Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 2: Thank You

This month I would like to express my great appreciation and thanks to a good facebook friend and longtime Purrs 4 Peace supporters Charlie Homer and family. Charlie is a beautiful Newfie girl (i.e., a Newfoundland breed of canine) with a gorgeous black shiny coat. Charlie’s FB page says that her political views include supporting anyone who provides treats…I’m not one to like politics but that is one political position I can get behind!

Charlie lives with her mummy and daddy in a small cottage in Cheshire in the U.K. Charlie’s Mummy is giving up work after Christmas and her Daddy is a pilot. Ooooh being a pilot sounds exciting…and gives Charlie’s Daddy some time to be with his sweet dog while Charlie’s Mummy is working.

Their family included lovely cat named Ellie who had been adopted from an area sanctuary. Ellie had been so badly beaten that the vet at the sanctuary had to amputate one of her legs. Charlie’s Mummy and Daddy adopted her just a week later when they came to the facility and asked for a cat who would not easily find a home. *Four paws applauding such a wonderfully compassionate couple. *Unfortunately, only 18 months later Ellie passed over the Rainbow Bridge due to massive heart failure. Charlie says, “We love all animals of all sorts and left to Mummy we would have a million cats and dogs.” What a wonderful Mummy!

A big thank you nosebump and kitty kiss to Charlie and her family for their for the compassionate and loving example and for their generous friendship and support for Purrs4Peace. You are all appreciated.

Bravo and thank you to all the Purrs 4 Peace purrrrrticipants who include:

