In this anniversary period, remembering World War I, the Great War, the War to End All Wars ... it is perhaps fitting (and not really a surprise) that we should be staring down the same barrel of threat and potential for conflict once again. Crimea is a region that has been, strategically and ethnically, as critical to southeast Europe as Palestine is in the Middle East. And no solution appears any more likely either.An important doctrine is at play. “We should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. With existing [countries] we have not interfered and shall not interfere. But with the governments that have declared their independence and maintained it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and ... acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any ... power in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition.” Meaning war.Russia openly takes the position that Crimea is under their protection. And they will back that up with arms and warfare, if necessary. After all, since the time of Catherine the Great, Russia has considered Crimea as theirs and has ruled accordingly. Last time there was a battle for control of Crimea was during the war of 1853-1856, fought between the Russian Empire and, well, basically everyone else around at the time (British, French, Turks and so on). Why? Because there is a port in Crimea at Sebastopol (now renamed phonetically more accurately as Sevastopol) that has been the largest and one of the most important naval posts of the Russian Empire Navy and, since the Russian Revolution in 1917, the major port for the Russian Fleet in the Black Sea. If you want a comparison, imagine being asked to put Pearl Harbor at risk before World War II, when Hawaii was just a protectorate. If Hawaii had decided to become autonomous — in an election or by decree — do you seriously imagine we’d just sail the Pearl Harbor fleet away? Have we done so in Okinawa when asked? Nope.To add to the confusion here, there is the plight of the Tartars as an ethnic people. They used to be 90 percent of the population, but since the USSR ran the place, and allowed the beautiful and subtropical Crimea to become the retirement home for 80 percent of the Russian Navy, the Crimean population of Tartars has dwindled to 10 percent (and given that Russia accused Tartars with siding with the Nazis they are mostly hated to boot). So, after WWII, as part of the Yalta Agreement signed by our president, Russia was formally granted Crimea. Then the unthinkable happened. Premier Khrushchev decided, in 1954, that since Crimea was connected by land to the Ukraine, it was administratively easier to turn it over for government paperwork to the Ukraine, providing of course, the USSR could carry on doing their retirement and Navy thing as before.And that’s how it was. Until a corrupt Ukrainian president, properly elected who then turned rogue, was forced to flee. Where to? Russia, of course. Interesting they have prevented him from appearing in Moscow, he’s marginalized, seen as either a crook or incompetent. And the new government? They cannot recognize a new government because Russia has not secured world approval for what they think is their responsibility anyway. And Russia has a doctrine that allows them to protect Russians no matter where they are on the globe. The fact that they also have a Navy port in Crimea is just a happy coincidence (well, not really, but that’s their argument).And just one little thought here ... the doctrine quoted above? It is called the Monroe Doctrine, ours, put in place by President Monroe. It is how we police the whole of all the Americas. It is the basis for our opposition to Castro and, lately, Venezuela’s policy-makers. It is different simply because our intentions and action are not so easily enacted with violence or the threat of war, but as an edict it is just as strict as Russia’s toward what they see as their protectable charges. Remember, Kennedy used the Monroe Doctrine to threaten and force the Russians to take their missiles off of Cuba. Perhaps Putin is simply following the adage, “What’s good for the goose...”Peter Riva, a former resident of Amenia Union, now lives in New Mexico.
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Marsala is eager to go home with you.
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
The Little Guild is an animal shelter at 285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike in West Cornwall. Founded in 1957, the organization rescues animals from local surrenders and under-resourced shelters. When a rescue animal arrives at The Little Guild, staff begins a careful intake and transition process to ensure the animal is safe, healthy and ready for adoption.
New arrivals are quarantined in-house. Vaccinations are verified as up to date, and staff assesses each animal’s medical, behavioral and placement needs. Rescues receive medical care, daily support and behavioral training to ease shelter stress. Once a dog has finished quarantine and is ready for a home, its profile is published at littleguild.org.
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Prospective adopters fill out an online application with information about their household and veterinary and personal references.
The next step is for the prospective adopter and family members to meet the dog. If there is already a dog in the household, a meet-and-greet is scheduled so the dogs can get acquainted.
The animal care staff offers guidance based on its knowledge of each animal’s personality, needs and quirks to help families find the best fit.
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Once a match is made, the adoption contract outlines aftercare. Adopters agree to return the animal to The Little Guild if the adoption doesn’t work out. The organization’s commitment continues after adoption, with six months of free training and follow-up from staff to answer questions or address concerns.
