BAYOU RESCUE

Hurricane Preparedness Week and Your Pets

June 1 begins Hurricane Season and runs until November 30. This week is Hurricane Preparedness Week, which runs from May 24 - 30. We are lucky because this gives us time to think about how we can become prepared to face one of these scary and dangerous storms in case we find ourselves in the path of one.  If you have a pet, you have something extra to prepare for just in case.  This picture was taken after a two day Nor'easter that wasn't nearly as strong as a hurricane.  We awoke unprepared for this.  I hope "never again!"

Last year while traveling, we were in Oklahoma City during a spate of very strong tornadoes.  One night we were surrounded by storms so I placed the bag, leashes, computer, and my husband's meds right by the door so we could grab them and be out the door with our pups right away if we needed to evacuate the camper.  It was scary, but sometime after 1:00 am the storms died off.  With a hurricane, you have more time and there are great resources to help you do that!

I have implemented many of the ideas that Bayou Rescue lists on the website.  I always have a "doggie bag" which has bandages, emergency food, meds, and things that I think might be needed "just in case".   Bayou Rescue has a great resource site that gives Pet Emergency Preparedness Checklists and Pet Emergency Kit Checklists.  You can download the checklists at their site:  http://bayourescue.org/Pages/emergency.html where you will be reminded about microchiping your pet, having ID tags for the pet, emailing pet photos to your self and to an emergency contact to keep in case the pet is missing.  There are other great suggestions on this site, as well.

For more information about Hurricane Preparedness Week and what you need to do to be safe, check out this article:    http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=48478

I hope you stay safe this Hurricane Season and that you prepare ahead of time just in case!

 

Restitution for Michael Vick?

I have been very upset to learn that now that Michael Vick is almost done with his "time" people are wondering what's next for him.  Will he be back in the NFL earning millions and will everyone forget about his crime?  And, more importantly, will people forget about the horrific crime of dog-fighting?  Is restitution possible in cases like this or is there a fundamental flaw in someone's psyche that allows them to see cruelty and violence perpetrated against a creature of God who unable to protect himself and think nothing of it.  Or, only see the green of money.  Can this type of person be educated and enlightened?

Here is my opinion.  Please understand that this comes from my heart.  I would have said keep him and anyone else involved in these crimes locked away until the sun doesn't shine.  I don't forgive abuse easily.  A couple of days ago, though, I read a blog from the Humane Society that made good points.  You might be interested in seeing what they have to say about it all.  I'm not there yet, but maybe even this kind of person deserves a chance.  I just don't know.

Preventing Dog Biting

I have a dog who has nipped at my little granddaughter twice, now.  Phaedra is a wonderful girl, but a fearful one.  She was taken away from her mom when she was 6 weeks old and then lived in a foster home until we adopted her at 4 months of age.  The foster care was great, but she only had other dogs and one woman to interact with during that time.  When she came to us, she was even afraid of us.  It took ages for her to depend on us and now whenever she sees something that is different from the usual she is still on high alert.  A rambunctious three year old who runs around and makes a lot of noise puts her at Red Alert!  I had some wonderful help from a dog behaviorist and continue to work with Phaedra.  I just never trust her with my granddaughter.

I saw this article and thought that there might be someone else out there who has the same issues.  So, here it is.

Make your dog a lover, not a fighter: Dog Bite Prevention Week is May 17-23

Want to be sure that Spot’s social behavior is spotless? Dr. Barbara Sherman, a specialist in animal behavior at North Carolina State University, says the best way to prevent dog bites is to start training puppies in proper social behavior early on. She shares some suggestions as part of National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 17-23).

Some 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and one in five dog bites results in injuries that require medical attention.

According to Sherman, here are the best ways to raise your puppies into well-mannered adult dogs:

· If selecting a puppy from a breeder, ask to see the parents and pass up puppies whose parents are aggressive. Don’t be swayed by phrases like “the mother is just guarding her puppies” or “the father is just being territorial” since the best predictor of a young puppy’s future behavior is the behavior of its parents. If you want your puppy to grow up to be a friendly family dog, select a puppy whose parents are friendly and a breeder who values good temperament.

· Puppies handled gently and exposed to many positive experiences during the critical “socialization period” (3-14 weeks) are less likely than unhandled puppies to show fear and aggression when they become adults.

