It was an ordinary day. Martin the mouse was in his cage thinking about his life. He was completely desperate. “I will never go to the countryside I will never explore a forest I will never go secretly to a cellar to grab some cheese”, at least, he thought, “I’ll never meet or be chased by a cat.” His life was both boring and cruel. He lived in a cage in a laboratory and twice a day a man in white would come and feed him with pills.

In the next two days Martin kept thinking about how unlucky he was. He hated his lifestyle. He was suffering! People tested some kind of cosmetics on him and his family daily, and that hurt a lot. But humans don’t care about mice…

While he was thinking, two men came into the lab. “Oh, here comes my turn,” thought Martin. Fortunately, it wasn’t. The two men were talking loudly and they seemed very worried. “Lots of animal welfare organizations are trying to prevent us from testing cosmetics on mice.  They claim that it’s cruel.” “There is still hope,» thought Martin.

Shall we also try to help Martin and the other laboratory animals and save them from being cruelly treated in experiments?

Animal Haiku

                        By Yiota Kourdounoulis

Two sad poor doggies

Are trapped in a pet shop cage.

TEN TIPS

Of how to make your pet happy

P.S   IF YOU FOLLOW MY ADVICE YOU WILL SOON GET ON REALLY WELL WITH YOUR PET. BELIEVE ME !!!!!   IT’’S TRUE!!

Stray animals:

a threat or a shame?

           By  Catherine Maroulis                       

During the last decades, in the streets of many towns and villages, we can see dogs and cats wandering, being sick and hungry, without having someone to provide them hospitality and take care of them. Moreover, we have heard or read many times that some unscrupulous people poison stray animals, kill them in a very cruel way or mistreat them.

Poisoned dog found in a state of decomposition by members of “Argos” society, outside a factory in Katerini. Its mate is lamenting its death.

Moreover, these animals and, especially, the dog that is thought to be man’s ‘’faithful friend’, have helped people many times in difficult situations. We have heard of many examples concerning the love and devotion that dogs show to their bosses. It is a pity that most people do not show the same love and devotion to these animals. It is a pity that we are not interested in taking care of them, firstly for the animals themselves and secondly, for our sake,

because public health is threatened when sick animals wander on the streets.

    Luckily, a few years ago, a number of animal welfare organisations were founded in Greece. These organizations, among their other areas of concern, are also trying to save and protect stray animals and to inform and encourage all of us to join them in this attempt. The State has also introduced certain measures in order to protect stray animals, but also citizens from attacks and contagious diseases.

Detail…

The construction of shelters where stray animals can live under hygienic circumstances, the prohibition of their poisoning, their obligatory sterilization and vaccination are some of the measures that should be given priority. Furthermore, schools should provide education on animal welfare issues. People’s attitude to animals is a proof of how civilized and humane a society is.

Thus, let us all show to animals our love, which they really ask for and desperately need!

LETTERS

Dear Mayor,

I am writing to complain about the bad condition of the carriage and trekking horses at Paralia Beach and Katerinoskala.

First of all, it is obvious that they are not properly taken care of, because they stink from a kilometer away! Some of them need veterinary care as they suffer from saddle sores. I was shocked to see their wounds crowded with flies! I am not a specialist but I feel that most of them also suffer form foot problems because they look almost lame.

I am afraid that, in this case, cruel neglect and indifference to working horses in this tourist area do not only test our humanity but also cause a series of shocking reports of animal suffering in Greece, in foreign newspapers.

I expect that this matter will be resolved soon, or I shall have to address  GAWF.

Faithfully Yours,

              Popi Kotsiopoulou

Student.

Dear Mayor,

I am writing to complain about the dogs  which hang around the center of Katerini day and night, in cold or hot weather, often hungry and thirsty.

I have read in the local papers that you have created a shelter for stray dogs where they can live under proper conditions. Are these poor, wandering dogs unwelcome there?

I also wonder if they have been vaccinated, neutered and treated for fleas and worms.

I look forward to a public reply so that everybody in Katerini is informed about the Municipality’s policy to stray animals.

                                                            Yours sincerely,

                                                        Yiota Kordonoulis,                                                       Student at the 5^th Secondary School.

