Cause it’s good

There are never enough words to explain my desire to do something to make the lives of animals better in this world. For people who don’t care too much about animals or prefer to work for other causes, no amount of talking will ever make them change their minds. Yet, for those who are lovers of life and animals, there is no need for words.

"An angel who loves animals" is one of the best compliments I have ever received in my life. OK, OK, I am no angel, but I do love animals. And for 2007 it is my wish that everyone in this world would love animals more. I don’t mean that we all go out and get pets – pet ownership is not for everyone and the responsibility that comes with the ownership is no joke – but I do hope that we can try to make the lives of the animals we bump into a little better. Let’s not be cruel to any animal.

Living with dogs and humans has made me value life more. Trite as it may sound to many people, my doggies (Nik, Gorby, Tasha and Boris) have inspired me to do many things to make the welfare of animals better. Things that I never thought I would. Next year means another chance to get to work so that the planet will be a better place for all.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent me a 2007 calendar featuring 12 animals that they helped rescue. The photos of the animals and the circumstances under which they were rescued are described in each month of the year for 2007. The letter from Jason Baker, director, PETA Asia-Pacific, which came with the calendar says:

"In 2006, PETA was all over the region, exposing and protesting cruelty to animals in all forms. Bikini-clad beauties locked themselves in tiny cages in front of KFC restaurants in Thailand and Malaysia to protest the fast-food chains’ refusal to implement basic animal welfare standards. The ‘Grim Reaper’ clubbed a baby ‘seal’ in the streets of Hong Kong to deplore the cruelty of the Canadian seal hunt and the international fur industry. Activists wearing prison suits and tiger masks stationed themselves in front of the Manila Zoo to show that zoos are nothing more than cruel animal prisons.

"International martial arts and comedy superstar Jackie Chan donated his handmade card to the humane rabies control program which PETA is working on with local Chinese officials. PETA auctioned the card off on eBay to fund an information campaign about rabies."

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The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has done a lot this year for animal rights. Anna Cabrera sent us an e-mail on PAWS accomplishments for this year. Here goes:

"PAWS made 42 rescue attempts and has taken in 41 animals in their shelter. Jeff Chua, shelter manager, and Gina Zamora, animal care supervisor, found themselves in many dangerous situations, like when they had to climb a pole to rescue a cat or stop in the middle of a highway to rescue a puppy. They also had to endure endless hours of waiting, like the time they rescued a vicious dog trapped in an empty Olympic-sized pool for a week.

"Lots of dogs that were rescued were vicious, traumatized and prone to attack, and it took all of Gina and Jeff’s skills in humane animal capture to protect themselves from physical harm.

"Tiger, a noseless puppy, was one of the dogs rescued. The pup, whose nose was completely severed from its face after being run over by a tricycle, remained gentle and was ever so sweet as she was being rescued. It reminds us that animals are so much more forgiving than we are. Tiger has been adopted by one of the regular patrons of PARC and now sleeps in an air-conditioned room with her newfound ‘mother.’ Tiger is due for reconstructive surgery of sorts next year, when she is a full-grown dog.

"A total of 36 dogs and 32 cats were adopted from PARC. Some dogs and cats that were brought to the shelter in terrible condition are now getting a second chance at life in their new homes. Take, for example, Sandy, who was found scrawny and mangy on the streets of Sampaloc, and now has a new ‘dad’ in Dr. Manny Reyes of Biñan, Laguna.

"PAWS provided assistance in 18 cases of animal cruelty reports by writing letters, making phone calls to the police or coordinating with government agencies. PAWS is also proud of the 148 dogs and cats it has spayed or neutered in its attempt to help curb the pet overpopulation problem.

"The Dr. Dog program of PAWS reached 23 schools and universities. There were 11 Dr. Dog visits this year to hospitals and institutions. Doctor Dogs are PAWS’ therapy animals that bring joy to patients in hospitals. The Doctor Dogs were frequent visitors at the cancer ward of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

"PAWS held the first Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa, which celebrated the aspin (asong Pinoy). Tala was judged the first native dog beauty queen.

"And in order to keep PAWS up and running, there were several fundraising events held. Among them were Furry Tales, a celebrity pet fashion show at Mall of Asia in October, and The Great Dog Dash, a fun race for small dogs at Eastwood City last August.

"PAWS launched a letter-writing campaign generating 1,160 letters against the dog meat trade, prompting government to create an inter-agency meeting on the dog meat trade.

"Anna Cabrera and Rich Ilustre were the PAWS representatives who made a presentation on humane education and campaigns at the Humane Society International session in the Animal Care Expo held in Anaheim, California, last March 2006."

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It is our wish to see more and more people going all out for what they believe in.

Tomorrow night is the big, explosive celebration, so consider whether you really need to light any firecrackers, or worse, fire your gun. Love the environment, love life, and if that’s not enough, love yourself.

My four canine companions dislike fireworks – rather, the loud explosions that these crackers make. They hide under the bed or howl the night away.

Please, for the sake of the planet, humans, and all animals, say no to fireworks tonight and tomorrow night.