Turning Japanese

Taken from the Terrierman's Daily Dose

U.S. blood and treasure are spent propping up oil-soaked totalitarian regimes in the Middle East, but no one ever suggests that population growth is part of the problem.   Instead, the problem is "consumption" or "the oil companies" or "the politicians," but never lack of birth control, or pro-natalist policies that subsidize large families, or runaway open-border immigration back home. It's a horrible bloody mess in the Middle East, but what are we to do?

In Asia, wildlife habitat is pushed to the edge but no one ever blames population growth as the core problem or suggests family planning as the solution.   What has happened to the tiger and the panda is ascribed to "habitat loss" -- a generalized problem without a causal agent. So sad, but what can anyone do?

we have three failing nuclear reactors spewing radiation.  We are told the causal agent is an earthquake and a tsunami. 

but why does Japan need nuclear energy at all?  

of course, is the same reason we have nuclear reactors in the U.S., and why we have strip mining and mountain top removal in Kentucky, and offshore oil drilling in Louisiana, and aquatic life-killing electrical power dams in Maine.

and push them into creeks in Kentucky.  We soak our fuel rods in water pools and bury our nuclear waste in mountain caves.  We strike another species off the endangered list and add another to the extinction roster.

is talk about population growth. 

about global warming while

.  

dedicated to every obscure battle of World War II, but not once do these stations explain why Japan bombed Peal Harbor

.

all over again.

We might bruise someone's feelings.   We might bump into someone's life mistakes, or their religious views, or their self-centered, ego-besotted, rationalizations for procreation. 

, things might get a little

at some point. 

So instead of having an uncomfortable conversation, we push our rubble into landfills and buy bottled water because we are worried our dumps might be leaching toxins into the groundwater.

We send our sons and daughters to die in the desert, and then we collect our dead and wounded and fly them 6,000 miles back to the U.S. 

We clear-cut our forests in order to make the paper needed to send a million direct mail letters to people decrying the speed of species loss.

along the shore to try to contain the oil spills, and we dump chemicals into the ocean to try to disperse it even as we dream of problem-free nuclear reactors that will bring us unlimited power forever.

about the current nuclear mess in Japan is that after World War II Japan slowed its population growth. 

the country was already over-crowded, wasn't it?  

was so crowded with a population of 65 million in 1931 that it sought to invade lands beyond its borders. 

Japan's population  had climbed to over 125 million, and it is even larger today.

the Land of the Rising Sun is now ringed not only with earthquake-prone slip faults, but also with nuclear reactors. 

the talk is all about nuclear engineering.... how if only the Japanese had only put the generators on higher ground, or put the fuel rod containment pools further away, then everything might have been different.

don't talk about why the reactors are there at all.  That conversation might get a little

.

it's not just about Japan, is it?   

wants to talk about why we continue to prop up Middle East dictators, or why we rip down our own mountains, or why we poison our own waters, or why we feel the need to build more nuclear reactors. 

  That's mostly fueled by immigration, and immigration is a conversation that is a little to

for us to have right now, isn't it?

when we had a population of 200 million, and we are doing worse with 300 million, and we are quickly headed to 500 million by 2050, but let's not talk about that.   The crisis of the moment isn't here in the U.S. is it?  it's over there in Japan.  How come

couldn't see this horror coming?  Talk about myopic!  Talk about bad planning!

.

PARVO:

Facts:

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is the most dangerous and contagious virus that affects unprotected dogs. But subsequently a parvo vaccine has helped control its spread, and CPV infection is now considered most threatening to puppies between the time of weaning and six months of age. Adult dogs can also contract the virus, although it's relatively uncommon. All breeds of dog can be infected, but Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers are more susceptible and have less chance of recovering. Other animals and humans can carry the disease to your dog. Dogs who become infected have a 50-50 chance of survival. If they survive the first four days, they will usually recover rapidly, and become immune to the virus for life. Most puppies will die without medical treatment.

