KiKi (aka "Fridge Cat") supervising the installation of dishwasher in HER new Kitchen

A young dog died today

I got a call today...

A call of anguish and pain and heartbreak.

Rosanna phoned from Guelph, her voice thick with tears, reporting that despite the apparent massive gains made by Tyson after only two chemo appointments, his cancer is so invasive, so virulent that the gains he made are only temporary... his current robustness a blink in time, a sweet, short reprieve .. that in fact, his poor body is so riddled and so damaged, there is no coming back.

For the truth is that I already know as much about my fate as I need to know. The day will come when I will die. So the only matter of consequence before me is what I will do with my allotted time. I can remain on shore, paralyzed with fear, or I can raise my sails and dip and soar in the breeze.

Richard Bode

Anguished and heart-broken, she asks me "was I wrong?"  Should I have listened and accepted that this young dog's fate was to die?  She cries, her voice against my ear, the phone linking our mutual anguish and gifting us with a shared pain.

I remind her of the broken, agonized dog she picked up that day from the THS, his poor body riddled with open sores, his paws raw, leaking blood and fluid.... "remember Tyson NOW' I tell her and we talk, for a moment, about his joyous walks to the park in the last few weeks, how he went from having to be carried from his padded bed to the grass outside and back again, whimpering in pain to the NOW, the jumping for a ball, the frolicking delight of a young dog finally able to revel in young muscles and no pain

Commit yourself to a dream ... Nobody who tries to do something great but fails is a total failure. Why? Because he can always rest assured that he succeeded in life's most important battle - he defeated the fear of trying.

Robert H. Schuller

When all is said and done, life is uncertain.. the paths we take may seem clear but the capricious nature of time and possibilities inevitably obscure and change the clarity of thought and the certitude of destination and all of us, frail humans, struggle to accept and deal with new understandings.

A young dog died today.

But I cannot, will not, believe that the precious time he was gifted with this past month was a waste or a choice made wrong. I will not and do not believe that the short window in time in which a young dog learned the worth of a soft hand, the feel of  grass warmed and crisped by the hot sun, the taste of a dusky, muddy tennis ball was wasted simply because it was limited by hours and minutes that could be counted and weighed .  The reality is that none of us know the moments left in our lives. But to experience the immediate, the "now", to live in the moment and find in it, a measure of peace, a smidgen of joy, a release from pain and a discovery of infinite possibilities is incredibly precious and not to be denied.

Rosanna,  Tatiana and Dishanie were his special angels in this short walk he had on the stage of life.

All of you chose to step over the precipice.. to take that leap of faith - to BELIEVE that he might have a chance - don't ever, EVER feel that was the wrong decision.  You chose to gift that little dog with hope; to confer on him the grace of believing... that can NEVER be wrong.

And as a dear friend also pointed out, Tyson also "taught something to everyone who handled him, loved him, cared for him and cheered for him. Each will have learned something different but in the end all will have learned something and Tyson's fight for life was not in vain."  (Thank you Lynn for that timely and poignant reminder that in the loving, we too learn something invaluable).

That it turned out this way... sadly, that faith and belief and love could not trump the reality of a cancer left far too long by those who had his welfare in their hands long before your kind hands.. but that is not the point of Tyson's life.

He has lived.  And for that, we can can be grateful.

He has been loved. And for that, we can give thanks.

And in the end, he found his way with his angels to see him through.

Written by: Alfred Lord Tennyson

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

When I embark;

For though from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crossed the bar.

STOP PUPPY MILLS and one way to help is to sign petitions like this one ....

There are many situations that drive me into a frenzy when it comes to the way society turns a blind eye towards animal welfare - and allows fashion, selfishness and ignorance to compound and contribute to the continued exploitation of animals.  Puppy mills have to be one of the most horrendous contributors to the continued exploitation, torture and forced breeding of dogs.  

Anyone today that denies any knowledge of these awful hellholes is deliberately turning a blind eye and are themselves guilty of the continued horror that the parents of those "cute" puppies suffer every moment of their sad, short, pathetic lives.

Buy on Kijji or craigslist a yorkipoo?  a 7 or 8 week old jack mix?  "just got a puppy and am moving"- who do you think you are fooling?

What we can target with will and with the weight of the law is the banning of the sale of any live kittens, rabbits, dogs in pet stores.  (Because there are also kitten mills).  It has worked in many municipalities -and while it is naive to think it gets rid of the problem, it at least stops ONE potential market.  

Please sign and SHARE this petition ... time to shut down forever the selling of dogs in pet stores - stores that refuse to take responsibility for the continued exploitation of the puppies parents; stores that make an obscene profit for often sick, genetically screwed little dogs that credulous buyers end up paying thousands of dollars in vet bills on; stores that have incompetent staff who, even with the best of intentions, have no clue have to properly care for the often far too young animals that come into their purview.

Please sign and share.

Do this one thing and with enough voices, there CAN be change.

http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/safari-pet-center-stop-selling-puppies

Tyson's fundraiser an awesome success!

