So a Kitten/Cat Adopted You!© Susan E. Dykhuis, October 2011
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Before you pick-up your darling Kitten/Cat, make sure you have already purchased:

Carrier (kitty cab to safely transport your Kitten/Cat)

Cat dishes, along with minimum one week food supply, wet and dry food. Kittens need special kitten food until they are at least 10 months old. Buy the best quality food you can afford. This is important for the well-being of your Feline.

Litter box (get largest size because who knows how big this little Kitten will be?), clumping litter, scooper & small plastic bags for what you scoop out of box

Bed (see note **)

Scratching Post

Hair Brush

Toys (see important note ***)

** At Wal*Mart a cat bed costs less than at pet supply stores. Wal*Mart price in Province of Quebec is approximately $20 before taxes. Make sure bed has a medium-firm puffy pillow that can be removed for easy washing.
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Brush your Kitten gently, many short intervals. (I began brushing my 3 cats the moment they came home.) Brushing is essential good grooming for Cats. When you first begin brushing your kitten be extremely gentle because he is a baby, used to his mother cat grooming him gently with her tongue. Short little brushing times once or more daily will benefit kitten greatly.

Brushing (especially long haired or densely furred cats) removes fur that can knot and any fur in the hairbrush is fur not in the Kitten/Cat’s stomach, thus helping control hairballs that felines cough up. Hairballs (also called “furballs”) can sometimes be serious. To read about hairballs: hover over link, and click to open it:
http://www.cats-and-facts.com/cat-hairballs.html
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The scratching post is a necessity for Kittens/Cats.
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Toys:
*** Important tip on toys:
NO ribbons, strings, elastics, or 'icicles' hanging on indoor Christmas trees. Stringy things can cause serious stomach/bowl problems requiring surgery should a Cat/Kitten ingest stringy things. Holiday décor is dangerous for Felines. Keeping your Kitten/Cat away from Christmas trees is a very good idea. Naturally, Kitten/Cat will think your lovely Christmas tree is a wonderful new toy just for him.

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Bringing Kitten/Cat Home:

When you take home your Kitten he will greatly miss his mother and litter mate(s) so please give Kitten lots of love and attention to allow him to adjust to you — his new litter-mate/“co-cat”.

Rule # 1:
Kitten/Cat is not a Puppy/Dog so please do not think you can train your Kitten the way you can train your Puppy. They are totally different species, with different reactions.

Rule # 2:
Feed Kitten often until full grown. If you work/study during the day, feed Kitten wet food before you leave home and leave dry food in bowl, along with lots of water. Expect that Kitten (who is still a baby) may accidently spill the water and dry food often (so leave other bowls in other places for him).

Rule # 3:
Kitten/Cat is a naturally clean animal. Clean out litter box morning and night.

Most important of all: Play / interact with your Kitten/Cat often. This bonds him to you and you to him. One can never kiss a baby or a pet too much...be generous with your kisses and affection. You replace your Kitten's mother and litter mates and are the Very Important Person in his life. He deserves the same, i.e.: to be the Very Important Purrson in your life.

Teaching Discipline:
Do not spank/hit Kitten to discipline him. He will automatically defend himself with the tools Nature has given him: claws and teeth. Kitten's first reaction is to stratch or bite you so by spanking/hitting him, you have taught your Kitten to scratch & bite. If you taught him this, then it's "bad human" not "bad kitten".

With my any of my cats I say “No” while gently picking the cat up and then putting him on the floor where I him want him to be. You will have to do this often until he learns what is expected from him. By the way, when you're not home, you don't know if your dog or cat gets on the counter or table tops. You only know if you see a pet there. My policy is to simply wash counter and table tops before using them. So much easier and less stressful all around.
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Kittens are extremely playful; be prepared for lots of bursts of activity followed by short naps. Then the cycle resumes. Please remember that domestic felines are nocturnal so your Kitten may get playful at 3 AM ...
Hover over link & click to open:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?&articleid=2245
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Reason why Kitten/Cat likes to be up high:
This is a method of protection from other animals, e.g: a dog or a human chasing them.(yes, humans belong to the animal family!) Cats like to look around and see what other neighborhood animals are doing. House cats usually like to climb up on high areas such as a bookshelf or refrigerator. Cats have very strong hind muscles that allow them to get to these high places.

When a Kitten/Cat jumps on tables or countertops, it is not to annoy you it is to be ‘higher’ up to feel safe. If you don’t want Pussycat on kitchen table or countertops, then when you see him do this, say “No” and gently put him on the floor. That is what the experts say; what I say is put him on floor. Kitten/Cat thinks all places higher than the floor are ‘safe places’.
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Loud and/or Sudden Noises:

Felines like a quiet environment and sudden loud noises frighten them. If you are having guests over, put your Kitten/Cat in a room, door tightly closed to make sure he can’t get out accidently. At our home it is policy to lock the doors to outside the house at all times (and the window policy is also de rigueur at our home). We unlock the doors to let guests in and out and relock immediately. Standard joke here is

"in for free but it'll cost you big time to get out"

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Never, ever permit your Kitten/Cat to be near a window that is open wider than the space between the Kitten/Cat’s ears, i.e,: /\..../\ ear ....space.... ear because your Kitten/Cat is very supple and agile, able to squeeze through very, very small spaces.
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The Scratching Post:

To prevent Kitten/Cat from scratching sofas, chairs (your feline sees sofa and chairs as fabulous ‘scratching post’ gifts), put two-sided tape on arms of furniture. Kitten’s paws will stick to the tape which Kitten won’t like. Blown-up ballons which are stuck to two-sided tape affixed on arms of sofas and chairs work quite well. When Kitten uses nails to scratch/claw, balloon pops. Kittens and Cats abhor loud noises…

Another suggestion I heard about is a spray bottle with a fine-spray nozzle — filled with tap water. When you see Kitten claw/scratch furniture, gently spray water in his face. Felines do not like water; after a few sprays to face, Kitten will think the furniture defends when mauled by spraying out fine mists of water. I’ve tried all these tips. The spray bottle with water works -- but when you’re not home -- no spray comes out of furniture. At that specific time, Kitten/Cat and can happily claw furniture.

At our home the solution is French Doors that firmly shut thus closing off the living room / dining room areas to our cats. They can’t get in and scratch the furniture when we're all out. If you have an open concept home / apartment, then when no one is home, place Kitten/Cat in a bedroom sans items you wish to remain unscratched. Don't forget to put Kitten/Cat's bed, food/water, litter box, toys, etc. in with him. Close the door. He will be safe and so will your upholstered furniture. Please remember that kittens and young cats often knock over food/water bowls so have more than one set in the room with your pet.

