THE CAT’S MEOW
FOR WRITERS & READERS EZINE®
Not
Your Typical Internet-based Magazine!
Issue
34, Vol. 07 © SEPTEMBER 10,
2007 Ezine: ISSN:
2237-65
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. PUBLISHER & EDITOR’S CORNER
“Sad Remembrances of September
Eleventh”
4. COFFEE HOUSE 4 POETS & WRITERS
Writers and Poets for
September:
“Is Fear Holding You Back?”
by Linda Simmon
“The Key to Happiness” by
Rabbi Benyomin Walters
BY ROSANNE
CATALANO
Hello dear readers! Welcome all new members! I’m glad you were able to
join us this month. For your reading pleasure there are many wonderful stories,
poems and helpful articles in this month’s issue! For which I would like to thank my wonderful regular contributors, Carol Roach, Sandra Hoynacki, Cynthia Groopman, R. Thomas Thompson, Carol
Dee Meeks, Kate Garvey and Audrey Frederick;
plus new contributors, Earla Jean Hollon, Joseph
J. Mazzella, Kerry Holjes, William Poppen, Kathleen
Walker, Linda Simmon, Rabbi Benyomin Walter,
David Meyer, Kevin Sinclair, David Perdew and Tony Saff.
Although I know this month is the six year
anniversary of 9/11, and my condolences go out to those who lost loved ones and
friends that awful day, I was trying not to dwell on death and sadness… The
reason is because death and sadness is never far from my mind these days. Let
me explain. Since I read about, and saw the photographs of, the horror that was
done to a defenseless and innocent fur-baby named “Maximus” it has been
extremely hard for me to sleep well. Although this happened to “Maximus” in
July, since then my days and nights are haunted despite going on with living my
life.
Back in March of this year my husband burned himself on his entire leg with hot
boiling water, his burn was so bad he would scream out in pain; especially when
it got infected. Although his burn is now completely healed up, if my hubby was
screaming from the pain of his burn I cannot imagine what that poor dog
“Maximus” went through... Which is why I
shudder with sorrow when I remember that “Maximus” was out there alone, in excruciating
pain and agony for days (news reports said it could have been longer than 2
days...) and was not able to get himself untied from that tree the sadistic
owner had tied him to before pouring gasoline and Clorox on him, and then
setting him on fire.
Sadly, despite the rescuers efforts to
save his life; numerous surgeries to remove the poor dog’s burnt skin and fix
his broken palate, “Maximus” passed away on July 17th, 2007. I
cannot imagine someone doing what was done to “Maximus”; God’s little creatures
who have a soul just like you and me and are the innocents of this world as our
children are…
However, through my sorrow I try to think
of the miracle that in his final
days here on earth dear, sweet “Maximus” did know the kindness of humans; those
who were trying to save his life! “Maximus” in return was licking and kissing the
doctors while rolling on his back and wagging his tail for those doctors and
other personnel to pet his belly; in spite of the dog’s own pain and agony… What
would console me even more is if the anti-cruelty animal laws are changed to
punish the perpetrators of abuse, cruelty, neglect and murder of our animal-companions
for way, way more than just 2 to 5 years in prison! That’s right, all
“Maximus’” sadistic owner will probably get is 2 or 5 years in jail, if that.
I still cry heartbroken tears that dear
“Maximus” could not have lived long enough to be Adopted out to a loving and
kind hearted family but instead only knew cruelty, abuse and sadists’ his
entire short life … “Maximus” was only 2 years old. Rest in Peace dear Maximus;
you will never be forgotten and we know our heavenly Father will take excellent
care of you.
I for one will definitely be reading and
watching the court trial of the evil person who did that to a sweet dog like “Maximus”;
then “Maximus” will have gotten his justice and that will be the legacy he,
unfortunately, leaves behind. We can only pray and hope! Please everyone write to your elected-officials as I did, so that they
will know that we the people want the animal anti-cruelty laws changed so that
those who kill, abuse or neglect our animal-companions get a minimum of 10 to
15 years in jail rather than only 2 to 5 years! I say a minimum of 10 to 15
years because I doubt they will make it life-in-prison-with-no-chance-for-parole,
which is what “Maximus’” sadistic murderer really deserves. Sorry I get carried
away when cruelty, abuse, neglect or murder is done to our loving
animal-companions. I feel the same way when cruelty, abuse, neglect and murder is
done to our children; children &
animals are the “innocents” of this world and they need our help! This is
why I wrote an email-letter to Mr. Anthony D. Weiner, Member of Congress and my
home district’s Congressman, about this issue.
