~SRI LANKAN TRAIN WRECKAGE~

Experts: Tsunami Kills Few Animals

Yahoo! News - Experts: Tsunami Kills Few Animals

~Bodies still entombed in Sri Lanka train swallowed by tsunami~
Channelnewsasia.com: "MITIYAGODA, Sri Lanka : The buzz of an electric chain saw pierces the air as it cuts through a coconut palm pinning a bloated corpse. It is the only sound of rescue here where the sea swallowed an entire train packed with 1,500 passengers. "

Too horrible for words...

This young girl lost her entire family...

Tsunami Death Toll Rockets to 117,000

This is just unreal...I can only imagine the horror...so many lost...and the horror continues. There are many organizations helping in this effort but it seems so insurmountable as bodies are continually piling up. We need to do what we can...and pray for all of them...those who lost their lives and the families they left behind, as well as all the rescue workers and volunteers. What a supreme sacrifice these people make in volunteering for such as this. May God keep them safe.
I keep thinking about all the multitudes of animals who have undoubtedly died and I wonder and worry about the ones who are injured and sick...I pray they are getting helped too...we must pray for all God's creatures, great and small. His eye is on the sparrow....
Yahoo! News - Tsunami Death Toll Rockets to 117,000

~Hard to take a picture of what's not there~
Lincoln Journal Star: "
How to help

To donate to the The Tsunami Relief Fund, send checks to:

HSBC Bank
24 Baron Jayatilaka Mawatte
Colombo 1
Sri Lanka
In favor of: Community Concern Society
Account No: 001311380040
Swift No: HSBC LKLX"

Here are some places to go if you can help the people of Asia after this horrifying catastrophe...May God watch over them all...
www.heartformissions.net
http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/international/earthquake/tsunami122604.aspx?source=YAHOO&cmpgn=HMPCRS
https://secure.ga3.org/02/asia_earthquake04?source=aqt04_yahoo
https://www.americares.org/donate/?id=South%20Asia%20Earthquake%20Relief%20Fund
http://www.unicef.org/index3.html

Canine Parvovirus, What you should know about it! FAQS...

This disease is reaching epidemic proprotions! We need to be informed and take all the necessary precuations so our fur kids are protected! For example, I wonder if many people know that after a puppy has their vaccinations, it takes about 4 months for their effectiveness to reach optimum levels...if your puppy should encounter parvo in the soil before those vaccinations have reached their optimum level, your pup could still contract parvo...including the soil from the bottom of your shoes!!! Remember, this affects cats too! Read more here...
Canine Parvovirus, What you should know about
and here> http://www.avma.org/communications/brochures/canine_parvo/parvo_faq.asp
http://www.pressenter.com/~dvmvis/canparvo.htm
http://www.snowflakesplace.net/CatVaccs082003.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol8no4/01-0228.htm
http://www.penmarric.ns.ca/catcare/health/FPV.htm

~KODY~

~PARVO TEST KIT FOR DOGS~

CANINE PARVOVIRUS- Virus Infecting Dogs Hardier Than Thought

Yahoo! News - Virus Infecting Dogs Hardier Than Thought

Network for Good :: Animal Welfare

PLEASE PICK ONE OR MORE AND HELP ALL YOU CAN! ALL ANIMALS NEED OUR HELP!!! BLESS YOUR HEART!!
Network for Good :: Animal Welfare

Number of Grizzly Deaths Rises Sharply

Isn't it a terrible shame that there are so few grizzlies left? Our world continues to encroach on wildlife, stealing their habitats...it is a frightening future scenario///it's gotta be stopped!
Yahoo! News - Number of Grizzly Deaths Rises Sharply: "At that time, there were probably 200 to 250 grizzlies in the Yellowstone ecosystem, situated mostly in Wyoming. Today, the estimate ranges from 550 to 600, maybe more. "

