Glad We Weren't Around Then......

British scientists have announced that a quarry in Germany has yielded the fossil of an amazing prehistoric creature called Jaekelopterus Rhenaniae. It is not a dinosaur, however, but possibly the largest bug to ever walk the face of the earth--eight feet long.

This ancient sea scorpion is the ancestor of today's scorpions and possibly all spiders, mites and ticks. Paleontologists speculate that this giant scorpion was capable of growing to enormous size because it did not have any natural enemies, but it was eventually wiped out by the evolution of larger fish. The giant scorpion was also a cannibal, fighting and eating others of its species. The fossil found in Germany was of a kind of scorpion that lived exclusively in that country about 400 million years ago. It is believed that the quarry where the fossil was found was once either an estuary or a swamp.

Although paleontologists have known for quite some time as a result of fossil discoveries that giant millipedes, cockroaches, dragonflies and scorpions once inhabited the earth, they never anticipated that some of them reached the size supported by the find in Germany.

Stem Cells from Skin Cells

Two research teams (one working at Kyoto University, the other at the University of Wisconsin-Madison) have made public their landmark achievement of producing stem cells from human skin cells. The new laboratory technique is being viewed as the answer to the scientific/religious/ethical debates that have surrounded obtaining stem cells from human embryos.

Just this past summer, both teams of researchers discovered how to develop stem cells in mice, but surprised even themselves with the human cell breakthrough. The new technique reprograms skin cells, giving them the ability of embryonic stem cells to morph into many kinds of tissue. The hope is that this new development will put medical research onto the fast track, enabling patients to be treated with genetically matched healthy tissue to replace damaged cells.

Perhaps the best news of all is that, unlike the embryonic cloning method for obtaining stem cells, the new process is relatively simple and can be begun in other laboratories immediately.

A 21st Century Noah's Ark

Oslo, Norway is the site of the Global Seed Vault, a 400-foot tunnel dug into a remote Arctic mountainside of the Svalbard Archipelago. Over the next two months, refrigeration units will begin to lower the temperature of the vault from 23 degrees to zero degrees, where its precious contents can be stored safely for up to 1,000 years.

The remote site was chosen for its relative safety from threats, its climate, and its permafrost. If the power goes out, the permafrost will maintain the temperature needed to preserve the vault's contents. It is here that up to 4.5 million of the world's agricultural seeds will be kept safe from global warming, plant epidemics, natural disasters, or war. Each country of the world has been invited to deposit seed samples, each containing 500 seeds and wrapped in foil.

Although many countries have begun their own seed banks, some (such as the Philippines, Iran and Iraq) have already been compromised by extreme weather conditions or war. The Svalbard vault is intended to be the final backup so that food production can be restarted in the event of a regional or global catastrophe.

Although Norway will own the vault, each country will retain ownership of the materials it deposits there. The Global Seed Vault will officially open on February 26th.

Nigersaurus Taqueti a/k/a DinoCow

University of Chicago paleontologist, Paul Sereno, unveiled the life-size model of a very strange dinosaur this week. Nigersaurus taqueti was discovered by Sereno in 1997 and excavated in Niger approximately three years ago, where parts of five skeletons were found, including one that was eighty percent complete. Nigersaurus is an elephant-sized dinosaur, but the bones of its skull are almost translucent and protect a brain the size of a walnut.

The amazing revelation of Nigersaurus is that its discovery offers a new view of the behavior of long-necked, plant-eating dinosaurs, what they looked like, and how they behaved. Until now, it was believed that this type of dinosaur behaved like a giraffe, holding its head high overhead and eating vegetation from the tops of trees. When it roamed the earth 110 million years ago, Nigersaurus spent its life with its head hanging down, using its wide mouth to "graze" on ferns and other vegetation.