· Puppies that are not well socialized are likely, as adult dogs, to be fearful of strangers and to display “keep away” aggression toward them.

· Children and puppies should be well supervised; it is important that puppies have positive and not fearful experiences with children.

· Puppies should be taught “bite inhibition.” When your puppy uses its sharp teeth on your hand during play, yelp or say “ow,” look away and withdraw from the interaction - no more play for a short

time. The pup needs to learn that the fun stops when he uses his teeth on you. Then, give the puppy an appropriate toy and resume the interaction. Do not punish or frighten the puppy, since this can lead to defensive behavior. When the puppy behaves appropriately, praise him and resume play.

· See your veterinarian for suggestions about how to socialize and train your puppy.

Pet Loss and Grief Counseling and Support

Hardly a day goes by without having thoughts of my four-legged friends who've passed on come to me.  I don't dwell on the losses, but when another has touched your heart lovingly, that friend lives on in your heart forever.  I wish I had sought out a Grief Group when I lost my pets.  I just toughed it out.  That takes a long time to do.  The loss of a pet is no less painful for some of us than the loss of a person.  Non-pet people don't get that at all.  They say things like, "You should be over that by now."  I know I'll never get "over" those losses.  I'll just allow myself the time to come to the point when the memory is still there but the pain has been supplanted with the memories of good times.  The dog in this picture is my wonderful Sable.  She passed on about 2 months after this was taken and one of my thoughts when I look at this picture is that perhaps she knows what's coming and is gazing into her future.  I like to think of it that way, anyway.

The SPCA of Wake County is offering support groups for people who have experienced pet losses.  Rob Gierka, Pet Chaplain, has been a tremendous support to many Bayou Rescue clients that lose their pets in disasters such as fires.  BR, and the Pet Chaplain, would like people to know about the Pet Loss Support Group, the 3rd Sunday of every month.

SPCA Pet Loss Support Group
Are you mourning the loss of a pet?
Do you need someone to talk to about it?
Someone who understands?
Someone who mourns the loss of their pet too?

The SPCA Pet Loss Support Group may help.

The SPCA Pet Loss Support Group welcomes anyone grieving the loss of a pet, regardless of when your pet passed away or where you are in the grieving process.  The SPCA Pet Loss Support Group allows you to share with and learn from others who are grieving the loss of a beloved pet too.

The group is facilitated by a non-denominational chaplain and, when available, a counseling professional.  While beneficial, the SPCA Pet Loss Support Group is not intended to replace professional counseling services or physician recommendations.  It simply provides a space for sharing with others who have experienced the loss of a pet while being directed to grief resources.

The SPCA Pet Loss Support Group meets at the SPCA Curtis Dail Pet Adoption Center just off Tryon Road/ S. Wilmington Street in Raleigh. It is offered as a free service to the community.

People are encouraged to sign-up in advance at the SPCA event calendar (personal information remains confidential) or drop-in. The meetings are open to all who are interested.

In 2009, the SPCA Pet Loss Support Group will meet on the third Sunday of the month, 3:30-5:30 p.m.  The meeting dates for 2009 are: January 18, February 15, March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18, November 15, and December 20.

For more information feel free to contact Vanessa Budnick, Humane Educator, at 919-532-2087 or vbudnick @ spcawake.org .

Cancer Treatment Collaboration Between North Carolina State Vet School and University of North Carolina Lineberger Cancer Center

I've always been terrified of cancer.  Since I was a kid and the 7 danger signs were listed on the TV, no matter what it was I assumed it was the "Big C".  I wrote earlier about my wonderful dog, Sable, who was diagnosed after a two week period of her "being under the weather".  The cancer had spread throughout her body and there was no hope.  We never knew she was in pain.  That's just how dogs are - they don't want to admit weakness.  Maybe, too, I overlooked something. 

Treatment for cancers in dogs (and cats, I suppose) is coming into the forefront of veterinary medicine now.  Something wonderful is happening between NC State College of Veterinary Medicine and University of North Carolina's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.  It turns out that the two centers are combining knowledge and work in identifying the cause of and improving the treatment for non-Hodgkin Lymphoma  in canine and human patients.  The mortality rate is high for all patients (highest in dogs).  The dog is an excellent model to study human cancer because it is biologically similar in human and canine patients, but is much easier to define problematic areas because there is less genetic variation among dogs of the same breed than there is in humans.