@BettinaWagner; @PawPurrry; @SnowyWestie; @MedusaJ; @Pookandgrace; @CyberBonn; @JoannaVroom; @SmudgeBestCat; @Brutusthedane; @Pawsnreflect; @diddlebus; @HollieCatRocks; @Dogstoyevsky; @BunnyJeanCook; Brian Frum; @Mariodacat; Marg; K9friend; Crazykittykat1; Neyland D. Cat; Sweet Praline; Megs; Da fambly kitties; Harry Spotter; Smokey Pino (@Smokey8); Star Purrfik; Susan Ellington; Betsy Gunderson; Beaver Cat Ochoa; Bastet Sab; Marie Cat; Kate Viscardi; Cokie Cat; Chabichou Malabar du Roupillon; Mog Lickorish; Eveykitten Chezum; George Mulkerins; Jennifer Bolger; Mara Bestija; Pookey Lou; Sheila Odom; Mary La Ferlita; Lexington Thompson; Lisa Adams Monzon; Draco Marika Leonardi; Tyson Lockyer; Charlie Homer; Will Appleby; Chiara Leonardi; Thistle Fur Angel Johnson; Jasmine Johnson; Twinkle Johnson; Anja Hattenrath; Smudgie Hb Matthews; Patrizia Anzani; Angelina Leung; IcyCat Whitefur; Emily Cat; Chunks Mather; Louis Cat; Heba Cat Rady; Linda Louise; Elvis Fleksnes; Helen Melon Redshaw; Shazzer Anna; Rebecca Forrest-Pawprints; Atkinson Bubby Rose; Janet Carleton; Basil Blencowe; Ginger Meghalaya; Michelle Webster; Pretty Princess Orca; Ogden Thomas; Kelly Dugas Coveney; Krystal Grohman; Katherine Wiggins; Melody Woodall-Smith; Caroline Ashall; Terri Craig; Mandy LeKitkat Ristow; Sandra Jackson Alawine; Amanda Konzelman; Lisa Butler; Susan G. Bush; Morrigan Benton-Floyd; Kate Viscardi; Kelley Goodman; Jane Worwood; Brenda Kerr; Lisbeth West; Christelle Hoffstetter; William Davis Burke; Gato El Gris Zoff; Bianca Caviglioli; WillowFisher; Jmuhj Acat; Mojito R. Corgan; Goliath Jacawaca; Romeo Gatti; Barfi Watson; Kippy Johnson; Max Buckle; Carlzy Hutchings; Leslie Ann Ellis; Jan Meeuwsen; Willi R. Mccluney; Christine Harris; Mandy may McEntyre; Faythe Roberson Goldsmith; Frank Lampcat; Candis Catfixer; Laura Mcmillan; Sasha Koen; Snow P Brown; Arsène Le Pépère; Cats Meow; Diana Edens; Louis Cat; Michelle Stringer; Baguera jean Bigeant Haskoucet; Briar Ishooman; Bob TheTomato; Muffin Bergeron; Feria Chan; Toby Poppy ‘n’ Finn; Julz Lee; Woody Edens; Mousie Kitteh; Evelyn Murphy; Abednego Herr; Patches Meow Cat; Socks hermes Overend-tunnicliffe; Herbie Cat; Ercole Gatto; Puffin Webster; Milo Catface; Jean Gizzi Boobonivich; George Crow; Dan Scott; Cyndy Mccluney; Foggy Cato; Paula Santos; Henry Thomas Stockman; Tippi Rathke; Meghan Lamb; Annie Lucas; Charlie C. Faunch; Sam Iam; Julie Anne Stephens; Ciaran Moylan; Vancat Onlion; Minuit Et Lumiere; Georgie Laidler; Widget Cat; Ginger Megalaya; Rumpy T. Drummond; Hobbes TheWonder Cat; Oscar N George Fee- Linez; Birman Bond; Katie Bourke; Cathy Keisha; One-Eye Hynes; Spookie Diosa Gris; Tuppy Glossop; Jenny Buttons TheHippo; Claire Bear Baker; Zoe Lindquist; Ami Lutkus; Chichi Persiancat; Skylar Fruffybottoms; Felisha Van kedisi; Morgan Lear Jones; Milly Fluffybum Tamblyn; Missy Rattitude; Joni Gallo; Jackee Daily; Suzi Amelia Meyers; Choco Where’zmahkittehcatnipz Marquez; Judge Thread; Alex Nancy Cowens; Fiona Jackson; Brenda Griffin; Kathreeya Atthakor; Annika Malino; Leah Turner; Cassandra Bull; Jennifer Marie Zeares; Yi-Jiun Chen; Mari Peippo; Lisa Beals; Kerry Blanc; Ann-Karin Vinje; Mai Liss Haugland; Tracy Manson; Irma Murray Brieve; Fiona Lickorish; Jill Buss; Robyn Dadson; Alicia ‘Kitty Meanstreak’ Lestat; Nikki Rose Waldeck; Karla Moore; Amanda M. Ciluffo; Lorraine Rice; Joey Salazar-Jimbo; Wendy Morland; Ann Jenkins Jack Wagon; Helen Kallipe Smith; Sophie Hudson; Wendy House; Vicki Stringfellow Cook; Pa Hulja; Andrea Hall; Tamy Perrault; Maria-Paz San Martin; Jane Bolash Gump; Sandy Rakowitz; Melody Lie; Penni Osinski; Cat Wolf; Annemarie Devine; Raven Elise Hernandez; Robyn Miller; Deborah Ailman; Eleonora Matsumoto; Jenny Threet; Cris Marr Carey; Renee McMullen; Cathy Rabe Bass; Abady Alshamari; Lenor Elena Sabal Damun Vidoz; Bunni Gevuld; Daniele Morre; Abe Buntz; Jo Macro; Chandra Flores; Dawn Stergin; Patricia Perrings; Diana Jojstrup Andersen; Handsom Wilmot; Carma Mia Carey; Tara Tia Tarantino; Chibi Nakamura; Straw Beary Stanley; Oscar Peek; Trinity Noel Gilfillan; Pawing Charity; Bonnie Gaines; Karene Brewis; Billy Justakittygambly; Jessie Brewer; Berit Synnove Dale Vardal; Sophi Mewsalot; Gata Cuca Laruca; David Adrian Charles; Starsky N Simba Catnip; Isis Villayes; Mica Maca; Jasper Green Judy Clark; Joseph Jewell; Aimee Vinciguerra; Sarah Vitez Vranic; @Louinga; @EarthLifeShop; @Tweetypie54; @Hubothecat; @Miaoow; @Danapixie; @Cool_Cat_;@callie57; @JudyGreeno; @ElizabethKoning; @BoBubbles; @inquarters14; @Shaynacat; @mssuzcatsilver; @Mulder_Cat; @flicka47; @Tradertoms:produc12mas1; Rumpy T. Drummond; Sirikit Purr; Louis Cat; Sharon Keenan Spiegelhalter; Horatio Canine; Britt P. Johnson; Senniug Rees; Pookey Lou; Briar Ishooman; Wes-Main Coon

@callie57; @JudyGreeno; @ElizabethKoning; @BoBubbles; @inquarters14; @Shaynacat; @mssuzcatsilver; @Mulder_Cat; @flicka47; @Tradertoms:produc12mas1; Rumpy T. Drummond; Sirikit Purr; Louis Cat; Sharon Keenan Spiegelhalter; Horatio Canine; Britt P. Johnson; Senniug Rees; Pookey Lou; Briar Ishooman; Wes-Main Coon; @Oneevilcat; Scully_cat; @LilyLuWhoT; @greycatlady; @supernatural808; @KittyKassieCat; @ChloeToby; @Ads60nyc; @Crazykittykat1: @tabbyteztweets; @salamicat; @JustAnotherTrnd; @tiddlesfry; @Wildboutbirds; @MadLabM; @MavTheTiger; @BigWidu; @Pandafur; @GinaTheMinPin; @CheshireK; @EllaBellaKitty; @JassieKitty; @KealohaKitty; @Spike_cat; @JinJinDoggy; @PixelDoggy; @Hemmingwayscat; slywy @Karolka @ellnhank @RonSupportsYou @Pookandgrace @lisbethwest @MariahsVisions @L0veSA

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 2: Blood donation is the ultimate gift

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. ~Dr. Seuss

Giving blood is the giving life. It is the ultimate generosity. In doing some modest research for the purrs this week I discovered that the requirements for most locations that accept animal (Cat or Dog) blood donations are roughly the same:

· An animal that is friendly and likes to be around people.

