Patriot Critters

Sophie

A star is born! Before the idea for this collection hit, our charming cover girl was slated for the next page in WAR* series - going back to original animal awareness focus. Hmmmm ... wonder if she'll demand double treat pay? When I asked about using the shot, I did not know Sophie was posing pretty for her Uncle Glen, a New York City firefighter. Coolest, all the more appropriate.

*WAR pages all include animal features

http://www.therealmartha.com/WAR/index.htm
The Whispering Activist Record - Opinions and ideas, mine and from others, that everyone can use to get involved, make a difference and lighten the load. Find hoax busters, media hype alerts, timely info, controversy, common sense, commiseration, empathy, household tips, easy recipes, critter stuff, variety links, and a little humor along the way.

Our next beauty, Zelda, is already famous worldwide: http://www.zeldawisdom.com/

I've used some graphics before, links and credits are included as the best of my recollection permits. Unfortunately, contact with some artists has been lost. Permission was granted originally - you're welcome to help yourself. Linking back here is appreciated. Better yet, send the whole page to your lists.

I am having the absolute best time with this page. My brilliant deduction: response and participation has to be due the need to lighten up all around. Most important though, proof positive how important our fur-kids are as family members. Only one feathered critter so far - Ed, at his cantankerous best. Naturally, he would have to be different.

Buster, all-American Boston
http://www.therealmartha.com/toottoot/index.htm

That's a skull cap, like bikers wear - guess "da Dude" will need a Harley now

The first time I walked Buster after watching the planes crash, the comparison to the action and necessary US reaction struck me as Buster tended to his territorial business - doing that in my yard is asking for trouble.

The Boston terrier is known as The American Gentleman, the only pure American breed. It would seem they know it, there is not a jauntier, snappier, struttin'-their-stuff gait going. In any case, strange as it may sound ... a not so small bit of comfort was there. We were in Oklahoma City of all places while Mike was taking a class in the main FAA school building. Felt like a target in Federal housing too, surrounded by all level personnel.

Buster was wearing a black ribbon right away (up on leash, he's black) in support, recognition and honor of K9 Search and Rescue teams - cool suggestion found in a newsletter.

Then, in another publication, along with a perfectly good list of evacuation suggestions, some idiot said, "Leave animals to fend for themselves, they're natural predators. What if we run out of food for the baby?"

What if you turn into food when hungry, frightened scavengers form packs? I will repeat: people who do not consider pets as part of the family do not deserve them. They need to turn them over to shelters immediately. Humane euthanization is far preferable to an unknown, most likely gruesome fate.

Very early on, I urged planning for pets in case of evacuation. And, what about those displaced by emergency service call-ups?

Animal concerns prompted my first mailer (see http://www.therealmartha.com/WAR/index.htm). Buster was shook because we were shook. I wanted people to recognize that stress, and not be too hard on odd behavior. Also, to think about how they might help military friends/relatives by offering a temporary home for their animals. I've since found some foster program links, see end of page.

Granted, right now, war news is not hitting us 24/7. Life is somewhat back to "normal" for most of us but we all need to be damn sure we're ready to be responsible for all dependents, no matter what's coming next.

http://redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/animalsafety.html - Prepared in cooperation with The US Humane Society

Mom Maizy, Dad Capone and six lil firecrackers: Miss Liberty, Uncle Sam, Hero, Patriot, Sparky and Boom-Boom born on the 4th of July!
http://www.geocities.com/wonderlandsgatekeeper/BT_Puppy_Page.html

Oscar's Other World
http://yours-truli.com/oscarhome/index.htm

Sunglo's Risky Business, a.k.a. Skyler
http://juwellsbostons.homestead.com/

Doc, who helped Cindy "make it through 9-11"
http://www.akcbostonterrier.com/

Flash and Doc (he loves to have his picture taken)

Had to group the Bostons together. I'm quite sure they know they're the original all-American breed. There is not a jauntier, snappier, struttin'-their-stuff gait going.

Buster was a big comfort to me on 9-11 ... just doing his territorial thing the first time we walked after the news. He was shook because we were shook, nevertheless he carried on in his usual don't-mess-with-me style. A light clicked on ... weird analogy no doubt, but most apropos.

More Bostons: http://www.therealmartha.com/PatriotCritters2/index.htm

Helen, consultant/trusted adviser on all things K9, tells me the goldie here is Aspen resting during the OK City Federal building rubble search. Learn more about search and rescue at Helen's team site: http://www.geocities.com/hck9sar/ - more from/about Helen further down this page.