 

The source of CPV infection is fecal waste from infected dogs. It has been diagnosed anywhere groups of dogs are found: dog shows, obedience trials, breeding and boarding kennels, pet shops, animal shelters, parks, and playgrounds. Dogs that spend their time confined to a house or yard and are not in contact with other dogs have much less chance of exposure to CPV. It's easily transmitted via the hair or feet of infected dogs, and also by contaminated objects such as cages or shoes. CPV is hardy and can remain in feces-contaminated ground for five months or more if conditions are favorable. Although most disinfectants cannot kill it, chlorine bleach is quite effective. Parvovirus has an incubation period of five to fourteen days. Dogs will act like they are in extreme pain. Early symptoms are depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, high fever, and severe diarrhea. Feces can be either grayish or fluid and bloody. Rapid dehydration is a danger, and dogs may continue to vomit and have diarrhea until they die, usually three days after onset of symptoms. Others may recover without complications.

Symptoms:

In the early stages of Parvo, your puppy will become very listless and get a blank look on his face. His eyes will appear glassy. He will be tired, not play and may not eat or drink. This is when you need to catch parvo, before the puppy starts to throw up or get diarrhea. Once these symptoms appear the lining of the intestines may be starting to break down. Time is of the essence, so if you notice any of these signs, don’t wait, err on the side of being too cautious, it may save your puppy’s life.

At the Veterinarian:

Snap Test

Why is the snap test important? 

PARVO IS VERY TIME SENSITIVE! Early Treatment is crucial! A fecal float takes 24-48 hours to come back with a result... that is enough time to kill your puppy. A SNAP TEST takes 10 minutes. With a snap test you can start treating your pup in 15 minutes. With a float, your pup is all but dead by the time the results come back.

TAMIFLU:

There has been success in treating parvovirus with Tamiflu. It does NOT cure it. But it is effective none-the-less. Tamiflu renders the bacteria (which is what does the actual damage) that travels with this virus, useless. This then stops it from leaving the digestive track and harming internal organs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A new approach to animal control

 

2011-02-28 18:59:19

While additional bureaucracy is not usually productive, Onslow County’s newly created Animal Services Department may be a rare exception.

The new department replaces Animal Control, previously housed under the county’s Health Department, which controls a full menu of health-related services that range from restaurant inspections to vaccinations to septic tank permits.

In its former guise, Animal Control has served mostly to house animals that were turned in or picked up until either their owners claimed them, they were adopted or they were killed. Because so many dogs and cats entering the kennel are unwanted, the vast majority is put to death.

Animal Control also investigates animal cruelty and neglect cases, something that, given the vast scope of their work and limited manpower, has often proved overwhelming for the small division. County authorities are hoping that revamping the department will allow deeper insight into those cases.

The county’s new approach appears sensible, particularly in one regard. County Manager Jeff Hudson says that the department will incorporate volunteers into its structure — something that has not been fully explored in the past, but has much promise.
Onslow Animal Control
Volunteers are usually individuals who bring both enthusiasm and passion to their chosen causes. In many cases, they have spent years educating themselves in the field. Harnessing this depth of knowledge for the good of the county and its furry residents can only bring a win-win to the effort.

Animal proponents have long pushed for changes in the operation of Animal Control that could result in the elevation of the level of care and reduce the number of animals that end up passing through the shelter’s doors.

Trap-neuter-return programs, or TNR, for example, have been shown to not only reduce the number of feral cats in an area, but also reduce the number of animals put down. It’s also cost effective. There are additional ideas that could benefit both the taxpayers and the pets born in or brought to this area.

New ideas could help shape Onslow’s animal control into a more positive proposition.

No one is suggesting that the current employees of Animal Control haven’t done a good job with what they’ve been given, but certainly this is one area where Onslow County can do better. By throwing the doors open to new ideas and new voices, the county shows it is poised on the threshold of a more humane era, and that’s good for everyone.

