Stray dogs and Soldiers What a bittersweet story

Half donkey-half zebra=Zedonk and some wild people

Catalonia Bans Bullfights in First Mainland Spanish Act Against Tradition

Catalonia’s parliament in Barcelona voted to ban bullfighting today in the first such prohibition in mainland Spain.

Regional lawmakers voted 68 to 55 for the ban, the speaker of the assembly said. The bill was the result of a popular initiative backed by 180,000 signatures, according to the Prou platform behind the initial campaign.

“Toreros” have fought half-ton bulls to the death in public arenas for centuries, inspiring writers including Ernest Hemingway. Opposition to the tradition has been growing in recent years, with a third of Spaniards favoring a bullfight ban, rising to a majority among those aged 18 to 29, according to a poll for El Mundo newspaper in 2007.

The number of bulls taken on in 2009 fell to 4,436 from 6,396 in 2003, according to data from the Interior Ministry. Catalans are less interested in bullfighting than many of their compatriots as 106 bulls faced the matador’s sword in the region last year, compared with more than 1,000 in Andalucia and almost 800 in Madrid.

The vote comes as Catalonia is battling Spanish institutions over its identity and two weeks after tens of thousands of people marched in Barcelona for the right to call the autonomous region a “nation.”

Animal Protection

“The reality, and you know it, is that for some political groups it’s not about animal protection,” Albert Rivera, of the Mixed Group said in the parliamentary debate before the vote. “You want to eliminate everything that reminds us that Catalonia forms part of Spain.”

Supporters of the bill say it’s not part of Catalonia’s bid for greater autonomy. Josep Rull, a regional lawmaker for Convergencia i Unio, said the law is about ending cruelty to animals and would make Catalonia more European than the rest of Spain. CiU allowed its lawmakers to decide individually how to vote.

“As a nation we will take a step forward and that gives us a certain pride,” he said in a telephone interview yesterday. “A majority in Catalonia has values that are shared with the rest of Europe.”

The Canary Islands banned bullfighting in 1991 as part of a wider law that aimed to protect domestic animals, singling out a ban on dog fights and the phasing out of cock fights.

To contact the reporter on this story: Emma Ross-Thomas in Madrid at

I'm opposed to the killing of bulls - animals should not be killed in the name of human entertainment. In the 21st century, bullfighting should be confined to the history books."- Dalai Lama

Dog Heroes

HJ
When Iowa farmer Loren Engelbrecht, 61, was struck by a heart attack so painful he couldn't even call for help, his Weimaraner HJ came to the rescue — nudging mom Dianna's arm until she checked on her husband. For being a life saver, HJ wasinducted into the Iowa Animal Hall of Fame this year. Now, Engelbrecht jokes, “He’s losing his hair he’s getting petted so much!”

DBOY
The Trawick family of Oklahoma City, Okla., creditsDBoy with their lives. When a gun-wielding intruder barged into their house, the 2-year-old pit bull came bounding out, barking, then took three bullets. He survived, and scared the intruder away,earning him the People's Hero title in the Humane Society's 2nd Annual Dogs of Valor Awards.


MILEY
In December, as Stacie Pitts and her Arkansas family slept, dangerous carbon monoxide gases were seeping into their air supply. Rescued terrier mix Miley sensed this, and tried to wake everyone up, succeeding when Pitts began to feel sick. Pitts called 911, and her family survived what doctors said was a close call. Miley's reward? Being named a National Hero Dog by the L.A. SPCA.

ACE
Search-and-rescue dog Ace was hailed as a star at Christmastime last year, when he found Ontario resident Donna Molnar, 55, buried in a rural snowbank after she'd been missing for three days. Rescuers had nearly give up, but the dog's sharp nose led police right to Molnar, not far from her SUV. Thanks to Ace, she was treated for extreme hypothermia and reunited with her family in time for the holiday.


BRITTNEY
In mid-May, American bulldog Brittney was diagnosed with terminal cancer, but instead of putting her down immediately, owner Scott Seymour chose to keep his companion around. His decision paid off on May 23, when a fire broke out in their Grand Rapids, Mich., home, and Brittney's loud barking woke Seymour in time to save them both from the blaze.

CHI CHI
During a trip to North Carolina's Outer Banks last October, Chihuahua Chi Chi saw an awful sight: two elderly ladies pulled into the sea by a strong wave. His relentless barking led owners Rick and Mary Lane to run to their aid and pluck both women to safety. Now Chi Chi is Reader’s Digest's Hero Pet of the Year.

JACQUE-PIERRE
St. Louis hospice nurse Mary Phillips was lying on the floor of her workplace last October, complaining of a terrible headache. When 7-year-old office maltipoo Jacque-Pierre began to lick her temple, she went to seek help. As it turns out, the little guy sensed a walnut-sized aneurysm in her brain, and saved her just in time. Phillips recovered, and was back to work two months later.

LEVI
After 90-year-old Val Cross's Australian farm began to burn down around her in February, she attempted to run into the home to turn off the power. But rescue pup Levi knew better, and with all his might, dragged his owner away from the fire — through smoke and burning grass — to safety on a nearby dam.

TACH
Belgian Shepherd Tach was credited with saving the life of an Alzheimer's patient in Ireland this month, after the man went missing. Within four hours, Tach brought neighbors and police to 84-year-old Tommy Coulson, who was shaken, but safe. It was the dog's fifth rescue in four months — quite the feat!

