homeless-man-gives-kiss-of-life-to-bunny-thrown-off-bridge.html]
Homeless Man Gives ‘Kiss of Life’ to Bunny Thrown Off Bridge
John emerging from the river with his rabbit after being rescued by the authorities
Every year, pet guardians perish in desperate attempts to save their drowning pets. It’s a scenario that unfolds all too often. But recently there was a rare bright spot in the realm of watery accidents as justice was handed down in the case of a man who threw a pet bunny into a river, forcing a homeless man to jump in to save a life.
Meet John Byrne, The Homeless Man Ready To Die Saving His Pet
John Byrne has beeen living on the streets of Dublin since the age of 14. He is one of approximately 5,000 homeless people in Ireland at the moment, and for John, home isn’t measured in square feet or granite countertops. Instead home takes the shape of a small brown rabbit and a Jack Russell Terrier who show him what it means to be a family.
One July morning, John was begging on the O’Connell Bridge when 18-year-old Gary Kearney took him by surprise. Kearney grabbed Barney right out of John’s arms and hurled him over the bridge and into the river below.
Breathless and in shock, John looked over the side of the bridge with dread. He was expecting the worst but was relieved to see that Barney had not died on impact. The bunny was swimming in circles in the water below. Without hesitation, John joined him in the River Liffey.
Around 200 people watched as John struggled to save Barney from being swept away.
“I wasn’t going to leave him there,” John said. “I had to get him, I had to jump in to get him. Barney died in my arms but I got him under the bridge and gave him the kiss of life.”
Last month, Gary Kearney was sentenced to four months detention after pleading guilty at Dublin District Court to animal cruelty and torture.
John describes the sentence as “Justice. I wasn’t sure he wasn’t going to be handed a prison sentence but it shows that the judge does not tolerate cruelty to animals. I am absolutely delighted by the decision. Barney could have died that day.”
John warms his beloved rabbit while talking to emergency personnel
John with his pets, a Jack Russel Terrier and a rabbit.
Hugging his beloved pets in the cold weathers while he beg to feed the 3 of them
John, interviewed by ARAN (Animal Rights Action Network)
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What is wrong with Gary Kearney, who not only has no empathy and compassion, he goes out of his way to cause harm to a homeless man and his pet. Four months detention is really too light for such malicious thoughts motivated by unkind thoughts. Thankfully for Barney, John Byrne is fearless and swift to action. It is really touching to read about the story of John. It goes to show that social standing does not determine a man’s character. Thank you for this sharing.
Very touching……. i do enjoyed watching those videos.
So courage of John Byrne the homeless man to jump into the ice cold water to safe his pet rabbit.What he did was indeed incredible .His love and compassion for his pet rabbit and dog is an example,inspiration to us .
Even though he is homeless yet he care and love his pet rabbit and dog so much giving food by begging.
The man Gary Kearney who threw the pet rabbit was sentenced to four months detention.It show that the law do not tolerate cruelty to animals. A lesson to learn from here is to love.care and compassion to all sentient beings whatever happen to them.Never abused them.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing and i have shared with my friends too.
John is so brave and compassionate. He risk his life to save the rabbit and that shows he appreciate live very much despite it is an animal. Eventhough he lives in the street to beg for food but he never forgets his 2 pets a dog and a rabbit. He takes care of his pets with whatever he begs. Inspiring to all of us to never take things for granted and not abuse animals.
I am also proud with the Ireland government in taking action to punish the 18 year old man who abuse and tried to kill the rabbit. This will create the awareness to all that this is a cruel action and that laws will be imposed against these people.
On one hand there is a homeless guy with nothing and willing to risk his life to save a rabbit. On the other had there is a “regular” guy who doesn’t think twice about taking something from another person and ending an animal’s life.
These two men are both human. They belong to the same society. It makes me wonder what defines humanity nowadays. Who or what is responsible for defining a man’s character? Is evolution and progress responsible? Is the society, our parents responsible? Is it our karma?
