Jane Garrison’s Blog

Pan Leukopenia Information

 aka Pan Leuk

Symptoms, treatment and preventing

Jane Garrison

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT PAN LEUK

* This is a VERY serious and deadly virus. Do not take it lightly. Cats and kittens can survive it but you MUST act quickly when you see the symptoms. If an unvaccinated cat has had contact with a cat with pan leuk or a surface (i.e carrier, cage, etc.) you must start treatment PRIOR to symptoms.

* Symptoms include not eating, fever and vomiting.

* Mostly in kittens but can be in adults.

* Cats should not be vaccinated if they recently were exposed to the virus. A vaccination can make it worse since a vaccination is a small amount of the virus you are vaccinating against.

* Pan leuk can be transmitted from surfaces. Cats do not need to come in direct contact with other cats. This can make it an epidemic in shelters. In addition, if not disinfected properly it can remain active on a surface for 1 year.

* You MUST disinfect any and all surfaces with either bleach/water (8 to 1 ratio) or Trifectant (can buy through Victor Medical 1800-854-6152). Both must sit on surface for 10 mins before rinsing.

* Pan Leuk can be carried on your clothes, shoes, hands, etc. You must completely change clothes and shoes and disinfect hands prior to touching another cat.

* Cats who have had vaccinations against pan leuk are less likely to become infected.

* Pan Leuk is confirmed through a feline parvo test.

* If your cat is showing symptoms, IMMEDIATELY get the cat tested and follow the protocol we used below. Some vets are not familiar with the use of Tamiflu in cats but you MUST use tamiflu…it is what can save your cat.

Outline of what happen with our cat Longtail (includes what medswe gave him, how he responded, etc.) and how he survived Pan Leuk

October 28, 2007

Longtail woke at 3am vomiting. He vomited 4-5 times. I immediately took him to the emergency vet (Dr. Adams). He had a temp of 104 and tested positive on the feral parvo test. His overall white blood count was normal at 6 but one section, the lymphocytes, was very low. We started him on 100ml of sub-q fluids twice a day. We were adding Baytril into the sub-q port 2 times a day and reglan (anti-nausea). We also gave him metraondizole by mouth. We started him on the double dose of tamiflu (mix one cap with 8ml of water and 2ml of karo syrup. The dosage is .125 per pound once mixed) 3ml twice a day. We also started all our other cats on tamiflutwice a day and made sure they were all eating every meal. All day Longtail slept and generally felt horrible. No vomiting or diarrhea today. Did not eat or drink all day.

October 29, 2007

Continued with all of the above meds/fluids, etc. Longtail would throw up after the metronxzidle so we discontinued it. No interest in food or water. He felt bad all day. At 7pm he vomited. About 8 pm he ate two mouthfuls of dry food.

October 30, 2007

Continued with above medications/fluids. He ate a few mouthfuls of food and generally was feeling better. Took him to Dr. Adams tonight and his white cell level was down to 3. Dr. Adams said it could have been even lower the day before so we do not know for sure if it is going up or down. No fever any longer. Dr. Adams decided to add another antibiotic (penicillin) and Vitamin B to the Sub fluids. When we got home from the vet we gave him the addition of the penicillin in the sub-q port. He immediately started twitching, opening and closing his mouth and acting paranoid. He was also very itchy and cried most of the night. Dr. Adams said to only give him the meds in the morning not the fluids. He finally pooped today.

October 31, 2007

Gave meds. Reaction not as bad but acting uneasy after the meds. Ate small amount of food. Decided to start using only regular fluids and not fluids with vit b. Again he felt bad after the meds.

November 1, 2007

Gave all meds. In pm he felt HORRIBLE after meds and threw up and had diarrhea. However, still eating.

November 2, 2007

Went back to Dr. Adams in the evening. White blood cell count around 4.5. Agreed that Longtail must be allergic to penicillin. Dr. Adams said to keep on the baytril for at least 5 more days. Also said to give fluids for another 48 hours and then stop. Said to return for white blood cell count on the 7th. Longtail felt SO much better today not having the penicillin.

November 3, 2007

Gave baytril, fluids and tamiflu. Feeling great today.

November 4, 2007

Feeling great today.Only gave baytril and tamiflu.

November 5, 2007

Feeling great

November 6, 2007

Feeling great!

November 7, 2007

Longtail beat Pan Leuk!!!!