At this point, the fundraiser has around $3200 in the kitty! As $3,000 was the original quote for the series of chemotherapy sessions recommended, Tyson is now able to complete the entire program!

Thank you to everyone who shared.

Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Thank you to everyone who cared.

Tyson is feeling feisty and starting to understand that life is good.

More updates to follow!

Tyson the Terrific walks on his own to his second treatment

Tyson THREE weeks ago

My heart literally feels like bursting.. watching this sweet puppy walking under his own steam, clearly suffering minimal discomfort after just TWO chemotherapy treatments.

When you compare the earlier pictures, the ones that clearly show that this valiant fighter had just about given up; battered, bruised, bloody and hurting, his body literally being eaten away, his feet bleeding, it seemed impossible that this puppy could find it in himself to rally.

But Tyson has found his heart again.

Tyson has found angels to support him in his fierce determination to beat this horrible disease.  Rosanna, a woman with the softest heart and yet the strongest will of anyone I know. Her daughter Titiania, a stalwart defender and another one who believes.


Look at our boy go!


Tyson walking into his second chemo in Guelph

Tyson has a lot more appointments before he is done the fight.  Please share widely and let's get his fundraising really going!

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-tyson-a-shelter-puppy-get-chemotherapy

We are ALMOST halfway there to the goal.  This money will be used ONLY for Tyson's treatment at the Animal Cancer Centre in Guelph.

Please help this boy have a fighting chance.

A Miracle in the Making...

 The photos here are disturbing... very disturbing.  This was Tyson when Rosanna first picked him up from the THS. Despite valiant efforts at the shelter and the best of vet care, his health was deteriorating by the day.  Rosanna was called and despite the promised heartbreak, agreed to take him for his final days.  It was almost a fluke that she, in desperation at the pitiful state of this poor dog,  she finally found someone who was willing to see him at the Animal Cancer Centre at the University of Guelph.

As noted earlier, there is no "cure" for Tyson - what there is is a chance (no promises) for him to live a little longer with a quality of life he has never actually experienced.  A chance to learn that life can exist without pain, that grass is wonderful to roll on, a ball is a magical thing to catch.  Tyson has been offered a chance to know that life is more than pain and suffering, more than an exhausted body and the long, dark of nights fraught with resignation and despair.

This is Tyson after just ONE round of chemotherapy...




Tell me miracles don't happen.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-tyson-a-shelter-puppy-get-chemotherapy

Tyson the Brave needs help- THS foster needs funds for chemo

My friend Rosanna has the biggest heart of anyone I know.  A long-term, palliative foster for the THS, she opens her heart and home to dogs that are sick and dying and gives them, in their final days, a lifetime of love, laughter, hugs and care all squished into whatever time they have left.  In so doing, her own heart breaks again and again because she is a woman who can only offer every piece of her heart to her latest sweet pup, knowing that it will be ripped to pieces once again.

Rosanna's latest love is a beautiful pup called Tyson.  Tyson was surrendered to the Toronto Humane Society with an advanced case of disseminated mast cell tumour (skin cancer).  Due to the severity of his cancer, it was initially determined that Tyson would be a palliative foster - and no one has a bigger heart than Rosanna and that is where he went to spend (what we thought) were his final days.

 However, Rosanna - like sweet Tyson - is a fighter. Unfamiliar with this type of cancer, Rosanna got to work exploring potential options and possible treatments.  To her delighted surprise, she was fortunate enough to get in touch with the Animal Cancer Centre at Guelph University - where a specialist suggested Rosanna bring him in.

With her wonderful daughter Tatiana and a referral from the THS, Rosanna brought this sweet boy to the University of Guelph where he was approved for life-saving cancer treatment.  It was established by Guelph specialists that while Tyson's cancer cannot be cured, they were hopeful a round of chemotherapy and various drugs could relieve his suffering and give him one to two years of GOOD quality life!  Right there and then, Rosanna paid for Tyson's first round - and the immediate result was astounding.

Guelph could not be more generous or  kind - the vet overseeing his care recommended 8 sessions of chemotherapy, with 4 once a week and the next 4 every other week. The estimated cost is projected at $2600-$3000 dollars in total.  This is actually a considerable reduction due to the willingness of the institution to reduce costs.

$3000 is a lot of money but this sweet pup, who has only had  year to enjoy his short life deserves his chance.  Rosanna recognized that this was a grave financial burden on the THS which is just finding its feet and starting to once again thrive.  So she and Tatiana have started a fundraising campaign for Tyson's treatment.  EVERY cent will go towards his treatment and both the fundraisers and the THS want to be completely above-board and transparent as possible.

PLEASE please please... if you can donate even a couple of dollars, please do. The link for the fundraiser is here, while Tyson's facebook page which will update and keep fans apprised of his progress is here.

As someone who has been intimately entwined for many years with the THS and for the past several years taken a step back, uncertain whether the direction this venerable institution was taking was one I could follow - I am SO encouraged at this clear message that EVERY dog deserves a chance.  Their willingness to take a chance with Tyson - to give this innocent, sweet dog a chance to live even a few years in relative comfort and health is so clearly in the spirit of its original benefactor that I believe his spirit is probably looking down in joy.