The NC State Team and the Lineberger Team are recruiting dogs diagnosed with Lymphoma to collect tissue samples for study.  A simple and speedy procedure is done at the NC State Veterinary Teaching Hospital.  This procedure collects tissue samples for the study (and causes no discomfort to the dog) and the owner of the dog will receive $1000 for his pet's participation.

While I never, knowingly, buy products that have been tested on animals, I am hopeful that collaborations like this will lead to greater health, more timely interventions, and successful treatments for all of us.  If you are interested in learning more about this, please link to the article.

Inside or Outside Cat: A Question

I grew up with dogs and cats.  Of course, that was back in the dark ages when there weren't leash laws even in a small city of a hundred thousand.  Times have certainly changed - for the better I think.

Still, my cats were indoor/outdoor pets.  They came and went as they pleased and keeping a cat indoors at all times seemed unthinkable to my family.  There were 2 times over the course of 20 years that my beloveds never returned home, though.  My heart was broken, but still we never considered that maybe cats would be fine if they stayed inside all the time. 

A couple of years ago, one of my friends had a wonderful indoor/outdoor cat.  This cat loved to visit neighbors each day to checkout what was happening in the neighborhood.  When my friend left on a trip, she hired a wonderful person to visit the cat several times a day, put food onto the screened porch where the cat's belongs were during this time, and play with the cat.  Halfway through the week, Tabby didn't return home.  Canvassing the neighborhood didn't help.  Tabby never returned home.  My friend and her cat sitter were devastated.  It is still our hope that Tabby found a new home that kept her inside and prevented her from returning home.  We'll never know, but my friend never had an indoor/outdoor cat ever again.

I ran across this article, "From Outdoor Cat to Indoor Cat: Easing the Transition which gives great reasons on why one might keep a cat inside to tips on helping all of you survive the transition.  If you are thinking about making a change, this will help.  If I had a cat now, she would definitely be an indoor cat.

MyDogIsCool.com

United Animal Nations has a wonderful website that goes right along with my articles about pets locked in cars when it is too hot outside.  Not only are there interactive opportunities like keying in a zip code to view the weather report of a certain area or finding out how temperatures rise even with windows cracked, but you will find a complete campaign plan to get the word out.  Posters, downloads, and information about these issues are available on this website.

Every year, countless dogs die after being locked in cars while their guardians work, visit, shop, or run other errands. These tragic deaths are entirely preventable.

Through this Web site, you'll learn about what you can do to protect dogs from the dangers of hot cars. You can find out how quickly cars heat up in warm weather, whether it's too hot to take your dog along today, and how to get the word out that it's just not cool to leave a dog in a hot car, even for "just a minute."

Each one of us can make a difference in the life of an animal.  I hope you will join this cause just as I have decided to do.  Actively working so that innocent but uninformed people (nice way to put it, right?) will not make a mistake that harms a pet, you become part of the solution, not part of the problem!  Please help!

California Wildfires and Animals In Need

Seeing the wildfires devastate so much land in California (or anywhere) tears me up.  What can I do?  I faced this with the Australian Wildfires and with the Thailand tsunami.  Well, there are plenty of ways I can help even when it is long distance.  This message came to Bayou Rescue giving us information on how to help.  Take a look and if you can help that would be wonderful!


KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
ONLINE VOLUNTEER FORM: Tell us what you can do! Be on file in our Disaster
Aid Network: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/volunteer/default.html

**A special thanks to Kinship Circle member Ann McMullen, who lives in the
wildfires area and alerted us to local needs for animal victims in California.

5/10/09: Calif. Fires – Send Supplies/Donations For Animals

1. California Fire Status + Resources For Animal Victims
2. Help Fire Victims: Santa Barbara Humane Society
3. Help Fire Victims: Cats In Santa Barbara Fires
4. Help Fire Victims: Santa Maria Valley Humane Society
5. PetSmart Charities Drives Supply-Stocked Trailer To Calif.
6. UAN/EARS Response In Santa Barbara Fire
   

  
LT: Volunteers with UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) are caring for
hundreds of animals who, with their owners, were forced from their homes by
a massive wildfire. http://www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=579

RT: Ranch hands work together to evacuate a herd of goats. Photo: Mark Boster,
Los Angeles Times. FIRE UPDATES: http://jesusitafire.org
Many evacuation orders have been lifted today.

