Editorial: January - February 2005
I HOPE everyone had a very happy New Year celebration and wish you all the best for a very happy and healthy 2005.
I extend these wishes also to all our fur people large and small - our best friends and most loyal followers, for it is these companions that in some countries of the world really need our support... countries such as China, whose local councils are at present employing goon squads to 'cleanse' the towns of dogs, each in turn, and they don't care how it is done.
The streets of at least two towns in China have already been steeped in blood from the bashing to death of any dog unlucky enough to be on the street while the goons were out on their bounty hunting rampages. Read the full report inside.
On a happier note Winsome, the Guide Dog puppy adopted by the Manurewa High School community for the past 18 months, has graduated. And her graduation was conducted as part of the school's student graduation night. Winsome has been the subject of a Year 9-10 science and technology project that has incorporated the website Winsome's Web World.
Also on our inside pages is some more information from Allen Parton and partner Endal on the project they are currently conducting to find out just how accessible the transport systems are in Britain for people with disabilities, and how considerate the transport companies are in making journeying safe and comfortable for both disabled passengers and their assistance dogs. So far the British systems seem to be conducting themselves rather well.
I will leave you in this issue with a final thought on the Chinese dogs and their fate! There are some people in this country, New Zealand, who have been selling their dogs to go to China to "wonderful homes as pets". I ask such people to look at the pictures and read the story and ask themselves if their pup or dog is still alive.
The Kiwi traders who have been buying these dogs would have you believe they are going to be living in wonderful rich homes... even in embassy back yards! Well, please wake up and smell the blood - dogs larger than 14 inches are not even allowed in the country so they are smuggled in for the flesh eaters or as part of the program to breed fatter and larger roasts, which is legal. It is estimated that between 10 and 20 million dogs are eaten every year in China. Those small enough to pass customs are likely to be among those hunted down in the recent purge. Just don't do it, no matter what monetary incentives are offered - you are not that naive - you KNOW what you are selling your dogs into and how they will die.
Remember, YOU have all the control over who buys your dogs, and YOU are responsible also for their ultimate fate. - Elezabeth
