Fair and cold holiday weekend in New York

From one taxi to another in the rear view mirror: Sitting in Thanksgiving Day traffic en route to the Lincoln Tunnel. 2:00 PM. Photo: JH.

Monday, December 2, 2013. Fair and cold holiday weekend in New York.

Thanksgiving; Giving Thanks, American-style. Aside from the traditional national holiday weekend festivities, many Americans who were in the mood -- according to media reports -- experienced the pandemonium of what is bizarrely (not to mention ominously) called Black Friday, a fairly new and peculiar American shopping rite where massive crowds engage in chaotic, often violent behavior in stores and shopping malls in quest of fantastically under-priced pieces of merchandise like wide-screen TVs. This year the jostling brought about at least one death, not to mention all kinds of physical injuries.

On a more somber note that underscores the senseless tragedy of violence for one family and the entire nation, a friend of mine visited the gravesites of our fallen President John F. Kennedy, his wife JacquelineRobert, at Arlington National Cemetery.

The gravesite of John F. Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline at Arlington National Cemetery. The wreath was placed by President Obama.

The grave of Robert F. Kennedy.

Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial, formerly the Custis-Lee Mansion, overlooking the Arlington National Cemetery.

The week before, down in Palm Beach, there were cameras and television crewsfilming locations which the late President often visited. One of those places was the former Joseph P. Kennedy mansion on North Ocean Boulevard, for a long time now the winter residence of Marianne and John Castle.

President Kennedy spent his last nights at the mansion in Palm Beach on November 15, 16, 17, and 18, 1963, before flying to Texas. The Castles have preserved his bedroom as it was when he used it. There are also several former Kennedy household staff members who still at the house for the Castles.

Charles Rockefeller, Ginger Moss and Tim Racine in President Kennedy’s bedroom at the former Kennedy mansion in Palm Beach that is now the private residence of Marianne and John Castle. The bedroom is still the same as when the president used it.

A week ago last Thursday (November 21st), the ASPCA held its annual Humane Awards Luncheon at Cipriani 42nd Street. I couldn’t make the event although it was reported by friends that this luncheon was attended by several hundred, and before it was over, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as everyone was lifted by great humane deeds and compassion of the awardees, as well as deep respect and affection for the animals.

The Humane Awards are sponsored by the Harville Group, Inc., one of the country’s oldest pet health insurers and provider of ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. The ceremony recognizes special animals as well as individuals who made a positive and lasting impact during the past year.

Following a nationwide public call for nominations, an ASPCA-appointed committee reviewed hundreds of entries and selected winners in six categories.

Johnny Hickey, Grant Hickey, and Xena.

The 2013 ASPCA Humane Award winners were:

ASPCA Cat of the Year, Koshka of Oregon City, Oregon; Dan Harris of New York received the ASPCA Presidential Service Award for Media Excellence; The Tommy P. Monahan Kid of the Year was presented in memoriam to Catherine V. Hubbard Newtown, Connecticut; Theresa Strader, Founder and Executive Director of National Mill Dog Rescue Black Forest, Colorado received the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award; and The ASPCA Dog of the Year was Xena of Dekalb County, Georgia.

Koshka the cat's story began across the world at the front lines of the war in Afghanistan. Koshka was a stray who struck up a friendship with Staff Sgt. Jesse Knott at a base in southern Afghanistan. To Knott, she was a pleasant reminder of life at home in far away Oregon. When a suicide bomber attacked a nearby military convoy, killing two of his close friends, Koshka stayed by his side, helping him through one of his darkest moments.


	Jessie Knott with Ellie and Chuck Scarborough

When Knott’s tour of duty ended, he tried to transport his beloved cat to the United States, but the cat was not allowed to travel on a military convoy. So Knott's friends arranged her transport to Kabul through a compassionate and courageous interpreter who risked his life to help the American.

Knott's parents then paid nearly $3,000 for the airplane ticket that would eventually bring the kitty to her new home in Oregon, where she now peacefully resides.

Catherine Hubbard’s award was named forTommy P. Monahan, a nine-year-old Staten Island boy who perished in a 2007 house fire trying to save his pet. The six-year-old Catherine had a natural ability to connect and care for animals. She loved being in their presence, and was often heard whispering to animals and insects, "Tell your friends I am kind," so they would come back to her again. She even designed her own business cards and appointed herself head of "Catherine's Animal Shelter" with the title "Care Taker."

On December 14, 2012, Catherine was among 20 children killed during the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Catherine’s parents, Jenny and Matthew Hubbard, chose to honor her compassion for animals throughout her whole life, by asking that donations be made to The Animal Center in Newtown. With these funds, The Animal Center is hoping to build, in her honor, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, "a place where all creatures, great and small, are rescued, respected and loved."

Jenny Hubbard, Freddy Hubbard, Matthew Hubbard, and Chuck Scarborough.

Dan Harris is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has co-anchored ABC News' weekend edition of "Good Morning America" since October 2010. Harris has made it a priority in his distinguished career to report on the world's most vulnerable populations, including endangered animals from such diverse locations as Namibia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea and Nepal.

Harris has also worked tirelessly to raise awareness of animal welfare issues in America, including coverage of Hurricane Sandy, online pet scams and travel safety. He also worked with the ASPCA to produce a comic viral video called "Hovercat," which encourages pet adoptions, and has received over 1.1 million views since its launch.

Harris currently lives in New York City with his wife, Bianca, and their three cats, adopted from the ASPCA's Adoption Center.

Linda Hickey with Xena.