Other Kitten/Cat information (hover over links then click to open):

http://www.catsinfo.com/kittens.html

http://www.avodermnatural.com/Cat_Foods/why_do_cats_do_that.htm
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If your Kitten or the Mother of your Kitten came from me — your Kitten has been kissed at least 100 times a day since he was about 10 days old. (Mother is kissed daily on regular basis).

Keep kissing your Kitten/Cat, petting and brushing him. It bonds him to you and you to him. He is already used to being brushed & kissed if he came from me, and has figured out this is his human's way to expresses love and affection. When Kitten has had enough & wants you to stop kissing / holding / brushing him -- comply! That will show your Kitten his limits are respected.

Wishing you many happy years with your baby Kitten...





Photos of my Foster Cat, Ivory & Kittens(c)Susan E. Dykhuis

Ivory and her male kittens (b. 05 Aug 2011)Raven and Licorice.
1st photo: Raven on left with Licorice to his right.
2nd photo: Licorice is in front of Raven.
3rd photo: Ivory, The Mother Cat.

In these photos the Kittens are 2 months and 5 days old.


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So a Kitten/Cat Adopted You!© Susan E. Dykhuis, October 2011

Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz The higher of these two numbers below indicates which side of your brain has dominance in your life. Realising your right brain/left brain tendancy will help you interact with and to understand others. Left Brain Dominance: (8) Right Brain Dominance: (5) Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz

CATS©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis
09 October 2011 (John Lennon would be 71 today)

Norman (recycled rescue) about 10 years old when he adopted us Jan 14 2006. Norman was brought to our Veterinarian because the humans were moving & decided not to take him. We fell in love with him and he with us, so it was a done deal. Norman is a Bengal-tabby (moggy) mix. I call him “King of the Palace”.

Felix (saved kitten). Beautiful Maine Coon, he was found abandoned with his sister. They were very small and were fostered. At about age 10 months old, on August 1, 2006 he joined Norman at the Palace. Felix AKA “Prince of the Palace” has a feline neighbour across the steet named Socrates (Socs) who looks very much like our Prince.

Baby-Rascal (came to dine under the balcony early Summer 2009). Ebony was not impressed with Baby-Rascal stealing his food! Baby-Rascal is FIV-FIP. I took him to an adoption clinic July 2009 and did not get good vibes with the people interested in adopting him. FIV-FIP cats need careful attention. I took him home and he lives in the bachelor apartment, and was dubbed thus: "Prince of the Realm of the Bachelor Apartment".

Ivory came this year Summer. She was starving and skinny so I fed her. On August 1st Ivory was doing figure 8’s through my legs while I was gardening. That is when I felt the tummy bumps. Still thin, she did not look pregnant but a visit to Vet confirmed she was. Took her into the house that day, August 2nd. Her male kittens, Raven and Licorice were born Friday, August 5th 2011 at 12:26 AM and 01:45 AM in the bathtub of the bachelor apartment. I was her Doula. Ivory is The Queen Mother and at night she and her Princes sleep in the bathtub where the Kittens were born. During the Day Ivory and Kittens occupy the whole bachelor apartment. At night they return to “the Nursery” -- the bachelor apartment bathroom and Baby-Rascal returns to the Bachelor Apartment Royal Bedroom.

Ebony, the big black Tom cat first came for food just as Winter 2008 was giving way to Spring. Most likely he is the father of Ivory’s Kittens. I call him Ebony, "Prince of the Palace Grounds". Raven looks like him in build and fur texture but Raven has silvery fur highlights in his mane. Ebony has auburn/reddish hue in his mane. Licorice’s body shape is like his mommy, Ivory; however his colours and shading are exactly like Ebony’s.

Then there was Rusty and Oranje…
Rusty came January 2010 & being a neutered male, Ebony let him share his food. Rusty was adopted April 2010. In October 2010 Oranje came. Fed him away from Ebony as Oranje was an intact male. The people who adopted Rusty adopted Oranje on 14th April 2011. They call him Tango. Lucky for me, I see Rusty, Tango and Cinnamon who now has cat siblings as her Purrents adopted both Rusty and Tango and we became friends.

Gorgeous Minou came to dine during the same time frame as Oranje/Tango. She had five kittens on March 5th 2011 – Antionette and I were the Doulas. They were born in A's family room, one house north of me. Antionette kept Minou and her kitten, Kenya (black male). Both are like my Felix in the fur department -- major furries. The other four kittens were adopted by good families.

Cats find me. It is my duty to help them so I do. Goddess Bastet is pleased.

~ Life without Cats is not a life at all! ~
~ De vivre sans chats n'est pas une vie du tout! ~
©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis

CATS©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis
09 October 2011 (John Lennon would be 71 today)

Giuseppina Nicolucci (AKA Pina Matalucci)
Memories...©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis
Thursday, September 22nd 2011

Whenever I hear the song “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and The Waves, I see Pina in my mind’s eye, singing that song, and dancing in the elevator at Royal Victoria Hospital A Wing. We are leaving work on a lovely Montreal summer day, 1985....

Pina was a wonderful, very loving and affectionate person – a beautiful woman whom I so enjoyed knowing as a friend. We worked together and were friends from 1983, in Montreal. Around 1986 Pina moved to Toronto, met and married Paul and they had their lovely family. Last time we were together was at Pina’s home on Verobeach Rd. I have photos from that late Summer visit when Michael and Eric were toddlers -- and Pina had short hair!

I remember her so well:
Pina, pure sunshine and beauty with luscious long, naturally curly hair which bounced when she walked; sparkling eyes. She was a mixture of kindness, wit, fine sense of humour and beauty. And I remember the little cat she loved, named Bandit. Bandit loved to ride with Pina in her little blue car. Pina was so very special.

The last time Pina and I saw each other was that late August visit at her home on Verobeach Rd in 1999, but we kept in touch by telephone. Tried to reach Pina in early 2008 and did not connect. Sadly, it broke my heart to read in the obituary of Pina’s late mother (in 2010) wherein were these very sad words:

Domenica is reunited with her loving daughters Florence and Giuseppina.

Thus I learned of Pina’s illness and death; and thus I mourned this tragedy.

Today, September 22 2011 I’m looking at her wedding photo -- bride beautiful-- with her handsome groom, Paul. This September 13th Pina would have turned 52.

Dear Paul, Michael, Eric and Stefanie and Bruno, please know your beloved wife, mother and sister is fondly remembered and greatly missed by people like me who were fond of her and appreciated her. Pina's footprints are gently etched in many minds and hearts.

Those like me who called her 'friend' miss her and remember her with with great fondness and love.