If you don't believe in miracles, then follow the journey of this beautiful dog.  5 days into his treatment and he walked to and from the park (Rosanna had carried him just a week or so ago)- and played FETCH.

Let's keep Tyson smiling!  Donate if you can - every dollar helps - and please, if you do or you can't - give the THS a call anyways- BECOME a member  or just drop them a note - tell them how pleased you are that it is fufilling the promises made and becoming the institution it was meant to be!

Phone: 416.392.2273

or EMAIL their Communications Department to let them know that the citizens of this City are so happy to see this kind of kindness and caring in a place that is now returning to its roots ... truly a place of refuge for all the animals in Toronto.

Thank you Rosanna and Tatiana! and Thank You THS!!

THS- A Year On and a another election

A year brings with it perspective and insight that the actions (or  non-actions) of an entity define.  Although trite, the adage "actions speak louder than words" rings true.   Since my February 15 blog Trash Talk Redux, I've somewhat reassessed my own perceptions of what is going on at the Toronto Humane Society.

Upcoming in May is the Annual Board Meeting - an opportunity for members to talk with their votes - to support new and existing Board members whose vision coincides with their own.  But, to do so, you have to be a member and the deadline is almost here - you MUST have your membership application and payment in by TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 AT 5:00 P.M.

Link to the membership page

I urge anyone with their own vision of where the THS should venture to become a member and vote!!

I also note that there are several unelected Board members on the website.  Based on their blurbs, I assume they are going to run for positions in the May AGM.  It bothers me that  unelected members were brought in with no announcement or even a press release explaining who these individuals were and who suggested their inclusion.  As someone who believes implicitly in accountability and  clarity- I am not impressed that this information was not provided to  members - even a simple press release on the actual site would have provided me with a measure of comfort that the Board was following through on its promise to be above-board.

I'm also very displeased with the VERY tardy minutes from the Board meetings.  As I know that these meetings are fairly frequent, I am curious as to why the most recent minutes posted were from LAST AUGUST.  That is not acceptable.  I, for one, would like a chance to peruse minutes in order to judge for myself where the Board members stand with respect to issues which are important to me.  This is particularly important in view of the upcoming AGM.  Having spoken to a Board member, he has indicated he is looking into this - but concurs that the massive delays in publishing minutes which are to be made available to members is unacceptable.

Frankly, I'm not a happy camper in many respects with the THS.

It is no secret I walked away more than a year ago because of philosophical differences.  My vision of the THS has been, remains and always will be of a shelter that welcomes all the animals of Toronto - and in fact, provides refuge and care to many animals who would otherwise have nowhere to go.  That, in my view, is becoming increasingly rare.  There simply is no denying that the number of animals up for adoption are severely limited... that more needy animals (with some exceptions) just aren't there ....  and to my mind, there is "fudging" (to be kind) in what is termed "special needs" .

I have been told by several people that this is due primarily to budgetary restraints - the drop in membership, the squabbling and the continued perception that things are not entirely good at the THS have all contributed to a considerable drop in revenue.

Yet, I do not believe that is the whole picture.

I have (and continue to be)  very disappointed in the lack of positive press the THS garners - and feel that their communications department and individuals within the organization have really done a poor job of letting the people of Toronto know what is going on in the shelter.  My own opinion is they have really passed up some excellent opportunities to let the people of Toronto know that the THS is there and willing to help .... because while I'm not thrilled with everything going on there, there has also been some remarkable effort made on the part of the THS to do some wonderful things for animals in the past year. The fact that they missed the chance to show the world they are a great organization in many respects is both short-sighted and plain bad business.

One thing I will say for Trow (and I do not in any way or manner want to see him back) is the man was a genius at promoting the shelter.  That and his vision of a no-kill shelter were two things I respected in him; unfortunately, "no-kill" as he interpreted became (in my opinion) twisted and cruel.

I think probably the best thing I could say about the "new" THS is it is mediocrity personified.... faint praise indeed to an organization that from its inception was intended to challenge the status quo and bring to the forefront the importance of animal welfare - that challenged the people of Toronto to step up and say I CARE what happens to the animals in our City.

I do not see the issues as insurmountable.  Based on my reading of the minutes, my various conversations with different individuals and my own vision, I believe there are current Board members with the passion and the resolve to create a THS that could become a shining example of what animal advocates can achieve.    There are other Board members for whom I have no respect and whose actions over the tenure of their appointments have not, in my opinion, reflected promises made when they were first elected.

I believe, implicitly, that the THS is at a crossroads.

The Trow Years are becoming a memory; the travails of what in essence was a new organization at this juncture should no longer be used as an excuse for not moving forward and creating the type of shelter promised to those of us who have remained stalart defenders of the THS; counselling people to be patient, to wait and see - to trust that the type of organization we envisioned will come to pass.

Be warned - I for one am tired of waiting.

Time to step up and be heard THS - and that means the Board members still in position and those to be elected in the upcoming AGM in May.