=================================================================
1. Calif. Fire Status + Resources For Animal Victims
http://www.countyofsb.org/ceo/oes0.aspx?id=2332

JESUSITA FIRE STATUS, Last Updated: 5/10/09
*   8,733 acres burned
*   55% contained
*   Initial estimate of 31 homes destroyed, 47 homes have been damaged and 2
    outbuildings destroyed
*   Approximately 140 properties evacuated (mandatory evacuation orders);
    affects approx. 350 people
*   3,850+ properties under evacuation warning; approx. 9,625 people affected
*   Residences threatened - 3,500; commercial properties threatened - 100
*   Expected containment 5/13/09

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
Animal Report, 5/9/09: 975 animals in shelter due to fire
Santa Barbara Humane Society: 529 animals
Santa Barbara County Animal Services: 259 animals
Equine Evac: 187 animals
**Estimates are likely over 1,000 animals affected in wildfires by now.

SAFE SHELTER FOR ANIMAL FIRE VICTIMS
County of Santa Barbara Office of Emergency Services
http://www.countyofsb.org/ceo/oes0.aspx?id=2332

SMALL ANIMALS: Call Santa Barbara County Animal Services hotline --
805-681-4332 -- to be directed to a shelter location.

LARGE ANIMALS (i.e. horses): Take them to
Earl Warren Showgrounds, 805-687-0766
3400 Calle Real; Santa Barbara, CA 93105-3285

OTHER SHELTERING OPTIONS
Dioji K9 Resort & Athletic Club
7340 Hollister Ave; Goleta, CA 93117
ph: 805-685-6068; info@dioji.com
http://www.dioji.com

  
LT: More than 1,000 animals in shelters due to Jesusita Fire
http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=10332233
RT: http://www.keyt.com/news/local/44518597.html

=================================================================
2. Help Fire Victims: Santa Barbara Humane Society
Santa Barbara County Animal Services and its community partners -- Santa
Barbara Humane Society, ASAP, and Equine Evac -- are providing emergency
care for animals displaced by the Jesusita Fire. MORE:
http://www.keyt.com/news/local/44518597.html

SUPPLIES / MONETARY DONATIONS TO:
Santa Barbara Humane Society
5399 Overpass Road; Santa Barbara, Calif. 93111
ph: 805-964-4777; fax: 805-683-0827
http://sbhumanesociety.org

SUPPLY NEEDS:
*   Medium & large size crates
*   Quality dry dog food & canned dog food
*   Johnny Cat Original cal litter (unscented and non-clumping)
*   Quality dry cat food & canned cat food

=================================================================
3. Help Fire Victims: Cats In Santa Barbara Fires
5/9/09, Food and other items urgently needed for cats in Santa Barbara
http://www.examiner.com/x-1962-Santa-Barbara-Pet-Examiner


PHOTO: Karen Lee Stevens, Santa Barbara Pet Examiner

Karen Lee Stevens, Santa Barbara Pet Examiner, writes: While the Jesusita
Fire is far from contained, there appears to be light at the end of the
tunnel. With that said, there is still a great need for the city's most
vulnerable victims: the animals. Here's how you can help...

SUPPLIES / MONETARY DONATIONS TO:
ASAP (Animal Shelter Assistance Program)
SEND/BRING SUPPLIES TO:
County Animal Shelter
5473 Overpass Road; Santa Barbara, CA 93111
ph: 805-681-4331, 805-683-3368; asapcats@yahoo.com
http://www.asapcats.org/

MAIL MONETARY DONATIONS TO:
ASAP / P.O. Box 357 / Goleta, CA 93116

SUPPLY NEEDS:
*   Wellness cat food / NutroMax dry cat food, chicken flavor
*   Hills foods (especially regular adult WD, CD or DD)
*   KMR (kitten milk replacement)
*   Cat collars / Pine litter
*   Headlamps (for emergency kit)
*   Laundry soap / Paper towels
*   Stamps / Steno note pads
*   Heating pads that don't shut off
*   Large bottles of Purell
*   2 computers less than 5 years old with monitors
*   1 HP laser printer
*   Monetary donations

Lemos Feed and Pet Supply is offering a 25% discount on items purchased for
donations to the County Animal Shelters and to the Santa Barbara Humane
Society. The discount will be offered for the duration of the fire.