 

Daisy is doing great! She made it through the surgery two weeks ago and just got her cast off. She is a dog filled with absolute joy and love! She is very afraid of cars and likes to come right back inside after going to the bathroom. Her favorite thing to do is sleep all day under the covers! She is such a sweet, sweet girl!

http://findtoto.com This is an amazing company! If you lose your animal they will call all your neighbors in a certain distance from your home. MANY animals have been found using this system! It is well worth the small fee they charge! Be sure to also follow the other steps I have on my blog for finding your lost pet..and be sure your animals are micro chipped! So many animals die in the shelters because their families can’t find them. If your animal is microchipped the shelters will contact you!  Again, do not just wait for them to call you…follow all my other instructions. Your dog or cat will thank you and you will thank me! Meow.

After 2 1/2 weeks at the shelter (they held her this long because she had a chip) no one came for Daisy. The shelter called and said they were going to kill her because she had an injured leg. After surviving the 110 freeway I could not let her die in the shelter. Last Friday I went and got her. She went right to the vet to have her leg looked at. The poor girl has a VERY bad break. The break is so bad that it requires surgery to put in a metal plate. To think she has been at the shelter for 2 1/2 weeks with a broken leg is just too sad to imagine. Despite everything she has been through she is the most loving, sweet, affectionate dog I have ever met! She loves nothing more than to sit on your lap or in her little bed next to you. She rolls over for belly rubs as you walk over to her and wags her tail as soon as you even look at her! Keep her in your thougts today as she goes in for her big surgery. The poor baby will be so scared thinking she is back at the shelter. Of course I will send her with her little bed and a shirtt that has my scent on it…hopefully that will give her some comfort.

We were driving to breakfast this morning on the 110 freeway and we saw this small black dog on the INSIDE shoulder sitting just 1 foot from the traffic! She looked TERRIFIED…wide eyed and panting! Needless to say we were freaking out! The freeway was so busy and we did not know what to do. We got off and swung around to see if we can figure out a way to get the dog. I called the CHP 3 times and begged them to come and stop traffic. I knew that if I tried to get her without the traffic stopped either her or I would be killed. Then when we were cricling around for the second time we saw a cop car and flagged him down. He actually rushed me off because he was on his way to save a dog on the freeway! When we tried to get back on the freeway the traffic was stopped so I knew they were trying to get our little friend. Sure enough…they got her. I called CHP again to find out where they brought her since I certainly did not want her to survive the 110 freeway only to die at the pound. I tracked her down and here she is!!! The good news is that she is micro chipped. So…here is hoping that someone loves her and is happy to hear she is safe. If she is not picked up I will go get her and find her a good home. What a morning!!! Lesson of the day…never assume you can’t rescue an animal off the freeway. First I rescued the pigeon off the 110 and now this little dog is saved! I think I will avoid the 110!!!
 http://laanimalservices.com/animalidsearch.htm
 
This DOG – ID#A0738945

Yesterday around 12:30 I got a call from a man who said “you probably can’t help me but I feel like I have to call someone”. He continued to tell me that he was taking his morning walk at 7am and saw at the end of a driveway a cardboard carrier with cat in it with a note attached that said “Animal control”. He thought it must be a mistake but when he looked in sure enough… a beautiful Siamese kitty was inside. He left the cat there (!) and went home. All morning it was on his mind so he walked there again at lunch time…the cat was STILL sitting there in the box. He knocked on the door and was told by the person that he no longer wanted the cat and was told by county animal control to put the cat outside in a carrier before 8am for pick up. By the time the compassionate neighbor called me that poor cat had been sitting outside in a cardboard carrier for at least 5 1/2 hours!!!!! Of course I quickly put out an alert to find someone who lived near where the kitty was and got someone over there right away. Thankfully the kitty was OK and is now safe in a home. This situation was wrong in SO many ways. If you adopt an animal it is for life. You do not put him/her outside like a pile of trash. I remember when I was rescuing animals in New Orleans  after Hurricane Katrina that a family came back to their house and found their dog almost dead. Instead of taking her to teh vet they put her outside on the trash pile! Thankfully a neighbor called me and we rescued her and nursed her back to health.

Even if animal control, the police or anyone else tells you to do something that is not humane…do not do it! Just because animal control says it is OK to put an animal out in a box to be picked up…it is not. Imagine if it were a hot day..that cat would have been dead. Leaving a cat in a box at the end of the driveway also makes the cat vulnerable to people who steal animals to train fighting dogs.

