Please Read! Urgent!

[washusama]

1. My Aunt is avoiding me, and won't talk to me for some reason...
2. [email protected] sent me a virus. This is not the first time a CAT person has sent me a virus. I'm thinking it has to do with this?? Anyone know this person??

 

[jewelcat]

Just so that you know, many people are unaware that their computer has been infiltrated by a virus. Especially the viruses that are spread via email messages. Believe me, I know from personal experience. One of my investors, i.e. someone that has invested in company, inadvertently sent me a virus that had attached itself to his email. Now, I am fairly confident that someone who had a considerable amount invested in my company would not want to send me a virus that would have resulted in damaging files pertinent to the operations of my business; it wouldn't have been very prudent on his part.
Email viruses can be very tricky and exceptionally hard to get of and generally required a visit from a computer technician trained in removing viruses of this type. The first thing you need to do is to inform this person that they have contracted an email virus and it would be helpful to let them know what the exact name of virus was that you received from them.
There are hundreds of viruses out there; you can view a list of the most common viruses at the following web address, http://www.mcafee.com. After you have entered this web site go to the anti-virus section and look for a link titled, Virus Information Library, which is located in the navigation menu on the left hand side of your screen. Once you are connected to the library page there will be a link titled, "Top 30 Viruses viewed (by customers)", located sort of in the middle of the page and slightly to the right hand side, you may have to scroll down to find the link. Click on that link and you will be taken to a list naming the most common viruses. The list gives details about each virus such as how they are transmitted, i.e. via email etc.
You will never really know if the person sent you a virus on purpose, but generally speaking, the average internet user does not have the wherewithal to send out viruses on their own, plus the fact they would be in a lot of trouble, I mean big trouble if they were sending out a virus and they weren't smart enough to hide their own contact information from the receivers of their infect email messages.
So, more than likely, the person that sent you the infected email is as innocent as you are, you just need to be sure to tell them that they have a virus and that they are spreading to every computer that receives an email from them. I think that they will appreciate your concern and they will be thankful that you took the time to notify them of their problem.
Also be very sure that your computer has been complete cleaned of this virus before you attempt to send any emails to other unsuspecting parties, otherwise they may think the same ill of you.

Good Luck,

Thank goodness you had an up to date anti virus program on your computer!

Jewelcat

 

[catspride]

Over the past year, I have had several clients and a job applicant send me viruses that were fortunately stopped by my anti-virus program before they invaded. On all three occasions, I sent a note to each to inform them of what my anti-virus program said. On all occasions the senders were in shock and took their computers to someone who could debug them.

It is very scary when this happens.

The last few weeks I was having problems logging on to my server, and I finally called their technical services. I was informed that someone on my network was using the internet services. When I explained that I had no network, that I had a single computer in my own home and that no one ever used it except me, they started to check. It boiled down to my "line" being busy because someone was using my e-mail address. Where this problem come from, I don't know -- my server is going to track it down. Meanwhile, they cut this intruder off.

I pay for unlimited hours, so I would not know if more or less hours were used that I use myself. But I was really upset and will be happy when my server gets it sorted (with telephone records, etc.). It is essentially theft, and there are laws now about this kind of thing. But someone, somewhere, has not only coopted my e-mail, but also discovered my password (which, of course, we have now changed).

Life is getting a little like trying to cross an 8-lane highway on foot in rush hour. For a few anxious days I was wondering if this unknown person had also given me a virus "for fun," but it seems not. Scary. Like someone coming in and sneaking around your house when you aren't there.

Ninty-nine percent of people who pass on viruses are unknowing victims. Always let them know that they have unwanted hitchikers with their messages.

 

[washusama]

they did it on purpose because they have been sending me threatening e-mails also.

AND WHO CALLED PETA??? That's not cool. They are demanding her name, address & phone number. The LAST thing I want to happen is my aunt being harrassed by PETA.

I know they MEAN WELL..but they go about certain things the wrong way.

 

[jewelcat]

How did PETA find you? How did they get your contact information in order to harass you? I don't think that any us here on the forum are able to get that type of info from anyone else that participates, email address I mean, unless someone sends you a personal email and you answer back with a personal email.
I sent you a personal email but you didn't respond back with a personal email, I believe you responded by posting a message on the forum.

I would check your records to see who you have been corresponding with on a personal level.

Jewelcat

 

[donna]

I used to belong to AOL. I had someone steal my screen name and password and send 39 porno e-mails to 400 of their closest friends and relatives. I found out when I tried to long on myself and was denied. I called aol and that's what they told me. I was getting threatening e-mails from people I never heard of telling me I was a pig and how dare I send such filth through the internet. I was totally humiliated to the point of changing my password AND screen name. I have since going to another ISP. It's cheaper. And, I make it a habit of deleting any e-mail I do not recognize. I figure it's safer that way. I also don't answer surveys over the internet either. They can find out alot about a person that way.

