Sweet adoptable dogs from Warrior Rescue

For detailed info/application form, on all of these beautiful animals please go to
Crossing Paths home page:

http://www.xpar.org/

ONE OF THE WORLD'S RAREST CUBS

Making her public debut Dec. 4th, this little Amur Leopard cub was born four weeks ago at Germany's Serengeti Park. Native to Russia's Far East, Amur Leopards are critically endangered with less than 40 estimated left in the wild.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM CROSSINGPATHS ANIMAL RESCUE ALABAMA

Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas to your family both two and four legged! This Christmas season brings Crossing Paths Animal Rescue and Save A Pet to the beginning of our fourth year together. Crossing Paths rescues 800 dogs per year, 400 of which are adopted with the assistance of Save a Pet. As I sit here reflecting on this, I am not sure how so few people have been able to do this amazing work on such a large scale. Mostly I feel it is God’s intervention, looking out for his creation. But there are many times all of us just want to walk away. There are many tears, a ton of frustration, and much sadness doing this work. But even stronger is joy of seeing a dog who was doomed placed in loving arms of his new family it is a reminder of why we push ourselves so very hard every single day. We are blessed with the knowledge that we really are making a difference in this world we live in. We have forged friendships, become computer literate (well most of us), learned extensively about vaccines and dog medications, and most importantly we have become better people for the compassion and passion we have developed over the past three years. This is a 7 day a week, 52 weeks a year volunteer job. Actually it is not a job it is mission, a passion.Most likely you are receiving this email because you have either adopted a dog from us or have been associated with us in one way or another. We would like to ask for your continued support. The economy had been very difficult on animal rescue. Crossing Paths vet bills are approximately $30,000.00 per year. We treat dogs that are heart worm positive and other dogs that need our help. This year we had more hardship cases than ever. There was Twiggy a boxer left in a house that was foreclosed. She was near death when she was found. She had to be fed small amounts of liquid protein every hour. The first few weeks were very touch and go. She is now health and happy living in the northeast. The cost of her rehabilitation was well over a thousand dollars. Then there was little Jethro who was found with severe mange he was just dumped outside to fend for himself. He is now doing great and is in a with a great family. Hard to believe that this is the same dog. (Please go to link below for before and after photos of Twiggy and Jethro. Too many photos to post here. See all the dogs in their happy homes.)

http://s849.photobucket.com/albums/ab57/crossingpaths/

There are many others that have been helped heartworm positive dogs, blind dogs, discarded puppy mill adults. Never mind the hundreds of perfect dogs that are pulled out of a high kill shelter, put up for adoption, and rescued by you and people like you. We could not succeed if it were not for our adopters. Please check our video our http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrYZ2nI560Q Some of you may recognize your dogs or yourselves in the video.

Can you please consider a donation to Crossing Paths to keep our mission alive. We can only save what we can afford to save. We stretch every dollar we have and have no paid employees. Crossing Paths is a 501c3 non-profit and all donations are tax deductible. That great dog that you adopted was going to be euthanized for lack of space and homes in Alabama. There are thousands like him that need help. Every dollar counts. You can send a donation three different ways. The first is PayPal to met@otelco.net The second is to call Mary Ellen Tidwell, president of Crossing paths and use a visa card. Her phone number is 205-559-7648. The third is to mail a check to :

Crossing Paths

PO Box 304

Locust Fork, AL 35097

Thank you for choosing adoption and rescuing a dog. Go to http://s849.photobucket.com/albums/ab57/crossingpaths/
to see many dogs we saved as well as those in their new homes. I hope you enjoy them. Remember this is only 25 percent of the dogs saved all because we had adopters who were able to make a leap of faith and trust that we were doing what we said we were. All of us wish you and your family a healthy and blessed year.

Sincerely,

Linda Diver - Manager of Save a Pet, Stroudsburg

http://photobucket.com/crossingpathsrescuealabama

SAVING CINNAMON

Before Operation Baghdad Pups was developed in 2008 to rescue U.S. troops’ dogs and cats out of the war zone, a few U.S. service members managed to get their dogs and cats out of the Middle East on their own against incredible odds.