CALL: 805-692-8566 to place your order by credit card. They will make sure
the products are delivered to the organization you specify (ASAP, DAWG, K-9
PALS or the Santa Barbara Humane Society). http://www.lemospet.com

=================================================================
4. Help Fire Victims: Santa Maria Valley Humane Society
5/7/09, Santa Maria Animal Shelter needs food/funds for pets displaced by Jesusita Fire
http://www.examiner.com/x-1962-Santa-Barbara-Pet-Examiner

SUPPLIES / MONETARY DONATIONS TO:
Santa Maria Valley Humane Society
751 Black Rd.; Santa Maria, Ca 93458
To donate food or funds, call Kelly White O'Neill: 805-349-3435
http://www.smvhs.org/donations.html

SUPPLY NEEDS:
*   Greatest need: Canned cat food
*   Dog food of all kinds
*   Cat litter
*   Food for other type pets such as birds and reptiles

TO ASSIST WITH TRANSPORT:
Contact Vonnie Stewart: 805-680-9582

=================================================================
5. PetSmart Charities Drives Supply-Stocked Trailer To Calif.
5/8/09, PetSmart and EARS comes to aid of four-legged fire victims in Santa Barbara
http://www.examiner.com/x-1962-Santa-Barbara-Pet-Examiner

Karen Lee Stevens, Santa Barbara Pet Examiner, writes: A PetSmart Emergency
Relief Waggin’ trailer, stocked with at least 16 tons of much-needed pet
food and supplies, was deployed from the PetSmart Distribution Center in
Phoenix, Arizona...to the grounds of the Santa Barbara Humane Society.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support PetSmart
Charities’ Emergency Relief Waggin’ program.

PETSMART CHARITIES’ EMERGENCY RELIEF WAGGIN’ PROGRAM
MAIL CHECK EARMARKED FOR “EMERGENCY RELIEF:”
PetSmart Charities / Attn: Emergency Relief
19601 N. 27th Avenue; Phoenix, AZ  85027

ONLINE MONETARY DONATION:
http://www.petsmartcharities.org/programs/emergency-relief.php
Click DONATE NOW at top of page

=================================================================
5. UAN/EARS Response In Santa Barbara Fire

  
http://unitedanimalnations.blogspot.com/

Volunteers with UAN’s Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS)  are traveling
from throughout California to help the Santa Barbara Humane Society care for
evacuated animals at a temporary emergency animal shelter. UAN will deploy
10 EARS volunteers per day to help with the emergency sheltering
operation... MORE: http://www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=579

5/8/09: We got up with the sun (what we could see of it through the smoke)
to set up the emergency shelter in a barn on Santa Barbara Humane Society
(SBHS) property... We set up enough crates to house the many animals already
lined up with owners in front of the shelter. Many of them were in tears
bringing their animals in... MORE: http://unitedanimalnations.blogspot.com

DONATE TO EARS DISASTER RELIEF FUND
United Animal Nations
PO Box 188890; Sacramento, CA 95818
ph: 916-429-2457; email: membership@uan.org
https://secure.ga4.org/01/UAN_disaster_relief/nf111111qQWlm

=================================================================
ACTION CAMPAIGNS • EDUCATION • ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/
KINSHIP CIRCLE is a 501c3 public charity. Donations are tax-deductible.

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   Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: kinshipcircle@accessus.net
   Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts
    SEND: Address / Phone / Email for placement in geographic disaster zone

Mother's Day Lessons

Mother’s Day was extra-special for me today.  I celebrated by the beautiful beach with my family.  Three generations and two dogs spent the weekend together in our camper and had such a wonderful holiday. 

Yesterday, my three and a half year old granddaughter asked me this question, “Nana, are you of the gifts came from them, too.

That is the way that many of us, the lucky pet guardians, feel.  I saw this repeated over and over this weekend.  If you have never camped you may not realize that many, many people travel with their dogs and cats.  Most of the time, you see caring and loving pet parents who are thoughtful and considerate of their pets and the people surrounding them.

