Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 3 - Thank you

This month my special thanks and appreciation go to a very special canine supporter of Purrs 4 Peace: Lexie Dogstoyevsky who purrwoofs from Essex in the United Kingdom. Lexie, who tweets on twitter @Dogstoyevsky and has an excellent blog at www.dogstoyevsky.blogspot.com, is an extremely cute border terrier who is six years old. Lexie likes swimming and spends time on boats (ooooh what a lucky dog!) Lexie says she is the only “furry one in da family unless you count dad if he dussnt have a shave”. (Heeeheee). She is pictured above and I ask you who could resist such an adorable face?

Apparently, not her Mum and Dad who rescued her at 8 months old from her previous owner who planned to have her put down. I won’t repeat it all here but from reading Lexie’s blog I must say her mum and dad have such loving and compassionate hearts, are full of courage and are very smart…all of these talents which they had to use to get her away from her previous neglectful and abusive owner. You can read the whole story at the following links. But I warn you to have some tissues ready. Mummy had to use lots for the tears (including many tears of happiness) she had at reading this touching story. http://dogstoyevsky.blogspot.com/2010/03/reasons-to-be-cheerful-part-4.html

http://dogstoyevsky.blogspot.com/2010/03/dogfather-made-him-offered-he-couldnt.html

Lexie says her Mum was heartbroken about losing her beloved cat of 19 years and swore she’d never have another pet….but then she me Lexie “and da rest be histry.”

Lexie is a very thoughtful friend on Twitter and Facebook and often serves as DJ at the pawpawties….with wonderful taste in music if I might add.

Thank you my dear friends for your support of the Purrs 4 Peace Project. I am proud to call such wonderful humans and such a courageous doggy my friends. Purrrrrs of love to you all.

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; Alasandra Alawine; Ginger Meghalaya; 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;Jayne Ashmore; 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; Felix Gill; 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; Carolyn Sanders; Tamar Arslanian; Sarah Vitez Vranic; @Louinga; @EarthLifeShop; @Tweetypie54; @Hubothecat; @Miaoow; @Danapixie; @Cool_Cat_;@callie57; @JudyGreeno; @ElizabethKoning; @BoBubbles; @inquarters14; @Shaynacat; @mssuzcatsilver; @Mulder_Cat; @flicka47; Kitty Token; @Tradertoms:produc12mas1; Rumpy T. Drummond; Sirikit Purr; Louis Cat; 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; Ingred Beaudelblinken; 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; Mindy Apellaniz-Blunt; @EllaBellaKitty; @JassieKitty; @KealohaKitty; @Spike_cat; @JinJinDoggy; @PixelDoggy; @Hemmingwayscat; slywy @Karolka @ellnhank @RonSupportsYou @Pookandgrace @lisbethwest @MariahsVisions @L0veSA; Jitka Vavreckova; Peter Askin; Rebecca Spath; Sandy Fox; Mwroc Cat; Meowwie Cat; Biddie Cat; Shannon BlackCat; Sharon Patton; Robin Jaske; Leena Savenius; Marie-Louise Holmdahl and Kissen; Daisy Hawkins; Sultan Kivanc; Martha Vitez; Laurie Moore and her 19 cats; Pickle Cat; Lori Williams and Baby Cat; Maureen Birch; Maria Litra; Lily Sassymeow; Simone Purrington; Kath Henry; Alfie Sanders; Howard Worndle; Josiane Brademann; Amy Forst; Handsom Wilmot; Carole Blackwell; Lesley Shannan; Sue Hamilton; Nicole Downey Curra; Trizia Norris; Lisa Beth Hutson; Lise Beals; Katherine Owens Bosley; Chris Bush; Letisha Dior; Susan Price-James; Specer Pierre; Lenore Elena Sabal; Kimberly Lefever; April Ancliffe Crawford; Sherry Hensley Black; Debra Bean; Diana Hojstrup Andersen; Oscar Peek; Ariel Bosley; @Kyann_Zorain; @Louinga; @MarmiteMC; @Quadpawd; @ChatteMuse; 
@maxwellvintage ; @tweetypie54; @LastChanceMI; @MELIBABY333; @gegaard; @sabrina0008; @purrfik; @scottydsntkno; @JessieJaney; @pandafur; @martisunshine

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 3- Adopting Older Animals is what all the cool people do.

