Maria Daines: NEWS

WRITTEN DECLARATION FOR GREYHOUNDS IN EUROPE - April 28, 2013

photo GreyhoundWrittenDeclarationpic_zps2307b242.jpg

Dear all,

I'm sharing this news received from Greyhound Safe recently, this is a great chance to give Greyhounds a voice and help to enable greater protection of these amazing dogs which are so badly treated in many parts of the world.

Please share as follows -

We have a real chance for 'Action for a Real Change for Greyhounds'
A recent Written Declaration was submitted to the European Parliament - and together with other member groups of the European Collective for the protection of Greyhounds, Greyhound Safe is calling for its UK & Irish followers/advocates to join the action needed - please follow the information with in the link:

This is a big opportunity for us to grasp for Greyhounds across Europe.

http://www.greyhoundsafe.com/in-the-news/actionforarealchangeforgreyhounds

Thank you

Greyhound Safe
www.greyhoundsafe.com

SPECIAL GUESTS OF HAWKWIND - February 6, 2013

We had a fantastic time opening the show for the amazing Hawkwind at Bedford Corn Exchange.

Huge thanks to Hawkwind, fans and management who made us so welcome and Hawkwind's merch staff who sold some of our CD's on the night. £30 was raised & donated between New Hope Animal Rescue & DDA Watch.

Hawkwind support small photo Hawkwindsupportbedssmall_zpsf36fe65d.jpg

We will be supporting Hawkwind again at the HawkEaster event in Devon at the end of March, more info on this link -

http://www.hawkwindmuseum.co.uk/hawkeasterinfo.htm

BBC RADIO CAMBRIDGESHIRE, NEW YEAR'S DAY - January 2, 2013

Happy New Year everyone!!

We visited BBC Radio Cambridge as guests of the lovely Sue Marchant's show on New Year's Day. If you'd like to hear the show the iplayer link is available for another few days, our chat begins at around 220 mins.

Listen link -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p012568g/Sue_Marchant_01_01_2013/

Wishing you all a compassionate and peaceful 2013

Keep on Rockin!!

Love from Maria & Paul xx

OPENING FOR HAWKWIND, BEDFORD 2013 - November 19, 2012

Once again we will be opening for the amazing & legendary Hawkwind on Sunday 27th January 2013!!

Ticket info here -

http://www.bedfordcornexchange.co.uk/events/whats-on/details/?id=1674

Please come along if you can!!

More info -
http://www.hawkwind.com/

NO VOICE NO CHOICE 2013 - November 19, 2012

The Maria Daines Band will be playing a set at 'No Voice No Choice' this year, come along and enjoy a day of family fun, responsible dog ownership info, trade stands, dog show & live music!

More info on the No Voice No Choice event page on facebook, here -

https://www.facebook.com/events/490987550919702/?ref=ts&fref=ts

OPENING FOR HAWKWIND - May 29, 2012

Our thanks to the amazing Hawkwind, their crew & fans who made us so welcome as we opened the show at The Corn Exchange Theatre in Stamford, Lincs on Sunday 27th May 2012.

We had a fantastic and unforgettable time, you rock!! :)

Photographs courtesy Paul Oakley & Brenda Oakley-Carter

http://www.paul-oakley.com/
http://www.theresalwaysreiki.com/

URGENT APPEAL FOR 'OUR FRIENDS' DOG RESCUE ROMANIA - May 5, 2012

Prietenii Nostri 'Our Friends' Dog Rescue
in Romania needs URGENT help!

Dear all,

I received a heartbreaking letter from a UK volunteer who helps a NGO called Prietenii Nostri 'Our Friends Dog Rescue' in Romania.

A lady called Gratiela and her Mother; Teodora founded the shelter in 2005 with the aim of rescuing dogs from the streets and the Killing Pound. Sadly Teodora passed away in February2012 and she is sadly missed by all who knew her.

The situation the rescue organisation is in now, is one of great risk. The shelter supporters urgently need to move the dogs to new land by June 2012. If they fail to do this the Dog Catchers will enter the shelter and kill the dogs by rounding them up and moving them to the public killing pound. Humane euthanasia is not an option in the killing pound and often dogs are left with no food, water or comfort of any kind, this leads to many fights and ultimately the slow, painful death of the dogs.

