January 2, 2010

Happy New Year!

Hello, everyone, and welcome to 2010! It is a new year, and a chance for new beginnings. A time for resolutions, most of which will probably not be kept! But my resolution is to do better in 2010 in writing my column. And you'll see a few changes in my column this year. I will be writing about all species and types of animals, not just cats (though cats will be my main focus!) I've received emails from several people asking for information about dogs, rabbits, even crocodiles! I'll do what I can for my fans!

In today's column, I want to look back, to some animal-related news stories of 2009. One of the top news stories affecting animals, and all life on this planet, is global warming. The effect of global warming, especially on glaciers and sea ice, is alarming. Reputable scientists from all over the world are issuing warnings about the rapidly-increasing loss of ice in all areas of the planet, from the Arctic to Tibet.

The melting ice poses many dangers, including the rapid destruction of diverse ecosystems that support polar bears, seals and walruses, among other organisms. Another danger is the thawing of the Arctic tundra, which can release copious amounts of the greenhouse gas methane.

And humans are affected, also. Ice melt is occurring even faster than scientific models have predicted, emphasizing the need to cut emissions before the world sees ice sheet collapse, catastrophic inundation of low-lying coastal areas, and widespread water and food shortages. The time has passed when humans can bury their heads in the sand and pretend it isn't happening!

In other 2009 animal news, shelters faced an inundation of pets as home foreclosures forced many families to move, in many cases leaving family pets behind. Cities found themselves strapped financially to house and care for the animals, which, sadly, has led to an increase in the number of pets being euthanized.

But it wasn't all bad news in 2009! In Thailand, a 48-year old elephant named Motola was permanently fitted with an artificial leg ten years after losing a limb from stepping on a land mine.

In China, a Beluga whale at an aquarium saved the life of a diver after the diver suffered severe leg cramps and could not swim to the surface. The diver, 26-year old Yang Yun, was one of several people involved in a competition, in which they would submerge to the bottom of the Beluga tank without the benefit of breathing apparatus and stay there for as long as they could.

When Yang Yun attempted to swim to the surface, she could not move her legs. The Beluga, named Mila, quickly sensed the problem and lifted the drowning woman to the surface. Cool, huh?

In Swampscott, Massachusetts, a kitten named Gloria may have used up more than one of her nine lives after she somehow ended up in a glass crushing machine at a local grocery store. Employees heard the cat meowing inside the machine, which operates by crushing glass between two heavy rotating blades, and quickly pulled the plug on the machine before calling animal control.

The kitten, maybe a year old, was rescued from the machine and taken to a local shelter where she is available for adoption. Other than some glass dust in her eyes, Gloria was uninjured by her harrowing experience.

And finally, a new dog moved into the White House in 2009. Bo, a Portugese Water Dog, was given to the Obama's as a gift by the late Edward Kennedy. And even though I am a little disappointed that the Obama's didn't adopt a dog from a shelter as they had promised to do, it's still good to see a dog adding character and charm to the White House!

Have a super 2010!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

"Never trust people who dislike cats."
-Irish proverb

*****

Several people have asked me whether Salem Friends of Felines is a no-kill shelter. Apparently they feel that because the shelter doesn't trumpet its no-kill philosophy across its newsletter, that they are trying to hide something. Take it from a cat who was adopted from Salem Friends of Felines and whose humans volunteered at Salem Friends of Felines, SFoF is definitely a no-kill shelter!

SALEM FRIENDS OF FELINES IS A NO-KILL SHELTER!!!!!!!!

If you ever have questions about Salem Friends of Feline's mission or goals, please stop by and visit them at 980 Commercial St SE, or call them at 503-362-5611.