All who would win joy, must share it; happiness was born a twin. – Lord Byron

Happiness to me means sharing love…sharing love with humans and sharing love with animals. Adopting older animals is a great option for anyone wanting to share the love. So many older animals are being abandoned, especially these days of difficult economy. Older dogs and cats have great advantages:

1. Convenience. Puppy’s and kittens need training. An older dog is more likely to be housebroken and an older cat knows how to use the litter box. Most of the time, older animals don’t need to be fed as often as a younger one.

2. Temperment. An older dog or cat can have a better temperment for older people. They are not as energetic or active. They don’t need constant supervision. They are less likely to be injured by children or damage your property.

3. You get what you see. An older dog or cat is already grown and wo you know what you’re getting in terms of size, appearance, health and temperment.

4. Gratitude. Older animals who have lost a home know what the gift of love you are giving them. They are often terrified, confused, heartbroken at being abandoned. So they know and are grateful for a second chance.

Animals…all animals…deserve and have a right to happiness. So this weeks lets purr on the love, purr on the happiness, purr on the peace.

GET READY

2:59 GET SET

3:00 GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr Purr out the love, compassion and happiness inside you into the universe. #purrs4peace

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, Purring.... See respect for the lives and happiness of animals growing in every mind and heart. #purrs4peace

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Imagine your purrs as a balm bringing peace and comfort to every abandoned animal. #purrs4peace

Purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr,

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Imagine every cat and dog living in a loving, safe and nurturing home. #purrs4peace

Imagine extra purrs of peace and compassion going out to older animals guiding them to their new homes filled with love.

Purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, purrrr, purrrrr, purrrr, ........... purr compassion, purr protection, purr safety, purr adoption, purr belonging, purr love, purr peace. #purrs4peace

Purr love to replace selfishness, Purr compassion to replace ambivalence, Purr Peace to replace fear. #purrs4peace

Peace * Paix * Frieden * Vrede * Pace * Fred* Paz * Shalom * Salaam * Om Shanti * Heddwch * Síochán * 和平 #purrs4peace

Purrs 4 Peace - Year Two - Month 3 Announcement: Right to Happiness includes Older Animals

Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.

- George Santayana

One of the recognized human rights is the right to happiness…or at least the pursuit of happiness. I maintain that animals are equally entitled to this right. ALL ANIMALS! That is why this month the cause of adoption of older animals is being highlighted. So many animals are euthanized each year when homes cannot be found…millions in fact. Puppies and kittens are most often the first adopted. Older dogs and cats languish and often die. But older dogs and cats have a right to happiness too. And they have a right for the chance to bring GREAT happiness to the humans who adopt them.

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

- Buddha

In looking for a fantastic example of the joys of adopting older pets I had no further to look than my beloved friends from Australia Pepismartdog (pictured on top) and his mum Michele. Although Pepi passed over the rainbow bridge in September of 2009, his loving, compassionate and fun loving spirit tweets regularly on twitter (@Pepismartdog) and has a fabulously uplifting blog at www.anipalrainbowbridge.blogspot.com/

Fortunately, Pepi generously agreed to an interview.

Hello dear friend. How did you get involved with this cause (adoption of older pets)?

Rescuing animals comes naturally for Mum. She has spent her life "bringing animals home". She is currently the 'go-to' person for injured wildlife in her area. This includes working with many kangaroos, koalas, a huge variety of birdlife, lizards, bats, etc. However, throughout all this, Mum has always had a soft spot for Golden Oldies, of all breeds. For most of her adult life, mum has been a Professional Animal Trainer.

When did you start ?

When Mum went to @AWLQld, Animal Welfare League Queensland, to look for a dog, she was looking for the right doggie, that spoke to her heart.. Then she saw a sign "Golden Oldie Pet of the Week" "Pepi" $50.00. As soon as she saw me, she fell in-love! I had spent 12 years with an elderly couple who moved into a Nursing Home. I was very skinny, very depressed, but when I looked at Mum (to be), my eyes drilled into her soul and pleaded with her, to take me with her. Woot! Woot! She did! Next thing I was being fitted out with a new collar, harness and lead.

I was completely mute for the first 6 months, and had bad nightmares for the first 2 months, (maybe because I had to be neutered, at 12 years old!). But then I turned the corner and our lives were never the same! I started running 6 miles a day with Mum. I was 1/2 Fox Terrier & 1/2 Daschund, so my legs were short. To save me getting too puffed, Mum got me a Pram/Stroller! I LOVED my Pram! This was a long time before Pet Pram/Strollers became cool. We made Pet Strollers famous, and then we made them cool! I had my own SkateBoard, and loved riding in the wheelbarrow too. I was crowned @AWLQld 's Official Poster Boy. Next I became a global Multi-Media Celebrity, appearing regularly in newspapers, magazines and TV. Then I joined Twitter; now I have 2 Blogs and am a Journalist for The Anipal Times, where I regularly write 3 columns, plus Book Reviews.