In this case, homelessness doesn’t rob a man of his kindness / compassion but then again we can ask is it really compassion that drove him to save the rabbit. We have read many stories of people who turned to animals for affection because of disappointments with other fellow human. Is it a really a selfish act or a compassionate one? Is human incapable of selflessness.
Homelessness doesn’t rob a man of human decency. On the contrary, some of the most atrocious acts towards another fellow human and towards animals are caused by those who came from a beautiful home, has good education and supposedly respectable members of society. Never judge a book by its cover.
Dear Rinpoche, I have no idea what have gone into the guy’s mind. If he have something to do with beggars then why won’t he just walk away instead of harming the rabbit and because of his “smart” action, he have to go into jail for 4 months. I’m happy to see that John and his pet bunny are fine. I hope John will get a job and eventually earn a home.
I’m very glad to read about how much love John has towards his lovely pets. This is the attitude every pet owner must have, since the pet is yours, then it relies on you. Glad that Barney survived, the abuser should be punished and the law served him right. Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
every animal should have rights, i love how much he cares about animals and they are his friends. i love animals and i will protect my dogs until they pass. i am happy that the rabbit is okay, thank you for sharing Rinpoche
Look at how skinny the man is, even his pets looked more well taken care of than him. He is a very good example of being selfless towards animals, some may think that he is very stupid to jump into the river to save his beloved rabbit. Well, let’s put it this way that this man has the compassion like a mother to her child and this man has the shown his compassion towards his pets. Many of us don’t think that animals have the feelings like human being, animals can feel sadness, happiness and pain inflicted on them, just that they couldn’t express it with neither words nor language, it doesn’t mean that they feel nothing. We seriously have to raise the awareness to people, and I myself am adjusting to think that animals does have feelings, Susan Lim is a walking example of animal awareness. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this news. May all of us can support Susan and her animal career, she is the female version of this story, she does goes miles just for the sake of the rescued pets’ well beings. Please think about pet adoption instead of buying. May all beings be free of suffering. _/\_
My favourite part of this blog post? That the guy who threw the bunny into the river received a four month detention sentence for animal cruelty and torture. Even though it is “just” a rabbit, clearly the courts value a life, regardless of its size.
A nice ending for a very poor and frightened pet and pet owner! Every country should have more lawas to protect animals.
Treating animals badly there will be repercussions. The young man who threw the rabbit wish he will find out why the law took him into prison not out of spite, but hopefully he learns something while being in prison. Thing about karma it never loses its potency and ability to manifest when the conditions are right. We also have to have compassion for the person who threw the rabbit, one day he will be thrown into a freezing river too.
John is so bravo ,jumped into cold water river and rescue his beloved rabbit. This three pets consider is a part life of John, accompany John in every moment, just like relationship father and son, sure giving fully protection. Please do not hurt or harm any animals.
Dear Rinpoche,
This story about John and his pet rabbit tale is so so touching.
Even though John is just an homeless man he clearly regards his only companions as if they were his own life.
While most of us would not jump in to a freezing cold river to save a rabbit even though we always know that we can always change to a new pair of warm clothes, John jumped in to the river to save his pet rabbit even though he did not have a new set of warm and dry clothes waiting for him and he would be freezing cold afterwards.
It shows that John even though he may be homeless but yet he has a heart of pure gold to have risked his life for his pet rabbit.
I hope that Gary Kearney will be punished severely for what he has done to Barney.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this truly heart warming story.
Love
Jutika
This is amazing! This man is so compassionate that he risked his life to save his pet bunny. When do you hear such news very often? not very. Well he really deserved that award. He is treating his pets like true family. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this piece of news.
This is just so sweet of John. He cares for his pets just like his family members. He did not abandon them no matter how much he has to go through for them. I am very happy that Ireland has recognized his actions, the love and care towards animals, and awarded him a Award.