Before founding National Mill Dog Rescue, Theresa Strader spent 26 years as a pediatric nurse, all the while rescuing dogs and volunteering in animal shelters across the country.

Early in 2007, responding to an email plea for "50 Italian greyhounds in need", Strader attended a large-scale dog auction in the Midwest -- the heart of puppy mill country. Within moments of witnessing first-hand the miserable, hopeless life of puppy mill dogs, Strader knew that she would dedicate the rest of her life to the dogs held captive by this shameful industry. She credits Lily, an Italian greyhound "puppy mill mom" she rescued that day, for giving her the inspiration and tenacity to make that dream come true.

Dena Schmidt, Oats, Bernie, Douglas, Denice Rich, and Tootsie.

In February of that year, Strader founded the nonprofit National Mill Dog Rescue, which has since rescued and placed over 8,000 puppy mill survivors and has garnered national attention for its tireless and challenging work. Run almost solely by volunteers, the organization's mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home discarded breeding dogs, and to educate the public about the cruel realities of the commercial dog breeding industry.

Last June, during the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history, Strader lost her home, the original site of National Mill Dog Rescue. Despite this devastating personal loss, she remained focused on her mission and was on the road within weeks, rescuing more dogs from puppy mills.

Mayme Hackett, Jaimee Bloom, Mia McDonald. and Caroline Dean.

On September 15, 2012, an animal control officer responded to a call reporting an extremely malnourished pit bull puppy abandoned in a Dekalb County, Ga. resident's yard. The officer took the fragile puppy, on the verge of death, to the Dekalb Animal Shelter.

Chrissy Kaczynski, one of the founders of Friends of Dekalb Animals (FODA), says she'd never seen such a severe case of neglect. The puppy's prognosis was bleak, but Chrissy took her home, intending to make her last hours as comfortable as possible.

Remarkably, the puppy rebounded, prompting Chrissy and her partner, Aaron, to name her Xena, the Warrior Puppy. Soon after, they started a Facebook page to help raise funds for Xena's treatment and chronicle her amazing recovery. Friends and fans were mesmerized by Xena's story. Two months later, at a party in Xena's honor, the puppy bonded with the Hickey family and their eight-year-old son, Jonny, who is autistic.

Sharon Handler Loeb and Ambassador John Loeb.

Maria Santoro and Marina Killery.

Before Xena came into his life, Jonny very rarely communicated with others, and sought comfort in solitary activities. But Jonny forged a miraculous connection with Xena that brought out the boy’s playfulness, his singing voice, and verbal assessments of everything he sees and experiences.

Together, Jonny and Xena spread a message of compassion for both animals and those with autism throughout America and 89 countries, territories and provinces around the world. Their efforts include a YouTube video to promote Autism Awareness Month as well as Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

Xena has participated in the Atlanta Dog Jog and Atlanta Autism Speaks walk, appeared at fundraisers for FODA, and received a medal from the Georgia SPCA.

Chuck Scarborough, Bianca Harris, Dan Harris, and Brian Williams.

Jonny and Xena's story has also been featured by numerous media outlets, after gaining attention from a profile by Jill Rappaport on "NBC Nightly News" and on Today.com.

The ASPCA Public Service Award was presented to: Master Patrolman Dion R. Dundovich, FBI TFO Sergeant Bruce W. Houston, and MSHP Special Agent Karen J. Smilgis.

The three recipients played pivotal roles in investigating and raiding a large dog fighting operation in Missouri, Kansas and Texas in March 2013.

Theresa Strader and Dr Katy Nelson.

The operation resulted in the recovery of 100 pit bull terriers that were being bred, sold, and trained to fight, as well as the arrests of Pete Davis Jr. and Melvin Robinson, who were each charged with one count of buying, selling, delivering or transporting animals for participation in an animal fighting venture.

The dogs were rescued by the ASPCA at the request of the FBI, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the U.S. Attorney's Office. In October 2013, both men were found guilty and sentenced to time in prison. Each was also banned from owning dogs for three years once released from prison. Only three years? How about a lifetime?

Peggy Culver, Kim White, and Elaine Langone.

Master Patrolman and FBI Task Force Officer Dion R. Dundovich, has been with the Kansas City, Kansas (KCK) Police Department since 1999. Prior to joining the FBI's Safe Street Task Force in 2008, Officer Dundovich was a member of the KCK Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, serving as a tactical team member focused on the criminal activities of violent gangs and major drug trafficking organizations.

Officer Dundovich served as co-case agent for this investigation, dedicating numerous hours culminating in the execution of a search, multiple arrests and the rescue of multiple animals in the state of Texas.

Melanie Wambold amnd Craig Goldberg.

Sally Spooner and Ann Unterberg.

Sergeant Bruce W. Houston is a 26-year veteran of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Following a tip from the Harrison County (Mo.) Sherriff's Office, Houston led efforts to conduct surveillance and gather information about dog fights in the area. He soon learned that a simultaneous drug investigation was open with the FBI on the same subjects in Kansas and Missouri. Sergeant Houston worked with Master Patrolman Dion Dundovich and Special Agent Karen Smilgis to apprehend the subjects before the next scheduled dog fight could take place in Texas.

Special Agent Karen J. Smilgis joined the FBI in October 2007 where she was assigned to the Kansas City division to investigate matters on the Joint Terrorism Task Force/International Terrorism Squad, Gangs and Criminal Enterprises Squad, and the Public Corruption Squad. Special Agent Smilgis served as the FBI's primary investigator and case agent for this multi-state, multi-agency investigation.

Racquel Alston, Cheryl Dalton, and Kate Lowry.

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation's leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services.

For more information, visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.