This is the memorial flag square for the only service dog lost to 9-11. Sirius perished in the collapse of the World Trade Center.

When Elizabeth, project creator/coordinator, offered the opportunity to work on this one I jumped at the chance. Regrettably, time became a problem - already behind on my two for Flight 11 passengers. The one of a kind privilege went to Terry Chuplis.

Volunteers are still needed for stitching and other assistance: http://www.memorialflag.org/

Sirius Memorial: http://our.homewithgod.com/mkcathy/sirius.html

Rest break at Ground Zero

Courtesy Barbara D. a.k.a. Lady Spirit Walker
http://www.angelfire.com/ok2/barbsplace/

Miss Liberty, ME (Mutt Extraordinaire), wearing her colors. Freedom propensity first earned the escape artist her name. Coincidentally, the Statue of Liberty had gone into restoration shortly after Lib was born. Destiny led to paying homage to Lady Liberty by exercising power of the free press. Quite the activist Lib was - amazing what a canine journalist can get past (away with) certain editors. The Dog's Eye View column appeared in numerous publications for several years, and of course, she hosts her own site: http://members.aol.com/Libbyk9/index.html

Little beastie always did get more mail than me, at the papers too (~.*)
Fourth of July column excerpt is included near the end of this page.

Lib's authorized bio, print/reprint info and on the job pic here: http://www.therealmartha.com/puppiesaresocu/index.htm

Meet more and more Libbys: http://members.aol.com/Libbyk9/lotsalibbyslibbyslib.index.htm

Shelter Sweeties: http://www.therealmartha.com/adopt/index.htm

Yankee Doodle Dudley, Helen's new baby
Don't be fooled by those innocent eyes, watch for a link to new Dudley the Menace feature

SAR Sasha, who when not on search duty, mothers various abandoned wildlife babies

Frasier's whole-heart, soul and full-lung-power rendition of "America the Beautiful"
Graphic enhancement courtesy of Rose's Custom Digital Images & Embroidery
http://parrot8.tripod.com/

And then there's Ed ...

uhhh ... maybe later ... much later

"Lady is a true patriotic dog. She looks absolutely beautiful in front of an American flag, or wearing an American flag bandanna. Whenever Lady has one of her red, white and blue bandannas on, she just totally lights up, and feels so proud, as she's very proud to be an American!"

Visit Lady's own site with more pix: http://www.angelfire.com/bc2/LADYROSE and you can vote for her in a contest this month (July): http://members.tripod.com/jean_e/photo.html

Little patriot Dutch rabbit, Roddy McDowall, named after the actor - he looks just like him in "Fright Night." Roddy has a little American flag in his outside playpen, and he stays under it sometimes, because "America protects him," and of course, keeps him shaded. Roddy looks up to America.

Roddy has his own page with more info:  http://www.hometown.aol.com/luckygirldolly/myhomepage/pet.html

Cairns and Friends
http://cairnsandfriends.homestead.com/index.html

Diva Chelsey is featured on the Cairns page http://www.kaylar.com/dogdaze/terriers_pages/cairn.shtml at dogdaze designs http://www.kaylar.com/dogdaze/index.html - the best selection of breed choices I've seen anywhere. Products include everything from Aprons to Key Rings to Sweatshirts to Welcome Wall Ornaments/Potpourri Bags, quite a few available with the American flag included in artwork.

SEAL pups?

Had to be a page, with an invitation for captions
http://www.therealmartha.com/Watchmy6/index.htm

or, send "Heave Ho" as a post card
http://www.funnypostcard.com/funny/posts/262.shtml

The above was made from a shot on my adopted K9 unit* page: http://www.therealmartha.com/WARK9/index.htm - find info, stories and links there and lots more great graphics. This page is reserved for the Red, White and Blue, 9-11, military or other service related.

*Great news! Will soon have updates on the dogs and guys. Tray is now in Cuba, he'll send new pics a.s.a.p.

http://groups.msn.com/Doxiteers

Pause for a commercial break ... What could be more American?

http://www.therealmartha.com/Chewapalooza/index.htm

Toss/retrieve/slime-resistant toy made of braided rubber tubing ~ stretchy, snappy, chewy and it bounces!

Sales benefit animal welfare

I cannot tell a lie, a pair of dogs wearing flag print bandanas inspired this page, check out: http://sites.hsprofessional.com/DOTTYDOG/TailwagsPawprints.html (pic near end of page).

