Doctors are warning the public about a tick-born illness that poses a much more serious health risk than Lyme Disease. Known as the Powassan virus, blacklegged ticks (as well as groundhog ticks) are increasingly carrying the potentially deadly disease. The rare virus falls under the same family as the West Nile virus and has symptoms similar to those of Lyme disease. However the virus acts extremely rapidly – people can begin to feel symptoms in just a matter of minutes – and the symptoms are severe. The incurable disease attacks the central nervous system and can cause vomiting, fever, headache, weakness, confusion, seizures, swelling of the brain and memory loss. Currently, there are only around 50 people affected in the U.S. each year (compared to the estimated 20,000 people who are affected by Lyme disease) and there have only been 16 human cases reported in Eastern Canada, since it was first detected in Ontario back in 1958. Ten percent of people contracting Powassan virus die. There has been a noticeable spike in the virus in 2015, with the virus being detected in the upper mid-west, Northeast and Great Lakes area of the U.S. Although contracting the virus is still extremely rare, because of the potential for fatalities, authorities are warning people to take extra precautions to prevent becoming infected. Health experts are recommending people use tick repellent and wear long sleeves and pants when spending time in wooded or bushy areas. They also advise to take your clothes off and shower when home after spending time in the woods or areas that have ticks. Clothes can also be put into the dryer for at least an hour on high heat to kill the ticks. Pets should also be checked for ticks if they accompany you on walks in wooded areas or regularly go outside. Please share this video to help spread the word to prevent tick-born illnesses.
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Horses aren't exactly known for their cuddling abilities. However, one baby horse at the Rapid Run Training Center is Morristown, Florida is exceptionally affectionate, acting more like a dog than a horse when Sunny Bayne approached it. "This is the best day of my life," Bayne said as the filly laid on top of her. Cuddling changes people.
Sapphyre Johnson was born a healthy child in Greenville, South Carolina, except for missing some essential features, her feet, fingers and toes. Since she was 3-months-old, Sapphyre, now 3, has been a patient at Shriner's Hospital for Children, where her mother, Ashley Johnson, said she's had multiple surgeries to be fitted for prosthetic feet. But for her last visit, Johnson told ABC News, Sapphyre got to leave the hospital with much more than new prosthetics. "It was two weeks ago when were told that an owner had contacted the hospital about a puppy who was missing one front paw," said Johnson. "She wanted him to grow up with a child who had similar circumstances." After showing Sapphyre a photo of the puppy, Johnson said her toddler fell in love. "Sapphyre immediately noticed that he was missing a paw," she said. "She said, 'He has a foot like mine.'" The dog's breeder, Karen Riddle, said that the 9-week-old White German Shepherd was born in a litter of nine puppies and was the only one missing a paw. For that very reason, Riddle said she decided to name him Lt. Dan, after the character from the popular film "Forrest Gump" who lost both his legs. "The movie is a heartwarming, loving story, so I said, 'You're just like Lt. Dan. It just suited his personality." Because of Lt. Dan's calm demeanor, Riddle coordinated with Shriner's to hand him off to Sapphyre as a therapy dog. Sapphyre and Lt. Dan went home together Monday. "It was awesome yesterday," Riddle said. "We said, 'Sapphyre show him your feet' and, oh boy, she threw off her prosthetics and her socks and said, 'Look!' Then Lt. Dan put his paw up at the exact same time." Although they've only been pals for 24 hours, Johnson said Sapphyre and Lt. Dan make the perfect pair. "He follows her every step she takes, everywhere she goes," said Johnson. "It's like they’ve known each other forever. "We always want Sapphyre to know that being different is not bad," she added. "People, even pets, no one is exactly the same. That would be boring. I think it’s good for her to see that."
Norwood, New Jersey - Police say Monday night they may have been closing in on a coyote that bit a man in Bergen County, New Jersey over the weekend. Norwood police said they captured a coyote Monday night, they were not sure whether it was the same animal that attacked Stephen Sinisi after 9 p.m. Sunday. Police said they believe the coyote captured Monday night was actually part of a different pack, but was described as “very aggressive.” Norwood police said they also put traps near two coyote dens they discovered Monday night near a school. Sinisi said he was walking his dog, Raleigh, near the woods on McClellan Street and D’Ercole Court when he saw what he thought was a stray dog approaching. “I was walking back and what looked like a dog approaching me,” Sinisi told CBS2’s Meg Baker. “Then we got closer I was like, ‘No, this is not a stray dog,’” he told 1010 WINS’ Rebecca Granet. Sinisi was attacked as he tried to get his dog back into the house. “He saw a coyote stalking him, and he decided to return home,” police Chief Jeff Krapels said, WCBS 880’s Sean Adams reported. “As he was running home, the coyote caught up to him as he got to his front door and bit him on the leg.”
