Atlas & Autumn

12/26/2025

Christmas?

‘25 is the furthest I’ve ever felt from it.
My 49th. My 12th as an orphan
and the most alone of any.

I’m in Naples, 1000mi from any
sense of Home I still have.
Alone but blessed with a full house

Kate and Pine and Swann,
Raziel and Mr Buff and Mason.

My latest foster, an older gentleman who’s
so mellow he’s lethargic - Scrappy.
Seemingly had a seizure on the 24th
at midnight. I thought he’d die in my arms
laying on the floor with him late into the Eve.

Exhausted, I Uber with him to work for
my 10hr day. He stays to night.
Christmas is hot; mopping, scrubbing,
carrying. Sweaty menopause labor.
But doing what I love.

SWFL is 80 with a sorta pleasant
warm breeze, stronger than typical.
But this is my 8th month - What do
I know about typical Florida?

I have a stack of shipments from Lori.
My 4th Christmas away. Alone.
But so much more isolated, stuck,
lonely here.

Barely the energy left now. 715
But I know opening each will
bring Joy. Smiling. Crying.
In the best way. But a bittersweet
way that I’ve ever made the choices,
risks, dreams which
abandoned me here.

I hope one day, one year, one
moment all my effort and
strife has made the world a
lumen brighter. Lighter. Or
at least for some.

03/20/2025

How do you leave something that’s perfect. I don’t know either, but I know I’ve done it more than I should have. ~RAK

01/14/2025

What is H5N1?
H5N1, commonly known as avian influenza A or bird flu, is a highly pathogenic strain of influenza virus that primarily affects birds, but cases have recently been reported in wildlife, cattle, cats, and humans.

What do we know about the latest outbreak?
Recently H5N1 influenza cases have been reported in cats that have consumed contaminated commercial raw food diets, unpasteurized milk, or had contact with wild birds and cattle.

Precautions:
Consider discontinuing your pet’s raw diet. Even if their raw food is human grade, frozen, or freeze dried, this does not prevent the potential spread of pathogenic bacteria, parasites, or H5N1 that may be present in the food. Consider cooking your pet’s raw food and/or consulting your veterinarian about diet change.
Limit your pet’s access to wild birds that may be carrying the virus and avoid giving them raw milk.

What are the symptoms to watch out for in our pets?
Clinical signs in pets may include the following:
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Neurologic signs (ataxia, circling, tremors, seizures, sudden blindness)
• Copious oculonasal discharge
• Difficulty breathing
We recommend seeking veterinary care if your pet shows any of these signs. If they are having any life-threatening symptoms (neurologic signs, seizures, difficulty breathing, or collapse) seek veterinary care immediately.

Can this cause illness in humans?
Yes, H5N1 can cause illness in humans. Current human infections have been linked to contact with infected cattle and wild birds. There is no current evidence of human to human transmission.

What is being done?
The CDC, FDA and USDA are closely monitoring cases as they develop. One voluntary product recall has been issued for contaminated raw food diets for cats & dogs. We are continuing to monitor this emerging virus.

Follow our animal health centers' social media accounts for regular updates.
https://hubs.la/Q031WZ2g0

12/11/2023

07/07/2023

I have also read the book quoted here and recommend it for anyone experiencing grief. Remember too that grief isn’t necessarily in response to death, but to loss. A career. A relationship. A relocation. Even a medical condition can be a loss to the life you once lived. These all bring grief - and it’s okay.

06/27/2023

Welcome addition to the field which I’m delighted to find and eager to read. Necessary scholarship being done right now that I hope to add to

UN ÉVÉNEMENT EN LIGNE À NE PAS MANQUER! 🤩

Le 28 juin 2023, de 10h à 13h, participez gratuitement à la célébration de la sortie du livre The Ethics of Animal Shelters, édité par Valéry Giroux du Centre de recherche en éthique, Angie Pepper de l’Université de Roehampton et Kristin Voigt de l’Université McGill.

Fruit d’une collaboration entre un groupe d’éthiciens et la SPCA de Montréal, cet ouvrage est consacré aux nombreux défis éthiques auxquels sont confrontées les personnes dédiées au sauvetage, à la réhabilitation et au placement des animaux dans le besoin. Il propose des recommandations pratiques à ceux qui gèrent et travaillent dans les refuges pour animaux et examine les fondements philosophiques de ces recommandations.

Lors de l’événement, vous découvrirez la genèse et les raisons de ce projet collaboratif et pourrez participez à une séance de questions-réponses, ouverte à toutes et à tous. Notez que les questions et réponses pourront être traduites, mais que les prises de paroles des intervenants seront en anglais.

Pour y participer, inscrivez-vous sans attendre ➡️ http://bitly.ws/Jjkj

Si vous souhaitez acheter le livre, la maison d’édition Oxford University Press offre un code de réduction de 30% (AAFLYG6. Pour en bénéficier ➡️ http://bitly.ws/Jjke

//
AN ONLINE EVENT YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS! 🤩

On June 28th 2023, 10 am–1 pm, join us online in celebrating the publication of The Ethics of Animals Shelters, edited by Valéry Giroux of the Centre for Research in Ethics, Angie Pepper of the University of Roehampton, and Kristin Voigt of the McGill University.

This edited volume addresses some of the many ethical challenges facing those who work tirelessly rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in need. The book, which is the outcome of a collaboration between a group of ethicists and the Montreal SPCA, offers practical recommendations to those managing and working in animal shelters and examines the philosophical underpinnings of those recommendations.

During this free event, you'll find out how and why this collaborative project came about, and will have the chance to take part in a Q & A session open to all.

To participate, register now ➡️ http://bitly.ws/Jjkj

Oxford University Press is offering a 30% discount code AAFLYG6 for those who wish to purchase the book ➡️ http://bitly.ws/Jjke

03/13/2023

The Lakota/Sioux considered a person experiencing great loss and deep pain to be among the holy. The freeing but devastating state opens the veil between other worlds. The individual is given sacred wisdom and insight in return. When we are split wide open, there’s nowhere left to hide.

03/07/2023

ICYMI: In celebration of American Heart Month, take a look at the infographic for tips and instructions on performing CPR on your feline friends. You never know when an emergency will present itself. Be as prepared as possible with the information below.🐱💓

03/07/2023

Never underestimate the power
of a great book