Paleontoligists now believe that long-necked plant-eaters behaved more like cows than giraffes. This theory is supported by some of the dinosaur's features which are extreme versions of features seen in other grazing animals. Nigersaurus' mouth is wider than its skull, and all its teeth are incisors lined up to form an efficient clipping mechanism, ideal for cutting grass.

Photographs of the life-size model and skeleton of Nigersaurus taqueti are accessible at http://news.nationalgeographic.com/.

Art Conveys Effects of Global Warming

Much of the information we learn today about global warming is funneled to us by scientists as a result of the studies they perform and the predictions they make based upon those studies. A group of forty artists from twenty-five countries, however, has utilized their talent to produce an exhibit intended to educate the world about the effect melting ice caps will have on living species. The result is entitled "Melting Ice: A Hot Topic", and it is scheduled to arrive in this country in April.

An American artist, Chris Jordan, has made an interesting contribution to the exhibit. Jordan is fascinated by consumerism and chose to replicate Ansel Adam's famous photograph of Mount McKinley in Alaska's Denali National Park. Jordan, however, digitally replicated Adam's photograph, incorporating 24,000 logos of General Motors' Denali SUV. Why 24,000 logos? That number represents how many Denali SUVs were sold during a six-week period in 2004. In a clever twist, Jordan chose to correctly spell "Denali" in half the of the 24,000 digital tiles, and to misspell it as "Denial" in the other half, thereby making his own statement about the consumption of fossil fuels by SUVs and their impact on the environment.

The hope of the exhibit's organizers is that if the public observes the effects of global warming through the artistic forum, it will appeal to the emotions that only art can provoke and bring about change.

The exhibit began its tour in Oslo, Norway and is currently in Brussels. It will travel to Monaco next, after which it will come to Chicago in April, where it will remain until June 5, 2008--Earth Day.

A Museum Exhibit All About Pets

Professor Katherine Grier's research into human-animal relationships evolved into an entire museum exhibit entitled "Pets in America". The exhibit chronicles Americans' love for their pets from the 18th century to the present and will be touring the country for the next several years.

Although primarily about America, the exhibit also traces the origin of pet-keeping back to its roots in the Far East; the exhibit contains many examples of ornate cages used to house crickets. From the earliest times here in America, the focus on pets has been mainly on cats and dogs because they served as both companions and workers. Songbirds, especially canaries, became popular in the early 20th century as a means of entertainment--they provided background music long before gramophones, radios or ipods. The exhibit explores all manner of pets, however, and makes use of some interesting artifacts.

The exhibit also examines how there has been an explosion in pet products and services in response to the ever-increasing popularity of pets in America. It also illustrates how Hollywood jumped on the pet bandwagon by producing animal heroes like Lassie and Rin Tin Tin. A section of the exhibit is devoted to the evolution of veterinary medicine, as well. Much of early pet care, as with early human medical care, consisted of quackery and nonsense.

A virtual tour of the exhibit is available at www.petsinamerica.org. Take the virtual tour with your pet, because they are not allowed in museums.....

Dentists Should NOT Be Dancing

A dental patient from Syracuse, New York has brought a lawsuit against her dentist for injuries she allegedly sustained when a drill bit that snapped and lodged near her eye. The woman is seeking $600,000 for her medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering.

The incident dates back to October 2004 when the thirty-one-year-old woman sought treatment at an emergency dental clinic for pain in a left molar. The dentist administered Novocain and began drilling the tooth in preparation for its extraction. According to the lawsuit, as the dentist drilled, he was "performing rhythmical steps and movements to the song 'Car Wash,'" playing on a radio in the office. The patient then heard the snap of the drill bit. The dentist attempted to pull the bit out by using a metal hook, but only succeeded in pushing it into the patient's sinus and bone socket of the left eye, according to the lawsuit.

After initially telling his patient that she would probably sneeze the drill bit out, he later advised her to go to a hospital emergency room. Hospital personnel advised her that had she sneezed, she likely would have lost the sight in her left eye. The patient underwent emergency surgery and spent three days in the hospital, but she claims that she is suing the dentist simply because he broke his promise to pay her medical bills.