· A dog must weigh over 50 pounds and a cat must weigh over 9.

· Must be current on vaccinations and not taking any medications except for heartworm preventative or flea/tick treatment.

· Cats must be indoor only and negative for feline leukemia and FIV.

· No heart murmur.

· Cats should be between 2 and 6 years; Dogs between 1 and 6 years of age.

· Never received a blood transfusion.

· Never been pregnant.

Please contact the donation facility near you for specifics as to their donor requirements.

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. ~Kahlil Gibran

We celebrate the generous, compassionate, and loving people and animals who give the gift of life-giving blood to others. Let’s purr.

2: 59 p.m. Get ready to Purrrrrrrr.

SET.

3:00 p.m.

Confucius Cat say: GO!

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr,. Purrrrr,purrrrrr.....

Imagine your purrs as a powerful love growing inside you and then pouring out into the world.

See your purrs bringing blessings to all those – animal and human- who donate blood.

See all those touched by your purrs inspired to donate blood.

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, ppurrrrinnnnnnnggggggg.

See love spread, inspiring other acts of compassion, generosity and faith.

Imagine aggression, hostility and misunderstanding replaced by patience, thoughtfulness, and understanding.

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, ppurrrrinnnnnnnggggggg. See love turning prejudice to tolerance, ignorance to enlightenment, narcissism to empathy, apathy to altruism, selfishness to self-sacrifice.

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, ppurrrrinnnnnnnggggggg. Love bringing PEACE to the world.

Peace * Paix * Frieden * Vrede * Pace * Paz * Shalom * Salaam * Om Shanti * Heddwch * Síochán

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 2: Announcement - Blood equals Life equals Peace

After much ado (i.e., internet access problems) Year Two, Month Two of Purrs 4 Peace is here. Again we purr this month regarding RESPECT for the right of all animals and humans to merely LIVE! Let’s purr for life.

Blood is that fragile scarlet tree we carry within us. -Osbert Sitwell

There is no greater gift of life than to give blood. This month I would like to highlight and honor human and particularly ANIMAL blood donors. When she was three my sister Zelda (a canine but still a good sister nonetheless) was extremely ill with a disease called hemolytic anemia where the immune system attacks and kills the body’s own red blood cells. Zelda was so ill by the time the she was diagnosed that she was very near death. My mummy had to rush her more than 90 miles to a state of the art animal hospital operated by the veterinary school at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan. Over the course of the next two weeks Zelda required three blood transfusions! Without the generosity of those dogs and their owners who donated blood at MSU my sister would not have been with us giving love and bringing joy for the last 12 years.

How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world. -William Shakespeare

From the website of the MSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital Donated red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma are used for:

anemias from chronic disease

surgeries

traumas, such as hit by car

immune-mediated issues

bone marrow issues

coagulopathies

low protein

some toxicities, like snake venom or rodenticide ingestion

Their donors are volunteer cats and dogs owned by MSU staff, students and area residents. They also adopt 3-5 dogs per year that live at the hospital and donate blood monthly while looking for a permanent home. If you can adopt one of these wonderful life-giving dogs, please visit the “IN HOUSE DONORS” section at www.cvm.msu.edu/hospital/special-facilities/blood-donor-program They have about 50 dogs and 12 cats in their donor program and are always looking for more. The cutie in the photo above is BINKY, one of the current donors.

In 2009 MSU used: “377 units of canine packed red blood cells
199 units of fresh, frozen canine plasma
and
101 units of feline red blood cells
12 units of fresh, frozen feline plasma.”

We salute and purr for the continued life-giving success of the MSU and other animal blood donor programs.

The appointed time is Sunday September 19, 2010 at 3 p.m. Eastern (United States time) which is 8 p.m. in the U.K.

Participants should purr for three minutes.

The cat’s human staff should assist their cats with the project by stroking, nuzzling and generally catering to their cat.

Please post purrs if possible online on twitter (@ConfuciusCat), or on Facebook (as your status or on the wall of Ally Mason). You may also post purrs here or on the wall of the Facebook event page created by the Acolytes of Confucius Cat group. Please include the name of the cat and the country in which you purr.

Spread the meow to all your cat friends. One year of simultaneous purring. Surely if we give it our all we can achieve Peace in the world through the greatness of Cat.

Peace * Paix * Frieden * Vrede * Pace * Fred* Paz * Shalom * Salaam * Om Shanti * Heddwch * Síochán * 和平