There are over 300 dogs in the care of Our Friends Rescue. The dogs are given shelter and food and they are also vaccinated, spayed and neutered. Carla, a volunteer from UK has begun working with a local school to educate and show the children how to care for animals. Here is a partial text from the email letter I received -

'We have found the perfect piece of land on the outskirts of Slatina. The owner has 5, 000 m2. They have the land divided by 2, so they can sell 2, 500 m2 for 8 euros each metre. The price on that area is 10 -12 euros per m2 but they require a quick sale. The overall cost of the land is £16,500 but the landowner has accepted our offer of £8,000 now and monthly repayments at 0% for the outstanding bill. We are a small organisation that receives no public funding and we are reliant upon the kindness of the general public. As a rescue operating on desperately few resources, any funds raised are used on medical bills, spaying/neutering, vaccinations and ultimately food. This is our only option to save the dogs and continue the fantastic work the shelter does. I have visited the Killing Pound which was absolutely heart-breaking. I also found a dog eating her own dead puppies. We can’t save all the dogs, we don’t have the capacity or money to but to see sad eyes stare at you as their only chance of survival and have to walk away is terrible. We are now facing the harsh reality that this could happen to our dogs. I will not show you a video of the dog catchers or killing pound as it is highly distressing.

The Mayor of the new area supports our work and our education programme and he is keen for us to extend this initiative within the community. He wants to operate the spay and release scheme with us which enables us to spay/neuter strays and owned dogs and cats as this is an effective measure in controlling the stray population. We have a clear vision to extend the animal therapy programme I have in place to an adult/elderly institution and this would be extremely beneficial to raise awareness of animal welfare.'

Please could you pass on this appeal to help the dogs in need of the protection of 'Our Friends Dog Rescue'. The website and facebook links are below and they include a 'how to donate' link which will be vital in raising funds to secure the safe future of these lovely dogs. This is a desperate situation; we cannot let all this good work go to waste for the sake of raising a few thousand pounds. There are millions of animal advocates and friends of animals around the world. I believe if we unite now to offer a helping hand and spread the word far and wide, this goal can be achieved and all lives will be saved.

Website link -

http://www.ourfriendsdogrescue.org.uk/

Facebook page link -

https://www.facebook.com/groups/191469183565/

Please help if you can, please share the appeal.

Thank you,
Best wishes,
Maria xx

KESTANE OUR CD COVER GIRL ARRIVES IN UK!! - January 10, 2012

Sharing the wonderful news that Kestane & Bella are now enjoying their happy new lives in UK -

AMAZING & INSPIRATIONAL - A MUST SEE!! - January 10, 2012

Best Speech You Will Ever Hear - Gary Yourofsky

THE LAUNCH OF 'MY SONG IN A MILLION' !! - October 10, 2011

Hi all,

The new song commissions website is finally up & running & many thanks to Janice for creating the art work & Bill for helping us to get the whole idea off the ground!

To visit the website either click the banner above or go to the link below -

www.mysonginamillion.com

Best wishes,
Maria & Paul xx

GIVE ALFIE A CHANCE, SPEAK UP FOR STAFFIES, UK!! - July 4, 2011

AMERICA, SAVE YOUR WILD HORSES!! - July 2, 2011

http://WildHorseEducation.org

K9 PROJECT CAMBRIDGESHIRE NEW VIDEO - May 16, 2011

Dear all,

Please share the great work of the K9 Project in Cambridgeshire, a wonderful group of young people leading the way and making a difference in their community. We had a brilliant time with the K9 Crew last year when they recorded their song 'One Dog One Life' which you can hear and support via the video and links below -

Website and TV clip -

www.k9project.co.uk

K9 Project on Anglia TV -

http://www.itv.com/anglia/k9-project56839/

Press release -

K9 Crew sings One Dog One Life.

The K9 Crew are a group of young people from East Cambridgeshire, UK, who are regularly involved in projects and activities with the K9 Project.