Sue

and the Innocent shall be avenged.
Remembering Tuesday, September 9th 2001
©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis, September 10th 2011

There are times
in our lives
when we are witnesses
to pure evil.

we recall where
and what we were doing
no comfort, no understanding
nor forgiveness possible

when we remember
Tuesday, September 11th 2001

Al-Qaeda Islamists -- agents of Death:
what goes around, comes around
there will be retribution for you, the evil…

and the Innocent shall be avenged.
Remembering Tuesday, September 11th 2001
©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis, September 9th 2011



R.I.P.

Crew and Passengers of American Airlines Flight # 11
Crew and Passengers of United Airlines Flight # 175
- The Twin Towers, Manhattan, NYC, NY

Crew and Passengers of American Airlines Flight # 77 and The Pentagon Staff and Visitors
- Arlington, Virginia

Crew and Passengers of United Airlines Flight # 93
- Shanksville, Pennsylvania

NYPD, NYFD, Clergy and other First Responders
- New York City, NY

REMEMBERING PURRECIOUS TIGGY, BCU*
(c)Susan E Dykhuis
Best Cat in Universe*
b.17.08.1985 d.05.09.2000

"Tiggy The Cat on a Hot Tin Stove" photo(c)Susan E Dykhuis


When Mark was 10 going on 11 in 1985, he met Tiggy on a Saturday night in the lobby of his Bubby's apartment building on Bourret Street (named for Mayor Joseph Bourret, 3rd Mayor of Montreal in office 1842–1844.

Tiggy and a beautiful snow white sibling were there with a little girl who was crying her heart and eyes out. This was Saturday, August 21th 1985, exactly one week before Mark's 11th birthday. The golden-haired girl was crying because if the kittens weren't adopted by Monday they would be brought to SPCA ...

Tiggy was a tiny, five-week old version of his Mummy cat. He and Mark played in the lobby with Tiggy climbing up Mark's leg right to his shoulder and that was the instant Mark fell in love. He asked if we could adopt this little five-week old kitten. I love cats -- it was a no-brainer. I told Mark the darling kitten would be his 11th Birthday gift.




Tiggy came home that very night where he co-ruled the Apartment Palace and later The Palace where Murray and I live with our gentle pawed rulers, the cats Norman, Felix and Baby-Rascal.

A week or so later I asked the little blond girl's mother if the other kitten went to the SPCA. She said it had not as another person in the apartment building adopted the kitten.

Today, August 17th 2011 our Tiggy AKA Tiggster, BCU, Angel plus other endearments would be 26 years old! He was a lovely darling and I will miss him to my last breath.

Bobby the Beagle was 6 years old when Tiggy arrived. She promptly 'mothered' Tiggy and took very good care of her strange, feline-like puppy.

Many pet loves in my life, all remembered with great fondness and all alive in my heart.

Tiggy, I still can feel you in the crook of my arm as I fall asleep...Play well at Rainbow Bridge with your buddies, Bobby the dog, and your feline co-rulers of The Palace, Princess, Paddy-Paws and Sasha.


Your =^..^=Mummy aka Susan

Right now a beautiful, very young cat whom I call Ivory lives in the bachelor apartment bathroom and the bathtub there is The Nursery. Her two black kittens whom I've named Licorice and Raven were born on August 5th...so cute. She and her kittens will need good homes when the kittens are 8 to ten weeks old. I love her and it will be hard to part with her.

Rainbow Bridge by Paul C. Dahm
http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all our special friends
so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.
Those who are hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;
they miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.

The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers.
Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

YOU have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face. Your hands again caress the beloved head,
and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

[Note: "The Rainbow Bridge" is usually wrongly attributed as "Author Unknown," but the author is indeed known. If you use it, please attribute it to Paul C. Dahm.]

REMEMBERING PURRECIOUS TIGGY, BCU*
(c)Susan E Dykhuis
Best Cat in Universe*
b.17.08.1985 d.05.09.2000

"Tiggy The Cat on a Hot Tin Stove"(c))Susan E Dykhuis

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Thinking about what I Eat or Life is Sacred
(c)Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis - 12 August 2011
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Eating animals has bothered me from an early age. Wearing fur is and never will be an option in my life.

I am back to ovo-lacto-veggie diet but one of my sisters is now Vegan. Congratulations to Carol on that.

Carol at one point sent me information which led me to this blog:
http://happyherbivore which you can find on Facebook.

Within the FAQ of the blog is this page:
http://happyherbivore.com/2010/02/top-10-go-vegan-tips

Imho, advice is good and must say, the recipes tried are yummy.

I'm going to make Portobello Steak for me next time I BBQ a steak for Murray. http://happyherbivore.com/recipe/balsamic-portobellos/

Was asked by two different people these questions:

"Why are there no "straight parades?"
"Why do Vegans tell others all about it?"

Been thinking about those questions and have decided on my own answers:

Q: "Why are there no "straight parades?"
A: Straight People have, throughout human history, not had to even think about that because Straight People are the global majority and for the most part, made up all the rules vis-a-vis what is the sexual norm. They defined it as male/female sexual interaction.

The minority people, the Gay people, had to fight hard battles just to be
(a) true to themselves
(b) protected with the same laws as Straights in Democratic societies and
(c) have a major up-hill battle in societies that are theocracies.

Theocracies are a form of government in which a state is understood as governed by immediate divine guidance provided to ruling clergy or other ruling officials.

"Coming Out", "Gay Pride" and Gay Pride Parades were and are necessary tools to get the majority, the Straights, to respect the right of every person to be true to oneself.

My beloved late Mother was way ahead of her generation in accepting and defending the right of the person to be oneself without "hiding in the closet". One of the many things I admired about my Mother...

Q: "Why do Vegans tell others all about it?"
A: Choosing to be Vegetarian or Vegan generally happens when a person re-evaluates why some non-human animals are raised simply to be slaughtered for food. One wonders how the decisions came about to protect certain animals and kill others.

A person thus reasons:
if one respects and loves animal, then:
how can one choose to love and protect a pet rabbit, cat, dog, bird, horse, goldfish, duck and yet say to cows, pigs, sheep, chickens:
You are not pet quality thus you are food.

Most likely many who love cats, dogs, bunnies, ducks et cetera would rather die than eat an animal one has deemed "companion pet". That got many thinking about this, and step by step, some eliminate eating red meat; others eliminate the consumption of all living creatures.

