Let Me Clear My Throat

and say this loud and clear – I’m scared.  There is a feeling of dread that I cannot overcome with respect to this Presidential race.  I have resisted getting political on my blog but I can no longer sit back silently while these “things” continue to happen around me.

Were you aware that a baby black bear cub was shot and killed yesterday morning, wrapped in Obama campaign posters and dumped on the steps of the administrative building at Western State University in Cullawee, North Carolina?  No.  Well, that’s probably because the only news outlet reporting on the incident is NC NPR (see http://www.wunc.org/programs/news/Isaac-Hunters-Tavern). 

This incident disturbs me on so many levels.  First, as a Liberal Democrat, I am upset that in this day and age, people are reduced to these types of scare tactics.  I’ll say it aloud because you all are thinking it too, this sounds very “hooded” if you get my drift – folks with white sheets and I don’t mean kids on Halloween playing “ghost.”

Second, as an animal lover and rescuer, I am angered that someone would harm a black bear – a cub no less.  The black bears here in North Carolina are a source of pride – this is one of the last places that you can easily view a bear in it’s natural habitat and to kill one to prove a political point?  Oh, it’s beyond maddening to me.  It shows a blatant disregard for the lives of all creatures, great and small.

Lastly, I am terrifed that the person who would do this is someone who will be voting for our next President.  He or she has the same power that you and I do but they are exercising their power from a place of ignorance and hate.  That is why it is so important that all of us get out and vote.  Please, I am begging.  Do not let the baby-bear-killing-ignorant-racist pick your next President.

I don’t know who reads this blog on a regular basis but if you can, please forward the above link to Laura Leslie’s blog at North Carolina Public Radio to as many people as possible.  I want the world to know what some McCain supporters are doing and thinking and how they are behaving. 

Please vote.  Political Panda out.

Not-So Paid Advertisement

Do you have a dog?  Well I do.  Two in fact.  As as result, everything I own is covered in dog hair.  My English Setter is one fluffy critter and he drops his under coat constantly.  I measure the temperature outside by the amount of white Quincy hair located under the kitchen table (apparently the cosmic forces align just right and that’s where the fur collects).  So how do I deal?

The Furrminator.

Yes, I know, you think it’s a gimmick too.  After 3 people told me it was the best thing since anti-depressant meds, I coughed up the $50 this weekend and went and got one.

Oh joy, oh rapture.  It’s effing amazing.  I combed a garbage bags’ worth off of both mutts and I would have had more but Quincy was getting really annoyed (he sat for an hour so I can’t really complain) and I stopped.

I heart the Furrminator.

Help for Carol’s Dogs

Please take a moment to view this post.  It appears that this is legit.  I was reluctant to post this at first until I received some additional information but please take a moment to read the blog and if you can, spare a couple of dollars or a WalMart gift card or foster a dog.  I know the economy is tight for all of us but I find sacrificing my “coffee money” for the week isn’t that bad when it helps to save the lives of some critters in need.  And let me assure you, this is a part of the country where they would have no problem shooting these dogs – my Setter nearly suffered that fate himself.

http://hope4dogs.blogspot.com/

Thank you.

Animal Rescue New Orleans

Please help Animal Rescue New Orleans to win $25,000 in the Animal Rescue Site’s Shelter Challenge.  Right now, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is number one and while I heart them with all my doggie-lovin’ heart, ARNO needs your help too.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_shelterchallenge_from_home_sidetabs

You can do it once a day.  Please help make ARNO number #1 in more than just my heart!

Thanks!

10 Days is Up….

Humane Society of Southeast Texas is starting to adopt out animals from the Beaumont area on Saturday.

http://www.beaumont enterprise. com/news/ local/pet_ owners_need_ to_claim_ rescued_pets_ by_saturday_ 09-25-2008. html

If you or someone you know is missing an animal in that area, PLEASE have them contact the shelter or contact me and I will find a way to contact that shelter.  Questions?  Please go to www.stealthvolunteers.com or www.rescuesandreunions.blogspot.com

Galveston Gaffaw

As I have mentioned I work with a group called, “Stealth Volunteers” which helps reunite animal and owners separated in natural disasters.  Right now, we have a big, big problem but unfortunately, it’s not the first time we have seen this happen.

Here’s the deal.  Any animal rescued from Galveston Island will be held for 10 days.  If the animal is not claimed, the animal will then be posted to the Houston SPCA website for adoption.

What’s the problem, you ask?  Well, this policy has not been publicized and the people of Galveston have not been allowed consistent re-entry to the area to ascertain whether their animal is missing.  Essentially, it boils down to this.  You were evacuating and couldn’t take your dog with you and you called someone to rescue your dog from your house or apartment.  Now you have no idea that in a couple of days, your dog is up for adoption.  That’s not fair and it’s exactly what happened in New Orleans that prompted officials this time to let people evacuate with their animals.

If you know anyone who evacuated from that area and turned their animals over to Houston SPCA, please make them aware of this policy.  You can read more about it at:

http://rescuesandreunions.blogspot.com/2008/09/it-is-true-10-days-and-poof.html

Houston SPCA 

The Houston SPCA has taken in many lost and abandoned animals from Galveston and is now staffing an Animal Disaster Hotline.  If you need an animal rescued in Galveston, call (713) 435-2990 or (877) 661-0161 from 10 am- 6 pm

Unclaimed animals will be put up for adoption after ten days.