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Post by shades on Aug 31, 2017 13:16:43 GMT
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Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 1, 2017 8:12:58 GMT
Hello, guess what, WE ARE IN THE "BERS" HOORAY and we all know what that is the countdown too, the C word lol! Hello September indeed.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by Bean on Sept 1, 2017 8:16:55 GMT
Oooh crikey, so it is! This was definitely the fastest passing summer break from school of all time!
Haha Jo! Not yet with the C word please!
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Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 1, 2017 8:41:13 GMT
OK, Bean hunni, as it is you and you asked so nicely I will keep stum for a while lol!
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by 3piggles on Sept 2, 2017 21:56:58 GMT
We are in the "bers" Days are definitely getting shorter, and temps are definitely getting cooler, at least where we are. Friends in California posted that it's in the 90s and 100s there! The floods have finally peaked in Texas. The Governor got tired of waiting for the president to act, and accepted Mexicos offers of help. Very nicely worded exchanges about helping neighbors in need The Governor even made a point of saying that the federal goverments immigration enforcers would not be allowed to work during this period of crises! I hope life has hit the bottom for those poor people, and will start to get better!
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Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 3, 2017 14:03:32 GMT
California can keep its hot temperatures Piggles love, I am far happier with things becoming cooler. My heart goes out to these poor people in Texas and as you say hunni I hope they can now start to build up again. What a daunting task, I don't think I could do it. I think it is awful that they have to rely on help from Mexico, Trump really is a twat!!
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by 3piggles on Sept 3, 2017 22:01:14 GMT
Apparently the flood waters went through a toxic chemicals plant, so those chemicals may have been released into the flood waters As if the victims didn't have enough to worry about. I'm not sure why sewage treatment plants, toxic chemicals plants, and other bio hazards are allowed in any type of flood zone? I remember news reports of raw sewage from a sewage treatment plant being spread by flood waters from the Mississippi River. That was also probably a 500 years flood, so not likely to happen on a regular basis. But still, that land was totally contaminated, and the residents had to relocate. I haven't followed el presidente's trip through the flood zone, but it was reported, again not confirmed, that while he was stringing along the flood relief offer from Mexico, he was trying to arrange for flood relief from Malaysia? Not at all sure what that would be about. Enough of his antics, and Canada will build a wall to keep us out Hurricane Irma has strengthened, and could hit the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It's at the point of either going west or east, so it could also hit Florida. Hopefully Irma will be downgraded before it hits anywhere. I hope it's not going to be a bad hurricane season. There are an awful lot of people in hurricane-prone areas
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Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 4, 2017 8:22:55 GMT
This is a dreadful state of affairs Piggles love and I can only pray for them. You feel so helpless, don't you? I have had requests for money t help the animals in distress due to the flood and I have written back in high dudgeon asking about guinea pigs and bunnies being rescued because as usual, it is all about cats and dogs. I didn't receive a reply.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Sept 4, 2017 20:59:18 GMT
Jo, I doubt rescuers have time to write back to you, and the letters requesting money are probably computer generated, so no one is actually responsible or sitting at a desk at the other end. I totally agree. These rescues are usally about cats, dogs and horses. It seems as if guinea pigs and bunnies get left behind.
After Hurricane Katrina, there were so many reports of guinea pigs and rabbits drowned in closed hutches in the back yards of homes in New Orleans, I started taking the tops off my cages, just in case. All of those animals could have had a chance, if they had been able to swim, but they were trapped. Broke my heart, and I can't bring myself to put a top on Pigloo City anymore.