I am so thankful that a received a call about this cat. I can’t imagine how long he would have sat in that stupid cardboard box with no food or water. The amazing part about this story is that because of the alert I put out to rescue the cat, I found the rescue group that originally adopted this kitty to the idiot who put him out on the driveway. The rescue group told me that the man is a VERY successful heart surgeon. They plan to sue him for what he did as he signed an agreement that if he EVER decided he did not want the cat he would have to give im back to the rescue group. Just goes to show you that being a heart surgeon does not assure you have a heart! Also shows you that brains and compassion don’t always go together.

IMPORTANT INFO: If you ever need to give up your dog or cat…first try to make the situation work. Email me for advise on ANY situation that is making you consider giving up your companion animal. Never just abandon your animal. Your animal has little chance of finding food and water. Also remember that animal shelters kill owner surrendered animals first. You animal has VERY  chance of making it out of a shelter alive. Please…remember that your animal is your family…do not give up on them!

I know I have been so bad about my blog lately. I have just been so busy with the animals New life animal sanctuary (www.newlifeanimalsanctuary.org) rescued from 2 labs and are being fostered by me! Most have found homes but I still have rats, hamsters, mice and 5 BEAUTIFUL white bunnies! These poor animals were tortured in labs and now have peace and love for teh first time in their lives. It has been amazing to watch them transform to trusting souls. Through my interaction with them I have learned once again how amazing animals are.

The day we rescued them and set them up in our garage they were really freaked out. Understandably, they did not trust humans and thought we were going to torture them. These animals were living in a windowless room, stuffed in drawers…yes drawers. No enrichment, no toys, no nothing. The first day I was tyring to give treats to six sister rats who we set up in a huge 2 story cage complete with nesting boxes, wheels, toys and more. They were hiding under a box I gave them because they were unsure of my intentions. As I held a piece of cracker in the cage they just looked at me with fear in their eyes. After speaking softly to them and reassuring them that I would never hurt them…one sister was brave enough to come and take the treat. What happened next amazed me. She took that cracker back to one sister and came for another. Then she brought that cracker to another sister…she did this to each of her scared sisters had a treat.Only then did she sit still and enjoy the cracker herself. It was such a beautiful act of love and kindness….one that many humans should learn from.

 The next day I noticed that all the mice in this one tank were gathering every piece of toilet paper they could find (we put tp in the tank for them to shred). All the mice made a huge nest in the corner. A few hours later one of the mice gave birth. Clearly, the other mice knew what was about to happen and helped this pregnant mouse prepare for her babies. The next day I watched as three mice (including the mom) moved all the babies out of the nest, rearranged the nest and then put all the babies back. Amazing.

Just because there are certain species like mice, rats, chickens, etc who we do not live with or come in contact with. We must never forget that all species have feelings…fear, love, thoughtfulness, etc. Fear is fear, pain is pain and love is love. It does not mater how small or large an animal is. People should remember that when making daily choices in your life. Only buy from companies that do not animal test. Choice a veggie burger over a cow burger. Only attend circuses that do not use animals. Do not support places like Sea World that holds amazing marine mammals as prisoners.

There are so many way you can help animals. I know it can be overwhelming but it is better to do something than nothing. Now…go do something!

I try to lead my life by example and hope that the seeds I plant will someday grow into a forest of compassion. However, a colleague of mine just finished a job as an undercover worker at the 2nd largest chicken producing plants in the country. This company is one of the largest financial contributors to stopping a proposition I am working on in CA (www.humanecalifornia.org)  that would give egg laying hens, pregnant pigs and veal calves enough room to stand up, turn around, lie down and extend their limbs.  Even knowing what I know…I watched this footage with tears rolling down my cheeks. I needed to do something …
 
I know this coverage is hard to watch but as my late friend Gretchen Wyler always said “we must endure with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.”
 
No change would ever happen in our society if we all just closed our eyes or turned away…
 
I must ask you to PLEASE just watch this footage and then forward to people you know. This is not an exception it is the norm…even if you eat one less chicken or use one less egg…you will have made a difference. Please do not click to another site, cover your eyes or turn away…please watch…
 http://www.mercyforanimals.org/CAEggs/

The following tribute is from one of my best friends, Pia Salk. I feel honored I knew Pickles and often called her “the cutest dog EVER!”. This tribute is a beautiful recount of what it means to save on life….enjoy..and save a life in her honor… 

A Tribute to Pickles
(AKA) Pic, Pickles Machu, Dr. Pickles, Pic-ki-yoon, Cklzina….My special little girl…

Good things do indeed come in small packages. 
Pickles was proof positive of that.

