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Sadly it’s that time of year again as of Friday, June 21st. For the suffering animals, I have to share what this festival is all about.

The festival was launched 10 years ago to celebrate the summer solstice, which is longest day and shortest night of the year.

It’s hard to believe that a festival of such cruelty was Yulin, China’s best idea to celebrate the summer solstice. It could’ve been a festival to highlight that stray dogs and cats can be great pets like any other companion animals.

But, no, Yulin decided to go with torturing dogs and cats to death. I deliberately didn’t put any graphic videos in this post.

However, I’ll quickly describe how they kill dogs and cats. First, they blowtorch the dog alive. Once the dog has been singed and dazed with pain, they smash the dogs head with a bat several times. And to finish them off, they cook them alive.

One day someone will have to tell me the difference between the Holocaust and the Yulin Festival. Because they sure seem the same to me.

I have spoken to Kelly O’Meara from the Humane Society International several times over the years. She handles the HSI’s Anti Dog-meat campaigns. Kelly has helped bring close dog-meat farms, saving dogs and cats from the festival and helping educate the Asian culture that street animals can be loving companion animals do.

Two years back Kelly explained to me that most of China doesn’t eat dog-meat. It’s only a small percentage. She went onto to say that the younger generations are more compassionate towards animals and the dog-meat trade will continue it’s decent. Having said that, we also talked about how people were more likely to back off dog-meat if it could harm their health versus being exclusively compassionate towards the animals’s suffering.

Now, truth be told, that’s not new News. Animal Welfare organizations have always known that.

Despite all the progress and educating the masses, there are thousands of dogs and cats that died this week, and will die in the next few days in unspeakable ways.

My head hangs low for them tonight. I will not look the other way. Their lives meant something to the world.

No lives will go in vain. No pain will go unnoticed.

Sincerely, Scott Smith, Patrick’s Father.

What do you do when you loved the most courageous boy in the history of the world? – You wear his name as a badge of honor.

Being Patrick’s father was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. And for that I made him crazy happy.

As I’ve written before, l would’ve moved mountains and swam across oceans for him. So, a Happy Birthday tattoo for him? Absolutely.

Patrick survived 5 big dog attacks and he was only 7 pounds. Grant it, I was there all 5 times and made heads roll to save him. But, holy shit was he courageous.

If I had to 2 more seconds on August 19th, 2018, I would’ve taken that hit for him. Unfortunately, I was one leg-stride behind him and Patrick was killed.

Justice For Patrick is a tireless journey. There will be no retreat. Stay tuned.

Sincerely, Scott Smith, Patrick’s Father.

Good evening friends.

The more we love our pets, the more names we have for them.

This is Romeo. He’s so sweet and sensitive. The actual name that I’ve been calling him is “Art thou Romeo”. As I’ve gotten to know him better, Art thou Romeo is much more fitting.

I love Romeo, aka, Art thou Romeo like a crazy potato.

Sincerely, Scott Smith, Patrick’s Father.

I have a very sad, but endearing story to share tonight. The only creatures that may have it tougher than stray dogs and cats in Puerto Rico, are Iguanas.

Absolute carnage day in and day our for Iguanas in Puerto Rico They’re attracted to the heat, and stay close to the streets where it’s hottest.

Today on my walk back from a lunch break haircut, two Iguanas attempted to cross the street on a very busy boulevard. At the midway point across, one of them was instantly killed by a car.

The surviving iguana put it’s arm around the deceased one, and wouldn’t flee the scene. Yes, the iguana was hugging and supporting the one that died. I saw it with my own eyes. The surviving iguana was prepared to die right then and there. Total loyalty.

I stopped traffic and attempted to distract the iguana back to the sidewalk. The Iguana refused to abandon the deceased. A pedestrian said to me, “this is how you to do it”, and picked up the dead one by his tail, and brought it over to the sidewalk. The living iguana immediately followed.

Conclusion: Love is the Universal Language. All species speak it.

Sincerely, Scott Smith, Patrick’s Father.

About three weeks ago when I was tracking a certain stray on the main Blvd in Toa Baja, I noticed a homeless man sleeping in the street cuddling with 4 dogs that were sleeping on him, and around him.

I had see this man before, but only with two dogs. Despite the sadness of this situation, it was a very endearing and striking sight to see.

As I continued walking, one of them followed me and caught up about 30 feet later. He just kept walking with me. So, I took him home.

Polar Bear is a very nice dog. He has no idea what’s he doing yet, but he’s sweet and open to learning.

It never feels like the right time to rescue an animal, but it’s always the right time. Nobody needs it more. Every time we rescue an animal, we immediately make the world a better place.

Please Drive With Compassion. There are stray animals in the street.

Sincerely, Scott Smith Patrick’s Father.

I miss you Popo. I just wanted to tell you that I love you. Thank you for taking the pain away from me.

When it’s my time, I’ll see you at the Rainbow Bridge so we can run and play again.

Happy weekend friends. The Wolfpack and I are doing OK.

Sincerely, Scott Smith, Patrick’s Father.

The current Wolfpack in order of when I took them in:

1. Sammy
2. Henry
3. Patrick (Tragically killed) 
4. Rocky 
5. Lucky 
6. BabyLady
7. Little Man (you have not met yet) 
8. Romeo 
9. Polar Bear.

We’re not a traditional family, but we’re a family nonetheless.

Sincerely, Scott Smith, Patrick’s Father, and leader of the greatest Wolfpack of all time.

Lucky is my guardian angel. I’m very grateful for his love, loyalty and compassion.

Lucky pulled me out of my despair for Patrick. He knew what that did to me and bridged me back to life.

I rescued Lucky off the street in Puerto Rico on May 10th, 2017.

Please Drive With Compassion. There are stray animals in the street.

Sincerely, Scott Smith, Patrick’s Father.

Good evening friends.

Say hello to one of my new rescues, Polar Bear. I pulled him off the street in Levittown, Puerto Rico about a week ago. Not only does he look like a Polar Bear, he has huge paws just like a polar bear.

He’s one of the 4 strays that I’ve rescued since Patrick’s passing. I rescued them all in honor of my little Popo.

Polar Bear is about a year old. He’s big, strong, sweet and clumsy. He’s so grateful to have a home.

Tending to the needs of my dogs gives my life purpose.

We’re not a traditional family, but we’re a family nonetheless.

Sincerely, Scott Smith, Patrick’s father and family man.

Please Drive With Compassion. There are stray animals in the street.

Happy 1 year Anniversary to my beautiful Lucky. One year ago today, I found him living on the street in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.

I love all of my dogs like crazy potatoes. You all know that. But, Lucky is the one I’m connected to most. I’m not saying I love him more than my other dogs. No. I’m saying I feel connected to him the most.

I feel him in my blood and bones if that makes any sense.