Send your pics and details, any patriotic theme: LibbyK9@aol.com or MarthaJones1@aol.com (if Lib's box is full). Please use a clearly defined subject line - patriot critters will do it. Thanks to virus threats and piles of junk, I have to delete unknowns.

Need more cats, birds, horses, pigs or any other critters willing to dress up/show off too! See USA Snoopy graphics below for show-off page links/mail. Name can be added. Let me know if you have ideas to contribute too.

http://www.hugsandhope.com/july02.htm - Patriot Dusty the cat lives with Georgie who is one of many special needs patients receiving support and encouragement on the Hugs and Hope mail program.

Find more patriotics, and all things country: http://www.countryclipart.com/welcome.htm

More patriots: http://www.meetgypsy.com/July4.html

http://www.meetgypsy.com/buttons.html - A bullie who is the official mascot for the Roanoke Regional Recruiting Office in Roanoke, Virginia. Buttons wears her uniform, complete with patches, at public appearances in support of the courageous men and women serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.

http://www.dogsinthenews.com/issues/0202/articles/020213a.htm - Pawsitively Patriotic Dogs! (Mardi Paws pics)

http://www.mardipaws.com/2002pics.html - More Red, White and Blue from Mardi Paws 2002

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=0070865389 - Fourth of July greeting - cool any time, dog raising flag

http://www.funnypostcard.com/funny/posts/333.shtml - A wiener Rambo in camo suit with flag background

Buster is a quilt square: http://www.caannie.homestead.com/USAquilt21.html - perfectly fitting, he's an awful cover hog.

http://www.therealmartha.com/pooponbinnie/index.htm
Special doggie duty - need I say more?

The latest
http://www.therealmartha.com/PatriotCritters2/index.htm

Get the scoop on Scoop!
http://www.therealmartha.com/ScooopPoster/index.htm
Soon-to-be-internationally-famous goodwill ambassador representing shelter adoptees, wearing his red, white and blue gear for first guest appearance

More critter pages
http://www.therealmartha.com/CritterIndex/index.htm

I know nothing good or bad about these organizations, you're on your own to investigate.

http://www.libertypaws.org - Liberty Paws - military pet rescue and foster organization

http://www.netpets.org/netp/foster.php - NetPets Foster - for people in the military and related government organizations who will have to leave their pets behind

"If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience." Woodrow Wilson

Companion tributes

http://www.therealmartha.com/justmydog/index.htm
http://www.therealmartha.com/journey/index.htm
http://www.therealmartha.com/patriot/index.htm
http://www.therealmartha.com/maggie/index.htm

http://www.myfurrytales.com/ ~ Must-have for your new family members, Sam's memory journals. Sam is cover girl Sophie's mom. The Maggie link directly above is devoted to Sophie's predecessor.

More about volunteer SAR teams: http://www.geocities.com/hck9sar/

This is Franke, movie K9* Jerry Lee's niece. She grew up to join Helen's team (link directly above). Helen is also a wildlife rehabber. She's contributed all kinds of interesting and valuable info to various critter pages.

Wild or domestic, "Helen's Hill" stories are always a treat. Truly, you have not lived until you meet Ed the parrot (somebody had to rescue him) and Roxy the raccoon who became famous for her artwork - no kidding: http://www.therealmartha.com/brightsmore/index.htm

Most notable is Jazz, a brush coat German shepherd who helped set a legal precedent for future search and rescue teams. He later discovered land wasn't nearly as cool as standing on a boat doing water search. More about the awesome Jazz: http://www.therealmartha.com/WARK9/index.htm

Grooviola, just found out he was born on the Fourth of July.

*Jerry Lee was not a cop dog before the movie. Life imitating art, he was renamed Star when he went to the Kansas City police. He died in the line of duty.

Therapy Dogs Lift Spirits at Ground Zero
By Cynthia Long, RedCross.org
Edited for this publication



Tikva gives a hug to a WTC emergency worker as handler Cindy Ehlers, left, explains the benefits of dog therapy.

New York City, October 2, 2001 — It’s lunchtime at a Red Cross Respite Center near ground zero at 101 Murray Street, and dozens of firefighters and police officers line up to receive a hot, heaping plate of beef stew, chicken and rice or salmon with mashed potatoes and green beans. They stand quietly, their expressions weary, until they see Tikva and Kate scampering over. Some of the emergency crew members kneel down, holding their hands out to the dogs and whistling. Others call, “here, pooch!” Everyone grins.