The K9 Project works with dogs and the young people who attend our project all like dogs. They like dogs a lot! They have been involved in fund raising activities and they are currently raising money for Canine Partners and Nowzad dogs. Recently they have taken part in activities like sponsored dog walks, charity market stalls and cake sales at schools. This time they decided to do something different and write a song to celebrate the relationship between dogs and man, as well as to highlight the large numbers of dogs who are abandoned in this country. This was quite a brave step as none of the young people had ever sung in front of anyone else before and they had certainly not made a record! The young people wrote the lyrics after watching films about Nowzad Dogs, assistance dogs, and abandoned dogs. Maria and Paul composed and arranged the music and Maria sung along with the group.

Proceeds from the song (released on CD with 4 page booklet) will be donated to Nowzad Dogs and Canine Partners and an online download will also be available.

This project and the completed song was made possible by the East Cambridgeshire Community Development Fund, wonderful support, guidance and creativity from Maria Daines and Paul Killington, support from the young peoples' school - Witchford Village College, and the K9 project staff and dogs - Kevin, Chris, Ruby, Taz, Billy, Cassie, Buck and Izzy!

To purchase a copy of the CD please visit these links -

http://www.justgiving.com/chris-kent

http://iacmusic.com/artist.aspx?id=146364

'One Dog One Life' available on CD, cover art above.

CHINA CRISIS FOR GREYHOUNDS - VOICES NEEDED WORLD WIDE!! - May 14, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybWtQxfUDCg

Please share far & wide -

For information on how you can help protect greyhounds from being sent to China (from any country) please read the editorial from South West Animal Protection and visit the links on campaign websites, below, where resources can be found online to add your voice to this campaign -

Many of you will now know that the Department of Agriculture in Ireland have dropped their plans to export Irish greyhounds to China for racing due to the overwhelming response in protest from campaigners, animal welfare groups and animal lovers across the world. Well done to everyone for achieving this, thank you, however this vital campaign is far from over as the Irish Greyhound Board are now insisting that they will help the Chinese set up 5 greyhound stadiums in China, which we are deeply concerned about so more URGENT lobbying to the authorities is needed now to stop this.

Please see this more recent article about this new proposal -

IRISH TIMES

And further info here -

THE DOGS WHO RUN FOR THEIR LIVES

The fact that the department of Agriculture has refused to allow the export of Irish greyhounds to China shows their own concern for these dogs, however their own concerns must still be upheld with any new proposal from the Irish Greyhound Board to promote racing in China with the building of 5 new stadiums, as the grim fate of these dogs in a country with no animal welfare laws is a MASSIVE concern, no matter where these greyhounds come from! Many dogs in China are skinned alive for their meat/fur and human consumption. We cannot allow the Irish Greyhound Board to continue their plans promoting animal abuse in other parts of the world.

We cannot emphasize the importance of everyone all over the globe continuing to campaign for these poor greyhounds who have no voice of their own! This campaign as already stated is not over, it must be stronger than ever and pressure must be given to those people that make the decisions to not allow it to happen.

Links -

http://www.aran.ie/

http://www.greytexploitations.com/

http://ameurogreyhoundalliance.org/ireland-china-greyhound-export/

http://www.greyhoundcompassion.com/news-144.htm

With grateful thanks to all the fantastic greyhound friends and advocates who offered photographs for inclusion in this video and huge thanks to the celebrities who are giving their time and voices to greyhounds at risk from the proposal to launch stadium dog racing in China.

A ROYAL WEEKEND AT SCOOBY!! - May 9, 2011

Greyhound Compassion Volunteers Spend A Royal Weekend At Scooby!

Over the Royal Wedding weekend, seven Greyhound Compassion volunteers descended upon the Scooby shelter to lend a hand with building and repair jobs as well as cleaning out the dogs, preparing food, feeding and assisting the vet. In between jobs, we enjoyed catching glimpses of the Royal Wedding in London – but our sun hats didn’t quite match the occasion!

Trevor and Keith managed to overcome the Spanish/Portuguese language barrier and worked with the visiting Brazilian builders to erect some isolation kennels which will be used to house the dogs in the days immediately before they are transported to homes or home finders in mainland northern Europe. Over the last 5 weeks, 100 dogs have been transported to new homes in Europe. One such transport left for France and Italy on the Friday as we arrived.

