Teach Our Children Well

May 5 - 11 is Be Kind to Animals Week, sponsored by the American Humane Association. This special week has been recognized since 1915 and commemorates the important part that animals play in our lives. It's a time to encourage other people, especially children, to show kindness and respect for all creatures.

I really believe every child starts out loving animals. Then something happens along the way that impacts how they view them. Perhaps an unsupervised incident caused trauma, fear, or anxiety. Maybe a child grew up in an atmosphere that promoted the belief that animals are merely disposable creatures that do not think, communicate, or feel pain...and therefore are unworthy of compassionate treatment.

Does it matter what children believe? I think so.

If we can nurture in each child a culture that embodies the concept of respect for all living things, benefits will abound. For when children become compassionate adults, the world becomes a happier, healthier, and safer place.

Is there something you can do to show kindness?

"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do. ~ Helen Keller

Celebrate Being Kind

Image from American Humane Association

Did you know May 2-8 is "Be Kind to Animals Week"? Established by the American Humane Association, it reminds us not only to be kind to our own critters, but to do a good deed for other animals, whether wild or domesticated. Perhaps you could volunteer for an organization that helps animals. Take pet food or towels to a shelter. Put out wild bird seed in frigid wintry weather. Of course, monetary donations to cash-strapped nonprofits are always welcome. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

So this week in particular, remember to pet your pup, kiss your kitty, and do something for animals who could use a helping paw.

Oh, and Happy Cinco de Mayo to you, too. Ole!

No Animals Harmed

In 1940, the American Humane Association (AHA) established a Film and Television Unit. Their job: to monitor and protect animals used in film, based upon their "Guide for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media." The guide was written with input from veterinarians, animal welfare leaders, film industry professionals, and experts on various animal species. If you recall, in the old days and ways of film making, horses were run into trip wire to make them fall and animals were forced to participate in other dangerous stunts with no regard for their well being. The result was injury, and even death, for animals. For them, the AHA guide came none too soon. The AHA monitors production. Only when producers adhere to these guidelines do they earn the right to the disclaimer, "No Animals Were Harmed", which appears at the end credits of the film.

The AHA rates films for their treatment of animals. If a producer does not seek oversight from the AHA, the film is listed as "Not Monitored". Ratings range from "Unacceptable" to "Outstanding". This allows the public to make a choice in which films they support.

To check AHA ratings for a specific film or to learn more about the work of the AHA, visit their website:
www.americanhumane.org/protecting-animals/

I'm glad that the AHA is there to make sure that safety in film making includes critters.

PATSY Awards

Frank Inn (1916-2002) Hollywood animal trainer. His critters won over 40 PATSY awards.

It looks like this is going to be a true Hollywood week. I decided to try and get more information on the PATSY awards, and discovered there's actually very little to be found. Basic facts reflect that the awards started as a result of the American Humane Association's (AHA) push to protect and honor animal actors after a horse was accidently killed during the filming of 1939's movie, "Jesse James". (More on the AHA later this week). However, it doesn't appear that there's a cumulative listing of those honored that I've been able to find. In fact, it seems that the first award wasn't even given until 1951. Confusing the issue is the practice of honoring animals in various categories (cat, dog, horse, etc.) with an overall top winner. Sources indicate that the final year for PATSY awards was 1986.

If anyone out there can pin down specifics, I'd love to hear from them!

I was able to locate some information by looking at photos taken of markers at the Burbank Animal Shelter, where they have etched in concrete at least a partial listing of PATSY winners, along with some films that utilized animals. Here's the information on some winners memorialized at the shelter:

1951 Francis (The "talking" mule)
1952 Rhubarb/Orangey (cat-Breakfast at Tiffany's)
1953 Jackie (lion)
1954 Sam (dog)
1955 Gypsy (horse)
1956 Wildfire (dog)
1957 Samantha (goose)
1958 Spike (dog)
1959 Pyewalker (cat)
1960 Shaggy (dog)
1961 King Cotton (horse)

Subsequent winners mentioned by sources that do not include year of recognition are: Lassie, Arnold the Pig (Green Acres), Higgins (Benji), and Fury (horse).

If, in fact, the PATSY award is no longer given, I must protest. It should be reinstated. Look at all the films and TV shows that simply wouldn't be the same without their animal co-stars.

And it only seems appropriate that animal actors be recognized, too.