Tikva (pronounced teek-vah), a two-year-old keeshond, and Kate, a three-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, are part of the Hope Crisis and Response Team working with the American Red Cross to help bring emotional support to thousands of people affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Supported by the Delta Society, a nonprofit organization “dedicated to improving human health through service and therapy animals,” Tikva and Kate are two of four dogs working in New York City with their handlers.

Cindy Ehlers, 43, from Eugene, Ore., heads up the HCRT. Ehlers started working with a therapy dog in May of 1998 after the deadly shooting by a student of Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon. She and her keeshond, named Bear, who has since passed away, made weekly visits for a year to help the community recover from the shooting.

On their first visit, Ehlers and Bear went into the library at Thurston High. “She worked without a leash and mingled among many, many crying students,” Ehlers said, “but she stayed with the five students that none of the counselors seemed to be able to reach. They were too withdrawn.” Ehlers explained that traumatized people emit a scent that dogs immediately pick up on. She said they can smell fear and distress, and that Bear knew these students weren’t coping as well as the others.

“She followed the same pattern with each student - she’d go sit next to them, wiggle a bit, make a funny noise, move closer to them, and then make and hold eye contact,” Ehlers said. “Once she made eye contact, they’d open up. Bear nestled up against one girl, who turned, looked into her eyes and immediately grabbed her around the neck in a hug and started sobbing.”

The city of New York arranged for a boat to transport families along with Red Cross grief and spiritual counselors to the WTC wreckage as a way to provide the families with some closure by enabling them to witness the scene with their own eyes.

Ehlers, Tikva and Pat Dickenson, Kate’s handler, board the boat to adopt a family to comfort for the journey. Both women said that either the dogs adopt the families or the families adopt the dogs. The handlers simply stand back and let it happen.

“On each boat there are between 50 and 70 people, and I usually play it by ear to see what happens,” Ehlers said. “Yesterday we were walking down the aisle when a woman reached down and grabbed Tikva. She buried her face in her fur and started crying.”

The woman’s husband, who worked in the World Trade Center, had once surprised the family with a merle collie, which is bluish gray and looks very much like a keeshond. “He loved dogs,” she said, asking the name of Ehler’s dog. When Ehler’s told her it was Tikva, she gasped, “That means hope. I’m Jewish, and Tikva is Hebrew for hope.” Ehlers said that the woman was convinced that Tikva had traveled all the way from Oregon to help her deal with the tragedy and bring her hope that she would be able to come to terms with what happened.



Tikva, the keeshond, and Kate worked long days to lift spirits at Ground Zero.

Down at ground zero, where dust swirls, generators drone and the clang of metal against concrete rings in the air, the mood is somber and the work is painstaking and grueling. Hundreds of workers take breaks at respite centers, where they can sit down with a cup of fresh coffee or a plate of hot food, relax in front of a television or get first aid from a Red Cross nurse.

“What kind of dog is that?” said one firefighter, reaching down to pet Tikva, a short, gray and black furry ball of a dog. “I have two Labs at home,” said another, stroking Kate’s golden head.

“The dogs have been providing a lot of emotional support, especially in the days right after the attack,” said Ehlers. “It’s so hard for those guys down at the perimeter. It’s their job to rescue, and the whole world is watching, but they haven’t been able to do it. Every time they can’t rescue someone, they grieve, and now they’re just feeling helpless.”

The workers struggle to detach themselves emotionally to do their jobs, but the dogs help them get in touch again. The dogs remind them of home, of family, and of happier times. “Over and over again I’ve heard the men say, ‘That dog made my day,’” Ehlers said. “They pet Tikva and say how soft she is when all they’ve felt is iron or cement.”

The firefighters usually ask to feed the dogs, and Ehlers always agrees, understanding their need to help. "They're always asking me, 'Can I feed her or give her some water? Does she need anything?'" Ehlers said. "I let them feed her awful things — hamburgers, fries, cookies — because it allows the workers to feel helpful again, at least for a moment."

Even at the end of the day, after Tikva and Kate have been walking throughout Lower Manhattan to bring people comfort and hope, the dogs don’t stop working. “When we get back to our hotel, I sometimes have to go through emotional detox,” said Dickenson. “While Cindy is in the shower, I’ll just sit on my bed and cry a bit. Before you know it, Kate is at my side licking my hand and Tikva has jumped into my lap. You just can’t help but smile.”

Graphic courtesy of http://www.whispurrsonkittens.com/free%20%20graphics.htm

Important message from Miss Liberty

The Fourth of July is my holiday, but it's certainly not my favorite. Fireworks can be very scary for critters. Ordinarily docile dogs have been known to freak and crash through windows and/or do other damage to property or themselves. Please plan ahead for a secure environment, especially if you're not going to be home.