Castaways is a documentary series chronicling the successful rehabilitation program of inmates that train unwanted dogs for re-introduction or adoption. The series highlights the plight that both prisoners and unwanted dogs face, and how an unlikely union between the two brings out a change in character of both man and beast — each trying to save and serve the other. The results are life-changing for the prisoner, the dog, and the future pet owner. In the video below, you’ll meet a dog named Esther who was severely abused in a puppy mill before being rehabilitated through the Prison-trained K-9 Companion Program. It’s simply incredible to watch as Jason, a prison inmate, forms his bond with Esther, and eventually must say an emotional goodbye after successfully training her and helping her emerge from her shell. We’ve seen the impact made when these two groups of societal outcasts meet. It’s truly heartwarming — because, while many people shun both inmates and “undesirable” breeds like pit bulls and rottweilers, this program gives them an opportunity to look to each other for affection, friendship, and understanding and to foster each other’s growth. This type of program should be employed in more prisons across the country.
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Police in New Jersey are warning parents to keep their children and small pets inside after a series of coyote attacks and sightings and the discovery of two dens near a local school. On Monday, a coyote was captured and later killed after officials in Norwood, N.J., say it attacked a police car. "The coyote started to attack a police car," Norwood Police Chief Jeff Krapels told WABC-TV. "We called New Jersey Wildlife and they said that's not normal behavior for the coyote."
After a search of the area, police located the coyote behind a Norwood home. A wildlife officer shot and wounded the animal, police said, and it was later killed and taken to the state laboratory to be tested for rabies. During their search, officials discovered two dens, including one that "has a tunnel towards the school."
School officials are keeping students inside as a precaution.
The discovery comes a day after a man was chased and bitten by a coyote while walking his dog in the same town.
"I was trying to get to the house fast because he wasn't going away," Stephen Sinisi told CBS New York. "As soon as I got to my door, I felt something on my back ankle." Sinisi received four rabies shots. On April 6, a man in nearby Saddle River was attacked by a coyote while working in his yard. That coyote, who attacked a dog the week before, tested positive for rabies and was euthanized. Even before the latest attacks, there had been an uptick in coyote sightings in the tri-state area. Via the New York Times:
This year alone, coyotes have turned up near a Consolidated Edison plant along the East River in the East Village; on a basketball court in Riverside Park; haunting Steven Spielberg’s sister’s yard in the Riverdale section of the Bronx; and marooned on the roof of a bar in Long Island City, Queens. According to wildlife officials, "aggressive coyotes" are especially unusual, and attacks on humans are "extremely rare." Nonetheless, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website includes guidelines that "can help reduce the likelihood of conflicts with coyotes":
Never feed a coyote. Deliberately feeding coyotes puts pets and other residents in the neighborhood at risk.
Feeding pet cats and/or feral (wild) cats outdoors can attract coyotes. The coyotes feed on the pet food and also prey upon the cats.
Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates.
Bring pets in at night.
Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, and other farm animals.
Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
Although extremely rare, coyotes have been known to attack humans. Parents should monitor their children, even in familiar surroundings, such as backyards.
Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings — this reduces protective cover for coyotes and makes the area less attractive to rodents and rabbits. Coyotes, as well as other predators, are attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated, like woodpiles.
If coyotes are present, make sure they know they're not welcome. Make loud noises, blast a canned air siren, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose.
From the Author: Only 30 days to order your, 'I Rescued My Best Friend' T-Shirt, for only $17 plus shipping. Your shirt will be sent to you within 2 weeks after this fundraiser ends - May 21, 2015. Only 50 shirts will be made…so order yours today! As the author of this blog, I designed this shirt, so you won't be able to find it anywhere once it has ended. Please consider purchasing a t-shirt, not only will you be helping animals, but you can be proud letting everyone know that you have rescued an animal, and sending the message, 'adopt don't shop!' To order your t-shirt, click here: I Rescued My Best Friend
Fairfax Station, VA - If you have ever rescued an animal from a shelter, rescue organization or took in a stray, then you know the warm feeling you get caring for them. As you look into their eyes, it's if they are saying, 'thank you'. There is no love, like the love that you get from an animal that you have rescued! They will never, ever forget what you have done for them. I have setup a fundraiser campaign for Animal Allies of Fairfax, Virginia. My goal is to raise $850 to help this wonderful organization by selling t-shirts, that I designed with the saying: I rescued my best friend!, on the front, and 'Visit your local animal shelter…and save a life! 'Adopt Don't Shop', on the back. What a wonderful way to show the world that you have saved a life, while also getting the word out that animals should be adopted and not purchased!
About Animal Allies: Animal Allies, a nonprofit, all-volunteer no kill organization dedicated to the rescue of homeless and abandoned animals. We are a registered 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the State of VA. Founded in 1984, Animal Allies is devoted to curbing the irresponsible breeding of pets in an effort to end the overpopulation of homeless animals. Animal Allies volunteers work to rescue lost, abandoned, or stray animals and find loving homes for them if possible. All animals in our system are vetted to check for disease and spayed and neutered to stop the cycle of unwanted animals. Through a detailed process, we do our best to make sure each animal goes to a suitable home where they can enjoy love and shelter and the necessities for the rest of their lives, and provide their human companions with love in return. Our organization is funded solely through the generosity of the public and countless hours put in by our volunteers. Note: My pictures are blurry from enlarging. Take a look at the actual shirt, by clicking on the link below:
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