The ladies in the group spent time cleaning out the dogs and preparing bin loads of food for them. Scooby had received a mountain of donated sachets of food and we spent hours opening these into food bins. We were joined around the bins by American volunteers from Scooby North America and exchanged ideas and news with them about the international greyhound movement. Uppermost on our minds was the prospect of the export of Irish greyhounds to China. We all came home to the news that the Irish government has shelved its intention to export greyhounds in favour of managing stadia in China instead. We still need to be vigilant while the potential for racing in China exists.

Thanks to the Americans, 5 galgos left Scooby that weekend for homes in the USA – we wanted to swap places with “Bless”, the galgo destined for California.

During our trip, we were joined by a team of 4 Dutch volunteers who pitched in with the hard graft of regular duties such as cleaning and feeding.

In between jobs, we spent time with the nervous dogs trying to develop their confidence or we helped the vet in the on-site surgery. He did a sterling job with the materials available to him. This is the perpetual challenge facing Scooby. The shelter is constantly battling against adversity in animal welfare and always stretching its limited means to do the best it can.

To support Scooby animals please visit the website, here -

http://www.scoobymedina.org/

And to support Greyhound Compassion, click here -

http://www.greyhoundcompassion.com/

SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE MY GUITAR IS A WEAPON - May 3, 2011

Paul Killington
2010

Photograph by Martin Bond

Dear all,

Please read the excellent editorial by Bonnie Snider, US National Animal Advocacy Examiner, on the link below.

Bonnie speaks up for animal rights and welfare around the world, writing enlightening and encouraging testimonies as to why the end of abuse of sentient creatures is vital. Bonnie has been a supporter of our music for many years and in this piece she reflects on Paul's belief that music can be a useful tool in the movement to make life humane for the voiceless.

http://tinyurl.com/3nzfarq

NATIONAL ANIMAL ADVOCACY EXAMINER

Many thanks to Bonnie

Best wishes
Maria xx

GUILTY 'TIL PROVEN INNOCENT - April 21, 2011

The "Fear" Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFluwBz9ICo

Dear all,

Winter 2011 will see the release of a new film documenting the plight of Pit Bulls in Ohio, USA and will feature some of our music.

Please share the links to support this bold presentation which will highlight the issues surrounding dogs condemned because of their physical appearance.

Thank you xx

Website -
www.GuiltyTilProvenInnocentDoc.com

Facebook -
http://tinyurl.com/3w3xhtm

WORLD STRAY ANIMALS DAY - April 2, 2011

Our thanks to Avril Simms and friends of Turkey's Strays/Forest Dog rescue for providing this photograph of Kestane (Chestnut). Kestane is very young and suffering from severe mange but she is getting better with treatment from funds raised in the UK for her care. Kestane's confidence is growing and she is much loved by those who feed her twice daily and she has also been spayed...but Kestane is still a stray so she will never really be safe.

Turkey's Strays/Forest Dogs

A Song to Commemorate April 4
World Stray Animals Day

The Day for Compassion, care...
And Action for Stray Animals Worldwide

STRAY ANIMALS DAY WEBSITE

STRAY ANIMALS DAY ON FACEBOOK

'STRAY'

When I was just a little girl
I cared for anything left lonely
Birds n' rabbits, cats n' dogs
Anything without a home, see
I could never walk on by
I knew I'd only sit and cry
If I could help I knew I would
Turn something bad into good

Cos if they're stray there's gotta be a way
Helpless here n' helpless there
We gotta find a place for you to stay
Cos if they're stray, they'll need help some day
N' loving arms gotta come their way
If they're stray, they'll need help some day.

Something told me right from wrong
That gentle souls must find a home
Any creature on its own, should never be left out alone
See someone's got to bring them back
Someone's got to think of that
Anyone can play their part
And save a precious beating heart

Cos if they're stray there's gotta be a way
Helpless here n' helpless there
We gotta find a place for you to stay
Cos if they're stray, they'll need help some day
N' loving arms gotta come their way
If they're stray, they'll need help some day.

I don't wanna be the one to tell you you got nowhere to go
People tell me all the time this world is on a slippery slope
Things are getting worse but there's nothing worse than life without hope
Take the world by storm and make a life for some sweet lost precious soul

Cos if they're stray there's gotta be a way
Helpless here n' helpless there
We gotta find a place for you to stay
Cos if they're stray, they'll need help some day
N' loving arms gotta come their way
If they're stray, they'll need help some day.