 

                                               FIGHTING DOGFIGHTING

February 20, 2011 3:26 AM

With population growth and a rise in recent animal incidents, Onslow County officials say Animal Control would serve residents better as an independent creature. Animal Control has been a division of the county health department since its inception, but a vote Monday by the Board of Commissioners could change that, establishing the Onslow County Animal Services Department and creating a new volunteer position of animal cruelty investigator. Animal Control has historically been a part of the health department because of the role played by the county health director in rabies and vicious animal cases; but as Onslow County grows more urban, the challenges facing Animal Control have increased, said County Manager Jeff Hudson. “Animal populations have grown with our citizen population,” he said. “Moreover, the amounts of abuse, neglect and animal attacks have appeared to rise over time.” In developing an answer to the problem, Onslow County government has the option of enhancing Animal Control by transitioning the agency to its own department, which would provide both road-officer services and operations at the county animal shelter, according to information provided by county staff. Hudson said an advisory board would be created to allow residents a voice in how the new department would be run. The department would coordinate volunteers and nonprofit agencies to supplement county employees, especially the animal cruelty investigator — a position recognized by state law — who will work with law enforcement to identify and help prosecute cases of neglect or brutality towards animals. The new department would be led by the new position of Animal Services Director with administrative and financial duties handled by an administrative assistant. Hudson said the change would cost $41,000 for the rest of the fiscal year and then around $99,000 each year after that with most of the money going to pay for two new positions. "A portion of that would be off-set by fees collected by the new department," he said. The commissioners will discuss this and other matters Monday during their regularly scheduled 7 p.m. meeting at Jacksonville City Hall on New Bridge Street.   Contact Lindell Kay at 910-219-8455 or [email protected].

Go to the pages of Rescued or Helped to see a picture of Teddy

 

Tim    This was a nine year old blind dog that was brought into the Onslow Shelter 12/2/10.  Over two weeks passed and the dog was marked for death the following day.  Gail Wipple from CAPS, Joe and Helen Flood from CASEYS Rescue and Shannon the owner of our local PETSMART sprang into action. Shannon was the foster mom and Lance; the blind dog became the mascot at the store.  Caps found a wonderful new home for Lance, now called Teddy.  He has a wonderful family who loves him dearly. I just want our town to help support this local business who tries so very hard to make a difference in our village.  Thank you

 (Face Book) Onslow County Partners for Animal Welfare

 

 THIS WAS LANCE

 LANCE IS NOW TEDDY

Here are some pictures of our boy. We got home about an hour ago, and I don't

> think his tail has stopped wagging! Maybe we should call him Happy!! He's

> getting to know the house and hasn't bumped into anything so far.

>

> Shannon gave us some dry and canned dog food for him, and we bought him some

> of the same kind of peanut butter treats we used to buy for Missy. He's

> munched on a few bits of dry food, and right now he's taking a little rest. Shannon was so good to Lance and shed happy tears when we left. We assured

> her that we would bring him to visit soon. And we will bring him to see you

> as soon as we can.

>

> Thanks again for everything! Love to you and Little Bear!!

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December 19, 2010 5:30 AM

The message of this column isn’t an appeal to the caretakers of Monte, Sunny, Jay-Jay, Peaches, Gizmo or Shadow or all the other animals who share a home or, in Jay-Jay’s case, is provided with a comfortable stall with responsible people.

No, the message of this column is about less fortunate animals that only wish to share their existence with a human being and all that’s required in return is that they are comfortably housed, adequately nourished and treated humanely.

Sadly not all animals are afforded these basic needs. Meet Sheena, a beautiful husky/lab mix, found exhausted on the front porch of a home near Onslow Pines Park recently. The residents of the home discovered the frightened dog had been peppered with buckshot.