I really strongly believe that animal cruelty should not be tolerated and those who commit such a heinous crime should be brought to justice to reflect on their actions. Even with John being homeless he still decided to risk his life to jump into freezing cold water to save his friend, such a heroic act not many of us are capable of doing. I am just glad no one was badly injured and that John and Barney are safe. His pets are just so adorable though and to share his earnings with two of his beloved pets cannot be any sweeter than that. Being homeless since he was 14 means he has been homeless for 23 years, it really makes us think and appreciate that we really have it easy. Stories like this really makes me appreciate where I am and not to want to take it for granted. Thank you for sharing this story Rinpoche. I hope this story spreads awareness for people to appreciate what they have and to treat animals with equality.
John does not have a house but he has a family; a family which comprised of a rabbit and a terrier whom he loves so much that he risked his life for his pet rabbit. He may be penniless but he has a heart of gold.
I salute to John for his selfless act.
Wow!! This is so kind! Its so compassionate for this man to risk his life just for his rabbit. I wish that more people would be this kind to their animals just like John here. Then the world would be in a better place. And what i found very heartwarming was that although he had been on the streets, lacking food, money and could have starved, he still share all his supplies with his rabbit and dog. Amazing, just amazing.
I wonder…for a man who doesn’t know dharma, his actions seems to reflect on what some of what a dharmic person should be practising. He begs for living (just a Buddha had a begging bowl) which shows he had put his ego behind him. He loves and cares for his pets just as if they were his children which I think shows some equanimity and finally when he jumped in to save his rabbit, he had put the life of his rabbit above self, which kinda show boddhichitta, doesn’t it???. It makes me wonder that we, with our dharma knowledge, would be able to do as him when faced with those situations. Definitely more to ponder. Thanks Rinpoche for this article.
Shelly tai on 18 July 2013 at 445pm
What a compassion act! As a homeless can be this generous even though he has not enough for himself he still share with others. I think is very shame for some rich people who are a very unwilling to share their wealth to help others. Thank you Rinpiche for sharing this story with us.
Wow!!! this guy really is a hero!
nowadays people are abusing pets more and more.
It is such good news that the bunny did not die.
Imagine a homeless person can jump in to a river just to save a rabbit,and we so rich,have a house don’t even contribute a little bit of money for the sake of animals.
I find this post is really inspiring.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post.
all animal abusers stink! John is such a generous man with so little but still shares and is willing to risk his life for other lives. that boy that threw the rabbit is such a heartless person. i hope John has a happier life from now on
Unbelievable! This reminds me of the saying which goes… “SOME PEOPLE ARE SO POOR ALL THEY HAVE IS MONEY” because this clearly shows that someone like John though a HOMELESS has a heart of gold and is so much more richer than any rich man around we see. Because John treasures everything and everyone he has… he knows the value of his companions which he affectionately claims as his “babies”.
I guess sometimes when you don’t have anything, you really got nothing to lose, and in this sense, you are actually really FREE!!!
I happy to see that Ireland, recognises people like John’s selfless courage and glad to know people have donated food and items to him 🙂 Yes if it was my rabbit I would jump in and save him for sure!
John is truly a hero! He risk his life by jumping into the river without hesitation to save his pet rabbit Barney that was snatched away by a street bully named Gary and tossed it into river,luckily the rabbit survived after John gave him a kiss of life. John is a homeless person and he has to beg to survive,whatever he gets he uses it to buy food for his 3 beloved pets,his acts of selflessness to benefit others even to the animals is so inspiring.We must always love and care for the animals and never harm them.
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu May John and his pets be well and healthy
John show the true love towards his pet, not every one will do such sacrification. We should learn from his spirit of loving animal.
This is really touching moment after reading what happened to Barney and what John did to rescue Barney risking his life. He doesn’t take the life of his pet for granted. John is living his life many times above the rest of us because he can take the shame and rejection from others while the rest of us are surrounding ourselves with comfort and pride. We put a fence around our ego protecting it while John doesn’t run away from himself. It does reflect how the general society thinks.