It is a progressive change which brings the minority aka the vegan to the final step:

I will not consume/use/wear any product from or tested on animals
(aquatic, avian, warm-blooded)
nor any product that involves other lives, thus:
not the eggs, not the milk, not the cheese, not the ice cream
not anything derived from them including to name a few:
fur,leather, ivory from tusks, comestics or cleaners tested on animals

Those who are Vegetarian (various degrees) or Vegan are a minuscule part of the 6.94 BILLION humans on Planet Earth have made a good choice. Planet Earth has only so much to give and once all used up, well, do we have another Planet available where we can all move?

My view is we humans globally must make another hard but necessary choice:
Very serious human population control to bring our numbers down to, say,
TWO BILLION.

In 1350 c.e. our numbers were a very manageable 300 million.

And to think we humans continue damming rivers for electrical power, culling various species because we deem them pests or population out of control -- complain about squirrels, skunks, raccoons who invade our (? !!) property: how many of us wonder before our neighbourhood was built, who the previous owner/residents were?

And yet in spite of all of the eco-damage we've done, we still do profess to be the "intelligent" species ... rof lol

Imho, being any level Vegetarian or being Vegan is a personal, moral decision and it is valid and right one for our small Planet. No one is compelled to do so, but please understand how the V people got to where they are today.

So to Carol, to Noreen, to Lorraine, to Cindy: Good on you.



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Thinking about what I Eat or Life is Sacred
(c)Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis - 12 August 2011
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The =^..^=s Blog : TWO KITTENS BORN IN BATHTUB
(c)Susan Dykhuis -- Friday, August 5, 2011 at 3:03am

News Bulletin:
02:58 AM Friday, August 05, 2011

IVORY has two kittens.
1st born at 12:05 AM
2nd born at 12:46 AM


















Ivory came crying for food so I fed her for a few days. Then off to our Veterinarian for a check up. Dr. A on holidays so Dr. L. examined Ivory.

My suspicions confirmed: Pregnant Pussycat.

Brought Ivory into the Realm of the Bachelor Apartment where another rescue, our Prince Baby Rascal rules. "The Bathtub Nursery" is where Ivory chose to birth her kittens. Female cats who have kittens are called The Queen thus Ivory is now The Queen Ivory.

Ivory and babies are on a pillow wrapped with towels. My animal loving friends -- three very special women: Annly, Chereen and Nadia provide advice and help. Annly is our Angel; she rescues countless animals. Chereen and Annly worked together with Dr. A and today Chereen is Dr. Chereen, a DVM. Nadia works ardently finding Foster homes, busy now looking for a good Foster home for Ivory & her babies. They stay with me until a good Foster home is found. Nadia's website: http://www.bellanima.org

In the meantime, the bachelor apartment bathroom is The Nursery … I check on Ivory & kittens frequently. Those eager to meet the kittens already know that for the first few days, the kittens can have no visitors. Ivory is a wonderful mother. I'm lucky as I was the Doula, helping her when the kittens were born!

Kittens are very small and delicate and can not be handled by humans for a while. Ivory lets me move them to groom her but I do this only as necessary. Don't want to alarm Ivory or interfere with kitten/mother bonding.

So far all is well so now am going to bed. At 7:30 a.m. I'll check Ivory & Kittens, feed her, leave fresh water & clean her litter box. Nursing Queen Cats need to eat & drink often.

Turns out I was right: X-Ray not needed to verify pregnancy...

Foster urgently needed.

NEWS FLASH -- UPDATE ON KITTENS
Kittens have been named "Licorice" and "Raven". Two days old, so soft and cute. The Queen Ivory is doing well and is a very attentive mother. The minute I visit, she purrs full volume.

Please, please, please:
Do not abandon your pets. Spay/Neuter your cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits et al. Please do not let them wander around outdoors. It is unsafe for them and they may get lost or worse!


Videoclip of Ivory (c)2001--Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis
* Either Cut & past URL into your browser to view videoclip
* or highlight link

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AaMmTVo2cOHvw

then right click mouse for view option.

Photo: Ivory and Kittens(c)Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis 2011-08-05

The =^..^=s Blog : TWO KITTENS BORN IN BATHTUB
(c)Susan Dykhuis -- Friday, August 5, 2011 at 3:03am

My Answer to Michael Richards
(Re: alleged defense speech in court after making racial comments in his comedy act)©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis, 11 July 2011


According to Urban Legends the speech [which follows at the end of My Answer] is falsely attributed to Michael Richards. Michael Richards most likely did not write this speech, but I will respond to the speech most likely written by that most famous of all authors, Anonymous AKA Anon.

See http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/dubiousquotes/a/michaelrichards.htm
To open URL links in this Blog, hover over the link and click on it or cut and paste link into your browser.

Dear Anon,

The White 'race' never has, so far as I know, been the underdog race in World History. Not facing what other 'races' or 'ethnics' have to deal with means white people do not need an organization to promote white rights.

Whites never needed that because, as white people, they had rights and they considered themselves the regular people AKA just Americans, just Canadians, just French, just Italian. "just" meaning not a hyphenated-person. Hyphenated persons did not choose this; it was the "just" Americans, Canadians etc., who hyphenated the others.

An aside:
I wonder:
Who is White? Who defines who is white?
Is White defined as Euro White Christians and their offspring?
What about Whites who are not Christian?

"White" folks as an identifiable group were rarely on the short end of the stick thus never needed a Proud to be White organization to promote their civil rights. It was understood that a White person was Proud to be White because White persons often think they are, pardon the pun, the cream of the crop, the elite, the natural leaders...

Whites are an identifiable group just as are Blacks, Asians et cetera but it is the White is Might crew who had control for centuries. That fact created the need for Black / Asian / various religious / nationalities / groups to promote and guarantee that human rights would now include ever human.

Anon, your speech means you haven't even reflected on the subject, or read up on the battles all through human history where White = Might and for everyone else, too bad for you! Research and reflection on the actions and history of the Whites in The Americas immediately shows that White = Might. White Euro peoples went to war Vs Indigenous peoples (AKA Natives), won the battle and grabbed The Americas, claiming vast lands and great riches in the name of the Royalty of France, England, Spain, Portugal et al, and began the pushing of the Indigenous peoples to the brink of extinction.

White Christian people insisted the cultures and religions of the First Nations Peoples of The Americas were not equal to white peoples' cultures/religions.

How the Canadian Government tried to assimilate First Nations: they developed a policy "Aggressive Assimilation" to be taught in Church-run, government-funded industrial schools called "residential schools". From 1931 to approximately 1996 about 150,000 aboriginal, Inuit and Métis children were removed from their communities and forced to attend these schools. They suffered much abuse at the hands of their “educators”.

In the U.S.A., boarding schools were started in the sixteenth century and were operated by Catholic missionaries whose goal was primarily to acculturate Native children.