This isn’t the case with someone whom we observed the past week.  This couple has 3 wonderful dogs with them.  One is a puppy of 6 weeks.  The dogs seem loved and are very friendly.  The woman is supposedly a “breeder”. The thing that got to me, though, was that they had the nerve to leave the 3 dogs alone at their camper from early in the morning until they returned at 3 a.m. the next day after spending the day at a NASCAR race.  They did have the brains to ask someone to watch out for the dogs.  (They certainly chose the right people – but I think this was really accidental on their part.  The people happened to be friends of the woman’s parents, and the woman got her parents to ask if the neighbors would be responsible for the dogs. As someone said about the couple, “ When they were handing out brains in Toledo, these people must have been in Los  Angeles.”).
All day long, the good neighbors visited the dogs, put them into the camper to eat, added water to the dishes, and played with all of the dogs.  These people were joined by other neighbors nearby and by my family.  All in all, the dogs had tons of attention and love.  My thoughts, though, are what if they hadn’t chosen the “right kind” of “dog sitter” to look after the pups.  And, what if the other neighbors hadn’t been interested in looking out for the dogs just out of the goodness of their hearts and the love of animals?

Given the outpouring of love for these pups from strangers, I am so heartened to realize just how good so many people are.  I loved knowing that many people aren’t afraid to step in and help an animal out who seems to be in need.

I just wish I could figure out how to make sure that when it comes to brains and common sense people aren’t visiting Los Angeles when the brains are being passed out in their neck of the woods.

One of my best Mother’s Day gifts is knowing if I am ever asked by some unknown and ignorant person to be responsible for his pet I will speak up for the animal’s well-being.  Then I’ll keep an eye out for the animal anyway without the irresponsible person knowing it.  I’ll never take a chance with the welfare of an animal.

Dog Fights Mountain Lion

Animals help us every day in so many different ways.  Most of us never expect to have our life saved, though.  It happened in California this past week.  Here is the story:

Dog Fights Mountain Lion
Owner: 'You couldn't ask for a better dog'

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (KABC) -- "Hoagie," a rescue dog from an abused-animals shelter, defended his owners from a mountain lion attack in the Cleveland National Forest in the Santa Ana Mountains in Orange County, Calif., on Tuesday.

William Morse, his wife and his dog Hoagie were hiking in a wooded area when a mountain lion approached the Riverside couple at an angle off the trail.

"Out of nowhere, a mountain lion charged us, attacked us," William Morse, told ABC7 Eyewitness News. "My dog saved our lives - me and my wife's life."

The dog had walked farther down the trail, but noticed the big cat and came back. As the mountain lion approached the couple in an aggressive manner, Hoagie the dog attacked the big cat.

Hoagie and the mountain lion fought for less than 10 seconds or so, according to Morse, before the 100-pound mountain lion ran away. The dog was severely wounded in his abdomen.

"It was probably seven-eight seconds long, and it was just a brutal attack," said Morse. "The mountain lion just came out of nowhere."

Hoagie was taken to a nearby animal hospital where he received immediate surgery. The dog has survived surgery and appears to be in stable condition.

Morse says he has been coming to the Cleveland National Forrest for approximately 20 years without incident.

"I'm pretty shaken up still," said Morse. "My dog, Hoagie, is pretty traumatized at this time. And I just don't think I'll ever go back up there and visit the area again."

The organization Actors And Others For Animals called Morse and offered to help pay the veterinary bill.

Morse is grateful for his dog.

"He's about five years old. Just man's best friend," said Morse. "You couldn't ask for a better dog at this time. He saved our life."

Help Stop the Seal Slaughter Now!

Since 1970 I have been fighting to stop the inhumane slaughter of young seals in Canada.  Don't get me wrong, I love Canada and visit it frequently.  I can't tolerate the horrific treatment of seals, though, and hope that others will join in this fight.  It looks like the European Union has joined this fight against the terrible situation.  The following is written by Rebecca Aldworth, Director of Canadian Wildlife Issues, The Humane Society of the United States.

"Today is a day to celebrate. The European Union has slammed shut the door on trade in the products of the commercial seal slaughter.

The Canadian government used every trick in the book to try to derail the ban: massive lobbying, misinformation, and even threats of trade reprisals. But the EU stood its ground and honored its citizens’ opposition to this trade in cruelty. By doing so, the EU has saved millions of seals from a horrible fate.

Every year, the ProtectSeals team has endured hazardous conditions to document the seal hunt. We are committed to showing the world that the Canadian government is lying when it claims that the hunt is humane.