Operation Baghdad Pups program manager, Terri Crisp, helped rescue one of these dogs, Cinnamon, in June 2006 – over a year before SPCA International tapped Crisp to develop the full-fledged Operation Baghdad Pups program.

Cinnamon’s story is chronicled in a harrowing new book, “Saving Cinnamon: The Amazing True Story of a Missing Military Puppy and the Desperate Mission to Bring Her Home”. Crisp’s supporting role “saving Cinnamon” helped her gain a foundation of knowledge that later allowed SPCA International to develop Operation Baghdad Pups; a program that has now successfully rescued 149 dogs and 22 cats from the Middle East.

Set against the backdrop of the war in Afghanistan, “Saving Cinnamon” chronicles the devotion between U.S. Reservist Mark Feffer and a stray puppy he bonded with while stationed outside of Kandahar. Knowing it was against military rules to befriend a dog while serving, Mark initially tried to ignore the puppy but she was impossible to resist.

When Mark was about to return stateside, he decided to adopt Cinnamon in spite of the enormous obstacles that stood in his way. After several months of trying to get his new buddy out of Afghanistan, Mark finally managed to set up a transport for Cinnamon to the U.S. But the unthinkable happened and Cinnamon was abandoned in route by the military dog handler who was supposed to bring her home. Cinnamon disappeared without a trace 7,000 miles from home. Not willing to give up, Mark and his family launched a desperate search for the puppy which lasted 44 days and ended dramatically when Mark and Cinnamon were eventually reunited.

“Saving Cinnamon” is an inspiring story of love, loss, hope and triumph. The people who participated in Cinnamon’s journey are an international band of heroes who collaborated for a common cause. All the hard work transformed lives and demonstrated the powerful human animal bond.

SPCA International recommends “Saving Cinnamon” because the story gives further insight into why these animals that wander unexpectantly into the lives of those living in combat zones are so extraordinary and worth all the efforts to save them. Operation Baghdad Pups has experienced this 171 times with more successes to come, thanks in part to Cinnamon’s pioneering adventure.

To order your copy of “Saving Cinnamon”, click on our Amazon ad to the left of this post.

DOG HEROES ALASKA 1925

In January 1925,doctors realized a potentially deadly diphtheria epidemic was poised to sweep thu Nome,Alaska's young people. The only serum that could stop the outbreak was in Anchorage, nearly a thousand miles away. The only aircraft that could deliver the medicine was taken out of winter storage. But it's engine was frozen and would not start.
Officials decided the only way to move the medicine was by Sled dog. The serum was transported by train from Anchorage to Nenana,where the first musher embarked as part of a rely.More than 20 mushers took part,facing a blizzard with -23 deg.F. and strong winds.
On Feb.2,1925,the Norwegian Gunnar Kaasen drove his team led by Balto into Nome. The longest and most hazardous stretch of the run was actually covered by another Norwegian,Leonhard Seppala and his dog team led by Togo.
Kaasen did not consider Balto to be a particularly good lead dog.But Balto proved himself by saving his team in the Topkok river.Balto was also able to stay on the trail near whiteout conditions which Kaasen said he could not see his hand in front of his face. During the blizzard Kaasen and his team missed the last sled dog team and had to take the medicine twice as far.
Togo was the star dog for Leonhard Seppala even before the great serum run.At the time of the serum run, Togo was nine years old.

BABY LION CUBS

OHIO ZOO


COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio zoo is ready to show off its newest additions — a trio of lion cubs.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium said that beginning Tuesday Kitambi (ki-TAHM'-bee) and his two sisters, Adia (AH'-dee-uh) and Mekita (meh-KEE'-tuh), were allowed to roam in an outdoor habitat.

The cubs were born Sept. 22 to first-time mother Asali (uh-SAH'-lee) and were the first African lion cubs born at the zoo in nearly a quarter century. Their father Tomo also lives at the zoo.

Kitambi was named by zoo staff, using the Swahili word for "pride" to reflect the cub's take-charge personality. The names for the two females came from winners of a name-the-cubs fundraising auction.

FIVE LITTLE BABY BEARS! WOW

This came in an email and it was too good not to pass on to everyone.