Dogs are never 100 percent safe off-leash, noisy holidays require extra attention and caution. Almost anything, including unfamiliar company, can spook dogs. Lost in panic, they might fall into a hole, be hung up in a fence or run into streets without looking and end up with a fatal case of asphalt rash. The danger list is endless.
   
Cats don't appreciate any of that racket either. Cranking up the stereo will help muffle the outside hoopla.

http://pets.aol.com/galleries/patriotic
Submissions welcome

For, and from, those unable to speak for themselves,

One last note ... which doesn't mean I'll ever be actually finished, there's always something coming around to add.

I hope you'll dig (could not pass that one up) around the rest of the WAR pages. All have animal news and links to more: http://www.therealmartha.com/WAR/index.htm

All through the horror, man's best friend continues to shine. The final security check on Air Force One spoke volumes that first day. Simply, dogs do what man can't. Dogs have always died keeping ahead of their military handlers. Demand now for private service dogs is higher than ever. Police and volunteer Search and Rescue teams know it's only a matter of time until the next disaster call.

I believe the respect points have been made.

http://www.fema.gov/fema/anemer.htm - Advice and resources to help prepare and respond to the emergency needs of animals, whether one or one hundred

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contacta.htm - How to locate a wildlife rehabilitator

http://www.worldbirdsanctuary.org/ - Mission: to preserve the earth's biological diversity and to secure the future of threatened bird species in their natural environments through education, propagation, field studies and rehabilitation; includes info about what to do if you find a baby bird

http://www.vdhaonline.org/
Combat Veteran Dog Handlers - includes National War Dog Memorial info

LibbyK9@aol.com or MarthaJones1@aol.com

Again, please use a clearly defined subject line (patriot critter is fine) - "hey there, hi, this is great ... " do not cut it, that's what spammers use. I have at least 10 tons of junk arriving every day - when I don't recognize a name, I delete. Unfortunately, due to ongoing virus/worm problems, downloads also have to be automatic deletions. Way too many people do not realize their scanners can't catch the latest.

Embedded images or copies of doc. files are welcome. Typing in all caps is not, it's extremely irritating and should never be done unless you mean to be screaming, which is even more irritating. I will not read, no matter the subject. If you have a great piece you haven't seen everywhere, go ahead and send the first few lines. I may ask you to retype the whole thing if I don't already have it in proper form. Double spaces between sentences are a giant pain too.

Lighten up

http://www.therealmartha.com/PianoDog/index.htm ~ Dashing through the keys ...

http://www.therealmartha.com/LPNs/index.htm ~ Licensed practical noogiests, therapy angels of the four-legged, wet-nosed, sloppy-kissin' kind

http://www.therealmartha.com/BegRoyale/index.htm ~ da Dude and guest beggars

http://www.therealmartha.com/Smile/index.htm - Name that smile ... friendliest, most beautiful, goofiest, mischievous ... show off your best buddy's pearly whites

All links have more links, from friends and funnies to stuff that'll really get ya. Don't forget to bookmark, and come back again soon!

http://www.therealmartha.com/spayneuter/index.htm - Spay/neuter graphics on printable pages, telling it like it is

Grab a Patriot Critter graphic for your best friend's pages. Let us know so we can link.

www.kateconnick.com/postcard.html - KC's Dog Postcards (cats too) - Lib, Buster and a friend's cat also named Buster are famous now!

Look for my Buster: http://www.kateconnick.com/postcards/page8.html, Boston Terrier and Chewing captions: Miss Liberty is the newshound, poodle mix, poo-mix pup and well-dressed (in her stars and stripes): http://www.kateconnick.com/postcards/page3.html

The other Buster: http://www.kateconnick.com/postcards/page10.html, Party Cat caption, pic of kitty with his invitation to "shower" given by the gang who rescued him. Suggestion - serve Kitty Litter Cake, recipe and pic: http://members.aol.com/MsAtte2ude/happy4th.index.html

http://www.chazhound.com/doglinks/pages/New/ - The Doggie Directory Puppy Greeting Cards Themes and Screens Free Pet Games Dog Picture Gallery

http://www.lettuceladies.com/broc.html
Dig it - the PETA Broccoli Boys (in USA shorts) - WaHOO!

Don't know how much good this can do, figure it can't hurt - animal rights issues always going, use search option

http://www.petitiononline.com/petition.html - Free online hosting of public petitions for responsible public advocacy