I know I will be looking for individuals who put their actions into reality - not those who simply mouth platitudes and pretend compliance.

I didn't sign up for a pet store, THS - I signed up for a haven for all the animals of Toronto.

Urban Landscape

In today's Star, columnist Bob Hepburn vomited a vitriolic, hateful and to my mind, frightening diatribe against raccoons, fueled by the horrific actions of Toronto resident, Doug Nguyen who received 100 hours of community service at a community humane shelter (really?? I wouldn't want someone like that NEAR any animals!), and a $1300 fine.  For what?  For basically cold bloodily bashing the hell out of baby raccoons for daring to be in his urban garden.

Hepburn, almost frothing at the mouth, went on a rant about what a menace these creatures were, suggesting that the majority of Toronto's residents would agree with him.

So why don’t Toronto and the 905 municipalities launch programs to cull the pests? Are they waiting for raccoons to be officially declared a public health hazard?

Then, in a breathtaking example of just bad journalism, he says:

Diehard animal lovers may oppose killing raccoons, but we permit the killing of rats and mice and allow the humane euthanizing of thousands of stray and unwanted cats and dogs every year.

In an email to Mr. Hepburn, I pointed out that he might have actually have utilized a few brain cells and done some cursory research; that in fact, Toronto had a scarcity of dogs for adoption and both Toronto Animal Services and the Toronto Humane Society go outside the City- and even the Province on a regular basis - to bring dogs back. Further, there are many very successful TNR groups (trap, neuter, release) that have been spectacularly successful in controlling and maintaining the feral cat population in Toronto in a humane manner.

He concludes with the suggestion that Toronto do a "cull" of the raccoon population - a euphemism for slaughtering hundreds of innocent animals simply trying to survive in an increasingly hostile urban landscape.

Likening the slaughter to Mississauga's decision to send a couple of hundred geese to New Brunswick-several years ago, Mr. Hepburn lack of journalistic integrity was again glaringly obvious. A quick google shows that several towns in New Brunswick have, over the past 15 years - been able to get permission from the Department of Wildlife to cull their own flocks, so the fate of the 200 Mississauga birds is probably a foregone conclusion.

The reality is that Mr. Hepburn's attitude is so clearly reflective of a City that is becoming increasingly polarized and meaner. From Ford's mythical "war on cars' crap to the methodical and obvious undermining of a cycling strategy that would make the City safer for cyclists and pedestrians, Toronto's populace is pulling up the bridges and huddling behind created moats. A UN report clearly shows that Canada is already failing the majority of its urban population by refusing to commit to a pedestrian and cycling friendly city.

The increasing hysteria being generated by media, perpetuated through social networks, bolstered by an ignorant public about Toronto's wildlife is ominous and bodes ill for the creatures with which we share this City. From the Beaches screaming about coyotes to the ire of ignorant columnists like Hepburn, an already precarious existence for our urban wildlife is being threatened.

The reality is that WE have encroached on their territory- they have not moved in from the surrounding countryside like a bad rendition of City Mouse and Country Mouse. A trend for people to move back from the suburbs, a preference for new citizens to want to settle in an urbanized area, cost of living increases that make commuting unviable and other factors have contributed to a huge demand for housing inner-city.

Condos and townhouses are proliferating and every day sees the slaughter of our urban forest . City Hall's lofty promises to protect our urban forest are a joke - I've watched with a heavy heart beautiful trees chopped down with impunity, depriving animals not just of shelter and safety, but contributing to the pollution and poor air quality affecting all of us.

We have a moral obligation to do our best to co-exist peacefully with the animals we have displaced. It really isn't rocket science. Keeping garbage securely fastened, NOT feeding wildlife, inspecting your home for possible issues on a regular basis, and maintaining vigilance with our domestic animals really doesn't take a great deal of effort.

As someone who bikes to work on a fairly regular basis (not in winter!)- there is something incredibly magical about my 4 a.m. rides. I have seen foxes, coyotes, skunks, raccoons and even opossums in my early morning forays... trotting down urban streets, streaking across parks, sauntering down sidewalks and simply going about the business of existing.

The arrogance of man to think that only he deserves a space in this world of ours is at best, contemptible, at worst a crime. For it is we who have fouled the rivers, and driven to extinction more species than we can count. Then, rather than understanding and accepting our peaceful co-existence with those hardy enough to survive, we again show our ignorance and tunnel vision by attacking that which makes our City more than glass and steel.

We too are creatures of flesh and blood with a connection to the natural world that is becoming increasingly tenuous .. and in the doing, diminishes us.

Trash Talk Redux

The THS just can't get a break.

Since the horrific and lethal raid by the OSPCA three years ago,  compounded by the abortive and vindictive attempts to retake control by Tim Trow and supporters in the years following, membership and support for this once well respected institution has plummeted.