The local meteorologist was showing the speghetti models of where Hurricane Irma could go. It was actually comical to see that, basically, they had no idea. It's early days, yet, and even once Irma hits Cuba, she could go left or right, so we'll have to wait until then. I really do hope it's not going to be a bad hurricane year. Most of the hurricanes hit the Gulf of Mexico, and all of the surrounding gulf coast. They're like tornadoes in the midwest, always hitting the same places.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 5, 2017 8:13:53 GMT
I wasn't really expecting a reply Piggles hunni, I just wanted to make a point. That is what was worrying me, no one would think about them and they would drown and that is a horrid way to go and it breaks my heart to think of how terrified they must have been. My babies would be the first thing I would take with me, sod everything else.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by Bean on Sept 5, 2017 9:45:52 GMT
It's awful, there's so much devastation, it's impossible to do enough to make sure no person or animal suffers. I'm sure part of why they say cats and dogs in appeals is because they're the animals most people will have, so it'll likely appeal to more people if they're fundraising. But you do hope that all animals will be helped where possible. It's just horrible to think about.
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Post by 3piggles on Sept 5, 2017 20:46:42 GMT
I think you're right, Bean. Dogs and cats are the most popular pets, so there are undoubtedly many more of them needing rescue, then any other type of pet. I can't even imagine what happens to the big snakes, spiders, etc., as few shelters have facilities for them, and it's not as if you can bring them to the people shelter with you. Yes, Jo, it is heartbreaking. One of our former members discussed the set up she had to make sure she could get her guinea pigs out of her house, in the event of a fire. She is handicapped, so her method has to be easy for her to manage, not a carrier. It made me think about how to do it in my house. Pigloo City is right by the sliders to the back deck, and I keep a small carrier, not the preferred carrier, but one that would get them out of the house in a hurry, by the cage. Yes, they would be my first concern, and my purse, as that has my driver's license, insurance cards, etc. Otherwise, it can be replaced. I have thought about having hubby put the excess grids and connectors in the shed, rather than under the house, so should the house catch fire, I can get enough of those to build a decent temporary cage where ever we end up waiting for our house to be repaired. I can buy plastic sheeting at the hardware store, which will protect any floor, where ever we are. There are also a lot of huge wildfires in California, Oregon and Washington, with fatalities and untold property loss. The smoke from the fires is so strong, it's into Canada and surrounding states. I'm always heartbroken by the toll wildfires take on wild animals, and even on pets left behind. That is not how I would want to go
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Post by Bean on Sept 6, 2017 8:17:33 GMT
I remember the subject of a quick evacuation with pets coming up here years ago. I don't feel we have the sorts of events that would require an organised evacuation often enough to need to prepare so well (I think someone was saying they keep the carriers out near the cage all the time, along with basic supplies), but in the event of something like a fire, I have some boxes for stationery that could dump out and stick the pigs in.
I was watching the news earlier, with people bracing themselves for Irma. She looks potentially devastating, I really hope people manage to keep safe.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 6, 2017 8:27:24 GMT
I think that Piggles love, what about all my other babies like my snails. I am always aware of the possibility of fire which is the main contention here so I am always really careful. No Bean hunni, things like that rarely happen here and we are so lucky. I am so sorry about Irma, I too hope people and their pets manage to find safety.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by Bean on Sept 11, 2017 9:25:30 GMT
It looks like Irma is weakening across Florida which is good news, especially given how much damage and flooding has been caused there by her on reduced power.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 12, 2017 8:26:38 GMT
I do hope so Bean love. How are these poor people every going to get on their feet again and I am very worried about the pets. It is another example of nature at its cruelest and not caring what she does.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Sept 12, 2017 16:45:29 GMT
My friends and family in Florida mostly have no power, but come through pretty much unscathed. My cousin posted that her kids were out in the flooded yard on skimmers and jet skiis. Not sure what skimmers are, but that were having fun. Most of the travel bans have been lifted, in general, though not for the heavily flooded areas. One of our former members who lives outside of St. Petersburg, Florida, posted pictures of the storm draining St. Petersburg Bay, and people out walking around on what used to be the bottom of the bay. Marathon, Florida, apparently got hit really badly, and is still completely flooded. Since the power lines run under the road in Florida, power can't be fully restored to the flooded areas, until the flooding recedes. Transformers can be replaced, but it's not safe to run electricity through water, so that will have to wait. Atlanta Motor Speedway, a NASCAR track outside of Atlanta, Georgia, open for RV parking, and opened their buildings as shelters for refugees. Then Irma hit Georgia pretty hard, so I'm not sure how safe people were at AMS. Talladega and Charlotte Motor Speedway were also open to refugees. Talladega is in in Alabama, and Charlotte is in North Carolina. Probably both better options than Atlanta, but Irma was down to a Category 2 by the time it hit Georgia, and lessened quickly after that. Mexico has withdrawn its offer of help, because the pres never responded to the offer, at all Mexico was hit be a devastating earthquake, and I'm sure our federal government made no offer of help to them Meanwhile, the pres is getting every photo op possible out of the disasters, as if they happened just to give him a chance to play a role
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Post by Bean on Sept 13, 2017 8:10:39 GMT
Glad your family and friends have all come through it with minimal problems.
