I don’t have any words to describe the devastation in Japan after the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit the country on March 11. It is the country’s worse disaster since WWII.
Towns are demolished. In many areas there is no movement whatsoever by man or animal. Tens of thousands people have gone with little or no food and water, and no heat. Thousands are dead.
Radiation leakage from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant prompted mass evacuations and radiation screening of citizens. And that energy shortage has resulted in power cuts to refugee shelters and hospitals.
In addition to the power cuts, hospitals are short on medical supplies and personnel needed to attend to the seriously injured and ill patients.
It’s estimated that ten thousand children have been displaced. The estimate on displaced pets has not been tallied, but it will be close to tens of thousands.
Look at the above picture. It speaks volumes. It speaks the pain and emotional toll this disaster is taking on the residents of Japan. Two legged and four.
One hundred and two countries and 14 international organizations had offered assistance to Japan after the quake/tsunami. Consider making a donation to these organizations. Some are:
World Society for the Protection of Animals
There are also many city and state search and rescue organizations that have rushed to Japan’s aid such as The L.A. County Fire Department’s California Task Force 2, and the Fairfax County, Va., Urban Search and Rescue Team. Others are ready to go.
The following video came my way today. It was taken by a Japanese TV news crew surveying the aftermath. You can see the bewilderment and fear in the eyes of this dog. But that doesn’t stop him from protecting and comforting his friend. It leaves you speechless.
There are moments when you have to just walk away and cry – Lou Angeli
Tell me your pets don't have souls.
So very sad to see these 2 puppies, masters gone, home gone, everything they ever knew gone. Even though their future is very grim, at least they have each other……for now they are not all alone.
I completely agree with you, rotts. In fact, I've been having a argument on one of the Amazon Discussion groups about this.
I contend that if humans are granted souls simply by "virtue" of being human, and if some of the lowlife scumbag "humans" it's been my misfortune to know (&, in some cases, be related to) are therefore granted "souls", no way in Hell do animals *NOT* have souls.
This video makes me cry. These two pups lost everything, and are probably looking for their master, which who knows if he/she is even with us anymore. I agree with what Chris and rottsrus have said. I just hope and pray there is a surviving family member to gather these two sweeties up and take with them, wherever they may go.
Ya know? I gotta wonder about just how fabulous that country is…. The people….strong, intelligent, caring, and loving. Amazingly (last I heard), not one case of looting! Look at the US when there's a disaster. Then this. There incredible love for their pets. Not that other countries can't love their pets like we do, but then it makes me wonder, how THEIR country handles animal abusers. I send prayers out to Japan's people and critters every day.
Jess, you know, I saw that on the news also; the fact that there was no looting, nice orderly lines with no pushing/shoving to get food, water, gas, etc. Isn't it amazing?
Such a devastation in Japan. And yes the people of Japan are coming together from what I see on the news & read to help each other and search for their people. Also such devotion this dog has for his friend who is injured. Breaks my heart for the people of Japan and their animals. Is there anyway of knowing if these 2 devoted buddies were rescued? It is totally amazing the devotion & loyatly this dog has for his friend. Many prayers to everyone, every animal of Japan.
There is a group out there called the Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue composed of three animal rescue groups giving aid to Japan's displaced animals. They got reports that the two dogs in the video had been rescued but they can't confirm it. If you are a facebook user, you can join their FB group where they post updates.
Japan-Earthquake-Animal-Rescue-and-Support
I heard that the injured one us under vet care and the spanian mix is at a shelter.
Please animal lovers out there, just be aware, money donated to people organizations go to the people only, NOT animals. So help people, than donate to an animal organization like World Vets, The Animal Refuge Kansai, or the World Society for the Protection of Animals.
I include the links for donations to helping the people as well as their animals. They both need our support.
I did hear that the dogs were split up. The sick one went to a vet and his friend to a shelter. But then I heard the shelters were going to gas unclaimed animals after only a 72-hour hold. While I feel for the humans of Japan, my heart goes out to the animals more. Americans who are leaving aren't being allowed to take their animal family members with them. If the humans can't get food, then we know the animals will be last on the list. My money will go for the animals. I hope it's not like Haiti where donated funds still haven't reached the targets intended. We can learn so much from animals. I firmly believe they have souls. You can't look into a dog or cat's eyes and NOT see a soul. They have the purest kind of souls…unencumbered by bigotry or blind hatred. Just pure love and devotion.
There will be no gassing of animals found during the disaster relief by the Japanese government.
World Vets facebook Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support
The video of those poor fur babies should be a lesson to all mankind. Sometimes I think animals have more common sense than most humans. My heart goes out to those people and most of all to the little fur babies that will most likely never have a chance to live out their lives.
All these disasters show more and more that it is getting close to the end and all hell is going to break loose. This world needs to wake up and do it fast. Do most people walk around with blinders on and Greed in their hearts? I am beginning to think so.
Animals are so much smarter than people give them credit for. The video says it all. Wake up people.
Where people are suffering so too are the animals, so please also remember to help the desperate animals along with the people by going to:
http://www.arkbark.net/?q=en/
http://www.japancatnet.com/
http://worldvets.org/index.php?option=com_content…
My understanding is also that they are at different facilities. One with a vet, and the other at a shelter. I have seen this video on several animal related, and some human related sites. I am hoping that the viral nature of this video causes them to bring the dogs back together once the more sickly one recovers. It's amazing what a little press will do. Everyone will be wondering what became of them. It is in their best interest to have a good answer. Here's hoping anyway.