Serbia: Sneska Enjoying All The Days She Has Remaining.

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FELIX

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As many of you already know, Sneska has a chronic kidney disease and has been showing symptoms of uremic stomatitis, which is a consequence of her primary disease, since the beginning of summer.

Over the last few months she has been given painkillers almost every day as it was the only way to keep her pain free and able to eat; unfortunately, we can do nothing to cure her CKD and make her healthy again. After her UV scan which showed what bad shape her kidneys were in, the vet wasn’t very optimistic and lately he seems almost surprised she is still hanging on.

However, we’ve been wondering for quite some time if we are doing her a favor or torturing her trying to prolong her life, albeit with the best intentions. She is not happy for a myriad of reasons: firstly, she is essentially an outdoor cat who adores the sun and is aching to be free, but she’s been imprisoned inside the house for over a year, for her own good. Secondly, she’s been pricked countless times over the months just because we wanted to ease the pain in her mouth so she could chew and swallow her food to stay alive; the result is that she started to shun humans, which is something she has never done before. It’s a fact that many cats with CKD can live out their lives without ever reaching kidney failure, but Sneska is at least 14 years old already and besides, what’s the point of life without joy?

Little by little, she became a wretched, sad, tormented creature, totally hopeless, utterly unhappy and that’s the exact opposite of what we wanted to achieve.

Long story short, for good or for bad, we made the decision to let her live whatever time she has left the way she wants – in the yard, together with her companions of 14 years, soaking up the sun, running through the early morning frost, climbing the roof, scratching trees, with no meds and no fear.

And that’s what she’s been doing since Saturday, more vivacious and happier than she has been in a long time. Instead of spending her days all contorted and miserable, she is finally the light-legged, swift, curious, proud Sneska who is holding her head up high, the one we have known, respected and adored over all of these years.

Each new day is a gift for her, she’s living it with absolute intensity, with a heart full of joy; when the time comes she will be ready to leave with no regrets and another star will appear in the dark night sky.

Run and shine now, our precious Sneska, run like there’s no tomorrow and always remember how much we love you.

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PayPal button is on the blog:

http://novisadcats.blogspot.com/

and the website: 

http://catshelter-felix.com/

A huge thank you to everyone who helps and supports us !

 

SAV Facebook: Rescue News and Appeals For Help From Some Of Our 1,200 Members.

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The photos here are just a few of the many you will see from the stories on our Facebook page.

Please visit the SAV Facebook site – https://www.facebook.com/groups/SerbianAnimalsVoice/?fref=ts   

With over 1,200 members, you can catch up on all the latest rescues and shelter news from Serbia.  There are many appeals for help, so if you feel like donating to many of the worthwhile causes (using safe donation sites in other nations); you can give.

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There are too many isolated cases for us to publish all on this site; but by visiting SAV Facebook you will be brought right up to date with all the latest rescue news.

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Please give it a look; many people giving as much as they can to help animals in need.

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/SerbianAnimalsVoice/?fref=ts   

SAV Logo Red by Paola

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

England: Remember, Remember, The 5th Of November !

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BBC

Today, November 5th is known in England as ‘Bonfire Night’.

Across the land, large fires are lit and firework displays take place

to commemorate an event in ol’ London town from the year 1605.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMLHau_rBJ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dzOK2DGE64

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjeYS1h5Zyc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4f1T7aBfn4

Guy Fawkes is also known as

“the last man to enter Parliament with honest intentions“

– many today would still say this is very true !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1DC2BAsXb4 

As the English say – “remember, remember, the 5th of November – a gunpowder treason and plot; there is no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot”.

Why ? – to celebrate the ‘Gunpowder plot’ –

or ‘Guy Fawkes night’.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_Plot

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in earlier centuries often called the Gunpowder Treason Plot or the Jesuit Treason, was a failed assassination attempt against King James I of England and VI of Scotland by a group of provincial English Catholics led by Robert Catesby.

The plan was to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of England’s Parliament on 5 November 1605, as the prelude to a popular revolt in the Midlands during which James’s nine-year-old daughter, Princess Elizabeth, was to be installed as the Catholic head of state.

Guy Fawkes, who had 10 years of military experience fighting in the Spanish Netherlands in suppression of the Dutch Revolt, was given charge of the explosives.

The plot was revealed to the authorities in an anonymous letter sent to William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle, on 26 October 1605. During a search of the House of Lords at about midnight on 4 November 1605, Fawkes was discovered guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder—enough to reduce the House of Lords to rubble—and arrested. Most of the conspirators fled from London as they learned of the plot’s discovery, trying to enlist support along the way. Several made a stand against the pursuing Sheriff of Worcester and his men at Holbeche House; in the ensuing battle Catesby was one of those shot and killed. At their trial on 27 January 1606, eight of the survivors, including Fawkes, were convicted and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

A gruesome death

To be hanged, drawn and quartered was from 1351 a statutory penalty in England for men convicted of high treason, although the ritual was first recorded during the reigns of King Henry III (1216–1272) and his successor, Edward I (1272–1307).

Convicts were fastened to a hurdle, or wooden panel, and drawn by horse to the place of execution, where they were hanged (almost to the point of death),emasculated, disembowelled, beheaded and quartered (chopped into four pieces). Their remains were often displayed in prominent places across the country, such asLondon Bridge. For reasons of public decency, women convicted of high treason were instead burned at the stake.