We have some friends in Florida. They were away when it all happened anyway, but their neighbours have told them their house is fine (unlike many of their neighbours).
Oh gawd, I've seen loads of pictures of Trump holding kids etc alongside quotes saying he'll get everyone back up and running in no time?! I have a specific 'Ugh!' sound that pops out each time I read/ see something. I'm appalled (but not actually surprised) that he didn't respond to Mexico's offer of aid.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 13, 2017 8:34:31 GMT
I am glad your friend has come through it virtually unscathed Piggles love, we have been following on the news and I cried for all those poor people. I am being asked all the time to donate to help the animals which I have done, I just wish I could afford more. I agree Bean hunni, I hate to see it when people are desperate for help and get turned down.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by 3piggles on Sept 13, 2017 18:57:08 GMT
Most of my friends have no electricity. One had a tree fall on her house, but not so that it did a lot of damage. Florida doesn't have the big trees we have. If the ones behind us ever fell on our house, we would have some serious damage! She also lost her house in Hurricane Matthew, last year, and has been fighting with the insurance company ever since to get paid for the damages. They had flood insurance. So the belongings they didn't lose were stored at the old house, including a Mustang GT her late dad gave her, and all of that flooded. The stuff is destroyed, but she said the water only got up to the floor boards in the car, so hopefully it can be dried out and saved. Anything mechanical can be dried and repaired. If the water got into the upholstery, the upholstery will rot from the inside out. If she had the money, she could replace all of the seats and carpets. Hopefully, she'll only have to really suck the water out of the carpets. Police in many places are fighting looters, who will take advantage of anyone. They're looting stores and houses. No discrimination there! Also, a whole lot of people returned to their destroyed homes or flooded neighborhoods, and since there's no electricity, there are no place for any of them to stay. Now they're there, with no place to go, intent on protecting whatever they can save from looters, and getting in the way of attempts to clean up the debris and restore electrical power. There also aren't any gas stations open in some areas, so once the people get home, they can't buy gas to go back to where there are hotels open. Natural disasters definitely create a lot more issues than just causing property damage and killing some people Yes, he's getting in every photo op he can, but none of the money has arrived to help anyone, and so far, the National Guard units from other states, such as ours, and the utility repair crews from other states, such as ours, are the only ones providing any help. The other issue that seems to die off between disasters, is the Red Cross. They spend about 90 cents of every dollar they get donated, on everything but their programs. Outrageous salaries, mostly. The end result is that people are donating to the Red Cross, then seeing the results of their donations, and being horrified that that's all their money bought. I think social media is going to undo some of the worst charities, for not being charitable, at all. The Salvation Army is a truly charitable organization, with probably 90 cents of every dollar going to help others. They are also an anti-LGBT organization that forces their version of christianity on those needing help, including gay conversion therapy. They have the people dressed as Santa standing outside most stores, during the Christmas season, ringing a bell over a red kettle where people can put their money donations. I used to donate, until I learned about the conversion therapy. Totally turned me off
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