At this time of year it is fitting that we consider those less fortunate. Not all of the less fortunate are human.

I do not know if you have had a chance to see the most recent commercial for the ASPCA or Humane Society. I am not sure which. It is absolutely tragic. It shows badly abused animals with captions underneath. The first is of a maimed cat which reads "Why did they hurt me?' The next is of a dog that has been on the street too long, and whose ribs are showing which reads "Why did they abandon me?" Not an unusual story with all the foreclosures. The last picture is of a starving cat with the caption "Will I die today?'

These animals need help badly...especially those that are housed in shelters which will euthanize them after 30 days. If you are in a position to provide a home for one of them...please consider doing so.

If you can not provide a permanent home, please consider taking some of them off death row, and offering them a temporary home until they can be adopted. Many of the shelters which euthanize these animals will work with you in finding homes for them