Disney Needs a Geography Lesson

Perhaps Disney should stick to what it does best--children's entertainment. It seems that one of its latest endeavors seems to have fallen slightly short of its mark.

In an effort to boost tourist travel to the United States, the departments of State and Homeland Security released a Disney-produced promotional video last week. In order to give credit where credit is due, it should be noted that Disney produced the film at no charge, and donated it to aid the Bush Administration's initiative to dispel the worldwide perception that America is hostile toward foreigners.

The video is entitled "Welcome: Portraits of America" and will be shown at certain American airports, as well as United States embassies abroad. There is an impressive soundtrack which serves as a backdrop for pictures of Americans, representing our cultural and religious diversity. The film highlights many of America's most majestic images: the crashing surf on Hawaii's shores, the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, and the fall foliage of the New England states, just to name a few. Then, of course, there is Niagara Falls.

Three waterfalls comprise Niagara Falls--American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls (which are within U.S. territory) and Horseshoe Falls (within Canadian territory). Disney producers chose to feature Horseshoe Falls in the video. One might offer the argument, then, that the producers' intent was to offer the perspective a tourist would have while standing on the American side of the Falls. Not so, according to a Niagara Falls, New York historian, Paul Gromosiak, who says that the shot in the video could only have been taken from a vantage point in Canada.

Which leads one to ponder: If the purpose of the video is to improve our image abroad, how is that purpose served by "annexing" another nation's territory?

The entertaining seven-minute video can be viewed at www.discoveramerica.com. The Niagara Falls shot in question is approximately four minutes into the video.

Primates in Peril

A report released on Friday by Conservation International and the International Primatological Society warns that almost one-third of the world's 394 primate species are in danger of extinction. Habitat destruction, commercial sale of their meat, and illegal wildlife trade are contributing to the threatened extinction of 114 different species of apes, monkeys, and other primates. Climate change is also being cited as a contributor to primate vulnerability because of its ability to alter smaller habitats.

Africa and Asia have seen the largest increase of endangered species of primates, due primarily to the clearing of tropical forests for agriculture, logging and wood for fuel. Subsistence and commercial hunting, as well as capture of animals for the pet trade, have also contributed to the endangerment of primates. In Vietnam alone, four species of primates have been essentially decimated as a result of their being hunted for their meat and bones, according to a World Wildlife Fund biologist stationed there.

The risk of extinction can be reversed, however, with proper conservation measures. Since the last report was issued in 2004, nine species of primates have been removed from the list because their populations have increased as a result of conservation efforts. A complete list of the most endangered species and their countries of origin is maintained by the National Geographic Society at http://news.nationalgeographic.com.

Pet Survival During an Emergency

Anyone who has seen news footage of any natural disaster is aware that household pets are often casualties of these events. A little pre-planning can make the difference in a pet's survival during such a catastrophic occurrence.


In addition to the family's evacuation kit of supplies which should be kept in duffel bags and trash containers ready to be transported at a moment's notice, our pets should have survival kits at the ready. A pet's emergency kit should include a five-day supply of food, water, and any necessary medication, as well as bowls and a can opener if we are packing canned food. Current photographs of the animal, feeding schedules, a list of medical conditions and behavior problems, the name and telephone number of our veterinarian and medical records should be kept in a waterproof container. Leashes and/or harnesses, in addition to carriers which are large enough for the animal to stand up, turn around and lie down and contain towels and bedding are essential. A cat litter box, litter, plastic trash bags, paper towels and some household bleach should be included in the evacuation kit.


Since we can become separated from our pets during an emergency, it is imperative that they wear current identification which includes our cellphone number, as well as the telephone number of a relative or friend outside our immediate area. If we are unable to be sheltered temporarily by family or friends outside our area, lists of "animal-friendly" hotels and motels should be kept available, in addition to animal boarding locations.