The street bully should be placed in a jail for animal abuse. It is extremely cruel to harm animals like that, especially someone’s pet. This homeless man is very brave for protecting his companion. Let this be a reminder that there is cruelty on this world and there are good people too.
Hi,Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.
I’ve been follow your blogs and updates through FB, for this past 3-months.All I could express is an appreciation and gratitude for letting me to know You.Many thanks for all the meaningful and great sharing.
Nonetheless,a big thanks too sharing of this post.Good to know that are still humanity alive in today’s chaotic society.
In btw, it would be great that John learn to earn a living independently, as he looks physically fit.
Cheers! <3
John is a great man! He loves his pets with all his life, he treats them like his family. I’m very pleased to know about this news, he deserved the award. I really cannot imagine life living on streets with only a dog and a rabbit..
Through his action, I believe that he must has starved himself quite a few times throughout the years, just to buy food for his 2 beloved pets.
A very great article to read about!( Except for the part that Barney was thrown into the river)..
Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing.I truly respect Mr John for his commitment and compassion towards his pet rabbit.Without a second thought ,he would sacrifice his own life to save his pet rabbit.
Then there are those who find pleasure in seeing others suffer,emotionally and physically.
But,we are fortunate to find that there are still some kind citizen in the society who still cares for those who are weak and could not defend them self, human or otherwise.To bring justice to those worst than “Animals”.
May those who is kind to be blessed with the gift to educate others who is blinded by their hate and ignorance to see the true meaning of sharing and caring .(Compassion or Dharma in the most basic form)
This man is a hero! When I saw the video, I was just so touched at how he actually jumped into the river, make sure he held on to his rabbit. And the interview of him when they asked him how he felt we the rabbit was thrown into the river, he was so traumatized and sad.
Very glad the rabbit was saved and the guy that conducted that act of cruelty was sentenced for detention by law. Hopefully people will be more caring towards animals in the future and not treat them as a toy.
Wow.. The man didn’t even hesitate when jumping down the ice cold water. This shows how he loves his pet rabbit. the rabbit also has a great will to continue living when being thrown down the river. Good to know that animal animals will be jailed and not scot free.
Dear Rinpoche, I have no idea why did Gary Kearney throw John’s pet rabbit for? Was it for fun or he just hate rabbits. I can see that John truly love his pets, he would even risk his live for them. The whole world will better place if everyone love animals like John did.
OMG! I absolutely love this news..a glimpse of hope in the human race. I hope this act of compassion toward animals will ignite the love for animals in the hearts of many.
It’s so touching as it is motivating to know in this world there is someone who is compassionate enough and treat his pets as family instead of an animal, may God bless him always and keep them all safe and sound!
John 對自己家人（兔子與小狗）愛護和爱心是非一般的！虽然他一无所有，可是每天在街道过着流浪日子，也会和他家人分享自己食物。對動物的愛護是精神可嘉。看完這篇文章，腦海里盤旋着一个问题？为何John 会在街头流浪二十二年呢？那是一段多長時間呀，算算有八千零三十天！太
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing with us… This article is so touching…
Maybe a simple person like John always be care to others sentient beings hence normal peoples with normal life style will focus on others aspect so become less and less compassion…
Salute to John, u r a true Hero!!!
我在柔佛新山参与克切拉香积厨的派饭活动已有一年多，每每看到这些流浪汉所承受的问题而替他们感到难过，而我也只能尽自己的一些能力去派饭给他们吃，就能如此而已。有很多的人，甚至于自己的身边的亲朋戚友都认为这是一件吃力不讨好的事，而且他们也不值得我们去帮，所以都不是很支持。可是，如果我们深入的去了解他们，其实他们也是别无选择的情况下才会如此，再加上仁波切把john的事绩上载的时候，我更能肯定我当初的想法是对的，John的爱心已经让我有动力在继续的走下去，谢谢john，谢谢仁波切。
Gary deserved to be punished for putting the rabbit’s life in danger. Glad that there is a judge out there who cares for the lives of our animal friends.
Let this be an example that ill-treating animals is not to be considered lightly.