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SAV Comment – many people were behind the views of Guy Fawkes and the other conspirators – he was an explosives expert for his time.  His actions were betrayed by a letter sent in secret.

There is a saying in England today – “Come back Guy Fawkes; all is forgiven !”.  With the political system as it is now, many feel the need for a major overhaul of the system.

See the BBC video and more at  http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/the_gunpowder_plot

Enjoy this track from Siouxsie –  not related to 5th November but great anyway –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsPvWA9i4WM

Link – the Gunpowder plot society – http://www.gunpowder-plot.org/fawkes.asp    – lots on Guy Fawkes and more.

 HAVE A GOOD BONFIRE NIGHT ! – SAV.

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UK: Parliament Brief For Dog Meat Trade – To Be Debated IN UK Parliament Today – 5/11/15.

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UPDATE 6/11/15

Please go to the following

https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2015/11/05/uk-london-parliament-barbaric-dog-meat-trade-condemned-by-uk-mps/  

to get a complete overview of the debate; including footage of the debate, the excellent speech by Mr. Flello MP and also a full Hansard transcript of the debate.

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http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-7360

Dog Meat Trade

Published Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Jump to full report >>

In many parts of Asia – particularly in countries such as China, the Philippines, Vietnam and South Korea – it is culturally acceptable to eat dog meat. These are not the only countries that eat dog meat around the world, dog meat is also eaten in Switzerland, Mexico and the Arctic and Antarctic, however most western cultures consider the practice “taboo”. In many Asian countries dogs have only relatively recently been kept as pets and so the animals are viewed very differently to the way they are viewed in the west. However, several animal charities draw attention to the condition in which the dogs are often kept prior to being killed for human consumption. Some animal welfare charities argue that dogs are often tortured before being killed because of a belief that it causes their meat to be tender. There are also concerns that most of the ‘meat dogs’ are in fact stolen companion dogs and strays who are kept in terrible conditions while being transported from country to country.

A particular concern for many charities is Yulin Dog Meat Festival which is held in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, every year. News articles estimate 10,000 dogs are killed at the festival, having been inhumanely transported from other countries in tiny cages, often without food or water, before being beaten to death. There is a huge social media campaign to stop this festival, though its effectiveness has been questioned.

Although it is illegal to commercially slaughter and sell dog meat in many countries around the world, law enforcement is weak and it continues being a popular dish even where it is prohibited. There are no international laws prohibiting the consumption of dog meat. The UK Government is not therefore able to intervene or take trade measures against countries where the consumption of dog meat is regarded as culturally acceptable.

UK ambassadors and Foreign Office officials have, however, raised the issue with the governments of China, the Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam in the past.

On Thursday 5th November 2015 MPs will take part in a debate on the dog meat trade.

This debate, which was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee following a bid from Robert Flello MP, aims to “put pressure on the countries that are involved in this appalling and barbaric trade to do something about it, and ideally to end it permanently.”

Commons Briefing papers CBP-7360

Author: Elena Ares

Topics: Animals, Animal welfare

Download the full report

Dog Meat Trade ( PDF, 615.38 KB)

 

 

Russia: Save Monkeys From Slow, Cruel Death on Mars.

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http://animalpetitions.org/123073/save-monkeys-from-inhumane-death-on-mars/?utm_source=Animal+Petitions&utm_campaign=2a97af0fc3-269AP11_3_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5c8ef52732-2a97af0fc3-79739337

Save Monkeys From Slow, Cruel Death on Mars

Russia has announced that it will send four rhesus monkeys on a suicide mission to Mars in 2017.

During this mission, the monkeys will likely endure inhumane tests, dehydration, and emotional upset.

We need to take action today to preserve the physical and emotional health of these exceptional animals.

Please sign the petition using the above link, thank you.

 

 

 

UK: Final Push To Stop EU Bullfight Breeding Subsidies – UK Supporters Use Link Below.

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For UK campaigners only use the ‘George Osborne’ contact below.  Other EU supporters in other EU states must use their own national representative in this action.

Our past post  – https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2015/10/28/eu-victory-european-parliament-votes-against-funding-bullfights/ 

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NEW ACTION:

Dear Mark,

On Wednesday 28th October, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly for an amendment that could stop taxpayers’ money from supporting farmers who rear bulls to be tortured and killed in bullfights.

This victory was only possible because of people like you taking action and ensuring that our elected representatives know the strength of public feeling against bullfighting.

The reason why I am writing to you today Mark, is because despite this crucial vote, the deal is not quite done.

This amendment will now be considered by a joint committee of MEPs and government Ministers from across the EU. George Osborne is our (UK)  representative on this committee.

For it to be adopted the Ministers will have to debate and agree to the change. If they ignore it then it will fail, and the subsidies will keep being paid.

With one final push YOU can ensure that EU subsidies for bullfighting stop

Please contact George Osborne and ask him to lead the way on this as the Minister responsible, and for him to encourage Finance Ministers in other EU countries to support the amendment.

Thank you so much for your support.

Kind regards,

Mark McCormick

Senior Communications Officer

 LACSLACS stop the subsideisLACS 2LACS 4

 

The Fox Who Loves The Man That Saved It.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lKHtNCJRcc