Our pets depend upon us to provide for their safety each day, but especially during a crisis. The Humane Society of the United States (www.hsus.org) is a valuable source of information for disaster preparedness and pet survival.

Can You Ride a Two-Wheeler? We'd Like to Give You a Credit Card.

It seems that the ability to ride a two-wheeled bicycle is the only criteria Texas-based USAA Savings Bank requires to offer pre-approved credit applications for MasterCard accounts. How else can the bank explain sending such a correspondence to a seven-year-old child because that is precisely what happened to a young Greenridge, Staten Island resident.

It is estimated that the average American household receives approximately fifty credit card solicitations in the mail every year. Travis B. Plunkett, legislative director of Consumer Federation of America (a consumer advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.) estimates that only about one in every 250 mailings receives a response, or roughly 0.3 percent. Despite this very small percentage, the average consumer carries more than $7,400 in credit-card debt.

A spokeswoman for USAA said that the young girl from Greenridge was not the only child who had mistakenly been sent the pre-approved credit application, but could not give an exact number of erroneous underage recipients. Parents of children who receive credit card applications should not ignore the mailing. They should immediately advise the issuer of the mistake and instruct them to delete the minor's name and personal information from their data base.

As for the seven-year-old girl from Greenridge--she is truly disappointed that she will not be able to go shopping, after all.

Invasion of the AsianTiger Mosquito

Although this year's mosquito season is almost at an end, local health officials are concerned about the possible health issues they may be faced with next spring when the eggs of the Asian Tiger Mosquito hatch. The Asian Tiger Mosquito first appeared on Staten Island in 1997, but has become increasingly more prevalent. First discovered in the United States in Houston, Texas in 1985, the Asian Tiger Mosquito is believed to have been carried in shipments of scrap tires from northern Asia. It has now spread to at least twenty-five states which are located mostly in the south and southeast, but has recently been discovered as far north as Maine.

This species of mosquito is much more aggressive than most others, travels in packs, and bites during the day rather than at dusk or in the evening. In addition, the Asian Tiger Mosquito is a carrier for twenty-two different viruses such as chikungunya, yellow and dengue fever, as well as certain types of encephalitis, and dog heartworm. Typically, the mosquito bites a person who has been infected with a virus, thereby becoming a carrier of that virus. The mosquito then transmits that virus to the next individual which it bites.

According to entomologists, if the Asian Tiger Mosquito's eggs survive the winter, they will be impossible to eradicate. It is believed that the eggs will survive this winter unless the season is extremely cold with prolonged periods of below-zero temperatures. Once the eggs hatch next spring, it will not be feasible to kill the mosquitoes by spraying during the daytime, because the spraying will endanger other desirable insects such as honey bees.

The Asian Tiger mosquito is considered to be among the 100 most invasive species on the planet. The best way to protect oneself from this potentially dangerous mosquito is to be diligent about insect repellent use.

A Celebration for Sandy

In my last post, I included a picture of a dog in Brooklyn that needed a home. She had only two more days before she would be euthanized by the shelter.

I am happy to report: SANDY HAS FOUND A HOME!

Dogs' Last Chance

(This is Sandy, a 4 year old female, mixed breed--Available for adoption in Brooklyn. She has 2 days to live)


Approximately four million dogs are euthanized each year in shelters throughout the United States. Government-funded shelters are required by law to euthanize a dog after keeping the animal for a minimum number of days. This minimum is determined by the state in which the shelter is located and whether the dog was found as a stray or abandoned by its owners at the shelter.


One individual has decided to do something about this alarming statistic. Alex Aliksanyan made some money in the Internet travel business but, more importantly, he is an advocate of pet adoption. Mr. Aliksanyan spent half a million dollars to start The Buddy Fund, Inc., a nonprofit organization which operates a very unique website. The website works with over 120 government-funded shelters all over the country. Dogsindanger.com lists dogs tagged for euthanization, along with a clock showing how many days or hours remain before the animal will be destroyed. Users of the site can search for a dog by location, breed, or time until scheduled death. The website has been in operation for three weeks, and has saved dozens of dogs all over the country from destruction by placing them in new homes.