OSPCA supporters conveniently forget that under the illusion of cleaning up Tim Trow's mess, the OSPA and its minions (including some THS staff(and former staff)  at that time) slaughtered hundreds of animals.  Their unprofessional and illegal conduct resulted in two eventual outcomes - most charges  against Trow were dropped (based on the patently unprofessional manner in which the raid - and arrest - of Tim et al took place, not because they weren't valid) and the beginning of of what has - and continues to be - a massive abandonment by its membership.

Truth be told it is almost understandable - in that with the various factions attacking and defending, many people have simply walked away.  The past two annual meetings have been divisive and controversial - albeit the naysayers,while vocal and malicious were actually small in numbers and garnered very few votes.

Since then, the THS has been struggling to deal with a myriad of challenges, not the least of which is the hemorrhaging of the increasingly limited membership base.  No membership means no money - no money means less staff.  Less staff means less animals (as unlike the former management days when the shelter was horrifically over-crowded, unsanitary and resulted in a lot of animals with substandard care and suffering), it is limited by the regulations imposed on its reopening a couple of years ago to a specific ratio of animals to staff.

I have my own issues with the "new" THS - enough so that i walked away as a long-term volunteer.  However, although our philosophies diverged enough that i wasn't comfortable volunteering there any more, I still support them to a great extent and continue to believe that there are a lot of people with a vision that at some point may again mesh with my own.  Further I am comfortable transporting rescue dogs there as I know they will receive excellent care.

What I cannot tolerate, however, is the continued malicious, vindictive and destructive undermining of the Toronto Humane Society by individuals who hide behind created personas to wreak havoc.  I believe, implicitly that if these small-minded, vicious berserkers continue to divide the already compromised membership, it is a very real possibility that the Toronto Humane Society will cease to exist.

And that would be a tragedy indeed.

Yes, there are steps the THS needs to take.  Realities they need to create.  Visions they need to fulfill.  They have let some amazing staff go - Jazzmine was one of the most compassionate, skilled and talented dog person I've know - and I was shocked and dismayed when I heard she was let go.  But what I don't think is that any of the staff who have lost their job - particularly in the latest round  - did so because they weren't valued or needed - but water out of stone will not happen and without a solid membership base, money is a huge issue.  Granted, I'm not privy to the ins and outs - but common sense and years of volunteering there leave you with a certain organic knowledge about the dynamics of the place.

There is currently a Kijji advertisement seeking disgruntled former employees and members.  An ad which is reflected in a facebook page euphemistically called "Friends of the THS" - a misnomer if there ever was one.

Their bleatings are simplistic and clearly deluded.

Making assertions that small rescue groups have better numbers.  Claiming staff are being terminated for no good reason. That Board  members are lazy, uninvolved and uncaring.

While I find it astonishing that anyone would actually take these assertions seriously - apparently people do.

The THS is struggling, in large part, because they are legally bound to deal with the aftermath of the many years of mismanagement .  Lawsuits (of which there were many) do not go away because management changed.  Civil suits do not disappear because the former president of the organization was deposed.  The shelter itself required a massive infusion of cash to upgrade and fix years of neglect to the physical structure.  In order to meet the strict (perhaps overly rigid, in my view) conditions which accompanied their re-opening and were imposed by the OSPCA means more money was needed both in the process and ongoing to keep standards of care of the animals high.

Of course the standard of care I saw on my return there is so far beyond what I saw for the three and a half years I was there under former management that it bears no resemblance.  Good vet care takes money.  Decent food requires an infusion of cash.

I remember Patience with her ears so badly infected that the pus was running in gummy green streams down her matted fur.  I remember Diva dying in agony, writhing in pain because no one would give her the compassionate way out. I remember cats stacked like cordwood in filthy cages with not a person to touch or pet them for weeks due to the simple magnitude of animals that needed care.  I remember the expired pallets of mouldy food in the dank basement. The dogs in filthy cages, rampant parvo... dogs who were lucky to get out for a total of a couple of minutes a day.

The simplistic bleating of whoever is behind the ads and the page simply do not account for any of the realities which face the shelter. They gloss over and romanticize former days and former management, while conveniently forgetting the other parts of those days.

Do I think the THS needs to get its ass in gear?  That there are changes I passionately want to see? Absolutely.

But hearkening back to what was a dark part of its long history is not the way to accomplish this.

Further dividing a shrinking membership is only going to compound and undermine an organization which is already struggling to keep its head above water.

And Friends of the THS- why don't you develop a pair and come out and say who you are instead of hiding behind a created persona?  Bloody cowards.

And while you're at it- be honest and let's look at what the THS HAS done in the past few years.

• a low-cost (very reasonable) spay and neuter clinic for cats open to the public - as well as a wildly successful program of spaying, neutering and catch and releasing feral cats

• continued support of needy animals that would not have a chance anywhere else - Newt - the latest - a little pug who will require thousands of dollars in medical care

• saving and finding homes out of province for dogs escaping the consequences of the horrific and ineffective BSL (Captain aka Henry for instance, who found a wonderful home in PEI)

• opening doors, hearts and pockets to the care of puppy mill survivors

• continued education in the schools on educating children about animal welfare

• a very successful partnership with Classical 96.3 where a pet of the week (sometimes more) has resulted in many successful adoptions

• a continued commitment to taking in dogs from over-crowded shelters where they are at risk (in Ontario and Quebec)- and I know because I've transported MANY of them

There are many more excellent programs and initiatives both completed and in the works.  There are people with visions (and some with none)- there are some great staff members and some not so great staff members.  But when all is said and done, the THS has the chance to be great.  It has the chance to fulfill a destiny begun more than 100 years ago when a man saw a horse falter and fall in the Victorian streets of Toronto and knew that was a wrong that needed righting.