In return I received a very hopeful
response from Congressman Anthony D. Weiner! He responded back by sending a
letter through postal mail saying he agreed with me; that I am absolutely right
that we must do everything in our power to make sure animals are treated
humanely and that the animal anti-cruelty laws must be changed. He also wrote that
he will keep my thoughts & words in mind should the anti-cruelty animal legislation
matter come before him in Congress. And, that in the past, he has received
“perfect ratings” from The Humane Society of the United States [HSUS], the
Animal Protection Institute [API] and the American Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals [ASPCA].
A very promising response from Mr. Anthony
D. Weiner! And definitely a first step to my concern for the welfare of animals
and changing the penalties imposed on those who abuse, neglect or kill our
animal-companions. Let’s all pray that
Mr. Weiner does get this issue before him in Congress.
There is also a petition, at the website Care2.com, which can be signed, that will
then be handed over to Congress along with our outraged letters. The petition calls for the one who killed
Maximus to not get any leniency whatsoever. I signed it and so did 7,000+
other people worldwide who are angry, outraged and heartbroken about what
happened to “Maximus”. “Maximus” was an innocent and defenseless dog who truly
did not deserve what that evil owner did to him. If you would like to also sign this petition (the more signatures
Congress sees on that petition the better!), go to http://www.petitionsite.com/takeaction/976470546.
Thank you so much if you do sign this petition! Lawmakers will then know we want Phanord, the evil owner, to go to jail
for the rest of his life with no chance of parole. No getting out for “good
behavior” either.
To read the full story of what happened to
dear, sweet “Maximus” you can go to Long
Island, New York’s local newspaper Long Island Press for the “Sick
Puppies” article (originally, law enforcement thought it was more than one
person who murdered “Maximus”); dated Wednesday, July 18, 2007. It was written
by
I will give you a direct link here but I
am not sure if Long Island Press still has this article online. However, I’m sure it is in their Archives.
The direct link for this article, which I printed out to pass around in my own
neighborhood so that I can get more signatures on Care2’s petition, is: http://www.longislandpress.com/print.asp?ArticleID=12699&Section
I’m sorry I went on and on about
“Maximus’” death… but I get sooo angry, upset and heartsick when I think of this
dear dog and what was done to him, and therefore did not mean to get carried
away when writing about “Maximus”. On the bright side however, what happened to
“Maximus” will not have been in vain when
the animal laws are changed and then strictly enforced to prevent what happened
to him from ever happening to another animal again! So, I will now write
about a more pleasant topic such as the wonderful achievements and
accomplishments of two of our regular contributors, Carol Roach and Carol
Dee Meeks!
Also be sure to read Carol Roach’s excellent story articles and articles on animals in
our Coffee
House 4 Poets & Writers column, along with new contributor Earla Jean Hollon’s wonderfully written story articles about her pets;
one of whom is a testament to the miracle
of what happens when you never give up!
CONGRATULATIONS
TO
CAROL ROACH
and
CAROL
DEE MEEKS!
First I would like to tell you the great
news about Carol Roach, a regular writing contributor for this
magazine and a dear friend of mine, who received wonderful news recently…
The first part of Carol Roach’s great news is
that her second book titled Angels Watching Over Me will
be displayed at the “2007
Georgia Literary Festival” (September 28 – 30, 2007).
The following announcement was written on Gather.com, an online community where
writers, authors and business people unite to network with one another, in
regards to Carol Roach’s latest book news…
The
below is from Judi J., a member of Gather.com:
“For all of us familiar with Carol’s work, it is not surprising that
her new book is reaching a wider audience! She is a truly talented writer and
this book in particular touches a deep chord for its readers with an interesting
storyline and the characters to make it complete. With permission, I have
listed a review by Shirley Johnson (Senior
Reviewer) of The
Angels Watching Over Me by: Carol Roach