As a further inducement for use of the site, it is provided totally free of cost for both the shelters and people looking for pets. The website posts photos of animals it has been able to place under a section entitled "Success Stories". Unfortunately, it also has an "In Memoriam" wall for those dogs who were not adopted in time.


Although the shelters are governed by law and are not truly at fault, it is cruel to kill an animal simply because it does not have a loving home to care for it. Mr. Aliksanyan has made it possible to save many who would otherwise perish.

First an Oscar, Now the Nobel

Along with the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, former Vice President Al Gore has been named the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to raise public awareness about the dangers of global warming. Earlier this year, his documentary film dealing with the same subject, "An Inconvenient Truth", was awarded an Academy Award. The last American (and Democratic political figure) to have been awarded this honor was President Carter in 2002.



Mr. Gore has been an advocate of reversing the trend of global warming long before he served as Vice President of the United States. According to interviews he has given since the Nobel announcement, he derives great satisfaction from the fact that the award will serve to bring the issue of global warming to the international forefront. He hopes that this event will be helpful in recruiting countries which have been reluctant to meet the issue head on. Mr. Gore has already announced plans to donate his portion of the $1.5 million prize money to the Alliance for Climate Protection, a non-profit organization he founded last year and which works to convey the urgency of the climate crisis on a worldwide basis. The bestowal of the Nobel Peace Prize for work in the area of global warming is seen as a validation of the "planetary crisis" which has been forecasted by scientists and laymen alike.



Mr. Gore has been an outspoken critic of many Bush administration's policies, particularly the Iraq war and its response to climate change issues. The Bush administration has not been overly congratulatory to Mr. Gore's accomplishment, and a White House spokesman has announced that the President does not plan to call Mr. Gore. Bush defeated Gore in the 2000 presidential election, leading many to speculate that perhaps Mr. Gore would run for president in the 2008 election. Mr. Gore repeatedly denies that he will seek the presidency.



Although no longer serving in public office, Al Gore has emerged as a very public voice for a crucial global problem.

Walrus in Trouble

Thousands of walrus can be found along Alaska's northwest coast; the trouble is, they are not supposed to be there. Scientists and conservationists alike believe that the appearance of the walrus in such vast numbers is a direct consequence of global warming.

During summer and fall, Alaska's walrus are normally found on the Arctic ice pack. This summer, however, saw the lowest ice cap on record which resulted in sea ice being located farther north of the continental shelf than usual. The continental shelf is a shallow area in the Bering and Chukchi Seas where the walrus traditionally feed because it is rich in clams, snails and other animals dwelling on the bottom. Since the Arctic ice is now located farther from the continental shelf and therefore beyond the walrus diving range, massive numbers of walrus have simply opted to stay on shore in order to feed. Scientists on the Russian side of the Bering and Chukchi Seas have made similar observations.

This may not seem to be a serious problem unless it is examined more closely. Thousands of walrus may not be able to find enough food along the shoreline to sustain life. If the adult walrus have to swim far from shore to bring food back to their young, they will expend energy normally used for other activities. Walrus cannot swim indefinitely like seals; they need to rest after foraging and they need either ice or land to accomplish this task. In addition, female walrus usually dive for food from an ice pack, while the young calf waits on the platform for her return.

The removal of the isolation which inhabiting the ice pack affords makes the walrus susceptible to stampedes caused by panic as a result of airplanes, boats, or approaching polar bears. Since an adult walrus can weigh 2,000 pounds or more, many young animals can be crushed in such stampedes.

The National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder tracks the trends of sea ice. When observed in September, the Center determined that sea ice was 39% below the average for the past 21 years. Predictions now estimate that the Arctic Ocean may be totally devoid of ice by the summer of 2030. These are alarming statistics. Global warming cannot be reversed without the cooperation of virtually every inhabitant of this planet.