In the 1880s, the U.S. government began the “boarding school experiment”, whereby Federal Indian policy now attempted to eradicate Native culture through the forced education and assimilation of Native children.

Treaties signed between the Federal government and Tribes included the “six to sixteen” clause – a provision which obligated the Federal government to provide schools and teachers for Native children between the ages of six and sixteen.

Native children as young as six years old were taken from their families to these institutions, in many cases deliberately far away from their homes so that distance would strengthen the process of forced acculturation and education.

It also happened that children as young as three and four years old were sent to boarding schools.

Similar boarding schools were created in both Australia and New Zealand where White = Might also had a program to acculturate New Zealand’s Maori and Australia’s Indigenous peoples. “Aboriginal” was the term first used in Australia to describe Native Australians.

The result of the Euro-White invaders "boarding schools" experiment caused great damage to Indigenous Peoples all over the Globe.

White settlers in The Americas realized how large the task would be to control and farm the land, to create wealth and harness natural resources. One solution the White people used was to "import" Black people from Africa, forced into slavery, to clear the land, grow the crops, be servants in homes, and worse, used and abused sexually – but not entitled to reap any of the benefits of their labour because, as slaves, they had no rights.

White People then established categories of non-white humans creating terminology to describe them such as: Half-Breeds, Mulattos, and many more: read --> http://www.smoot-family.us/terms.html and http://blendedunity.com/history-and-politics/terms-of-race-culture-and-ethnicity/

Euro Whites in The Americas created laws that allowed slavery; they entered into Treaties with the First Nations Peoples of North America and did not honour those Treaties.

The "Forefathers" in the U.S.A. believed in manifest destiny and thought they had the right to disenfranchise all non-Whites of their human rights.

Mr. Anon, regarding your query: "So why are ghettos the most dangerous place to live?"

Well, the answer is denying equality to non-whites or half-breeds in most "white" invaded and conquered-countries gave way to the White elite creating big compounds called "reservations" and, later, "ghettos" where the Indigenous peoples, the former slaves and most new immigrants would live.

So ironic that today we see a new kind of ghetto:
Rich White People living in "Gated Neighbourhoods" where they lock themselves in and lock out not only the "non-Whites" but the Whites who have yet to attain the uber rich and/or celebrity- status persons wealth and life-styles.

All in all, Anon, this means I have come to the conclusion that White People need no special organizations to set up White College Funds, White History Month, White Pride Day et cetera because white peoples’ experience in The Americas is not akin in any way to the experiences of the Indigenous peoples, none-white "races" and bi-racial people.

Today the President of the United States of America, Mr. Barak Obama, is called “the first black president”. His maternal family – white people – are forgotten by Americans when describing their President. Only the black ancestry is mentioned. Does this mean one drop of "Black" blood means one is a "Black Hyphenated American"? Why can't one born in the United States just be "American"?

President Obama is the first bi-racial American President, not the first Black American President. Being bi-racial, he truly represents every American. Prepare yourself, Anon because one day in the near future, “White” will blend into café-au-lait colour as marriage between people of different “races” increases, making the majority of the next generations multi-racial. It will become harder and harder for White to equal Might or "just" Canadian, American, British, French, blah blah blah status.

My Answer to Michael Richards alleged defense speech in court after making racial comments in his comedy act)©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis, 11 July 2011

Alleged speech of Michael Richards from the website: http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/dubiousquotes/a/michaelrichards.htm

Michael Richards better known as Kramer from TV's Seinfeld, does make a good point. This was his defence speech in court after making racial comments in his comedy act. He makes some very interesting points.

Proud To Be White
Someone finally said it.
How many are actually paying attention to this?

There are African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, etc. And then there are just Americans.

You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction. You call me 'White boy,' 'Cracker,' 'Honkey,' 'Whitey,' 'Caveman' ... and that's OK.

But when I call you, Nigger, Kike, Towel head, Sand-nigger, Camel Jockey, Beaner, Gook, or Chink ... You call me a racist.

You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you, so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?

You have the United Negro College Fund.
You have Martin Luther King Day.
You have Black History Month.
You have Cesar Chavez Day.
You have Yom Hashoah.
You have Ma'uled Al-Nabi.
You have the NAACP.
You have BET.

If we had WET (White Entertainment Television) we'd be racists.
If we had a White Pride Day, you would call us racists.
If we had White History Month , we'd be racists.
If we had any organization for only whites to 'advance' OUR lives we'd be racists.

We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce. Wonder who pays for that?
A white woman could not be in the Miss Black American pageant, but any color can be in the Miss America pageant.

If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships you know we'd be racists. There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US. Yet if there were 'White colleges' THAT would be a racist college.

In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists.

You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you're not afraid to announce it. But when we announce our white pride, you call us racists.

You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug-dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist.

I am proud. But you call me a racist.
Why is it that only whites can be racists?
--------------------

Comments: Though this racist rant has been widely disseminated online and seems especially popular on Neo-Nazi and "white power" websites, it dates from well beforeMichael Richards' infamous onstage tirade against African-American audience members at the L.A. Laugh Factory on November 17, 2006. He did not write it, nor could it have constituted his "defense speech in court," given that there were no charges filed and no court trial ever took place.

It is also at odds with Richards' stated apology after the videotaped incident, in which he said he was "deeply, deeply sorry" for shouting racial epithets at two black men who had heckled him during his performance at the comedy club.

The true author of the text is unknown.


My Answer to Michael Richards
(Re: alleged defense speech in court after making racial comments in his comedy act)©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis, 11 July 2011

Bullies: Scum of the Earth©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis
May 17 2011 2:10 PM EST

I wish this video

http://www.feastoffun.com/videos/2011/04/02/video-powerful-irish-anti-gay-bullying-ad/

would be played beginning in Grade 1 in every school on Planet Earth. So touching. My friends walk many paths; it is their right to be true to themselves. Those of us [like me] who are heterosexual take if for granted that we can hold hands, kiss, and hug the one we love.

This right is not exclusive to heterosexual couples.

Bravo! Thank you for creating this video.


Bullies: Scum of the Earth©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis
May 17 2011 2:10 PM EST

BLOGS at http://sashacanadian.blogspot.com are copyrighted(c)Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis, and under Nom de Plume (c)Sasha Canadian and Nom de Plume(c)Sasha Gold

DSK: Is this a Jewish Issue?©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis
May 16 2011 2:45 PM EST

Imho --speaking as a Canadian woman of the Jewish Faith-- this case is
not a Jewish issue.

It is an issue of male sexual deviancy.

If proven beyond reasonable doubt that I.M.F. Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is a sexual offender of the first degree, it renders judgment that this man is a sexual offender.