I have a small frame on my desk that asks and answers the question, “Can rescuing just one animal out of thousands really make a difference?…It made a difference to this one.”  And the little face peering at me from behind the glass is that of my beloved Pickles.  Just looking up with earnest. Genuine. Loving. Present. 
 
And so while the frame answers one question, that of making a difference in the life of my little Pickles, it does not speak to the other life that has been impacted so profoundly. Mine.  In many ways the love engendered by saving her life has sustained mine. My little snaggle toothed partner was indeed just that…a partner.  And I miss her deeply.
 
Pickles humble beginnings

“Chihuahua to die Monday.”  That was the email that began a whole new world for me.  My world with Pickles.  A world I will cherish deeply and miss more than I can possibly express. 
 
I received that Email late on Friday November 10th in 2000 while I was living in Atlanta GA. There was little information other than an estimated age of 8 years.
 
I was not looking to have a dog but knew that the little soul I’d just met in cyberspace needed a chance.  I was not planning to keep her. I just knew I could make room in my place for this little 6 pounder to at least secure her life. Little did I know that the ‘little’ space I was making for this ‘little’ dog was now opening up a place in my heart that would be anything but little.  That 4-legged gremlin quickly moved through every chamber of my heart and unpacked her things.  While I knew not what the plan was for her, I think she somehow did.  She was staying and the real ‘Pickles and Pia show’ was in full production.
 
I found my way to the shelter that Monday morning.  It was in rural Georgia and looked like any old house you’d see along the road if not for the government sign indicating it was a government agency.  I entered and quickly requested that they simply get the dog with impound number 008767P from the back as I knew I would not be able to handle seeing the faces of others who also needed a space in someone’s heart to settle into.  I offered up her impound number and waited anxiously. 
 
Within minutes, a filthy, scrappy little creature came peering around a run down paint chipped corner and I introduced myself.  I felt totally lost as I really had never had a dog of my own and knew nothing about these little ones.  Her fur was matted and crusted down with God knows what.  I learned that she had been found running along the highway with no tags, had not been spayed and likely had a few litters already.
 
As I filled out the paper work to take her, the woman working there decided to share that they also “had a golden retriever in the gas chamber but they had not turned on the gas yet…’ That’s exactly what she said.
 
My vision narrowed, heart raced and I simply asked for a second set of paper work.
 
So even at the very get go, Pickles impact was felt by way of her having saved one of her fellow canines by proxy.  My filthy shit covered new friends and I loaded into what was my mustard colored Volvo 240 station wagon at the time and we headed home. 
 
3 little souls with no real plan but lots of love to give and the ability to figure it out as we went along.  Sometimes the best kind of plan really.

Securing a home for Max the dog was a story in itself but suffice it to say that he ended up with a wonderful family whose kids considered him a sibling and he was treated with the love and respect that they all deserve as their birthright.
 
Pickles and I spent the following days kinda checking each other out…staring at each other curiously and considering a plan.  Well maybe I was the one considering a plan while she absolutely had to know that she would be signing the lease and simply needed to scope out which would be her favorite napping spots.
 
 So it all began to unfold and within a month I got to hear her first bark and the first signs of what would ultimately become the most amazing welcome home anyone could ever wish for.  Those of you who got to witness her very vocal and unusual interpretive dance when I would arrive home, know what I am talking about.  It was akin to a rain dance you might see in a hill tribe and was punctuated by sprints to and from the water bowl.
Priceless.
 
That welcome home dance is something I will cherish ever moment of my life.  Words cannot express how lucky I feel to have been its recipient.  And it so artfully confirmed the depth of love that exists in these creatures who are our kin.
 
A deeper understanding…

So as I reflect on Pickles life and how she came in to mine, I am aware that on that fateful Friday in 2000, I did not say, “I don’t have the space or time…” I said, “I will make the space and time.’
 
And it is when we make this space, both literally and figuratively, that our world opens up in ways we could never have imagined.  Each time we make such choices we continue to become who we are meant to become. 
 
We never know the outcome of such choices but the important part is that we make them and not remain rigidly attached to things or ideas that limit us in our ability to give and receive love.  The same goes for new ideas and beliefs.  They may serve us for a time but it is maintaining a degree of openness to change and expansion that can bring about the most profound and gratifying shifts in our respective lives. We need not set up house with them right away but at least invite them in for a cup of tea and then decide.
 