~THE CARNAGE~

Asian Death Toll Stands at 26,000

I watched film footage on the news...there were stiff, bloated bodies everywhere...the smell...the horror...the fear and pain evident on the faces of the onlookers...the wretched, agonized screams of families who had lost loved ones tore my heart out....These people need our prayers...I pray God intervenes for them....
Now, the vast, nearly insurmountable cleanup effort and the toll this will take on everyone touched by it for years to come...Those poor, poor people, how my heart aches for them.....
Yahoo! News - Asian Death Toll Stands at 26,000

Tsunami Kills 22,000 in Nine Countries

These poor people...need our fervent prayers...I am ill, and thought I had it so bad...Until I read this and realized how truly fortunate I am...This is just a terrible situation that is massively taxing the available resources-there is no place to PUT that many bodies other than mass graves and the disease that is beginning to spread could be horrifically catastrophic...the pain and loss these people are suffering is nearly incomprehensible....They need our very fervent prayers.
Yahoo! News - Tsunami Kills 22,000 in Nine Countries: "In Bandah Aceh, Indonesia, 150 miles from the quake's epicenter, dozens of bloated bodies littered the streets as soldiers and desperate relatives searched for survivors. Some 500 bodies collected by emergency workers lay under plastic tents, rotting in the tropical heat. "

HAPPIEST HOLIDAYS FROM NEBULAS WEB!! PEACE ON EARTH...GOOD WILL TOWARD ALL!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM NEBULAS WEB!!!

Yahoo! News - Cloned Cat Sale Generates Ethics Debate

Yahoo! News - Cloned Cat Sale Generates Ethics Debate

I AM CRYING SO HARD I CAN HARDLY SEE....I SEE EVERY DAY, MORE AND MORE SICK, TWISTED DEPRAVITY IN SO-CALLED HUMANS...I WILL NEVER EVER EVER UNDERSTAND...I WISH, MY LORD I WISH I NEVER KNEW THERE EXISTED PEOPLE THAT COULD DO THIS...HEAVEN HELP US ALL
http://www.all-creatures.org/anex/dog.html
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T EAT MEAT OF ANY KIND

Bubble Boy...

Bubble Boy Freed From Bubble!!

This is a truly amazing story! Being immune compromised myself, I found it fascinating...and filled with hope! I am so thrilled for this beautiful child and his family!! Praise the Lord!

BBC NEWS England Derbyshire Treatment frees boy from 'bubble': "The youngster was only the second baby in Britain to undergo revolutionary treatment which involved taking his bone marrow, cleaning it up and putting it back with an artificial gene created synthetically. "

World's Tiniest Baby Doing Well in Chicago

Yahoo! News - World's Tiniest Baby Doing Well in Chicago

NORAD SANTA TRACKER
Starting on Christmas Eve, watch Santa go around the world with his sleigh and reindeer!!
http://www.noradsanta.org/

~HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM NEBULA'S WEB!~

Some incredible photos!

Yahoo! News - Most Emailed - Photos

THIS IS THE WOMAN THEY ARRESTED IN THE MURDER & BABY SNATCHING CASE

Yahoo! News - Top Stories Photos - AP

STILL IN SEARCH OF AMELIA

Yahoo! News - Marine Explorer Hunts for Earhart's Plane

VERY STRANGE & BRUTAL STORY

Yahoo! News - Father United with Baby Cut from Slain Mother

Cleanup worker Leon Balluta unloads boxes of oiled birds that were rescued by crew members aboard the Cape Flattery yesterday on Skan Bay near Dutch Harbor, Alaska. (December 15, 2004)
Credit: Joshua Trujillo/Seattle Post-Intelligencer

More on the Alaskan oil spill...

