I was doing research for an article I was writing a few months ago and found this particularly interesting academic paper - on contractable bacteria and diseases easily acquired from pets, specifically dogs. It talks not only about being diligent in cleaning up after them but also, in washing your hands, cleaning surfaces, etc. I was unlucky enough to pick up such a bacteria that now lives permanently in the base of my lungs. I have always been a healthy, fit person and particularly obsessed with cleanliness.
.This took me by surprise and when I asked the doctor how I might have contracted such bacteria, he said you would be surprised as to how many people we see each week with such related illnesses. I am not saying people should give up the idea of owning a dog or a cat. However, I don't think one should ever become complacent about cleanliness. It might seem trivial, but if one is not careful or one does not teach young children about appropriate hygiene while caring for or handling animals, they could pay a very big price of being permanently at risk for not only these diseases, but a whole host of others - like leading to limb amputations You can learn more at: One Health Fact Sheet  Photo & Resources - CDC Resource and Research papers
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5319273/ https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/dogs.html https://www.empr.com/home/news/dogs-saliva-caused-bacterial-infection-leading-to-amputations/ https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_leptospirosis https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets-and-antibiotic-resistance.html https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/multimedia/factsheet.html 
Photo: Change.org
It appears the Murray Darling Basin is in strife and if we don’t take efforts to assist - to stop the constant emptying, restricting, and polluting of the water flow – families, farms, rural and indigenous communities and yes, the environment will suffer beyond what is imaginable.
Photo: Lloyd Polkinghorne
Once upon a time, communities in the proximity of the Murray Darling Basin all shared water resources with nature. Both sides found time to thrive and prolificate. There was no childish behaviour or squabbling over its use. What nature provided so comfortably was treasured, respected in times of proliferation and scarcity. It was a bond, a silent agreement with nature to respect and savour such an easily fleeting resource - for the sake of all - for the sake of survival.
Not human, animal or the environment was better or more deserving of the life-giving substance; the Murray Darling Basin provided for all.
Mother nature does not dictate the waters allocation or destroy its purity – only mankind takes this upon himself to upset the flow and equilibrium that is so precariously balanced; any interference in this process has disastrous consequences. And yes, all reliant on this balance, are now paying the price for this Godly judgement. 
Photo: Lloyd Polkinghorne
Large Corporations and Government bodies now side together - call the shots – service each other’s pockets - become judge and jury over the Basin’s very existence. They too, have sealed its fate.
Scores of wildlife have left the area or died; the environment is no longer a breeding ground for lush vegetation; farming communities have more than halved; farmers have up and walked off their land; job losses are at a record high and the next generation of youngsters will never see the Basin as it was – pristine, uncompromised and life giving. 
Photo: Lloyd Polkinghorne
Sharing is what nature does best, a trait mankind could adopt to ensure its survival, too. Mankind is a passing visitor to this planet, a spectator if you like, but none the less its survival is fleeting - just like the rest of its inhabitants. Yet, nature must be preserved, maintained, and restored so it is here for the next generations. It is not a matter of enjoyment. It is a matter of priority - equally as needed, precious and pressing as maintenance of the Great Barrier Reef – an eco-system built on and totally reliant on preserving nature’s delicate balance. Mankind should not even have to question this process, but it does. It judges. It decides. It destroys for the sake of monetary gain. Where will it end? No longer can we be bystanders in the process of natures’ abuse. It is time mankind worked together for the common cause – survival for all. It takes just one to make a difference in the world. :)
Learn more about the plight of the Murray Darling Basin, below.
 Still footage of Inubosaki Marine Park - www.dolphinproject.com I would like to bring to your attention the plight of ‘Honey’ - the dolphin, 46 penguins and 100’s of fish and reptiles that remain abandoned at the now defunct - Inubosaki Marine Park Aquarium in Choshi, Japan. The Park closed 9 months ago and without the kindness of a few locals, these poor animals would have died months ago. The animals and the angels taking care of them - need urgent assistance to place them in a marine park where they can get access to medical attention and be humanely cared for; where ‘Honey’ can recuperate & retire with a caring family of dolphins.
Dolphin Project have been recording her status and that of the other remaining animals. They have been trying to gain the attention of the Japanese authorities to change the conditions for the animals, but with little response. The owner of the Park has apparently been contacted, but no response to date.  Aerial Still footage of HONEY - www.dolphinproject.com Here you are able to view the animals as best available; one can not determine the physical state of HONEY the dolphin, but no doubt its emotional/psychological state is not the best given it remains alone in the pool, without any contact from its own species.  Aerial Still footage of penguin enclosure - www.dolphinproject.com Some other articles presently circulating the Internet, regarding this issue are listed below. Take a good read. LIfe can't be easy for the creatures. https://www.dolphinproject.com/blog/exclusive-video-plight-desperate-for-taiji-caught-abandoned-dolphin/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/article-6105121/Honey-lonely-dolphin-abandoned-Japanese-aquarium-sparks-public-outcry.html https://nation.com.pk/28-Aug-2018/honey-the-lonely-dolphin-abandoned-in-japanese-aquarium-sparks-public-outcry https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/outcry-after-dolphin-left-in-deserted-aquarium-in-japan/article24803272.ece#! https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-aquarium/honey-the-lonely-dolphin-abandoned-in-japanese-aquarium-sparks-public-outcry-idUSKCN1LD0JR  Again, this is a matter of paramount urgency; we get as many people to sign this as possible.
Follow the link to the petition and lets get HONEY and the other animals to safety! Every day we wake to a new day - full of infinite possibilities, opportunities and sights to marvel upon. We push forth through life with determination to bring about change; be it in our own immediate sphere or further abroad, in hope someone like-minded will agree or listen to our plea. Whether we realise it or not, each of us searches for recognition - of our existence, that we matter, that we are appreciated, that our lives have been sufficiently significant, so that we will be remembered by others because of how we lived our lives, how we have interacted with family, friends, society, the planet and the expectations life places upon us all.
Each morning, I leave fresh for work and on my travels to school - I sight dozens of mutilated, native animal carcasses, freshly killed from the night before. In the 50 minutes or so to my final destination, this horrible sight beholds me each morning. It makes me think, how many of these deaths could have been avoided, if one considered to slow down in areas of prolific wildlife?  Photo - Sketa Oz I do believe that although our animals take a back burner in the eyes of many Australians - as worthy creatures to preserve, I am of the belief all creatures great and small, intelligent or dory – have the right to life, an existence. Each too, has equal rights to a dignified death. We are no more or less worthy of life, but yet we are the only species on the planet that continues to eradicate those in our way. The creatures of which I speak, are struggling to find water, struggling to find food on the drought-stricken lands of South East Queensland. For the most part, these creatures venture to the sides of the road to nibble on fresh grass shoots that have managed to spring up with the settling of early morning dew.  Photo - Sketa Oz Yes, such creatures will be startled suddenly; yes, it is a problem to you as a driver. Though if you remember these gentle creatures want nothing from us, except the right to life and the right to feed to sustain that life – you will be considerate enough to slow down at dawn and dusk. We do this for our children going to school in a school zone; we do this for our fellow pedestrians at the crossing; we slow down for bird wildlife around nature reserves and yes, I’m sure we can all slow down for our protected native, iconic Australian wildlife.
These creatures have families as we do, feel pain and are at a loss at the death of a family member – just like us. Please consider our wildlife and maybe your example will help tourists respect our wildlife, too. For if we can’t show just cause to respect such creatures, why will tourists or immigrants even bother? |
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