Black bears typically have two cubs; rarely, one or three. In 2007, in northern New Hampshire, a black bear Sow gave birth to five healthy young. There were two or three reports of sows with as many as 4 cubs, but five was, and is, very extraordinary. I learned of them shortly after they emerged from their den and set myself a goal of photographing all five cubs with their mom - no matter how much time and effort was involved. I knew the trail they followed on a fairly regular basis, usually shortly before dark. After spending nearly four hours a day, seven days a week, for more than six weeks, I had that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and photographed them. I used the equivalent of a very fast film speed on my digital camera. The print is properly focused and well exposed, with all six bears posing as if they were in a studio for a family portrait.

I stayed in touch with other people who saw the bears during the summer and into the fall hunting season. All six bears continued to thrive. As time for hibernation approached, I found still more folks who had seen them, and everything remained OK. I stayed away from the bears as I was concerned that they might become habituated to me, or to people in general, and treat them as 'approachable' friends. This could easily become dangerous for both man and animal.

After Halloween, I received no further reports and could only hope the bears survived until they hibernated.

This spring, just before the snow disappeared, all six bears came out of their den and wandered all over the same familiar territory they trekked in the spring of 2007.

I saw them before mid-April and dreamed nightly of taking another family portrait, a highly improbable second once-in-a-lifetime photograph.

This is Priscilla.A sweet bloodhound who
came to us with another bloodhound. But
Priscilla has tested positive for heartworms.
We need to treat her asap so that she can
find her forever home.


Meet Lad. He charms everyone because
he actually can 'smile' he to,has heartworms.




This is Honeybear.She came with five
precious pups who have all been adopted.
Honeybear is the most curious sweet dog.
She has heartworms.
Could you please help us get treatment for these beautiful dogs so that we can place them in a home where they will get the love and attention they so deserve. All donations are tax deductible. thank you in advance.
CrossingPaths Animal Rescue Alabama
contact: met@otelco.net

First baby Hyena Cub

ZooBorns is thrilled to feature its first baby hyena, three month old Kai from the Denver Zoo. Contrary to popular myths about hyenas' bad attitudes, they are actually extremely intelligent and affectionate animals. While little hyenas might look like puppies, they are actually more closely related to cats.

Baby Gorilla near death after being poached

A baby gorilla was seized from animal traffickers in the Democratic Republic of Congo by the Congolese Wildlife Authority following a three-month undercover investigation to bust an international wildlife smuggling ring, Virunga National Park said today.

"One suspected trafficker was caught and arrested at Goma International Airport on Sunday while disembarking from a flight from Walikale (in the interior of the country and close to gorilla habitat) with an eastern lowland gorilla," according to a statement released by the park.

Photo of rescued gorilla courtesy Virunga National Park

The gorilla was found concealed under clothes at the bottom of a bag and was suffering from over-heating and dehydration after spending more than six hours in transit.
"Investigations have yet to reveal where these animals are being sent and who is buying them, but on-the-ground sources tell us that a baby gorilla can fetch up to U.S. $20,000," said Emmanuel de Merode, director of Virunga National Park, which is in the eastern part of the Congo and home to populations of both mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas.

"We must remember that for each trafficked baby gorilla, several gorillas have probably been killed in the wild," De Merode continued in the news release. "If we want to preserve our gorillas--and other wildlife--significant resources must be invested to put a stop to these trafficking rings."
The female eastern lowland gorilla, approximately two years old, is in the care of the Congolese Wildlife Authority (ICCN) and the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP). She has a puncture on her right leg and injuries on other parts of her body. It is not known how long ago she was taken from the forests of eastern Congo.

"She remains weak, and is suffering from dehydration and malnutrition, but is responding to treatment administered by MGVP," the news release said.

Photo of rescued gorilla courtesy Virunga National Park

Some 1,100 Park Rangers protect the national parks of eastern Congo, a region affected by a 12-year civil war and current political instability, the news release said. "These parks are home to mountain gorillas, lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants and rhinos, among other wildlife. The Rangers have remained active in protecting these parks, four of which have been classified as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Poaching, wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction remain the key threats to the survival of the wildlife in
Gorillas are the largest of the living primates. The Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is one of the two subspecies of Eastern Gorilla and is found in the Virunga volcanoes region of Central Africa and in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. The Lowland Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), also known as the Grauer's Gorilla, is a subspecies of Eastern Gorilla and is only found in the forests of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Virunga National Park, Africa's oldest national park (established in 1925) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, is home to 200 of the world's mountain gorillas and a small population of eastern lowland gorillas.