Geologic Jumpstart

When heavy rains caused Canyon Lake in Texas to overflow on July 4, 2002, it is fairly safe to assume that no one realized the event would produce such an unexpected result. For three days, the lake spilled 70,000 cubic feet of water downhill into a valley, removing all vegetation and topsoil and creating a mile-and-a-half-long, 80-foot deep limestone crevasse. The rushing water produced so much force that it essentially fast-forwarded the normal geologic process.

After the waters receded, geologists immediately discovered rock formations, fossils and dinosaur footprints. In order to protect the gorge from vandals, it has been closed to the public while researchers have been conducting cataloging of the location. It is estimated that the limestone rock formations date back 111 million years, with a margin of error of a few hundred thousand years. The footprints indicate that a carnivorous two-legged dinosaur inhabited the area, and the entire gorge is filled with the fossils of many species of ancient wildlife.

A similar event took place during flooding in Iowa in 1993, but that gorge is not nearly as large as Canyon Lake Gorge in Texas. Of course, the Grand Canyon dwarfs Canyon Lake Gorge, but one must keep in mind that it took the Colorado River 5-6 million years to complete the task while the new gorge was formed in merely three days.

Research at Canyon Lake Gorge has now been completed and will open for public tours beginning on Saturday. Public interest is so high that the three-hour tours have already been booked for the first six months of operation. No one will be permitted to hike without a guide because the limestone walls are still relatively unstable. During the upcoming winter, construction will be begun on a "rim trail" which will allow visitors to overlook the canyon, and plans are also underway for the construction of lookout points and an educational center. A visit to this gorge would be unlike any other because, within a geologic context, it was created in the blink of an eye.

Space Salmonella

Apparently, there were passengers other than astronauts aboard Space Shuttle STS-115 back in September 2006. Scientists sent along carefully packaged Salmonella (otherwise known as the cause of food poisoning) to learn about the affects of space travel on germs. Scientists consider this an important issue because wherever people travel, they bring microbes along with them. So whether we are traveling in a car, in an airplane, in space, or under the ocean, our microbes are our traveling companions.

Identical strains of Salmonella were used in the experiment conducted by scientists. The Salmonella which remained on Earth was kept under similar temperature conditions as the specimen sent into space. After the Shuttle returned, some of the mice were fed Salmonella that had remained on Earth, and others were fed the Shuttle Salmonella. The result of the experiment was that the mice who were fed the germ that had traveled through space became ill at three times the rate of the other mice, and they died more quickly. After observing the mice for twenty-five days, the scientists observed that 40% of the mice who had been given the Earth Salmonella were still alive, but only 10% of the mice given the Shuttle Salmonella were still alive. They also observed that only about one-third as much of the Shuttle Salmonella was required to kill the mice, as compared to the Earth Salmonella. Further examination revealed that 167 genes were altered in the Shuttle Salmonella.

Scientists speculate that the results of this experiment are caused by a force called "fluid shear", which refers to the force of liquid passing over cells. The Shuttle Salmonella experienced "microgravity", causing low fluid shear. The germs sensed this change in their environment and adapted their genetics. The scientists noted that the human gastrointestinal tract is also an area of low fluid shear, which may account for the ability of the Salmonella germ to so quickly debilitate its host.

The Space Shuttle Salmonella experiment yielded interesting results. Sending other germs into space to observe its affects on them may reveal new ways to combat contagious diseases.

Rainforest Revelation

Scientists from the international conservation group, World Wildlife Fund, announced this week that eleven new species of plants and animals have been discovered in central Vietnam. The discoveries were made within the ancient tropical rainforests of an area of Vietnam known as the "Green Corridor". The new discovery included one new species of snake, five orchids, two butterflies, and three other plants that have not yet been categorized because they have only been seen in the Annamites Mountains of the Green Corridor.