Male sexual deviancy has nothing to do with being Jewish or with being I.M.F. Chief. It has everything to do with a sexually deviant male. Sexual deviants come from every Culture, Class, Race, Country and Religion (I include atheists/agnostics in the "Religion" category).

Anti-Semites world-wide are overjoyed with this on two fronts:
(1) IMF Chief : Money and Jews
(2) Fodder for the anti-Semitic mantra that Jewish males have a never-ending lust for non-Jewish women. It is akin to Blood Libel.


DSK: Is this a Jewish Issue?©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis
May 16 2011 2:45 PM EST

BLOGS at http://sashacanadian.blogspot.com are copyrighted(c)Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis, and under Nom de Plume (c)Sasha Canadian and Nom de Plume(c)Sasha Gold

An aside: LET'S DISCUSS "ROYALTY"
copyright(c)Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis
AKA (C)Sasha Canadian (c) Sasha Gold
1st day of May 2011

This blog is the opinion of Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis -- proudly Canadian.
A slightly different version was published today in "Pet Talk" at www.catoftheday.com

The media fuss over the marriage of HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton (now Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge) seemed a tad overboard for many Canadians. Perhaps because of the "celebrity culture craze" where we -- mere mortals -- are inundated with the Paris Hiltons, Kardashians and others of that ilk portrayed as V.I.P. celebrities, constantly in our faces -- we are experiencing burn-out.


--For non-Canadian readers, a Canadian History Lesson:

British Queens and Kings, before 1867 were the rulers of Canada. In 1867 The Dominion of Canada was formed -- a democratic country using Parliamentary System of Government. Like England, Canada elects a Prime Minister to office. The U.S.A. has a different system: it is a democratic Republic, headed by an elected President.

When Canada became a democratic country in her own right in 1867, The British Monarchy was the titular head of Canada. Gracious queens and kings have been titular heads of Canada. Titular Royals number six, from Queen Victoria up to and including Queen Elizabeth II. The prince HRH William is the grandson of our titular Queen, Elizabeth II thus his marriage to Catherine Middleton received much attention in Canada. It is an important event in the context of British, World and to some extent, Canadian history so the attention is deserved.

All of that is fine BUT

Felines of every feline species know that the only true Royalty on the Planet Earth is FELINE ROYALTY so making a fuss about us should be happening everyday everywhere around the world, don't you readers all think??? Purr, purr, I, Norman the King, know that every pussycat thinks that should be the case. We felines have not forgotten that ancient Egyptians-- including their Royalty -- worshiped the Cat Goddess Bastet.

BTW, to those who think this is a jaded view-- not being agog over British Royalty -- well, for the record, Canadians in general are happy for the Royal Couple and wish them well.

Many Canadians have a cultural link to England which is lovely. I call the Euro-founders of Canada "Second Nations Peoples". CANADA the Country of today was created by First Nations Peoples and immigrants from France, England, Scotland and Ireland ("Second Nations Peoples") The Sun in that era "never set on the British Empire" as I was taught in school. Canada was a part of the British Empire, ruled by England.

Today's opinion in Canada among many, many Canadians is that Canada, a vast multi-cultural nation, needs to cut the apron strings from British Royalty to allow Canada to realize her dream of a truly united multi-cultural country. The multi-cultural aspect of the dream broadens Canada and Canadians. Our Canadian Charter Rights are very special indeed because in Canada, the first protected right is Equality of the Sexes.

Canada is the home country where Canadians from all cultures do not want or need a titular Head of State from another nation because we are a Nation in our own right. Elizabeth II is a most gracious Queen. However, her heir presumptive should not become titular head of state representing Canada when he inherits the British Crown.

Tomorrow, Monday, May 2nd, Canadians 18 years of age and over go to the polls to elect a new Federal Government and Prime Minister of Canada. Watching "hot spots" in the World where people fight for the right to vote should be enough to encourage every Canadian to vote. We are so fortunate, the ones who are Canadian!







CANADA, from Sea to Sea to Sea

















An aside: LET'S DISCUSS "ROYALTY"
copyright(c)Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis
AKA (C)Sasha Canadian (c) Sasha Gold
1st day of May 2011

WHEN ACCEPTED BY CANADA,
BECOME CANADIAN 06-APRIL-2011
©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis AKA ©Sasha Gold ©Sasha Canadian

This is frightening, http://www.youtube.com/embed/A3YQANdvvbY
To watch, Cut and Paste link into your browser OR highlight link and click.


Wasn’t the battle of the Muslim goal "Islam will rule The World" already fought and decided, i.e., The Spanish-Moor Wars AKA The Spanish and Portuguese Reconquest, 1095–1492? Why do we in Western Nations of Judaic-Christian values and Western Societal Values continue to permit immigrants from Muslim countries who refuse to integrate by accepting our values?

Equally frightening: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DB_kyNIevsIs&h=2a06c
To watch this, Cut and Paste link into your browser OR highlight link and click

My view is and always will be:

When one is welcomed as an immigrant to Western Nations which are Judaic-Christian in values, then one must integrate with that society. Should one from a Western Nation immigrate to Islamic Nations, one is compelled to integrate into that society.

I think the global family of humans must insist that Human Rights prevail at all times: equality rights, civic rights, education rights, employment rights, and ethical/spiritual, religious and secular. When religious rights interfere with Human Rights, Human Rights must prevail.

I am not interested in immigrants, Muslim or otherwise, who come to Canada and then do not accept and adapt to our Western values which hold the right of the person sacred with Human Rights entrenched above all other rights.

Seeing what is happening in Canada and other Western countries vis-a-vis "Islamic" Muslims, I wonder why we, in Western countries, tolerate it. Toleration = “Islam will rule The World" = becoming fact, perhaps in our lifetimes.

How about United Nations? Read this: http://www.nationalreview.com/media-blog/28926/no-joke-u-n-appoints-iran-womens-rights-commission/tom-gross

I think UN is a farce.

My view is:
1) Immigrant(s) to Canada must adapt within the 3-year period which is the time required to request citizenship.
2) Adapt means accepting The Canadian Charter of Rights, learning Western culture, learning Canada’s official languages, English and French, educating their children to the ideas and ideals of Canada.
3) If immigrant(s) won't accept this condition of citizenship, then Canada must revoke landed immigrant rights and the person(s) must leave Canada immediately.
4)If one is granted Canadian citizenship and does not integrate within 5 years after citizenship is granted, then Canada must revoke citizenship and the person(s) must leave the country immediately. Children born in Canada to immigrants who refuse to integrate are not Canadians by birth. Only children born to immigrants who comply with the laws of Canada are granted citizenship.