I take no chances.

Donna

 

[washusama]

My e-mail is in the original post.

DOH!
:homer:

 

[catspride]

The thing about forums -- or almost any e-mail -- is that they are not really private. This will be an on-going problem for some years to come. On the one hand, we want to be able to ask for help or information, and on the other, by doing so, we risk all kinds of invasive situations. So far I have missed pornographic or threatening mail. But I have a bad temper when it comes to that and I would not do the first thing that would come naturally to me (use the delete button). I would notify my server immediately and wait for them to investigate. Laws are rapidly being passed to try to make it expensive to do this kind of thing-- harrassment or unwanted mailings), and in spite of my reluctance to have "Big Brother" watching me in any way, I am reaching the conclusion that we need a certain amount of law enforcement in this new part of our lives. The only other alternative is to junk our computers and go back to snail-mail. I, for one, would hate to go that road.

What will come from all this is increased globalization of law enforcement, beginning with the internet and eventually working down to crimes committed in one country being followed up in another. It will make our future world a very different place than when I was a girl, and I'd bet even very different from the youngest of you on this forum. Exciting, but also scary. It is a little like trying to maneuver in a dark room full of furniture and other objects scattered about at random.

But humans are very adaptable.

 

[washusama]

As surprising as it seems at first, this is probably the best option for
these cats. Tragically, 8-10 million animals have to be euthanized in
shelters in this country every year! The fault for this does not lie with
the shelters, which handle the problem as best they can, but with
irresponsible people who don't spay and neuter their animals.

Some have suggested that the solution to animal overpopulation lies with
no-kill shelters. However, these facilities have problems of their own. Some
unadoptable animals may be "warehoused" in cages for years. No-kill shelters
and rescue groups often find themselves filled to capacity, which means they
must turn new animals away (I am not surprised one bit that all the no-kill
shelters you called were full). If the animals turned away are lucky, they
will be taken to another shelter that does euthanize. If they are unlucky,
they will be dumped by the roadside, only to die deaths far more gruesome
and horrible than an injection of sodium pentobarbital. The "no-kill"
shelter can honestly say it did not kill the animals, but that doesn't mean
the animals were saved. It is estimated that dogs and cats in the U.S.
outnumber humans seven to one. There simply aren't enough homes-or even
enough cages-for them all.

It has been said that those who euthanize animals "don't care" or that they
"don't try hard enough." Euthanasia is a miserable job that is painless for
animals, but is extremely painful for the humans who have to do it. They can
only bring themselves to do this if they are absolutely convinced that it is
the most humane option in a world overrun with unwanted and abused animals.
See http://www.peta.org/mc/facts/fsc8.html for more information on finding a
good shelter (especially the part about "no kill" shelters).

So we've got all these cats wandering the streets and you might be thinking
that leaving them to their own devices out there is better than taking them
to a shelter where they might be euthanized, but this couldn't be further
from the truth. Gruesome fates await many homeless cats. Highly contagious
diseases such as rhinotracheitis, feline leukemia, feline AIDS, FIP,
distemper, and rabies are common in "outdoor cats." They sustain puncture
wounds, broken bones, brain damage, internal injuries, or are missing eyes
or limbs after being attacked by other animals or hit by cars. Automobile
engine fans slicing through the bodies of cats seeking shelter from the cold
are typical cases for shelters and animal hospitals.

If, miraculously, cats escape the perils listed above, they may still fall
prey to agonizing deaths at the hands of cruel people. Across the country,
free-roaming cats are often mutilated, shot, drowned, poisoned, beaten, set
on fire, sacrificed, stolen by bunchers for medical experimentation, or used
as target practice or bait for dog fighting.

You've seen first hand what happens when people just can't put aside their
own sense of guilt for the well-being of the animals involved. Refusing to
take them somewhere else where there is a possibility they could be
euthanized, they try to take on the responsibility themselves and the result
is that both they and the animals suffer for it. At a Humane Society at
least the cats will have a chance at a good life (where they are now, they
have no chance). There's no reason that at least some of them won't be
adopted out to loving homes. There comes a point where you have to place
quality of life ahead of quantity. I think we both agree that their quality
of life now is unacceptable.

I know this is a difficult and confusing thing to deal with. If you have any
questions or would like help, please don't hesitate to contact me.

For the animals,

Lindsay Gardewin, Cruelty Caseworker
Domestic Animal Issues & Abuse Department
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
757-622-7382 ext.1434
fax:757-622-0457

 

[washusama]

should I take her advice??