“Please don’t pass Marsala by,” Lemelin said. “He loves people and other dogs. He’s a lap dog who lives for snuggles, cuddles and face kisses. Marsala deserves a family, a soft bed and a lifetime of being chosen.”
To find out about Marsala and other rescue dogs and cats, visit littleguild.org
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Sampson, a playful and independent blind hound mix, explores the rescue’s large yard.
Though she takes in dogs of all ages, including some with disabilities — and one resident cat — the rescue’s motto is “Giving old dogs new lives.”
Sadie, center, a Carolina dog, plays with her friend Negra, a terrier mix. Bella Linda, the small poodle, has since been adopted.L. Tomaino
Sadie, a sweet Carolina dog, was the first to greet visitors.
“She could really use a home,” Meade said.
Then came Bonnie and Clyde, rat terriers; Negra, a small terrier mix; Sampson, a blind hound mix; and Jay Z, a terrier mix who was emaciated when Meade took him in and has since filled out, with fur regrowing over previously bald patches. Wesley, a young, shaggy mix whom Meade calls “a very good boy,” is also in need of a home.
Wesley, a young, exuberant mix, is looking for an active home.L. Tomaino
Meade began rescuing dogs after going to Waterbury to adopt one and learning that, by the end of the three-day weekend, the dogs she was looking at would be euthanized to make room for others.
She went home and started her rescue in New Preston, Connecticut. After five years there, she moved to California, where she rescued dogs from overcrowded pounds for 13 years.
Meade, a busload of dogs and her cat moved back to the Northeast a little more than a year ago.
Ninety-nine percent of the dogs at the rescue come from pounds, both locally and in California and New York City.
“We are more than happy to place dogs with older people, and we are also willing to give support after the adoption,” Meade said, noting that some rescues will not adopt to people over 60.
Bonnie and Clyde, an affectionate terrier pair.L. Tomaino
For those who cannot adopt, the rescue needs donations of old blankets, dog and cat food, cleaning supplies, puppy pads and dog treats. Monetary donations are also welcome and can be made through the rescue’s website. Meade also welcomes volunteers to help with the dogs.
Contact Meade at 805-239-4004, 860-866-7986 or 4dots@att.net to arrange a visit or drop off donations. For available dogs and more information, visit meadecaninerescue.org.
Newtown Veterinary Specialists
For Berkshire County residents, VCA All Caring Animal Hospital, 440 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington, can be a nearby first call. The full-service hospital offers diagnostics and hospitalization and asks clients with an emergency or a pet requiring immediate attention to call rather than use its online contact form. It is not a 24-hour emergency hospital, however. Current hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. Call 413-528-8020.
Poughkeepsie also has several options for urgent care. Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, 64 Pine St., is a full-service veterinary hospital offering emergency and critical care during regular business hours. The hospital treats dogs and cats as well as birds, reptiles and other exotic pets. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. For after-hours emergencies involving dogs and cats, the hospital refers patients to regional emergency facilities. Call 845-625-2474.
Community Animal Care, 269 Titusville Road, offers urgent and emergency care during operating hours and asks pet owners to call ahead. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Urgent care is available daily by calling ahead, with extended hours until 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The practice also offers after-hours veterinary triage by video to help owners determine whether a pet can safely wait or should be taken to a 24-hour facility. Call 845-471-7459.
When an animal needs care in the middle of the night, on a holiday or for a potentially life-threatening condition, the options become more limited.
Guardian Veterinary Specialists, 4 Hardscrabble Heights in Brewster, is a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital, open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Its emergency department is staffed around the clock, with on-site imaging and laboratory services. No appointment is necessary for an emergency, although calling ahead is encouraged when possible. Call 914-704-3400.
Provided
Newtown Veterinary Specialists, 52 Church Hill Road in Newtown, Connecticut, also provides emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. No appointment is required for emergency care, although the hospital recommends calling ahead when possible. Call 203-270-8387.
Pet owners should remember that emergency veterinary hospitals operate much like human emergency rooms in that patients are triaged according to the severity of their condition, so animals with less critical problems may have to wait.
The best preparation is simple. Keep the number of your regular veterinarian and at least one 24-hour emergency hospital in your phone, and know roughly how long it will take to get there. If circumstances allow, call before leaving home to confirm where your pet should be seen.
When something goes wrong at 10 p.m. on a Sunday, knowing where you’re headed can make a frightening situation a little less overwhelming.
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