A GOOD “LESSON”

A story written by Stella Kyriatzi

Jake was a bad boy. He didn’t like dogs in fact he hated them. Every time he saw a dog he  would hit or kick it. His mother was so disappointed of him! She was unemployed and she should find a job immediately because her husband had died because of a dog bite. That’s why Jake didn’t like dogs and dogs didn’t like him either.

He had no friends because of his bad behavior. He felt very lonely. So his mother decided to buy him a puppy. He got so angry that he abandoned it and then lied to his mother saying that he had lost it. That made his mother even more desperate. She prayed to God with tears in her eyes: “Please make my son realize what he’s doing to the poor dogs!”

Two years later something strange happened. It was Monday and Jake was returning home after school. Suddenly, a bulldog appeared. It was very angry and probably rabid. Jake was scared to death. He started running but the angry dog was following him. “That’s it. I’m going to die, like my father», thought Jake, and he kept running. Then on the spur of the moment another dog appeared. The two dogs fought for a while and then, to Jake’s surprise, the bulldog left! Jake’s savior looked at him. Jake couldn’t believe his eyes! It was the same dog he had abandoned two years ago! How fool he was! He realized his mistake and took the dog to his house.

From then on, Jake changed. He had regretted harming all those dogs…

He tried to treat them with love.

When he grew up, he would take care of all the stray animals in his neighbourhood. He would give them food and water and take them to the vet when they got ill. Until his late70’s he kept on housing stray dogs.

When he died, his friends carved on his grave the following inscription:

                “Here sleeps Jake, the best dog-friend ever”

ANIMAL JOKES

Look! It started raining

Quick! Let’s swim under  the bridge or  we’ll get wet

☺  What kind of birds are found in Portugal?

        Portu-geese!

☺  What type of snake is good at sums?

        An adder.

                      By Efi  Efraimidou

PUZZLE:  Find the words below in the puzzle 

Feed               Hippos

Water             Pandas

Care               Turtles   By Stefi Anastasiadou

Love               Bears

Vaccinate       Lions

Neuter             Seals         

Are you a responsible pet owner?

1)How long have you had your pet?

a) a few weeks

b) a few months

c) more than a year

2) Why have you got a pet?

a) To play with

b) it was a present

c) to take care of it

3) How often do you feed it?

a) when I have free time

b) four times a day

c) I follow the vet’s instructions

4) What do you feed it/them?

a) left overs

b) tinned pet’s food

c) I follow the vet’s instructions

5) Have you ever forgotten to feed it?

a) several times

b) once or twice

c) never

6) What do you take it to the vet for?

a) flea and worm/disease treatment

b) vaccination

c) all the above

7) What would you do with its newly born babies?

a) dispose them

b) offer them to friends as a gift

c) No babies (it’s been neutered)

8) What would you do if you found a poisoned pet?

a) I would bury it

b) I would contact an animal welfare society

c) I would sue the doer

9) Would you choose an exotic animal as a pet?

a) Yes

b) Yes, if it was a present

c) No, never

10) What would you do if you found a homeless pet?

a) I would offer it as a gift

b) I would keep it out of pity

c) I would contact an animal welfare society

( a = 0, b = 1, c = 2)

0-3    You hate pets, WHY?

4-7    You love pets but  you should be    

           more responsible!

8-10     You certainly love pets and you   

        are a responsible pet owner. Are    

        you  so perfect with everything?    

Written by Chris Adamos

Survey Results

 Too good to be TRUE?

                   By Panagiotis Haitas & Antonis Fokaidis

The aim of this report is to evaluate the results of a survey which was carried out to raise animal welfare

awareness among our schoolmates and also find out what their views and attitudes are on animal welfare .The data included in this report was obtained from a random sample of 100 schoolmates, aged 12-15, who responded to a questionnaire survey  in late March 2004.

Of the 100 respondents surveyed ninety-four per cent thought that having any kind of pet is a big responsibility, one per cent were undecided and the remaining five per cent felt that having a pet is not a big responsibility. However, 50% would opt for an exotic pet, 36% could not decide whether owning an exotic pet is justified and only 14% were definitely against it.