To achieve that vision it needs support - pure and simple.  It needs goodwill and belief.  It needs money and it needs a willingness to invest in a future which will embrace all that is best about animal welfare.  Positive criticism can be a realistic engine of change.  Vision can excite and compel people to create miracles.  Small-minded, cowardly and deluded small minds, on the other hand, can undermine and ultimately destroy a refuge which can, one day, be a shining example of how we can co-exist, embrace and respect the animals which are such an intrinsic part of our lives.

*Pictures were borrowed from the THS website or Toronto Star

Darwin stays at Story Book... for now

“I am not satisfied she has met the high standard necessary” to prove she will be successful in winning Darwin back when the trial comes, he said. 

So said Justice Michael Brown in ruling that Darwin stays at the Story Book Primate Sanctuary until the matter of ownership is brought to trial. Without elaborating, Justice Brown indicated there was some concern about Yasmin Nahkuda's 'crediblity.

The Sanctuary says that Darwin is thriving - that he is gravitating more towards other monkeys than humans, his weight has stabilized and his fur is growing in. Sanctuary president Sherry Delaney alleges Darwin was overweight and missing fur when he arrived.

The Star article here and the Sun article here both indicate that Superior Court Justice Brown did not believe that the bond between the monkey and his former caregiver - who refers to herself as his 'mother' would not be irreparably harmed if the trial date was earlier.

Ms. Nahkuda stated outside the courthouse after the decision “You’ve just learned that loving is not enough to win a motion.'

Certainly, in my opinion, 'loving' (which is subjective at the best of times) most certainly should not form the basis for a decision in law - nor should it be a definitive factor in deciding what is best for Darwin. The reality is that Darwin is an intelligent, complex and disturbed monkey- denied his birthright - subjected to the whims of a misguided woman, raised in an environment inimical to his nature. The decision of where Darwin will spend the balance of his life should not be decided by emotion nor passion but based on a careful consideration of what is best for an animal of his kind.

Certainly the degree of passion and often rage and vindictiveness brought to the question of Darwin's final placement is at times frightening. Ms. Nahkuda's supporters have at times brought what can only be described as fanaticism in their impassioned defence of her decision to get the monkey back. Threats have been colourful, violent and in my opinion, unbalanced.

I'm an animal lover; it seems for my entire life I have been advocating for those who do not have a voice - I've made mistakes, been mistaken, been betrayed, known joy, known a soul-deep contentment when something works out and learned all through this that the more I learn, the less I know.

But time, knowledge and insight have granted me one unassailable fact - human beings do not have the right to impose our human emotions on animals which do not - and should not - share our viewpoint. As the species which (for better or worse) so often impacts the creatures with whom we share this world, the one absolute truth is that we have to respect who they are.... and try our best to stand back and allow them to fulfill their destinies in a way in which their nature defines them.

Sanctuaries like Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary exist because of the mistakes and selfish actions WE have taken and done. They exist not as 'entertainment', not as 'income generators', not as 'showplaces' - they are not zoos nor sideshow acts like many of the horrific places which our lax and useless laws allow to thrive - they are not the horror of Marineland, the heartbreaking despairing hellhole of places like Bowmanville or the Jungle Cat place - they exist to offer some form of habitat and rehabilitation on traumatized, confused and despairing animals who are the end result of the actions of misguided and selfish people .

Primates like Darwin are not animate toys.

They deserve sanctuary and as close a replication of their natural order as can be done - not to live lives of confusion, displacement and affront to their natural nature.

Monkeys do not wear Shearling coats and diapers.

Ms. Nahkuda- if you love this little creature as much as you claim - then let him GO.

Darwin's Day in Court

The case of Darwin (the monkey found wandering in the Ikea parking lot in his shearling coat) will be heard  today by a Superior Court Justice at court in Oshawa. His fate hangs in the balance - with his former owner, Yasmin Nahkuda fighting to have him returned and the Story Book Farm Sanctuary where he currently resides insisting he is best served by living with his own kind. The Toronto Sun reports that in a poll commissioned by Forum Research, 57% of those polled believe he should remain at Story Book Farm Sanctuary where TAS placed him after he was removed from his owner.

The debate over where Darwin belongs has been lively, acrimonious and filled with accusations, derision and rage from both sides of the divide.  CTV News reports that the issue has engendered cries of slander and defamation on both sides, while a cursory glance at the Daring Darwin Monkey facebook page clearly shows that the issue of where primates (and indeed, other exotic animals) belong is fractured and subject to emotional excess.