On our trips to the ice, the ProtectSeals team has brought key opinion shapers such as Paul McCartney and Swedish Member of the European Parliament Carl Schlyter. After their trips, neither has wavered in speaking out against the hunt. Shortly after his trip to the ice, Schlyter drafted the first version of today’s EU ban. Our hunt footage was directly responsible for convincing the rest of the EU to agree to the ban. It gives me enormous satisfaction to know that we haven’t just documented the hunt, we have made history.

What Does It Mean?

This is the beginning of the end for the Canadian seal hunt. The Canadian government estimates that losing this primary market will cost Canada’s sealing industry $6.6 million (CAD) each year. The hunt brought in less than $7 million last year. It's not hard to do the math.

Just the promise of an EU ban was enough to drive the prices for seal fur down to $15 (CAD) per skin -- a decline of 86 percent since 2006. As a result, many sealers stayed home. Out of this year's quota of 280,000 harp seals, fewer than 60,000 have been killed so far.

Now that the EU has banned its trade in seal products, countless more seals will live their lives in peace from this year forward.

What’s Next?

Canadian seal hunt supporters won’t give up just yet. With government subsidies still in hand, the sealing industry will be chasing down new markets. The ProtectSeals campaign is working to convince all targeted nations to follow the EU’s example.

We’re keeping the pressure on the Canadian fishing industry and government with the global boycott of Canadian seafood products. Since the boycott began, the Canadian fishing industry has suffered a $750 million (CAD) drop in the value of snow crab exports alone to the United States.

Canadian Senator Mac Harb has introduced his nation’s first bill to end the hunt. The ProtectSeals campaign is striving to convince other members of Canada's Parliament to support the bill.

Yes, there is still much to do -- and if you'd like to help, please visit humanesociety.org/protectseals to learn how. But for the moment, please join me in celebrating this historic victory. Thank you for fighting alongside me to make this day possible. The seals could not ask for stronger allies."

If you are interested in joining the fight, connect to this site to sign the petition.  http://www.hsus.org/protectseals.html 

H1N1 Influenza Issues and Our Pets

H1N1 Influenza Virus seems to be the topic of every news program and newspaper article I see, now.  Thankfully, I do not know anyone who has contracted the H1N1, but a question that I had wondered about was whether or not our cats and dogs are vulnerable. 

This concern may even carry over to horses and other farm animals.  My barn owner called me after I returned from Cancun where I had been until April 12 to ask about any exposure or illness in my family.  That was the first inkling I had that, perhaps, I could have exposed our barn.  Not to worry, though.  The horses and I have a clean bill of health.  Funny, I had never thought about health issues affecting anyone other than me until this year.  Perhaps, I won't be quite so caviler next trip.

I found this "article" on the ASPCA site and am very encouraged in terms of my dogs.  However, it appears that if you have a pet pig, there might be some area of concern.

Don't worry, pet parents! The recent, rapid outbreak of the H1N1 virus, previously known as swine flu, appears to present little risk of infecting our furry friends. In the past few weeks, only humans have been affected by the new virus, and it's still unknown how the virus will impact other species.

"Currently there's no data demonstrating any risk of dogs and cats contracting this strain of the virus," says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Hospital in New York City. "However, owners of pet pigs, as well as farmers, should monitor their animals' health more closely and take steps to limit transmission from humans to pigs and vice versa."

If you do count a pet pig as your animal companion, please consult with your veterinarian about a Type A influenza vaccine, which is available and recommended for all healthy swine.

Dr. Miranda Spindel, Director of ASPCA Veterinary Outreach, adds: "Swine influenza or swine flu is one of the leading causes of respiratory disease in swine throughout the world. Like most influenza A viruses, swine flu generally causes high levels of illness in pigs, but fatalities are uncommon."

For the latest information about the outbreak and your pet's health, please visit the Center for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu). If you suspect your pet is ill or if he exhibits any sudden changes in behavior, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

Key Protections to Endangered Species Act Restored

Sometimes good things do happen!  The Endangered Species Act has served as a safety net for plants and animals on the brink of extinction.  During recent times, it has been "chipped away at" and seemed to be endangered itself. 

Early this week, the Obama administration rescinded last-minute regulations of the Bush administration that would have weakened the Act’s protections. This rule reversal reinstates the Endangered Species Act's requirement that federal agencies consult with independent scientists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to determine if the federal agencies actions might harm threatened and endangered species.  Learn more at:  http://online.nwf.org/site/PageNavigator/20090430_WLO_ESA.