A large number of those interviewed are not aware of the importance of neutering for the decrease of stray animals. This is highlighted by the fact  that 70% of them  either consider neutering a barbaric practice (52%) or do not know anything about it (18%).

It should be pointed out that 95% of our schoolmates were of the opinion that animals have the capacity to feel pain, fear and distress and , thus, 68% claimed that animals’ welfare should take precedence over productivity in animal farming. What’s more, ninety-two per cent of them felt that farm animals should have the freedom to express normal behavior and only 8 per cent stated ignorance or disagreed.

Presented with the dilemma “wild animals in zoos or in protected habitats?” 87% were clearly for the second option while 83% were definitely against hunting with dogs and claimed that it should be banned.

Questioned about the effect of urbanization on wild animals’ habitats, the majority of the interviewed pupils (62%) either thought that it is minimal and necessary if we are to improve our standard of living or stated ignorance on the issue. Seventy-nine per cent believe that recycling our rubbish and waste can improve the life of animals. A significant percentage (63%) disagree that people’s freedom of choice is an important factor when considering to buy a fur coat.

On the issue of the use of  animals in experiments, only 37% believe that it is necessary to further our understanding of biology, 34% stated that it is justified in medical research and 62% were against their use for the testing of vanity products. What’s more, 64% of the interviewed would rather buy a “cruelty-free” product than one tested on animals, even if it was double the cost! A significant majority

(55%) were even concerned about rats and mice which are the most  commonly used laboratory animals (about 83%  of the animals used in research).

The results of this survey  suggest that the majority of our schoolmates are sensitive to animal welfare. However, our recommendation is  that our school environmental team should further campaign for animal welfare issues because a significant percentage of the pupils surveyed, ranging from 14% to 36%  stated ignorance on the majority of the issues examined in the questionnaire.

Oh, man, let me sleep! I had such an exchausting day…I’ve been looking for some food but in vain. At least let me dream  of a nice steak!

Stray dog in the Municipality park, in Katerini.Photo & comments by Sophia Petridis & Helen Sismanidis.

DYING IN THE RAIN

            It was a dark rainy morning. I had a terrible

headache all night and I had hardly slept a wink. Bad weather always affects me, so I thought that the only thing that would cheer me up was my lovely dog, Johnny. He was my birthday present from my parents last year.

            Anyway, I was going to feed him when I saw that he was lying down on the wet grass in our front garden. I tried to wake him up, but in vain. His legs were ominously stretched out and his lower jaw was sagging, revealing a blue tongue. My heart started pounding furiously. For a while, I couldn’t utter a single word.  I  was shocked. My little poor doggy was dead. I started to cry and finally managed to call my parents outside.

We didn’t know what to do. We were just watching

stunned and helpless. A  very special member of our family had gone. We all were so sad. Our best friend had been obviously poisoned and we didn’t know the reason why. Something precious was missing from our lives and an important place in our hearts was empty. We were desperate. We felt that nothing could make us feel good, nothing could comfort us.

            We had hardly realized our loss when we heard Kostas from the house opposite ours screaming “ Dad, heeelp… Asproula is dying!” The whole neihbourhood was upset and we all gathered around Asproula, Kostas’s pet,that was gasping for breath. The vet soon arrived but it was too late. Another three dogs were also found poisoned in our neighbourhood later in the day, and- what a horror! - one of them was found in a litter bin! The whole neighbourhood wept and cursed. “Who did it? Who did it?” everybody wondered. We even suspected some

people who had expressed their disconcert for the “noisy, dirty dogs”, but we had no evidence.

            Our neighbours called the police. We didn’t know who to blame and we didn’t know where to declare .The police didn’t help. Then, we started to blame ourselves.  “We haven’t done anything to protect our dog. We ought to take Johnny for a walk at least twice a day. We shouldn’t have let him free to hang around unaccompanied. It was our fault”, I admitted, and I burst out crying again.

  When I realised that the only guilty was me and it was my irresponsibility that had actually killed my doggy, I felt desolate. I knew that I had to change, to become more responsible. So, I decided to join an organisation named GWAF and learn about responsible pet ownership. Now I know!

Written by Evi Chrysopoulou