Fw: Happy Christmas from Animals Asia!

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends of Animals Asia,

 

As we come to the close of 2004, this Christmas message is one from the

heart in tribute to each and every one of you who has supported us over the

past year, sparking change and improving the lives of animals in Asia.

Surging forward, with your help, are projects across China which see people

joining us in droves; helping to change attitudes and creating a profound

difference to the life and destiny of wild and domestic species in the

country.

 

Beautiful bears, like Emma and Caesar rescued earlier this year, joined 137

bears who have arrived at our Sanctuary since October 2000 and have you to

thank for their new lives.

 

Both wearing full metal jackets crudely strapped around their chest and

abdomens which held dirty latex catheters in place, both with emaciated

bodies, wounds dripping bile and pus and massive hair loss from the jacket

irritation, these two huge bears (one brown and one a black/brown hybrid)

were the last two victims of Tianjin city's barbaric bear farming industry -

and in a pitiful state.

 

Incredibly, like many before them - and many to come - these bears slowly

but surely responded to intensive surgery and medication, heaps of

nourishing food and masses of tender loving care, and were finally ready for

release into their new home.

 

It was an unforgettable sight last month as they woke up for the first time

in a cosy den; slowly stretching limbs which were previously constricted by

cages, turning their heads in wonder at the space opening up before their

sleepy eyes, and rising stiffly on massive legs - walking, exploring,

playing, for the first time in their lives.

 

Today, as we work full steam ahead, building new dens and enclosures for

the arrival of 46 more caged victims in January - we have you to thank for

each and every step forward. Your support helps our education campaigns

snowball across the country; gaining support from the media, from

celebrities, from government officials and, most importantly of all, from

people " within " who believe and join in our call for change.

 

Joining our rescued bears, are dogs like Eddie - plucked from a cage in a

live animal market in southern China where he was literally destined to be a

dog dinner, and Dali found on the street in Yunnan province; thin, naked, at

death's door - and now both working their little hearts out as " Dr. Dogs " ,

sharing the love of hundreds of dogs in this popular programme - and putting

their past behind.

 

As we welcome in 2005, I'd like to share a quote by anthropologist Margaret

Mead (1901- 1978), who simply but succinctly summed up how, together, we are

changing practices of the past and pioneering a new beginning for animals in

this continent. " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed

people can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. "

 

Today, the bleak and hopeless world and destiny of many, many animals is

rapidly changing - and they have you to thank for the most important gift of

all this Christmas time; the gift of life.

 

From all of them - and the Animals Asia team, wishing you a merry Christmas

and a happy, healthy and peaceful 2005,

 

Jill

Jill Robinson

Founder & CEO

Animals Asia Foundation

Hong Kong

 

ANIMALS ASIA HAS A BRAND NEW WEBSITE!

Find out more about the " China Bear Rescue " and " Friends.....or Food? " :

http://www.animalsasia.org

 

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