Scientists hope that the discovery of these new species will spotlight the necessity to preserve this natural habitat which has remained undisturbed for thousands of years and has been regularly unveiling new species for decades. This area is currently in danger of being compromised by illegal logging, hunting, depletion of natural resources, and development. Local authorities are currently seeking ways to preserve the Green Corridor, and the many new, as well as endangered species living there while also fostering development which can be safely sustained by the rainforests.

The Green Corridor is merely one example of the earth's many rainforests with secrets waiting to be uncovered. An environmental tragedy will certainly unfold if our planet's rainforests are permitted to be usurped by industry and development. We must protect our endangered species before they are eliminated forever. In addition, we must continue the search for those species which remain undiscovered and unravel the life-saving secrets they may possess.

Pachyderms and People

Today's Staten Island Advance contained an article by Robert R. Frump dealing with the conservationalist movement to remove elephants from zoos and release them back into a natural environment where they will be protected from human influence. While at first glance this appears to be a logical remedy to the plight of these beautiful animals forced to live out their lives in captivity, the author suggests that perhaps it is an ill-conceived plan.

Mr. Frump has travelled extensively throughout Africa, affording him the opportunity to observe the successfulness of the program. He has visited elephant conservation parks and discovered that too many animals are being released into the environments. This overcrowding is adversely affecting the people, the vegetation, the land, and the other species sharing the habitat.

The author cites Kruger National Park in South Africa as an example of this phenomenon. Kruger now has a elephant population of 12,000 which is approximately double the amount that the park can adequately support. Since the elephants are protected by law from human predators, the animals can proliferate and are decimating the available food supply needed by other animals in the reserve. Park rangers have suggested that one-half of the elephant population may have to be killed in order for the park to recover from its current condition, and recovery may take as long as forty-five years.

Frump also encountered similar problems in Tanzania at the Great Selous Game Reserve. This reserve's elephant population of almost 90,000 is responsible for the direct and indirect deaths of farmers and villagers, as well as destroying the crops of some of the poorest farmers in the world. The farmers are not equipped with rifles to protect themselves or their property. The park rangers must sometimes travel great distances to assist them, are only supplied with three or four rifle cartridges, and are required by law to fire the first cartridge as a warning.

Unquestionably, the release of large numbers of elephants into game reserves has tipped the delicate ecologic balance of these habitats and placed their human neighbors in harm's way. We should not overlook the irony of this situation. Humans and elephants share much in common: we are social creatures, we nurture our offspring, we exhibit reverence for our dead, and when large numbers of us are placed in close quarters, we tend to behave poorly.

Street Performers Endangering Central Park Horses

The horse and carriage rides surrounding New York City's Central Park are a familiar sight to native New Yorkers as well as a unique experience for the city's tourists. The hustle and bustle surrounding the park, however, has caused injury and even the death of two of these horses over the past two years.

Although the horses have become fairly accustomed to the normal sounds produced by cars, trucks and buses, they appear to be particularly sensitive to the noise produced by the street performers who regularly position themselves in front of the statue of Civil War General, William Sherman. Over the past two years, the drums used in these performances have startled the animals, causing injury to, and resulting in the deaths of two of the carriage horses. The most recent incident occurred last week, when a mare broke loose from the carriage she was pulling after being frightened by the sound of the drums. The animal died after galloping along Central Park South for almost an entire block before colliding with a tree. Frightened by the mare's reaction to the music, another horse ran into traffic, causing his carriage to crash into a motor vehicle.

The New York City Comptroller has recently completed an audit of the carriage horse industry and concluded that the animals are not provided with enough water or shade while they are working. In addition, the report found that the industry should be regulated more closely by city authorities. The Horse & Carriage Association wants the city to prohibit musicians from performing in the area and to install more water spigots for the horses.