Do you still work in this cause?

I am thrilled to say YES! Mum and I still work closely with @AWLQld on a weekly basis. As Advocates for Golden Oldies, we promote awareness of the “benefits” of owning a Golden Oldie! We work to bring awareness to AWLQld because we know that they, like many good shelters, do a lot of work that goes unseen and spoken of, hence completely overlooked and taken for granted.*

We are currently working on up-date media articles with newspapers and magazines I had previously featured in. The focus of these articles is to remind people what great pets Golden Oldies are!

*(When Mum rescues kangaroos, she takes them to @AWLQld first, for their Vets to examine, and then the roos are transferred to “Wildcare Australia”. Soon I will be publishing an article about Mum's Kangaroo Rescues.)

What are the "pros" of older animals?

Golden Oldies have already completed their higher education. No silly digging up the garden, or ripping the washing or chewing the carpet! Golden Oldies already have their degrees in language; they know what you are saying. They have already graduated with Honors from Manners and Deportment training classes! Golden Oldies understand YOUR medical needs = YOUR need to pat them, as they bring YOUR blood pressure down! Use a shower timer to make sure YOUR 4 minute sessions are not cut short.

All Golden Oldies are Vet checked very closely and any ailments are declared, before being made eligible for re-homing. I was 12 years old and had early stage cataracts. I was 18 years old when I had an unexpected reaction to a medicine, that set off a chain of events that caused me to be PTS and cross OTRB. While in ICU Hospital, Canine Specialists said I still ha another good 5 years left; they said I had the CardioVascular and Heart of an 8 to 10 year old dog. I had NO arthritis at all. I was fitter and more active than most other dogs a fraction of my age.

I would definitely recommend everyone consider a Golden Oldie for their "Forever Pet". I gave Mum the most wonderful 6 years imaginable! I was not the most handsome dog ever, but I was all personality. My age never held me back! I pulled rank at the Dog Park; I was the Elder Statesman! BOL! I often gave free training lessons to younger doggies, teaching them the importance of manners and decorum. I commanded respect everywhere I went.

Kittehs

After I went OTRB Mum decided she had to let time pass before getting another doggie; I "set the bar too high"! BOL! She went to @AWLQld and looked for Golden Oldies kittehs, but there weren’t any at that time. However, she did get some kittehs who had been branded “Not suitable for re-homing”; they were unable to be housed in the Shelter and had failed miserably in the Fostering system. They were going to have to be PTS. It turns out they were sisfurs, Suki & Tahni, (middle photo) who had somehow been separated during fostering. Both of them had proved to be completely unsociable with people and other cats. Mum had just paid for “Apple”(bottom photo) and was walking out the door when she overheard Suki & Tahni’s fate being sealed. Instead of one, she now had three !

It took Suki & Tahni a couple of weeks to accept each other again and now they spend everyday tightly wrapped around each other! They will never be separated again. Apple weighs 29 LB and spices their life up by playing tricks on them! (Apple is not fat, just huge!) Suki & Tahni have settled in and become the most loving and smoochy sweet kittehs imaginable! We love all 3 kittehs!

Apple, Suki & Tahni are now all @AWLQld Ambassadors to help other Shelter Pals find their own “Forever Home” too. Mum bought a special Kitty Stroller and Apple even enjoys riding around wearing my Dinner Suit! It actually fits him! BOL! They all love the Kitty Stroller; Suki & Tahni ride in it together.

Promoting Golden Oldies will continue to be our passion. I celebrated my first Memorial Anniversary OTRB on September 16th. At the exact Memorial minute I passed away, Mum received a tweet from @AWLQld saying:

@AWLQld @PepiSmartDog Hi Pepi! We've found lots of homes for our Golden Oldies thanks to you.

@PepiSmartDog well we know Pepi is still watching over us, helping whenever he can.

Thank you sweet Pepi. You and your wonderful mum are an inspiration to all of us. *Smooches and nosebumps* This month you are an inspiration for our purrrrrrrrrrrrrrs

The appointed time is Sunday October 10, 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