© Maria Daines/Paul Killington
All Rights Reserved
(mcps) ASCAP
21.01.11

URGENT APPEAL TO RESCUE BILI THE CHIMP - March 21, 2011

URGENT APPEAL !!

This is Bili a 30+ male chimpanzee.

Bili has spent the majority of his life alone in captivity in Western Europe. We can give him a more fulfilled life here at our sanctuary with the company of his own kind.

To be able to rescue Bili we need donations ASAP!

Please join us in this rescue, just look at Bili's picture, we know we can turn him into a happy chimpanzee just like the others at Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary.

Please help us to help Bili, please share our website and donation point.

Thank you xx

Donations can be made via paypal here :

http://www.ape-monkey-rescue.org.uk/payments.html

Website :

http://www.ape-monkey-rescue.org.uk/

Facebook :

http://www.facebook.com/walesapeandmonkeysanctuary

ROMANIA IN THE WORLD, STRAY DOGS - November 23, 2010

An important TV debate regarding the barbaric treatment of stray dogs in Romania, please view and share, thank you -

To help, please visit -

http://www.romaniaanimalrescue.org/

Thank you xx

A SONG TO REMEMBER JOLLITY FARM - November 14, 2010

A tribute song to show our grateful thanks for the compassionate work of Mary Alice and Chris Pollard (pictured above) and remembering always the wonderful safe haven of peace they created for the rescue animals of Jollity Farm.

You can listen to the song on this link -

http://www.maria-daines.com/music-112.html

Jollity Farm - Febuary 20th 1997 to January 20th 2010

We will always treasure fond memories of our visits to Jollity Farm in Gerrans, Cornwall. Jollity was home to over 40 rescue animals, from chickens, turkeys, ponies, ducks, sheep and goats, even tortoises were kept safe, well fed and loved by the kind hands of Mary Alice and Chris.

Since Jollity Farm closed due to the demands of developers earlier this year, I have wanted to express how I felt about the loss of this special little place of green and comforting beauty and peace. I know Mary and Chris were heartbroken. Can you imagine, over 10 years of your life and work gone in an instant. All the animals were found the best forever homes possible, but still it was wrong that progress gobbled up a small sanctuary and cast it to the wayside. Later we learned that it was all for nothing, the developers didn't actually want or need the land that Jollity stood on. That was the final cut. Yet Mary and Chris, ever determined to do what they can to help animals at risk and in need, created a new, tiny sanctuary in a field nearby and they are still saving lives and giving their fur and feathered friends a life of happiness and care in a small peaceful corner of Gerrans now known as The Jollity Meadow.

Paul and I wanted to make something beautiful out of the sad story of the loss of Jollity Farm and so we wrote this song as a gift to Mary and Chris. We hope they will know how much we wish things had been different and through this song share our feelings, because there was no other place like Jollity and a little piece of our hearts will always be there.

The true spirit of Jollity remains and it is rebuilt, smaller but just as safe and peaceful for those animals that need a home and those that nobody else can save.

JOLLITY FARM

I been tryin' to write this song, too long
Feels like breakin' an arm
Something's stirrin' in my heart, long gone
I'm goin' home, to my Jollity Farm

Someone took away my home, hard as stone
Cut me to the bone
Now I wander in the blue, because of you
I never felt so alone

Some folks fall n' some folks cry
You'll see hardship in their eyes
They'll stand tall to do what's right
Some give up n' some give in
And I know just where you been
Your gentle heart will bear the fight

I saw Alfy in my dreams, sweet dreams
Never saw love so true
I know heaven ain't so far, too far
For someone good as you

People hurt n' people change, not you
Your love stays the same
If I'm comin' home today, well it ain't far
I'm comin' home, to my Jollity Farm

Progress swept away your land, good land
Cast those wicked deeds
Broke your hearts n' wrecked your plans, oh man
Blew away the seeds

But I know you are fightin' still, you always will
Keepin' life from harm
You put that flag back on the hill, yeah you rebuilt
Yeah you rebuilt, our Jollity Farm...