Worsening weather threatens salvage off the coast of Alaska

~CAT'S EYE VIEW~

Focus Now on Cleanup of Alaska Wrecked Cargo Ship

This has turned into a seach & rescue as well as a cleanup mission...In these bitterly cold waters, with horrific windchills, huge waves and only a few hours of sunlight a day, work continues...these are some mighty heroic people! I do hope for a miracle...that the six missing crew members are found alive. The chances appear very slim but miracles do happen indeed.
Yahoo! News - Focus Now on Cleanup of Alaska Wrecked Cargo Ship: "The Coast Guard planned to resume an aerial search for the six missing crew members, who fell into the sea when a rescue helicopter crashed on Wednesday shortly before the ship split apart."

Fish Levels in Lake Michigan a Concern

There they go messin with nature again...man will surely wind up the master of his own demise.
Yahoo! News - Fish Levels in Lake Michigan a Concern

Animal Planet :: News :: Drug Spares Male Dogs

I just don't think I'd agree to anything like this...I think about all the humans taking hormones and all the rampant cancers and I wonder why we should put any innocent animal through it. I was once owned by a beautiful cat I loved and adored and didn't want to put her through the misery of being spayed, so I trusted in my vet's belief that giving her shots to keep her out of heat were perfectly safe. I got her the shots annually and they kept her out of heat, mostly...but as she got older, she developed mammary cancer and was sick and in pain. She died from a stroke, but the cancer would have killed her if not for the stroke. I feel sure she developed the cancer due to those drugs and I will never forgive myself. With so much more information at our fingertips now days, as a result of the internet, we can more effectively research this type of thing. I now know that an unspayed female cat has a very good chance of eventually developing cancers...and that if you spay early, the chances of cancers developing are very low. Hormones play a huge role in our lives, our pets' lives and in the ferocity with which a cancer grows. I have learned that there is a correct way to administer vaccines to pets as well...a method many vets still have not adopted. I encourage everyone to look into this because it can save your pet's lives! Certain vaccines, most notoriously, rabies, can cause injection site sarcomas...by proper placement of these necessary vaccines, if, in the unfortunate chance your pet did develop cancer, the placement of the vaccination in a hind quarter, rather than in the neck or shoulder could make it possible to more effectively treat the cancer before it spread to the rest of the body. This can require amputation, however, many times one's pet will be fine afterwards and their lives spared. As horrible a thought as amputation is, wouldn't WE choose it over death? Animals are resilient and accepting...they adjust and accomodate, they adapt...usually much better than humans. They rarely feel sorry for themselves and they don't let it slow them down. I believe they understand the situation much better than many people give them credit for and again, I see an area where we can learn a great deal from them. I will try to find some information regarding this ... I had quite a lot on my old computer but unfortunately, it bit the dust and so I will do some research.
I do see the need for spaying and neutering and even though I just hate to inflict it on them, there are far too many unwanted animals wandering about, without food or shelter. This, as well as our pets own health and wellness are two very good reasons to spay & neuter...among many.
Animal Planet :: News :: Drug Spares Male Dogs

WONDERFUL WEBSITE FOR CRITTER LOVERZ!!

http://www.theanimalspirit.com/index.html

Humane Education - Sample Lesson Plan

Don't miss this page of the afore mentioned site!!!
Humane Education - Sample Lesson Plan

Cruelty-Free Living - Vegan Information

Check out this site! I just cannot fathom living life without warm, loving, beautiful animals...I often feel they are far too good for us lousy humans...yet they love us so unconditionally...we can learn a never ending supply of life lessons from them.
Cruelty-Free Living - Vegan Information

Yahoo! News - Bird Extinctions May Impact Environment

Yahoo! News - Bird Extinctions May Impact Environment

Yahoo! News - Bush monkey portrait sparks protests

Hmmmm...is freedom of expression being censored? U decide...
Yahoo! News - Bush monkey portrait sparks protests