This poor dog’s story was relayed to me by a caring individual named DottyAnn Harding, who founded Onslow County Partners for Animal Welfare, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Fortunately for this furry creature, some kind people such as Harding and Joe and Helen Flood from Casey’s Place of Jacksonville entered its life. Sheena was taken to a veterinarian by Harding for further examination, where it was determined that in addition to being shot, she suffered trauma to her pelvis from an earlier accident. She seemed to have recovered from that ordeal but now had acquired kennel cough.

How some heartless individual decided to use her as target practice and laced her flesh with steel pellets is beyond comprehension.

I can’t help but be reminded of the dialog from “National Lampoon’s Animal House” between Faber College elitist Douglas Neidermeyer and fraternity pledge Kent Dorfman in the campus horse stalls when the former comes upon the latter about to do harm to the bridled horse.

Neidermeyer opines to Dorfman: “What kind of man hits a defenseless animal? I’ve got a good mind to smash your fat face.”

I’m sure many of us who love our animals would concur with Neidermeyer, at least on that point.

Hopefully for Sheena, her worst days are behind her. Her status, however, as a foster care pup is tenuous at best. The family caring for her is telling Harding that they are unable to house Sheena much longer. Sheena’s life hangs in the balance — out of her control and left entirely in the hands of people who only want to do what’s right for her. Ironic in a way when you realize it was some thoughtless person who got the dog into this avoidable mess in the first place.

Sheena’s case is very fluid and evolving as I write this column. Let’s hope her outcome is positive.

But for every animal such as Sheena that emerges from an environment of neglect or abuse, there are far too many more that never make it. You only have to take a quick visit to the local animal shelter and look into the eyes of the frightened animals inside their cold, steel cages to understand the magnitude of the problem: Animals that at one time seemed to be the “perfect pet” or were cute little kittens or puppies that required nurturing entered into an environment where the human companion was neither equipped to raise a pet or had barely the basic skills to sustain their own existence and consequently threw up their hands in defeat and abandoned their pet.

People need to understand the commitment they’re about to enter when they take on the notion of bringing an animal into their lives. It’s something that happens throughout the year but is prevalent during the holidays when people see that adorable little puppy and imagine how thrilled their 3-year-old child would be on Christmas morning romping with the furry friend. (Hint to parents: Very few, if any, small children have the capacity to accept the enormous responsibility of providing the care and attention a pet requires.)

For those pet owners who have adult dogs or cats, I hope you’ll make a New Year’s resolution to provide for their care throughout the year and maintain their safety by keeping them leashed — in the case of dogs — and within your confines. There is nothing more disturbing than seeing a dog or cat lying dead on the side of the road.

Above all, please spay or neuter your animal. The number of litters an average dog or cat can have in her lifetime is frighteningly high and only adds to the number of animals put to sleep each year at the local animal shelter. In 2009, the Onslow County Animal Shelter accepted more than 7,207 cats and dogs, of which 2,230 were returned or adopted, leaving 4,695 to be euthanized. That’s so sad.

Let’s hope Sheena finds a loving and caring home and her story of abuse and survival serve as a reminder that our pets are to be loved and need care.

As good stewards of their lives we all need to be reminded of the proverb that says it succinctly: “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal.”

For more information on Sheena or how you can help other animals in foster care or in need thereof, please call DottyAnn Harding, president and founder of Onslow County Partners for Animal Welfare at 484-883-3552.

 

Swansboro resident Mike McHugh is an advertising account executive with The Daily News. Readers can e-mail him at [email protected].

     If you have lost your pet, go to the shelter and ask to walk through the entire facility to look for your lost pet.  Have proper identification with you to identify yourself and the pet you are looking for  Preferably a picture of your pet and vet records to prove you are the owner.