Horse carriages are as much a part of New York City as skyscrapers, theatres, taxis, and subways. The animals who pull the carriages, however, are not made of concrete or metal. These beautiful creatures are entitled to be protected from any element in their environment which may cause them harm or result in their inflicting harm upon themselves. They should be permitted to work under humane conditions by being provided ample water and other comfort during harsh weather conditions.

Canine Connection

The recent commemoration of the sixth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks prompted many reporters to devote their newspaper columns to various stories related to this tragic event. Many of these articles described the memorial services held at locations throughout New York City or the annual fundraising events which have been organized in memory of a September 11th victim. One article by Andrea Boyarsky featured in the Staten Island Advance, however, described a unique relationship which has developed between two families and has been made possible by the actions of a golden retriever.

The Horning family of Scotch Plains, New Jersey lost their 26-year-old son, Matthew, on September 11, 2001. During a memorial service at Ground Zero on October 28th of that same year, Mrs. Horning was approached by Jake, a golden retriever therapy dog, when he observed her distraught condition. After spending some time with the animal, Mrs. Horning spoke with his owners, Mr. and Mrs. Canzoneri of Huguenot, Staten Island. Mrs. Horning remarked that Jake's temperament was very similar to that of her son, Matthew's. The Canzoneris were so touched by Mrs. Horning and the tremendous burden of her grief, that they promised her they would name their next therapy dog after Matthew. The Canzoneris, together with Jake and Jessie, had worked extensively with volunteers and victims' families at Ground Zero; they were very familiar with the emotions being exhibited by Mrs. Horning.

When the Canzoneri family obtained another therapy dog several months later, they did not forget their promise to Mrs. Horning. The only obstacle was that they did not know her name nor how to get in touch with her. At the suggestion of a friend, they utilized a 9/11 legacy website to post a message to anyone who lost a son named Matthew. Fortunately, it did not take long for the two families to connect with each other.

The Canzoneris' new therapy dog was named "Matthew D. Horning II" in memory of the Hornings' son. He wears his namesake's picture around his neck when he is on duty as a member of "The Smile Retrievers". The families have since become friends and see each other socially.

Since Jake singled out Mrs. Horning from a large crowd of people at their initial meeting, she believes that perhaps her son, Matthew, played a role in bringing them together.

Andrea Boyarsky's article, "A Special Connection Brings Comfort", treated the anniversary of September 11, 2001 in a truly unique manner. Since I am an avid dog enthusiast, my gaze was initially attracted to the article by the photograph of the golden retriever which accompanied the article. As I began reading it, however, I realized it was a great deal more than merely a story about a dog. It was for these reasons and its uplifting message that it appealed to me.

"Why I Write"

If I consider the statement "Why I write", I realize my response is somewhat varied, depending upon the situation. I can compose a brief email to a friend, jot down a task I must remember to perform, or compile of list of items which need to be purchased at the local store. My primary and most enjoyable reason for writing, however, is to translate creative thoughts into the written word.
Whether as an author, a lyricist, or a poet, writing enables me to express my innermost feelings, as well as to convey my ideas to others. Writing provides me with a permanent narrative of how I may have reacted in a particular situation, long after my memory of the event has faded. For me, writing is an extension of the thinking process, enabling my imagination to take flight while writing a story or composing a poem.
In addition to providing a creative outlet, writing is a vehicle for expressing the many emotional highs and lows experienced throughout life. Many times over the years I have sat with pen and paper and written about a personal accomplishment or joyous occasion, as well as the loss of a loved one or the pain of a broken heart. Sometimes writing gives me the opportunity to communicate the full range of my emotions to myself; seeing and reading my thoughts on paper often helps me to better understand myself.
Writing allows me to be whimsical, humorous or solemn. I can convey these moods by organizing my words in meter and rhyme, or haphazardly with no apparent order at all. Writing affords me the flexibility to express anything I desire to in the manner in which I want to express it. More than most other activities, writing affords me a flexible and enjoyable method of creating and communicating.