Yahoo! News - US moves to protect Alaskan wildlife after oil spill

More devastation for animals as another tanker ruptures, spilling oil. The U.S. Coast Guard is to the rescue, after the Malaysian tanker ruptured. This is so horrific...for the innocent animals home being intruded upon and poisoned, for the men and women involved in this bitterly cold and dangerous cleanup effort. Keep them all in your prayers.
Yahoo! News - US moves to protect Alaskan wildlife after oil spill

Article: Lonely whale's song remains a mystery�| New Scientist

THis is just so sad! I first saw this blogged on another awesome blog I read daily, called Cal's Place, and I just had to blog it here! It seems like such a solitary, lonely existence for that poor whale...not just humans get lonely...
Article: Lonely whale's song remains a mystery�| New Scientist

Bhopal Baby
Originally uploaded by KODA.

rediff.com: Bhopal gas Tragedy 20 years on

This story will tear your heart out....it's just horrible to see the years of suffering on their faces...One woman who lived thru it and watches the decline of her family from this, has said the dead were the lucky ones, that she and her family are the walking corpses...We must pray for these people
rediff.com: Bhopal gas Tragedy 20 years on

SHARING DIGS WITH A PET...WHEN YOU'RE IMMUNE COMPROMISED

Safe Pet GuidelinesYour Cat and Your Health Your Bird and Your HealthPets and the Immunocompromised PatientVideos and Publications
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Anyone who has ever lived with a companion animal knows that the unconditional love and acceptance we receive from them is unlike what we generally experience with our human relationships. This is especially important to us when our human contact diminish through, for example, aging or isolation because of disease.
Animals can bring a unique sense of continuity, stability, and love to our lives; in fact, studies indicate that companion animals have a positive influence on the quality of life for the aging and ill. If our immune system becomes suppressed through age, disease, or medical treatments, we become more vulnerable to infections, and may become fearful of contact with other living creatures, including our companion animals.
While there are a number of diseases we can catch from animals, cases of people with HIV/AIDS who have contracted infections from their pets are rare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also states that there is no evidence that dogs, cats, or any other non-primate animals can contract the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or transmit it to people.
ZoonosesNo, its not what you find on the faces of elephants. Zoonoses (pronounced ZO-uh-NO-seez) refers to those diseases that humans can contract from other animals. Until recently, zoonotic diseases touched few lives in this country.
Am I at risk for contracting a disease from my pet? Current evidence supports the fact that pets pose a minimal risk. Your risk may be slightly higher if you fall into one of the following groups: > People with compromised immune systems > People with AIDS/HIV> People on chemotherapy> People who have received organ or bone marrow transplants > People who are aged People born with congenital immune deficiencies > Pregnant women (a fetus's immune system is not fully developed)
This brochure will review general guidelines for minimizing your risk of catching a disease from an animal. If you are immunosuppressed and either have an animal companion or want to adopt one, carefully review these guidelines with your physician and your animal’s veterinarian.
THE BENEFITS OF PET OWNERSHIP OUTWEIGH THE RISKSFollow these guidelines to help keep your pets healthy. Keep in mind that a little preventive care can go a long way in maintaining your animal’s health, and a healthy animal is less likely to pick up diseases and transmit them to you.
DietFeed your pet a high quality commercial diet that is designed for your animal and his or her stage of life. Don’t feed your animal raw or undercooked meats or unpasteurized milk. Keep in mind that microwaving may not heat the meat sufficiently to kill organisms in it. Prevent coprophagy (stool-eating). Never let your animal eat his or her own or another animal’s feces. Provide plenty of clean, fresh water. Don’t let your animal drink from the toilet. Prevent your animal from raiding the trash. Prevent your animal from hunting or eating other animals. Cats can catch toxoplasmosis from eating rodents. If your cat goes outdoors, consider placing two bells on the collar to help warn potential prey.
Veterinary CareHave all new animals examined by a veterinarian. Take your animals to the veterinarian for a check up at least once each year. Keep vaccinations current. Have your pet’s feces checked by a veterinarian periodically for parasites. Have your cat (particularly a new cat or an outdoor cat) checked for the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
Grooming/Flea ControlHave your animal bathed, brushed, and combed as needed to keep the skin and coat healthy. Keep your animal’s toenail’s trimmed to minimize the risk of your being scratched. If necessary, ask your vet about rubber caps that can be placed on your cat’s nails. Use good flea control. Consult with your veterinarian about the best available products. A clean environment is important. Keep your pet’s living and feeding areas clean. Wash your pet’s bedding regularly.