Kristin 

      Thank you for contacting me in the hope of finding placement for your dog because of your future deployment. I am going to try reaching back to you in the hope to reach the hearts and minds of our military that I so love and respect.  The reason I am doing this is because you obviously love your dog for this is the first time I have had someone trying to re home their pet giving a rescue group a several month time frame in which to do so.  I will continue to post out for your dog in hopes we can find placement, however the bigger issue is one that I am sure you and others on the base perhaps are not aware of, as I and many others were not aware.  My goal is for change and being of the military you can be of great influence by just asking others to email this information to their friends, contacts and perhaps commanders. Perhaps someone on the Base would help us put together a video or plan of action that would bring to light the terrible reality of what is truly going on here in Onslow.  Perhaps this could be my point paper.

     I have had the pleasure of having a dog most of my life and I know the comfort, love and  joy that they bring .  I see the young military people alone, with their friends or families enjoying life with their pets as we all do.  However, the difference that not only makes them great, but can also bring tragedy is that they are military and are often called upon to leave their pets to defend our country.  I was once a part of this military life living mostly in the Middle East many years ago. What I would like to expose to them is another harsh reality here in Onslow that perhaps they are not aware of concerning the pets they must leave behind.

Jacksonville and Onslow County are greatly influenced by the presence of our military bases and the tax ratables that they bring to our community.  But being that they are military, their lives are very transient and that's why the retail businesses prosper and, at our community animal shelter, animals suffer.  At one time, our politicians made an agreement with the military to handle or help control the problem of their pet population.  What do folks think happens to all the pets of this very large community upon deployment or discharge.  Yes, pets are turned into the shelter in every community, but I never realized the extent of this tragedy until I moved to the South and realized the shame of what happens to the animals here because of laws not passed or, if passed, not enforced to prevent such tragedies.

. Perhaps there will be more concern when it tops the magical million dollar mark. Not only is this a problem caused by all the animals brought over by the military to the shelter for disposal that in most times ends in the death of the animal, but is also caused by the uneducated or uncaring folks who let their unsprayed and unneutered pets run free reproducing year after year litter after litter resulting in a frightening geometric progression in the number of helpless and innocent animals.

Did you know that an unsprayed female and her mate and all of their offspring, producing 2 litters per year, with 2.8 of the litter surviving, can produce 11,606,077 animals in 9 years?

And God forbid that any of our local hunters contribute by licensing their animals, no that's the responsibility of all the other folks in town who find the hunting dogs in great population in the shelter, tied to a tree or left to die or just plain shot in the head.....`cause that dog don't hunt’.  Do you really think a hunter is going to rescue his dog from the shelter when it is going to cost over $100.00?  Oh yes, and how do we explain to our children why all those dogs are lying dead along the highway or narrowly escape hitting one ourselves.

Yes, the entire county supports their love of the hunt!

     We are fortunate here in Onslow that  we still do not have a gas chambers in which animals are stuffed in to die; however, it has been expressed to me by an official in Animal Control that he wishes he still had this means available to him.  But we still do heart sticking.

 

     Did you ever see a pregnant dog at the shelter or very young puppies or kittens?  No, because they are a liability, they are killed immediately along with any female dog that goes into heat while being housed there.  If you are wondering why they don’t vaccinate, it is because their stay at the shelter is generally two weeks or less before they are killed if not adopted. The cats and kittens do not share in this time luxury, their stay at the shelter is just a matter of days before being killed.   Why should they incur the expense of vaccinating the animals at the shelter when they are going to be killed during the two week stay they are there.   So therefore the risk of the puppies dying from diseases, one of them being Parvo, is very high because of them not receiving vaccinations. 

    

     Many in the rescue community work with surrounding county shelters because they do vaccinate their animals and therefore they can hold them longer and actively work with rescues in providing spay/neuter vouchers at little or no cost. There is even an organization in Onslow called Friends of Pender.  Does that seem somewhat strange to you?  Why do people who live in Onslow help the shelter outside our county and not the one in our county?  The reason is some of the reasons previously mentioned.  The other shelters vaccinate and welcome volunteers, have fundraisers, actively work with many rescues and transport services, apply and receive grants because of their efforts and low kill rates.  They are pro active, not reactive in their rescue efforts.