A Demon impersonating a human.That's all it can be

Oreo, Abused NYC Dog Put to Sleep; Ex-Owner Faces Sentencing
Oreo, the dog who was thrown off a six-story roof in Brooklyn by Fabian Henderson, her teenage owner this spring, was put to sleep by the A.S.P.C.A. in Manhattan this afternoon.

Yesterday The New York Times reported that an animal behaviorist hired by the A.S.P.C.A. to assess Oreo's disposition -- after several months of unsuccessful therapy and rehabilitation at the organization's facility -- concluded that Oreo displayed "exhibited intense aggressive behaviors," and concluded that "Oreo should not have any access to the public or uncontrolled areas outdoors. Oreo shouldn't be around children."

In a statement, the A.S.P.C.A. revealed further details on Oreo's suffering:
[After Mr. Henderson's arrest in July, it was learned that several of his neighbors reported hearing the sounds of the dog being beaten for at least 20-30 minutes--and the dog whimpering as a consequence.

Despite extensive behavior rehabilitation efforts undertaken by ASPCA staff, Oreo continued to lunge, growl, snap and attempt to bite. She would lunge at a behaviorist, only to spontaneously and unpredictably redirect her aggression toward her handler. She could not be socialized with other dogs for fear of an attack -- her aggression toward other dogs was clearly evident during her evaluations...In fact, employees were even directed to refrain from making sustained eye contact with Oreo so as to not incite aggression.
After exhausting a host of options, the organization said that it came to a "painful yet clear decision to humanely euthanize Oreo."

Her abuser pleaded guilty to cruelty charges, and is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Here is the grand jury's indictment of 19-year-old Fabian Henderson on animal cruelty charges for throwing
Oreo off a six-story apartment building roof:
LIFE IN PRISON WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH FOR THIS ABSOLUTE DEMON!

Lost for a year She returns a hero

BBC NEWS
Dog lost in Afghan battle returns

A sniffer dog lost in battle in Afghanistan 14 months ago has turned up safe and well and rejoined its Australian unit.

Defence officials said Sabi the dog was recovered by a US soldier at an isolated patrol base.

The dog was returned to a celebrity welcome from visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and US commander Gen Stanley McChrystal.

Sabi is being tested for disease before a possible return to Australia.

The black labrador bitch was with a joint Australian-Afghan patrol that was ambushed in Uruzgan province in September 2008.

Nine Australian soldiers, including Sabi's trainer, were wounded in the exchange.

After the battle there was no sign of the dog, and months of searching failed to find her. Sabi was officially declared Missing In Action.

An Australian military spokesman said it would probably never be known exactly what had happened to Sabi in the 14 months she was missing, but the fact that she was in good condition indicated she had been cared for by someone.

'Nice pooch'

And despite being MIA for more than a year, she showed through a simple game of "catch" with a tennis ball that she hadn't forgotten her training.

After meeting the dog, Mr Rudd said: "Sabi is back home in one piece and is a genuinely nice pooch as well."

One of the army patrol injured in the attack where Sabi was lost was Trooper Mark Donaldson.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross in January for rescuing a wounded interpreter under heavy machine gun fire during the ambush.

"She's the last piece of the puzzle. It's a fantastic morale booster for the guys," he said when he heard of Sabi's return.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/8356224.stm

On this day we honor our vets. Please never forget the other vets who gave their lives and served with valor. Never forget these brave military dogs who were left behind in Viet Nam as though they were just another piece of equipment.God bless our Military dogs.

A bill, introduced by Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich.is being referred to as the HAPPY Act, a.k.a the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years Act. The HAPPY Act covers a multitude of expenses that owners of domestic animals can accrue in a given year. What it doesn’t cover is the purchase or adoption cost of the animal itself. Consider this.Most pets are considered a part of the family just as are children. Think of the value that would place on pets and recognize their worth. Less abandonment. Better treatment. I truly believe that would be so. Especially in these hard economic times. Hopefully the bill would pass.