US Pets Abandoned. Canadian Pets Spoiled Rotten.

I read in the Toronto Star today, that US pet owners are giving up their pets due to the current recession in that country, meanwhile over at  CTV news they did a report tonight about all the ways Toronto pet owners can pamper their pets this holiday season. 

I didn't realize initially that The Star story was about the US, it is actually posted under 'World News'. I find it hard to believe that this story is the one The Star finds important enough to list on the front page of their website! 

The more I think about how this recession is supposedly affection all of us, all over the world, how is it that our pets are getting off so lucky? I guess things are worse south of the border than here.

RIGHT TIME TO ADOPT A PET

With hundreds of animals in need of a home, and scarcely any place to put them, the Toronto Humane Society is urging anyone thinking about getting a pet to adopt one now. It is a call that should be heeded. Dogs, cats and other creatures would have a second chance at a good life while providing Torontonians with a good pet. Click here to read the full Toronto Star editorial.

'Virtuous' Saudis defend 200 lashes for rape victim

Reacting to West's criticism, justice ministry says 19-year-old broke Islamic law by having an affair

Nov 25, 2007 04:30 AM
RIYADH–Saudi Arabia is defending a court's decision to sentence a woman who was gang-raped to 200 lashes, saying she was having an extramarital affair in violation of Islamic laws.

The case of the 19-year-old Shiite woman who, along with a male companion, was abducted and raped by seven men has drawn international attention. Canada has denounced the "barbaric" sentence and even the United States, a close ally of the conservative kingdom, offered mild criticism.

"The woman in the case is married and has confessed to establishing a relationship in violation of sharia law," the Saudi Justice Ministry said in a statement yesterday.

It said she and her companion were alone in a dark area outdoors when they were noticed by the men who later raped them.

Read the full story from the Toronto Star.

Bédard gets conditional discharge

In reaching his sentence, Quebec Superior Court Justice Jean-Claude Beaulieu took into account Bédard had already served two weeks in jail in the United States and had come under intense media scrutiny. But the judge also said Bédard had not shown remorse and noted she blamed Jean Paquet, her daughter's father, for everything.

"Without being a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a doctor, you present all of the characteristics of someone who needs help," Beaulieu told Bédard.

Click here to read the full story.