 

     There are a few great folks at the shelter who try and work with rescues despite the overall attitude of doing the opposite by the management.  This attitude is probably the result of the unending amount of animals brought into the shelter every week and of being reactive and not proactive. How can other shelters that are substantially underfunded with substandard facilities make such a difference in the lives of the animals in their charge?  When they make a call of help out to their community the funds and gifts are overflowing.   At Onslow, even though they are rabies certified vaccinators, no low cost rabies clinics are held.  Plans are far in the future to establish a low cost spay and neuter clinic to have an impact on the population explosion in our county.

     There simply are not enough rescues, fosters or people to adopt these animals.  Contact the Politicians who pass the laws for our community and demand a change!!!!! Enact laws for mandatory spay and neuter at low cost clinic, rabies vaccinations, and licensing and control large volume and back yard breeders.  Ban stores from selling animals from puppy mills that make their profits off the suffering of these animals.  As of Jan. 1, 2011, Illinois pet stores now must disclose information regarding every animal they sell and will no longer be able to hide the fact that they purchase their dogs from puppy mills or large puppy brokers.  Lets us do the same here in NC.

     There are many simple reforms that we are currently presenting to the Director of the Health Department and some of our devoted county commissioners, but we need the support of our community.  After all, you are the folks paying for it - approximately $100.00 per dog for the two week stay, if he's lucky, at a shelter that discourages volunteers.  Why is that?  Because they want the volunteers to scrub out the cages and not take the dogs for a walk.  Besides who could handle every Thursday 25 to 35 dogs being marked for death and killed the following Friday morning. I believe that the cats have a much shorter cage life than the dogs as they are being sold to laboratories.

  

     Please go to our web site www.oc-paw.com and to the page LETTER FROM A SHELTER MANAGER to get a small understanding of just what is happening here in our very small part of the world.  Standing together we can make a difference for the change that is needed.  Remember you elect the folks who make the laws for our community and are charged with enforcing them.  If you don’t like something, change it!  Every year I read letters such as mine hoping to let our community be aware of these problems, but there is no change.  Will you be the change to make the difference? There is a grass roots meeting on the 18of January at the Auditorium of the Health Department in Jacksonvill612 College Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540e .  Please be there at 6:30pm.

 (Face Book) Onslow County Partners for Animal Welfare

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kimberley Alboum sent a message to the members of .

January 10, 2011 at 10:47am

Subject: Get to know your new representatives!

The NC Legislative website is updated with our new 2011-2012 legislators! It is important that animal advocates send an email of introduction to new legislators and remind those that were here last year that we will continue to work on

animal welfare issues

in this new session.

Find your reps here!

Please reach out to your representative both in the NC House and Senate and let them know that you are concerned with animal welfare in NC. There has never been a more critical time for you to contact representatives! The landscape of our legislature has changed drastically, and we need to make sure that new members are aware of the large animal advocate community in NC. By introducing yourself now, you will open the door for communication as we move into the legislative session for 2011. These are the people that you will be contacting when our bills are up for a vote. We must create a solid foundation that is respectful and constructive. Even if your representative is not new, it is still a good time to contact them and let them know what we will be working to accomplish in 2011.

Sample:

Hi. I am ___ from ___. You are my representative and I want you to know that I am concerned about the following issues in our community:

1.

Puppy Mills

– NC is now a

puppy mill state

as we have no regulations for commercial

dog breeders

.

2. Enhancing our

animal cruelty

statutes – We must provide tools for law enforcement to stop senseless animal cruelty in NC.

3. Enhancing our felony cock fighting laws- Cock fighting is a form of animal cruelty that brings crime and drugs into our communities.

4. Ban fox and coyote penning – This is a “sport” that combines dog fighting with

canned hunts

, both of which are illegal in NC.

I look forward to working with you in the 2011 session to address these concerns.

Sincerely,

XXXXX

District XXX

To reply to this message, follow the link below: