Animals always make a difference to your life and never more so than when you are old and needing companionship. It seems sad to me that people sometimes avoid having a pet when they get older because of concerns about what happens if they get sick or worse. For the priceless value a pet can bring to your life and not just when you are old I think it's worth the commitment. Personally I can't see a time when I would give up owning a cat.

Most countries have a ban on cat declawing as they should however it seems again America lags way behind in it's legislation on the treatment of animals. That seems about to change if a Manhattan assemblywoman has her way. She is proposing a total ban of cat declawing except on medical grounds. Hurrah for some decency towards cats to stop this horrific and barbaric practice. I'm wondering what is wrong with people who want cats designed to suit their lifestyles or even as a fashion or photo statement. Only last week I read about a cat that was abandoned to a shelter because he wasn't fluffy enough ! Can you believe that anyone could be so shallow.

This sobering film about the everyday danger wildlife rangers face in the line of duty is worth watching. It's difficult to imagine a more scary occupation than being at the front line in the war on poachers, and it is a war. Without these brave people I wonder if there would be any wildlife left at all. These people really do walk the walk and I salute their conviction to save wild animals from the greedy butchering poachers killing wildlife to make a living. A living that often funds terrorist activity which makes it something we should all be concerned about.

Is the world prepared to sit back and let the extinction of as many as 15 species of animals happen ? It would seem so. Against overwhelming odds animals from the oceans to the forest are fighting a battle to survive that in my heart I know they can't win. The wonderous wildlife we have taken for granted would always be there, that once seemed so abundant, is fast disappearing despite the huge efforts of conservationists, biologists and individuals who truly care. I want to believe that this awful situation can be turned around, that greed, terrorism, disregard and the cultural ideas that drive it can be addressed and animals can live in peace. How could anyone gaze at the extraordinary beauty of the Amur leopard and not be lost for words to describe this magical creature and yet there could only be around 30 left in the wild. My heart sinks realising that the only place they will survive will be in captivity not roaming the wild where they belong and have every right to be.

In the freezing conditions of Russia's winter an abandoned baby has been saved by a cat snuggling up to him and keeping him warm. What a story that baby will have when he grows up. 

We should all care about what happens to wolves they have as much right to life as we do. Not only that predators are necessary for a sustainable and stable ecology and that is a fact that cannot be disputed. Persecuting wolves driving them out and killing them is behaviour that belongs in the dark ages of ignorance before we understood the important role of top predators in the environment. Without them the prey species populations can grow to a point where they are damaging the environment which has been shown in parts of northern America where wolves have been killed relentlessly. These beautiful intelligent animals suffer from the pitiful ignorance of people who act out of fear and suspicion. Most of the long held fears that persist are completely unfounded and are not borne out with historical fact. Most predators will hunt the sick old and infirm animals. Wolves understandably avoid humans so what do we fear ? 

Oh yes we cat lovers have all been there haven't we. The day you have to take your cat to the vet or the cattery and the struggle to get them in the box. It's no fun but experience can teach you a thing or two about how to make the job easier. I'm thinking of one more memorable occasion as I offer what I have learnt. Deciding to neuter and give a home to a stray male cat that I'd fed for months was one of those times. He was big and strong and didn't want to go into the box so it was quite a battle as he put the back foot brakes on digging his claws in. After getting him into the box I briefly went to get car keys and when I came back he had literally thrown himself inside the box onto the floor. Stupidly I had left him on a bench. He was no where in sight and the box was flung open. Eventually I found him glaring out at me from under a couch. If trying to get him in the box the first time was a battle the second time was near on impossible. He clearly regarded me with deep distrust as I fought to heave his weight into the box again. What did I learn ? Never leave them on a bench and try tipping the box end on with opening up. Support their weight and hold onto the scruff then lower the cat into the box. Need I say it ? quickly shut the door !

Monty the latest member of the family has been with us for close to a month and what a smart endearing little thing he is. The Maine Coon breed first captivated me at a cat show at least 20 years ago and right then I decided I wanted one. All these years later here he is, my first pure bred cat. All the previous fur babies have been strays and rescues and each and every one has been special with an individual character that has left me with so many memories. After losing both Rueben and Sasha this year to old age, an opportunity presented itself to think about getting a Maine Coon and so we did. So knowing and intelligent, so full of fun and curiosity Monty has helped to fill the great hole left when Rueben died. No cat could possibly replace him and I don't want to but having a new kitten brings fresh young energy to our lives and plenty of laughs. We love him to bits.