© Maria Daines/Paul Killington
All Rights Reserved
(mcps) ASCAP
9.10.10

Mary Alice and Alfy

Photographs on this page courtesy of Justnice Photos

www.justnicephotos.com

SIMON COWELL SPEAKS UP FOR ANIMALS!! - November 9, 2010

Well done to Simon Cowell for speaking up for animals!!

VIDEO FROM WAD AMBASSADOR IN FRANCE - October 12, 2010

Sharing for Anouk

ASPASG WEBSITE -

https://sites.google.com/site/apasgilles/

Une visite parmi les protégés du refuge APASG de Saint-Gilles dans le Gard, pour remettre les dons des Facebookiens lors de World Animal Day-Journée Mondiale des Animaux. Le refuge garde ses pensionnaires âgés, tous les dons et aides sont les bienvenus, ainsi que les adoptions de pensionnaires doyens. Ce fut un bonheur de rencontrer des personnes admirables telles qu'Andrée Mulatierri et les bénévoles du refuge qui est un exemple de transparence et d'harmonie où les chiens arrivent de partout, abandonnés, laissés pour compte, blessés, malades et reçoivent tant d'amour qu'on ne peut que se sentir humble face au travail accompli.

♥ Sur les chansons de Maria Daines et Paul Killington, dédiées aux chiens torturés, abandonnés, tués.

A tour of the shelter APASG in the Dpt Gard - south of France. It has been an honour to pass on the donations that the members of the Facebook group World Animal Day France had collected to help Andrée Mulatierri in charge of the shelter, as to offer the elderly dogs a little more comfort. Most dogs are elderly, an awesome chain of compassion has formed on Facebook as to raise awareness about adopting elderly dogs, finding famillies to foster or to adopt them. Most dogs arrive at the shelter in pretty bad shape, sick or been tortured. André Mulatierri and her team of benevolents care for the dogs with so much love to help them get back on their feet or to feel condident in human kind again.

♥ on Maria Daines' songs for the dogs.

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER FOR SHELTER DOGS - October 5, 2010

'A Christmas Prayer for Shelter Dogs'

Christmas is coming and the dogs are getting fat
This is because of over breeding but some don't care about that!
Some people just want money and they don't care how it comes
And many unspayed mothers will soon become new mums...
What about their puppies, where will the poor things go?
When shelters are overflowing and the pounds are full of woe
What happens to the unwanted when Christmas has gone by?
Will you think of them next April when they sit alone and cry?
Will you go to your local shelter and see how many wait?
So many worried faces staring sadly at the gate…
Nowhere to call their own, no family, no home
Now there's just too many and some will die alone...
They'll go off to the clinic with their little heads held high
Some just six months old, they don't expect to die
They'll wag their waggy tails for all the world to see
But you won't hear their cries as they wriggle to break free
They will feel a sharp injection; it will take their breath away
And leave them floppy on the table; they won't see another day...
And this is because of humans, because we breed and sell and buy
We don't ask any questions because we think we're right.
We just carry on regardless, doing things we've always done
But somewhere a little pup will lose her life before it’s begun.
Each year the story grows into a graveyard of the lost
And we are all responsible for the fate of companion dogs
We could all make a difference; we could all save a life
If we stopped our greed, our ignorance and did not breed or buy.
So remember in December when the adverts begin again
That each new litter is a warning, that a dog will die in vain
In fact many, many dogs will never reach a grand old age
Because someone didn't care enough to neuter or to spay!
So endlessly we hear the plight of those we call best friends
But do we really care enough to stop and make amends?
Will we think of how they feel when they are waiting all alone?
And there's nobody to save them because too many need a home.
Some will never make it though they have so much to give
It's hard to be forgotten when you haven’t even lived...

Maria Daines
2010

BENEFIT GIG FOR BROOK FARM ANIMAL SANCTUARY - September 30, 2010

ROCK NIGHT FOR RESCUE!!

BENEFIT GIG FOR BROOK FARM ANIMAL SANCTUARY

FRIDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2010

Eternit Sports and Social Club
Whaddon Road, Meldreth
SG8 5RL

With support from 'Bring it on Home', raffle and bar, ticket price £2 on the door.

8pm - Midnight

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