It is no secret that I am disgusted at the "humanization" of Darwin.  The saccharine videos of Darwin's early months (you know, when he was an infant and taken from his real mother - the cost of his mother's pain and his own descent into being a toy for a woman with no understanding or common sense) on the Darling Darwin Monkey facebook page clearly illustrate the paternalistic, selfish and twisted (in my opinion) views of people who refuse to accept that certain animals are simply not meant to be kept as pets.

Seeing him dressed in clothes, performing unnatural acts and being treated as an animate toy leaves me sickened and sad.  Primates are incredibly intelligent.  They have intricate, clearly defined social lives, are articulate, curious and are psychologically sophisticated.  Those behaviours are clearly not conducive to a comfortable partnership with human beings - particularly as the monkeys get older and aggression becomes more of an issue.  According to the U.S. based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention:

... macaque monkeys are prone to carrying harmful viruses and were found in studies to be aggressive toward humans, particularly children. For these reasons, the CDC deemed macaque monkeys "unsuitable" as pets.

On a page which Google found - Pet Monkey Testimonials - there are some pretty damning incidents of how monkeys often turn on their owners as they get older and their natural behaviour (already psychologically damaged by the lack of a natural environment) asserts itself.  I found it particularly striking the number of individuals who commented on how they had brought the monkey up like a "baby" and were shocked and appalled when the creature turned on them as it aged.  This is reflective of many of Yasmin's comments wherein she refers to herself as the "Monkey Mom" and to Darwin repeatedly as her "baby".

I'm not a big fan of anthropomorphism of animals.  After many years exploring the best methods of interacting with and training dogs, I was lucky enough to find a trainer whose cardinal rule is LET THE DOG BE A DOG.  After years of struggling with deep seated issues in my dogs engendered by abuse  (they were rescues), I FINALLY learned how to let them be THEM and over time, saw immediate benefits and much happier dogs.  The anthropomorphism of Darwin is even more distressing as monkeys are far more sophisticated, intricate and intelligent  creatures.  Denied a chance to develop normally, Darwin was, in my opinion, being abused by being forced into an unnatural role as a "monkey baby".

Clearly, the best place for Darwin WOULD have been with his own mother and living in a large social group (the natural state of these type of monkeys); however, that is no longer an option due to the immoral actions first of the breeder who ripped him from his mother's arms when he was literally days old (and studies have shown that the mothers go into a depression and mourn the loss of their baby - PLUS they are bred again- up to 10 x more than their natural state), then exacerbated by Yasmin buying him and then playing house and "mommy" with him.

Is Story Book Farm ideal? Of course not. But given that time can't be reversed, it is the only humane and moral place for Darwin to stay. He needs to be exposed and learn from his own kind - he deserves the chance to at least try to acquire and internalize "normal" monkey behaviour. What he does not deserve is to be returned to an individual who while claiming to "love" him, instead uses him to satisfy some twisted desire of her own.

Dog-Bite Related Stats from 1964 to Present

Click on the picture to make more readable .... umm, notice there are no "pitties" (as labelled (incorrectly) by the McGuinty Fibs?

Toronto the Cruel

Once upon a time in a City which tiresomely refers to itself ad naseum as “world-class” there are various organizations which purport to care about the animals of this City.

We LOVE animals, said the City-mandated Toronto Animal Services passionately.  Yet they continue to slaughter many, many  dogs that look a bit like the mythical pit bulls – you know the ones with locking jaws, a slavering and overwhelming desire to rend and tear, the ones who “turn on you in an instance”.  Not, of course, the ones most of us are familiar with .. you know the “dogs”- regular dogs with regular personalities, with regular positives and negatives based on their life experience, training and personalities.  Of course, “their” kind of dogs and “our” kind of dogs look pretty much identical but apparently the all-seeing, all-knowing provincial government with their breed-specific legislation based on nothing more than media frenzy and innuendo knew MUCH better. The McSquinty Liberals (yes, the same wonderful organization that also brought you the death of democracy by cunningly removing the right to collective bargaining) KNEW that dogs with blocky heads and short coats were ALL MURDERING SWINE.  And while i know some of the mythical "pit bulls" do escape to rescue organizations and out-of-province shelters with a more balanced viewpoint, I would bet money that far more end up DEAD based only - and entirely - on their appearance.

Having said that, TAS  does do a lot of good things – and has improved tremendously over the past 20 years in terms of promoting a healthy environment, accepting a variety of domestic animals and even working hard to establish positive relationships with rescues and other animal-centric organizations.  I personally know  some amazingly awesome people within the employ of TAS who go above and beyond.  Bottom  line, however, is their mandate is animal control- not animal shelter and in that context, are limited in what they CAN do (as opposed to what I know many WANT to do).

And due to the amount of funding, limited officers and staff, there just is NOT enough attention being paid to situations where animals are being possibly abused or neglected. The deer struck last year and left to die in agony is a case in point ... WHERE WERE THE ANIMAL ORGANIZATIONS? That animal suffered fear, pain and trauma and lay there, helpless, dying and NO ONE came to help. In fact the organizations purporting to be responsible, stood by and watched... and I sure didn't see THS there either - after all - even if the  THS  were not allowed to "treat" the animal, I find it HIGHLY unlikely that anyone would have objected to a vet from either organization at least giving the poor creature a pain killer.

