How much do you know about whales?

Even though whales have captured the human imagination for centuries, we know remarkably little about these magnificent creatures. And despite efforts to protect whales, they continue to be threatened by whaling, pollution, ocean noise and entanglement by fishing gear.
In order to protect whales from the threats they face we must learn everything we can about where and how they live.
How much do you already know about whales? Find out: Take the Whale of a Quiz!
IFAW’s state-of-the-art education and research vessel, the Song of the Whale, travels the world’s ocean to conduct safe, non-invasive studies on whales and other cetaceans such as dolphins and porpoises. The boat’s mission is to help improve the understanding of whales and generate public and political support for their protection.
We still have a lot to learn about whales. For most species we don’t know simple things like how many there are, how they find their food or where they go to give birth.
With your help, IFAW is leading the fight to save these magnificent animals
One of IFAW’s greatest victories for whales was won in Baja California – where we saved one of the last pristine Gray whale nurseries from destruction in a campaign that won worldwide acclaim.And now we are expanding our efforts to embrace critically endangered Right whales, Western Pacific Gray whales, endangered species in the Caribbean and many other whales worldwide.IFAW-funded scientists and campaigners work to maintain existing ocean sanctuaries and promote new ones, support communities to develop responsible whale-watching programs as well as increase public awareness about whales around the world.
Take the IFAW Whale Quiz now to test your own knowledge of whales.
I look forward to sharing more of our whale work with you in the future.
Sincerely,Fred O’ReganPresident and CEO
P.S. Know anyone else who might want to learn more about whales? Forward this email to your friends and see who knows the most about whales!

PO Box 193 • 411 Main Street Yarmouth Port, MA 02675

http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=jjITIZPKJkKYIjI&s=9hILJWOzHiKWL5PLIuH&m=foLIKQOvHhIXE

How much do you know about whales?

Even though whales have captured the human imagination for centuries, we know remarkably little about these magnificent creatures. And despite efforts to protect whales, they continue to be threatened by whaling, pollution, ocean noise and entanglement by fishing gear.
In order to protect whales from the threats they face we must learn everything we can about where and how they live.
How much do you already know about whales? Find out: Take the Whale of a Quiz!
IFAW’s state-of-the-art education and research vessel, the Song of the Whale, travels the world’s ocean to conduct safe, non-invasive studies on whales and other cetaceans such as dolphins and porpoises. The boat’s mission is to help improve the understanding of whales and generate public and political support for their protection.
We still have a lot to learn about whales. For most species we don’t know simple things like how many there are, how they find their food or where they go to give birth.
With your help, IFAW is leading the fight to save these magnificent animals
One of IFAW’s greatest victories for whales was won in Baja California – where we saved one of the last pristine Gray whale nurseries from destruction in a campaign that won worldwide acclaim.And now we are expanding our efforts to embrace critically endangered Right whales, Western Pacific Gray whales, endangered species in the Caribbean and many other whales worldwide.IFAW-funded scientists and campaigners work to maintain existing ocean sanctuaries and promote new ones, support communities to develop responsible whale-watching programs as well as increase public awareness about whales around the world.
Take the IFAW Whale Quiz now to test your own knowledge of whales.
I look forward to sharing more of our whale work with you in the future.
Sincerely,Fred O’ReganPresident and CEO
P.S. Know anyone else who might want to learn more about whales? Forward this email to your friends and see who knows the most about whales!

PO Box 193 • 411 Main Street Yarmouth Port, MA 02675

http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=jjITIZPKJkKYIjI&s=9hILJWOzHiKWL5PLIuH&m=foLIKQOvHhIXE

A Child’s Letter About Her Beloved Departed Dog

The kindness of a stranger is simply an amazing and touching moment.

Here is an email that Debbie, an Itchmo reader, sent us about the story of a child’s letter to God about her dog, Abbey, who had passed away and what happened after she sent the letter:

Our 14-year-old-dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could, so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, “To Meredith” in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, “When a Pet Dies.” Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope.

On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.

Abbey isn’t sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don’t need our bodies in heaven, I don’t have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I’m easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God

According to the San-Antonio Express-News, this story is true and it really did happen to the Scrivener family in August 2006.

Meredith’s mother said that the book and the letter comforted her daughter over the loss of Abbey. Meredith’s mother was tempted to go to the post office and see who sent the letter, but she decided against it. She kind of didn’t want to know who did it and said it was simply the work of an angel.

Itchmo:News for Dogs and Cats