Hero dog

WARNING CUTENESS ALERT.BABY

GOODBYE TO GRANDMA

Some people cannot be a foster home for animals because they become too attached to that animal. (sadly I am one of those) But then there are those who go ahead and do it anyway and thus become embroiled in that battle with their heart. That part that loves the animal so much and want to remain in it's life even though the other part knows it is wise and best that the animal is put out there to be adopted. This is just one of the stories that I know involving Vera T of California who fosters for a rescue there. Picture ZaZa Gabor and you will know what she looks like. A person whose heart is ten times more beautiful than her physical beauty. I know. I have known her for many years and she has rescued me in more ways than one with her kindness. If you believe in reincarnation, hope you come back as Vera's dog.

And now the story in her own words:

....................................................................

Goodbye to Grandma

I knew I would have to say goodbye. Whether it was to someone who would adopt an older dog or to her end of days. I really did not know which. Someone adopting her would have taken her from me and what I believe is the best care she could ever hope for. Of course her death would take her from everyone. But she was old and she did not deserve what happened to her, when the one she loved and depended upon passed from this world. Someone who truly loved her and tried his best to arrange her care when he knew he was dying. The promise he managed to obtain from his daughter,(what a lovely lady?) was an empty promise. She callously tossed Grandma aside as one would toss some old furniture. Dumping her at the shelter. What a cold heartless deception this was. And ultimate betrayal to the man who was her father.(let this story prompt everyone who loves their animal to put in their will what they wish for their pet. Trusting someone with words is just not good enough)

So when Grandma came to me, her name was Penny. I changed her name simply because she looked like a little old lady.(15 years old) Not only old but with many health problems. In the two years that I cared for her, she went into the adoption process twice and then I decided not to put her thru that anymore. She officially became my Grandma. And became the best friend of Lolita, one of my little blind dogs who also is elderly. Lolita was Grandma's nurse until the very end. Grandma had probadly never experienced the kind of care I gave her. I cooked for her as I did all the babies that I have. Chicken,Rice and vegetables and she loved it all. In fact the thing Grandma like most to do was eat. That made me happy.

Then came the time it didn't look good for Grandma. Her quality of life was poor. I had to make a decision and that was one I did not want to make. That's the heartbreak of caring for animals especially older ones. Thank God I did not have to make that one for Grandma went to live with God on her own. She is desperately missed by me and her best friend Lolita. All the dogs know someone left. They are such intelligent critters. Now that Grandma is gone, I worry about my own little ones and what will happen to them for I am getting up there in age myself. I love them so much

I thought I would share this story with everyone and I hope people will someday treat animals the way they should be treated and give them as much happiness as they are willing to give to us. May God bless all my friends who have helped me thru all my trials and tribulations. Vera

Troops save and bring home Kitties. Awesome!

In Afghanistan, in the midst of war, many animals are lost and separated from their family. Many are found later by troops from the US, UK and Canada. Soldiers rescue these animals and get help from rescue groups that help them send these animals out of the country and to a forever loving home that they deserve.

Three US marine soldiers, Brian Chambers, Chris Berry and Aaron Shaw, started a mission to help bring home the kittens they have befriended while serving in Afghanistan . With generous donations from cat lovers and help from Noward Dogs animal rescue, Kiki and Keykey, two lovely ginger kitties, have successfully made it home in the US. Unfortunately 2 other cats, Simba and Ra-Ko, lost the battle against their illnesses a few weeks ago.
“At only 3 weeks old, their mother had disappeared and they were left alone to live rough and fend for themselves like the other cats in this area. We looked after them both and they lived in a box in the office, after a week they were allowed to roam around during the day and sleep with us in the hooch at night.”

Unfortunately Bones vanished a week after along with Kiki, but Kiki eventually returned.

Kiki was injured badly on Monday 8th of March. Brian found him in horrible condition. “He was too frightened to approach me, I ran to find some wipes to clean him and I then realised how bad this wounds really were…”

A vet came the next day and put Kiki on a course of antibiotics. Today Kiki has fully recovered.

“Kiki is a very playful adventurous cat, he loves to explore and is very curious, he enjoys sitting on my shoulder, chewing on my hand and running up my legs. He hasn’t been put off by what has happened to him.”
“I found Keykey tangled up in c-wire one day in the beginning of the deployment, I took him in and fixed his wounds. He was also extremely malnourished so I constantly kept an eye on him and fed him until he got back to good health and he has been by my side ever since.”

Both Keykey and Kiki have arrived in the US. Kiki is currently living with Brian’s parents in Houston, Texas until he leaves the Marines and moves home. Keykey is living with Chris’ parents in Detroit, Michigan and enjoying his new family.

For soldiers who are on duty overseas, often time the only chance they get to cuddle is when they meet these stray animals. These soldiers are lonely and longing for love from their family and friends. The kitties are abandoned, lost and have nowhere to call home. When they find each other, they become best friends.
Go here to see slide show of troops and kitties. http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm203/Roostercrap/troops/?action=view&current=d7cb740c.pbw

THIS OUGHT TO MAKE YOU SMILE BABY ELEPHANTS

IT'S ALL ABOUT FINDING FOREVER HOMES FOR THE HELPLESS AND DEFENSELESS

A New Partnership

The Crossings Animal Sanctuary Joins Forces with Crossing Paths Animal Rescue in Alabama.

Last year in Alabama, 120,000 dogs and puppies - most of them adoptable - were killed in shelters. Crossings Paths rescues dogs from one of these high-kill shelters, fosters them, and strives to adopt them to forever, loving homes.

While we are working to purchase land and build Bucks County's first no-kill animal sanctuary, CAS is helping to adopt the dogs of Crossings Paths!

The dogs you see posted below are all looking for forever, loving homes-- in short, for you!! So please look them over, download and complete an adoption application, and email it to us at Adoptions@TheCrossingsAnimalSanctuary.org or FAX it to (215) 321-1043.

Your latest family member will then arrive by transport to begin its new, happy life!

A VERY SPECIAL VET MAKES A MIRACLE FOR A VERY SPECIAL CAT,OSCAR