And then there are poor animals like this guy, who is living a monstrous, desperate and cruel existence at the end of a chain:

Meet King - that's him in front of the left hand garage door

That's his "doghouse" squished between the buildings

He's a beautiful boy

 Apparently, because he has a "house" it's ok to leave him out 24/7 - in every type of weather - like the frigid temperatures we are experiencing right NOW.  The fact that there is not a chance in HELL that his water will be anything but frozen ... that no one has checked to ensure that his doghouse MEETS CITY STANDARDS is irrelevant...

 (paragraphs from Toronto Animal Services- Enforcement and Mobile Response.

§ 349-5. Responsibility to care for animals.

Every person who keeps an animal within the City's boundaries shall provide the animal

or cause it to be provided with adequate and appropriate care, food, water, shelter,

exercise, attention and veterinary care as may be required to meet the need of the species.

§ 349-6. Enclosures for animals kept out of doors.

If an animal is customarily kept out of doors, the person having the custody or control of

the animal shall provide for its use at all times a structurally sufficient, weather-proofed

and insulated enclosure of appropriate size and dimension.

349-7. Tethers.

A. No person shall keep any animal in the City tethered on a chain, rope or similar

restraining device of less than three metres in length.
B. Every person who has tethered an animal shall ensure, at all times, that the animal
has unrestricted movement within the range of the tether, and that the animal cannot

suffer injury resulting from the tethering.

So I don't know if the doghouse is insulated and weather proofed, nor do I know if King's chain which was attached to him when he was 3 months old and has not been off since is an "acceptable length".  Because frankly, no one seems to give fuck (believe me, both myself and others have tried).

But what about the "other" organization - the one that has garnered so much controversy and press and notoriety in the past few years you ask?

Well, they can't do a damn thing about King because they continue to assert that their powers to investigate has not been returned to them. Not sure exactly why it is taking so damn long - could be that the OSPCA (who I believe gives them the go-ahead but I keep being told contradictory reasons - i.e. is it the OSPCA, OR it is the City who appoint only TAS - illumination anyone?) is reluctant in view of their own complete and utter clusterfuck when first "investigating" (i.e. raiding and slaughtering hundreds of animals)- or maybe because the OSPCA actually prefers to spend its money on costly weekends at Casino Rama or the building of a HUGE facility in Newmarket with empty cages.. who knows.  All I know is that the "new" THS has been up and running for a couple of years now and STILL doesn't have the authority  (or in my view, seemingly, the intent) to investigate animal cruelty charges. Why???  Every time I've asked, I've been told it's going to happen - but hey, here we are and they STILL can't.

Further, while the Shelter was obscenely and unhealthily over-crowded during Tim's reign, now it is like a ghost town ... I believe there are currently between 20-24 dogs there in a place that could easily accommodate twice to three times that many.

Toronto is amazingly fortunate in that it actually has very few "strays".  As a result, both TAS and THS often pull animals (well, dogs only I think) from all over the place as Toronto (due to its population) is a great market for potential adopters.  As someone who 'transports', I've brought dogs from Quebec, from other Ontario shelters etc to both TAS and THS and those dogs have ALL found wonderful homes, usually in a very short period of time.  The Toronto Humane Society even took in five Thai dogs that were in desperate straits and kudos to them for that..

But many shelters right here in Ontario and also in Quebec (chronically there) are over-crowded, desperate for help, desperate to find placements for their over-crowded environs - so why aren't both organizations being more pro-active?  Hell, talking to the people at the Montreal SPCA, things are ALWAYS in a desperate situation there!  I also know that the Quinte Humane Society, a few short hours away, is chronically under-funded (and does a great job despite this)- but often are also very crowded.  Durham Humane which probably does (in my opinion) one of the BEST jobs in terms of compassion, knowledge and caring, often is bursting at the seams.

Oh and yeah - about those strays - THS says they can't accept strays (that TAS is the only "legal" entity allowed to do so)... so strays picked up or turned in are daily sent to Toronto Animal Services - who (to my knowledge) are more than happy to send them back but oddly, unless someone agitates from the THS (which seldom happens) and if those 'strays' happen to be 'illegal' 'pit bull types'  (i.e not grandfathered with paperwork under the BSL), then if TAS can't find them a placement outside the province, well, they're DEAD..

Clearly, I don't have ingress to all the ins and the outs, the politics, the back rooms and the meetings; all I've got is eyes and ears and an overwhelming belief that the animals of Toronto really do deserve a better deal than they're getting now.  The fact is there are some amazing people working (and volunteering) for both TAS and THS - caring, compassionate people with vision and the will to do better.  But somewhere along the road, those people aren't being heard. Somewhere, somehow, the animals of Toronto are being denied what the mandates promise them - safe haven...

Meanwhile... King freezes at the end of a chain.