A HEALTHY PET IS A SAFE PET
About DogsDogs pose a minimal risk for transmitting a disease. Dogs, particularly puppies, however, do carry some diseases that could be harmful to someone at higher risk. Parasites which dogs can transmit to people include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, cryptosporidia and Giardia. In rare instances, dogs can also transmit bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. These parasites and bacteria are most often associated with puppies or with adult dogs who are in unsanitary environments. Any new dog or any dog having diarrhea may need to have his or her stools tested for these infections by a veterinarian.
Can I reduce the risk of contracting a disease from my dog? Yes. PAWS recommends that people at risk only get dogs more than 9 months old. Puppies are more likely to harbor infections than healthy adult dogs. Following the guidelines in this brochure will help to reduce your risk of acquiring any infections your dog may have.
About CatsMost cats pose a minimal risk for transmitting a disease. Cats kept indoors are exposed to fewer diseases. For more information on those diseases that cats occasionally transmit, see the PAWS brochure, Questions You May Have About Your Cat and Your Health. This brochure includes information about toxoplasmosis, cat scratch disease (Bartonellosis), and ringworm.
Safe Litter Box GuidelinesKeep the box away from the kitchen and eating areas and change the litter box daily. It takes the Toxoplasma parasite at least 24 hours to become infectious. If possible, have someone do it who's not at risk. Use disposable plastic liners and change them each time you change the litter. Don't dump! If inhaled, the dust could possibly infect you. Gently seal the plastic liner with a twist tie and place in a plastic garbage bag for disposal. Disinfect the litter box at least once month by filling it with boiling water and letting it stand for five minutes. This will kill the Toxoplasma organism. Wear disposable gloves for extra protection, and, always wash your hands after cleaning the litter box.
About BirdsMost birds pose a minimal risk for transmitting a disease. For more information on those diseases that birds occasionally transmit, see the PAWS brochure, Questions You May Have About Your Bird and Your Health. This brochure includes information about MAC (Mycobacterium infection, a type of tuberculosis), Psittacosis (parrot fever), Salmonella, and Allergic alveolitis.
About Aquarium FishAquarium fish can occasionally be the source of infectious diseases. Mycobacterial infections (a type of tuberculosis) can be transmitted by aquarium fish and some skin infections can be spread by contact with infected aquarium water.
What can I do to reduce my risk if I decide to keep aquarium fish? Wear gloves when cleaning an aquarium or when handling fish. Fish suspected of having Mycobacterium or any fish showing unusual lumps should be removed from the tank, and the aquarium should be disinfected before new fish are introduced. Follow the general guidelines in this brochure.
About Reptiles We do not recommend that people at risk keep or handle reptiles. Salmonella infection can be transmitted by almost any reptile. Many reptiles are carriers of Salmonella without showing any signs of illness. Because reptiles have a tendency to lie in their own feces, these bacteria can be found anywhere (and everywhere) on the animal's body.
What can I do to reduce my risk if I decide to keep a reptile in my home?Use gloves and a face masks when handling or cleaning these animals or their habitat. Better yet, have someone not at risk do the cleaning. Thoroughly wash your hands after handling a fish or reptile. Feed a commercial reptile diet and avoid feeding raw meat and eggs to reduce your animal's risk of acquiring Salmonella. If possible, dead prey rather than live should be offered to your reptile.
About Ferrets Zoonosis transmitted by pet ferrets are quite rare. Intestinal parasites are common in young ferrets and can potentially be spread to people. PAWS does not recommend that people at risk come in contact with an immature ferret. Ferrets are also susceptible to human influenza and can easily pass it back to the human. Following the guidelines in this brochure will help to reduce your risk of acquiring any infections your ferret may have.