I want Canadian and Western, i.e.: Judaic-Christian values to remain the values of my country, Canada. I want Western Nations to, as Ann Landers would advise: “Wake up and smell the coffee!”

Here's me, wondering how much of the acts depicted in the YouTube videos will The Canadian, American, Australian, British, Dutch, French, German, Israeli, Spanish, Et Al citizens and Governments of Western countries accept? I know my limit of tolerance. What is yours?

















WHEN ACCEPTED BY CANADA,
BECOME CANADIAN 06-APRIL-2011
©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis AKA ©Sasha Gold ©Sasha Canadian

Honour Killing -- cultural, religious or predator tactic?
(c)*Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis, 03April2011
(c)*AKA Sasha Gold, Sasha Canadian


Article here:
http://www.averroespress.com/AverroesPress/Honour-Killings.html

I read this many times. What I gleaned from reading and re-reading is:

Honour Killing is a male-contrived act, not necessarily cultural or religious, but a tactic or action used by males to control females. Origin is perhaps an innate urge to pass down one's DNA.

This reaffirms my long-held personal view that in an extreme situation, any male is capable of raping, enslaving or killing a woman or women if he thinks other males will not punish or kill him for his acts. If he could also kill other males' offspring without retribution to him or his offspring, most likely that could happen too.


Mother Nature's live birth ratio male : female is 105 : 100 Was this Mother Nature's way to ensure males would vie for the female, thus ensuring stronger/healthier males father the next generation? Is it perhaps an innate male factor to fight to pass down his genes the cause or part of why males try to control females?

Mother Nature overlooked factoring in medical advancements where pre-determination of gender before live birth resulted in many female fetuses aborted. Societies with a preference for male fetuses over female ones now face a situation where there are not enough women to marry surplus of males born because of this anti-female bias.

To eradicate Honour Killing would require concerted effort by the male half of the population. If the majority of men globally had a policy of eliminating males who commit "honour killings", in time that would eradicate this "custom".

In the name of your daughters, I ask men everywhere, what has taken the male half of the human population so long to avenge the honour killers?


Honour Killing -- cultural, religious or predator tactic?
(c)*Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis, 03April2011
(c)*AKA Sasha Gold, Sasha Canadian

Article here:
http://www.averroespress.com/AverroesPress/Honour-Killings.html

FADIME SAHINDAL R.I.P.

The Tale (Tail?) of Minou’s 5 Kittens.
(c)*Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis_28-March-2011
(c)*AKA Sasha Gold, Sasha Canadian

Born Saturday, March 5th 2011 in Montreal, Canada

3-5-11 :
Odd numbers must be written in the Stars decreeing these kittens are “The Lucky Kittens” as Minou has been sheltered and her kittens born inside at my neighbour, Abbey's place. Abbey and I were the doulas!

Minou was abandoned by some worthless human. Cared for by both Lacey and me became Minou's fate. Minou came to both homes for food…probably caught the scent of food because I feed Ebony, a big black feral male beauty.

2010-2011 Winter, the third one where Ebony comes to dine twice daily. He comes to dine year round. Minou came one night; Ebony didn’t object which provided the tip-off this beauty was:
a) female
b) neutered male
Correct answer: a)

Minou loves the gazebo and patio where Lacey lives with her sister, Avril and their mother, Abbey. She spent Summer 2010 living there. Although well fed by Lacey, Minou could not resist eating Ebony’s food, so she would spend a part of the day on our patio or under the front balcony where Ebony has dined since Spring 2008.

Ebony sired one kitten for sure! The little black furburst looks exactly like him. The grey/white kitten looks like our darling Felix (a rescued kitty) but Felix is neutered and strictly indoor — not the Daddy. The other three kittens look mostly like their lovely Mamma, the Queen Minou and a bit like our Norman who is 15 now, strictly indoor kitty, neutered. Our third indoor Kitty is Baby-Rascal, rescued, neutered, FIV+ thus hard to place, so I kept him.

There is another kitty who came to Ebony's window to dine this Winter. Ebony was not receptive as the interloper was an intact male. I dubbed him “Oranje”. He is gorgeous and friendly. Oranje appeared just after Hallowe’en, not mewling but hollering for food. Another human – one of many I'd love to drop onto an ice floe in the middle of the Arctic Ocean -- abandoned Oranje. Coaxed Oranje to come in through the basement bathroom window which is under the front balcony. Next day, off to veterinarian for sterilization, inoculations, testing, the whole $500 treatment. Oranje is now up for adoption but only to a loving Purr~ent who will keep him as a strictly indoor kitty and spoil him rotten.

Getting back to the Tale of Minou, Abbey and her daughters realized Minou was pregnant so began lining up good homes for her kittens. Not knowing how many were due, they wisely decided to consider the possibility of five or six kittens needing loving, furever families. So far, it looks like “mission accomplished”.

Will Minou continue to live with her trio of protectors? I hope so. They have a cute tiny dog, the Princess named Tiffany whom any male kitten will outgrow. Tiffany and Minou would need time to adjust. Personally, I don’t see that as an issue. When I was a child (one of 5 children) our parents allowed us to have many pets. We brought an uber young puppy whom we named Tammy into our home where our cat, Mini was nursing her five kittens. We also had "big" Kitty (male cat) at the time. Tammy outlived the cats and a few years later my mother let me adopt a five-week old kitten, Pussy. Minou looks like my beloved Pussycat who was actually named Samantha but answered only if we called her "Pussy".

Home with my parents and siblings was The Palace ruled by gentle paws. It was not too difficult, it usually took just a few days for new pets of the same or other species to adjust to each other.

Growing up with 3 sisters and 1 brother, our home was home to humans, dogs, cats, birds, an Aquarium full of fish, and yes! all of us lived together. The pets most likely were not only less worry for our parents; they argued less than than the 5 of us did.

Lacey is deeply in love with Minou. The happy solution for Lacey & Minou is for Abbey to accept Minou as the resident Queen Cat. The Princes Pup and The Queen Cat will adjust, accepting “their family” as being Abbey, Avril, Lacey, and each other. For Minou this would be the life every pet deserves: a loving, protective furever family.

Were I super-rich I’d have plenty of dedicated and loving staff to help me with all the rescues who find me. I’d be able to provide a proper facility to house each one until a loving furever family were found ...

And as for the odd numbers I bought a lotto ticket with 3-5-11 in the number line.


The Grey/White (Felix not the Papa) and Kitten who looks like Minou


The Black Kitten (Ebony's kitten?)& the Twin Kittens...


Minou, The Mamma Queen Cat


KITTEN UPDATE: Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
Minou's Five Kittens are one month old today!!