 

[jewelcat]

I will admit, that she makes a lot of sense. And this is sort of what I was trying to tell you from the start, I just think that she was able to word a little better than I was.
There are no guarantees in life or in death. We do the best that we can and the rest? Well, we have to have faith that there is a higher power that looks out for the innocent and the weak. We have to believe this or we none of us would be doing what we are to begin with. We have to have faith that those that were meant to live our their lives on this earth will do just that and then we have to have faith that those who do not end up living here on this earth with us actually been taken to a better place, a place where they will always be protected from cruelty, starvation, illness, and most of sadness. We have to believe with all of our hearts that will find much more happiness where they are going than did where they have been.
There is something my brother said to me not long ago, when I was just about in tears again over the disappearance of my two cats, PeeWee and Betty. He said, "Tears should be shed when life is brought into this world and we should celebrate when it leaves. For we know that our time here on earth is only a small part of our journey and the true meaning of happiness and love awaits us at our final destination, where we will . . . rest in peace."

Jewelcat

 

[catspride]

In my village there is a large animal vet who comes when I need him to put some animal out of its misery. He hates to kill animals of any kind, but he does it when it is necessary out of his love for animals. If I think I can save the animal, I run it into the vet hospital in Beer-Sheva, and pay out of my very small monthly income to make the effort. If I save the animal (in most cases, cat or dog), I then feel that I am responsible for life, and it joins my famly (--if it is an injured bird, it joins my village vet's menagerie, since he is one of those rarities -- an expert on birds, both large and small.

I do what I can. I never permit a single male or female animal to be introduced to my family unless it is neutered. I do this for two reasons -- we don't need any more stray or feral cats dying miserable deaths in the streets and nearby desert, and there are actually health benefits for the animal if they are neutered or spayed. Many of my neighbors think I am unnatural and that I am going against God's plans for each animal by having this intervention performed. I think they are uncaring and that they are going against the welfare of these lovely creations of God. So we have occasional clashes of belief.

The animal cruelty lady is right in many ways. It is PREFERABLE to miserable deaths on the roads and in the alleyways -- her list of hazards and horrors are quite accurate. If you cannot adopt an animal and care for it adequately (vaccinations, medicines when they are sick, nutritious food, a safe haven to escape dogs and mean humans -- then you should let them take their chances in the best possible shelter -- to find a family or to move on to the next life and perhaps a better deal. Nothing dies but is reborn / Nothing is born but dies. You do what you can. If you feel it is within your capabilities (financial, emotional, material) to take the responsibility for a hundred cats, then I think people should be glad you are doing it and should be as helpful as possible. Limits on numbers are silly, however. Some people can barely care for one or two pets, while others have time, love, and money to care for many more.

I also think charities should focus on spay and neutering multicat prides for free and ease the burden for cat adopters. I think free clinics should be available to people who are struggling to keep cats off the streets and in reasonable condition. I think a certain amount of tax money should be used to support individuals who relieve the state of the burden of diseased and multiplying animals at their own expense.

On the other hand, I also think that spaying and neutering should be imposed for this kind of free help, and I think that the caregivers should consider just how many cats they can manage in terms of money and time.

Someone accused me of being callous (or words to that effect) --- saying that I was cruel to say that choices had to be made and limits imposed (by myself -- how could I speak for others on such a subject?) on how many cats I could take in at a time. But if the caretakers get into irretrievable debt, become sick from the stress of overwhelming numbers of animals, or find they simply don't have the space to adequately house so many animals, then I think it is time to consider what can be borne and what cannot be borne.

It is actually more cruel to shut cats up in cages for the rest of their lives -- separated from their natural habitats, the love of humans or other cats, and without hope of adoption -- than it is to put the cat to death in the kindest and most gentle way possible. I would like for people to come up with better solutions, but this is an imperfect world, where people callously also murder, maim, torture, and turn out into streets other humans, including children, So I cannot expect mankind to yet be evolved enough to find a way to protect and nurture the rest of God's creations when they do not offer protection and nurture to literally millions of human beings in desperate need.

We all do the best we can. There is no guilt in admitting that we are not strong enough to do everything everytime for all beings that need help.

But. believe me, passing on to the next evolutionary step instead of hanging around in fear and misery here in the present time is vastly superior as choices go -- for people with terminal and extremely painful illnesses, for example, as well as for anmals.

The fact that I have so many cats and dogs shows how hard I try to intervene, but when all my efforts are not enough, I have learned to step back.

So, Washusama, learn to analyse your aunt's (and your) situation calmly and without fear of the word "death," and then do what you can manage.

May Nature provide...