About Horses Zoonoses transmitted by horses are quite rare. Intestinal parasites and infections such as Salmonella can potentially be spread to people. PAWS does not recommend that people at risk come in contact with an immature horse, a horse with diarrhea, or areas where horses are raised. Adult horses kept in a clean environment pose a minimal risk for transmitting a disease.
About Rabbits and Rodents Zoonosis transmitted by pet rabbits and rodents (rats, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, or gerbils) are quite rare. The most common problems usually stem from reactions to rabbit scratches, or infections from rabbit or rodent bites. The Pasteurella bacteria carried by most rabbits may infect scratches or bite wounds. Scratches and bite wounds should be immediately washed and disinfected. Some external parasites of the rabbit including fur mites and ringworm (a type of fungal infection) may be transmitted to humans.
Guinea pigs, mice, and rats can occasionally be the source for a variety of intestinal ailments including some bacterial infections (Salmonella and Campylobacter) and some intestinal parasites (Giardia or Cryptosporidium) These diseases can be spread to people by direct contact with the feces of an infected animal or by contact with soil that has been contaminated by the feces of an infected animal.
How can I reduce the risk of contracting a disease from my rabbit or rodent? Do not feed your animal raw eggs or raw meat. Be diligent about washing your hands after handling your animal. Follow the general guidelines in this brochure.
HUMAN HEALTH MEASURES
First Aid for Bites/Scratches Rinse a bite wound or scratch right away with plenty of cool running water. Wash the area with a mild soap or with a tamed iodine solution such as Betadine® solution that has been diluted with water Contact your physician.
Hygiene Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating or smoking. Avoid contact with your pet’s bodily fluids such as vomit, feces, urine or saliva. In the event of an accident, clean up the mess with a disinfectant (an ounce of bleach in a quart of water works nicely to kill many infectious organisms) then wash your hands thoroughly. Better yet, wear gloves, or have someone not at risk clean it up. Don’t let your pet lick a wound on your face or body. You never know where that tongue has been.
Adopting a New Animal Adopting a new animal companion is always exciting, but keep in mind that new pets, especially puppies and kittens, present more of a risk. If you are going to adopt a new pet, an adult animal is safer. Consult with your veterinarian and physician before adopting a new animal. Your veterinarian may recommend some tests for parasites and other diseases on a new animal. It is best not to take a new animal into your home until you know that he or she is healthy.
Animals to Avoid Unfortunately, some animals simply present too much risk to immunosuppressed people and should be avoided altogether: Stray animals, Animals with diarrhea, reptiles (turtles, lizards, and snakes) and amphibians, wild animals and birds (including pigeons), farm animals, non-human primates (monkeys). Non-human primates carry the greatest risk because of their close genetic relationship to humans. These animals should not be pets under any circumstances. It is also good to remember that the humans in the household pose just as many risks to the animal.
Editors: Vic Spain, DVM; Karen BLount, DVM; and PAWS Client Services Committee Funded by: Humane Society of the United States; University of California/Davis School of Veterinary Medicine class of 1993; Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association Reviewed by: Fred Angulo, DVM, Medical Edipemiologist of the Centers for Disease Control; Ken Gorczyca, DVM; James M. Harris, DVM; and Alan Stewart, DVM
Copyright 2002, Pets Are Wonderful Support. All rights reserved. Right to copy granted subject to condition that name address and telephone number of Pets Are Wonderful Support appear and copies are not sold.



Pets Are Wonderful Support1121 Mission St. San Francisco, California 94103
> We are located on Mission Street between 7th and 8th street in the South of Market nieghborhood.
Telephone: 415/241-1460Fax: 415/503-0436