Kitten photos (c)Guerriero
Minou photo (c)Caucci

The Tale (Tail?) of Minou’s 5 Kittens.
(c)*Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis_28-March-2011
(c)*AKA Sasha Gold, Sasha Canadian

ST-PATRICK'S DAY IN MONTREAL
(c)*Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis_17March2011
(c)*AKA Sasha Gold, Sasha Canadian

In our home lives a lovely Oxalis plant -- in the living room during the months of October to May. Then little "Ms. Irish" plant resides in a green flower pot suspended from the balcony overlooking our patio during Summer months.











Our beautiful Ms.Irish is in full St. Patrick's Day bloom, looking out the living room window where the morning sun kisses her and keeps her green.

Two of our three beautiful felines love the living room window but when Ms. Irish is in residence, the French Doors remain closed as the =^..^= boys, Norman and Felix love to nibble on little Ms. Irish's leaves. Forbidden leaves are the most delectable...


This year Montréal's 2011 187th ST. PATRICK’S PARADE will be on Sunday, March 20th. The parades have been held in continuity since 1824. Our family history includes Quebec Irish and Quebec French -- my mother's side. In our family this is a very special day. Mother celebrated it every year and her children and grandchildren were there with her, celebrating our "Irish".

Montréal's St.Patrick's week weather can be lovely and warm, promising us Spring is just around the corner OR the day can be in the midst of a snowstorm! Mother's apartment [sadly, this building no longer exists]had these lovely windows that fronted the Parade route as her apartment was on the corner of Mackay and Ste-Catherine streets. Ste-Catherine Street, sporting a green line in the middle of its one-way East bound direction, is the Parade route. This was a wonderful way to watch The Parade, all comfy and warm, three generations together at Mother's, celebrating our Irish heritage.

Like so many Canadians, our clan is multi-heritage. We celebrate all of them. Since the passing of our greatly loved and wonderful Mother, grandmother and great-grandmother we keep our Irish ever in our hearts and express it in many different ways. I attend the Parade (Weather permitting).


Tomorrow, March 17th is the day of the Irish everywhere. To my family and friends, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Go raibh tú daibhir i mí-áidh
Agus saibhir i mbeannachtaí
Go mall ag déanamh namhaid, go luath a déanamh carad,
Ach saibhir nó daibhir, go mall nó go luath,
Nach raibh ach áthas agat
Ón lá seo amach.

May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
quick to make friends,
But rich or poor, quick or slow,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

On the 17th of March, let your inner Irish out!
Montreal Ste. Patrick's Day Parade route:
http://tinyurl.com/4lavftu


(c)"Ms. Irish" Plant photo 2011 by Susan E. Dykhuis
(c)St Patrick's Day in Montreal by Susan E. Dykhuis

UPDATE: The Parade was wonderful with perfect, sunny Spring weather. No snow, no rain, just sunshine and happiness at the Parade.

ST-PATRICK'S DAY IN MONTREAL
(c)*Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis_17March2011
(c)*AKA Sasha Gold, Sasha Canadian

Canada: Today & Tomorrow(c)S.E. Dykhuis

Letter in response to this story:

http://www.nationalpost.com/2030+Canada+Muslim+population+triple/4200144/story.html

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Re: By 2030, Canada's Muslim Population To Triple, Feb. 1.

http://www.nationalpost.com/fear+Islam/4214531/story.html

The fear associated with recent reports identifying the growth of the global Muslim population reflects a broader misconception about who Muslims are and what Islam teaches its followers.

Islam is a religion of peace and instructs its followers to display tolerance to the views and customs of the society in which they reside. Followers of Islamic principles in its true form display modesty, kindness to others and the poor, and adhere to a moral code similar to that practised by Christians. Islam has been used as a tool by some individuals to obtain power over the masses. The end result has been the transformation of Islam into an incoherent body of teachings as displayed in certain countries. Strict observances, punishment and extremist behaviour is not grounded in Islam.

As the number of Muslims living in Canada grows, we should welcome followers of true Islamic principles as active, contributing members of our society. Doing so is not a threat to Canadian society, but the perpetuation of the principles that make Canada the country that it is.

Rena Hussain, Toronto.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope Mr. Tarek Fatah, a commentator on Muslim affairs and founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress and author of the book The Jew Is Not My Enemy is the model for Canadian Muslims but fear -- like many in Canada and elsewhere in The West -- that Muslim integration into our societies and cultures may not be an easy path.

At this link http://www.nationalpost.com/2030+Canada+Muslim+population+triple/4200144/story.html

Mr. Fatah said: "Schools should also be concerned about Muslim groups on campuses that could be fomenting anti-Western views and bigotry against Christians and Jews. Meantime, those mosques that use religious services to preach bigotry or discord should come under government scrutiny and lose their charitable status if they become too political and divisive."

Tarek Fatah speaks of what Muslim immigrants must do to be come truly Canadian; I hope the elected officials in The Government of Canada are listening to him, reading his books and his comments/advice which are published in Canadian newsprint.

In my lifetime, may the statement by Rena Hussain of Toronto be the reality :

"Islam is a religion of peace and instructs its followers to display tolerance to the views and customs of the society in which they reside."

Canada: Today & Tomorrow(c)Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis_03February2011

Native Wolf of Alaska


Caretakers of Planet Earth — Reality Check
©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis, 27th January 2011

Wolves and other species, threatened by the dual swords of human vanity and inhumanity our species—almost 7 billion strong.

Almost 7 billion; and we are wrong in
culling other spices, destroying their habitat

We are not entitled to destroy
the only home we inhabitants of Planet Earth have

This Planet who is home to multitudes within many species
Includes us, the Humans who are not entitled to murder
Earth’s inhabitants.

Species out of control – problem caused by us
It is our numbers and our demands that are out of control Humans:
the users and abusers We are the species
totally out of control!

Humane means no culling of any species; that starts by
Controlling ourselves.
Fewer humans equals drastic reduction of problems
To our home, Planet Earth.

The Americas are the domicile of The Wolves and others;
Human obligation is to protect and save all species indigenous to The Americas.

©Susan Elizabeth Dykhuis, “Caretakers of Planet Earth — Reality Check”27th January 2011

Click link and please sign the petition to prevent the Alaskan culling of Wolves!

http://action.defenders.org/site/PageServer?pagename=savewolves_takeaction

It is time for human beings to accept that domain over Planet Earth and all her inhabitants means we are the caretakers of Earth to protect all species of life who share Earth with us. We can begin right now by insisting that all life on this planet is sacred, valid, necessary and that we, the human animal, do NOT have the right to cull any species other than our own (almost 7 billion of us!).