So pickles came in for a cup of tea and what followed was a shared life that I would not trade for anything in the world.  She made me a better person. She made children and adults smile. She made people aware of what treasures exist, young and old, in each and every shelter, in each and every city, each and every minute, of each and every day.
 
People say she was so lucky to have had me.  And while I know this to be true, I feel deeply that it is I who have been lucky.  She gave me the chance to actually become more of who I am.  And that is what our little creatures do for us in any ways. They allow us to experience our ability to make positive impact. They introduce us to the ways in which we can be flexible and creative; to expand our lives or alter our routines to include the very ingredients of a life well lived.
 
We become defined by our commitment to these fellow souls. We pick our housing, our jobs, and schedules around them.  We look for vacation destinations to include them. Sometimes we look to them for an assessment of whom we are dating.  Conversely we assess our human partners based upon the degree of respect they pay to our deserving little friends.
 
For some, an even deeper understanding and kindness is born of the connection they see between their own companion animal and the millions of other animals who reside in city shelters, research labs, factory farms and endangered in the wild.  It is what we see reflected in little faces like that of Pickles that plants the seeds of a greater humanity. A humanity that I know for me has come to define who I am.  And I am grateful.
 
For children and adults alike, many find the only solace they know in the gaze of their furry best friends.  We learn about the sanctity of life overall, not just that of the human animal.  And my hope is that we can each hang on to those early instincts that refute what the world will ultimately try to teach us about other species; That they are somehow of less value, less worthy of experiencing joy and protection from suffering.
 
I cannot imagine my life with out my little girl.  I feel like I’m missing my touchstone and unsure how to proceed.  But at the same time I feel calm and grateful, as I know she made a positive impact on all who got to experience her freckly little ways. And she is at peace. A feeling all animals should get to have, both during their time on earth and once they have passed on.
 
Pickles wore many hats. Both literally and figuratively…

Pickles as daughter:  She filled me with motherly pride.  I silently applauded her irreverent ways.  My precocious little girl walked proudly about.  While small in stature, she was anything but small in this world.  She had a lot of moxie and made her mama proud each and every day.
 
Pickles as sister:  She ruled the roost and made her feelings known as her siblings came too close.  She held court and determined everyone else’s proximity to her with a low growl.  She put her pit bull sister in the corner if she felt it was needed and everyone learned that a strong sense of self is all you really need to get your needs met.  Occasionally she would allow Luna or Max to lay close enough to have their tushies touching.

Pickles as doctoral student: When I began my doctoral work on Sept 12, 2001 (the day after 911) she was right there with me.  She attended classes and could often be heard snoring by my side as my colleagues and I navigated our course of study.  She became the fitting mascot for the pioneer class of this new program. But then, as bureaucracy would have it, somewhere along the way and with no good reason, the school decided to institute a ‘no dogs policy.’
 
So when I was asked to be the commencement speaker by my graduating class, you can imagine to whom I awarded the first doctorate. I began my speech by referencing a special classmate who was unable to complete the program due to ‘life’s constraints.’ Pickles was brought to the stage and hooded with all the ceremony commanded by the first ever to officially receive a doctorate from this institution.
 
The crowd cheered, my colleagues felt the solidarity she had come to represent for us and the faculty was speckled with those who celebrated the gesture and secretly applauded the proverbial middle finger being given to institutional rigidity.
 
Pickles as therapist:  She typically accompanied me to work when I was working as a therapist at a nearby school. Invariably she put a smile on everyone’s face and got them sharing stories about companion animals in their own lives.  Administrators and maintenance staff would find reasons to stop by and give her a pat on the head. She brought out the best in people. Even made grumpy people smile.
 
I joked that she was “the real therapist” but I meant it, as indeed she was.  She offered my clients comfort, acceptance and connection in a way that eludes even the most skilled therapist. I think they often saw themselves in her.  A little soul with a depth of strength born of hard times.  Abandoned once and needing rescue but able to forgive and reap the benefits of the love she commanded just by being herself in all her glory.  A lesson valuable to us all.
 
Pickles as spokes model:  Her role as the 1-800-Save-a-Pet.com ‘spokes being’ allowed others to witness the joys of adopting an older soul.  She educated viewers that our city shelters are filled with little treasures simply awaiting the opportunity to love and be loved. Her work with SAP led her to marry Mr. Winkle and pee on the set of Frasier, sending LA’s premier dog trainers into a tizzy. She ‘represented’ for her fellow critters who also need loving homes.

Pickles as stowaway: Pickles periodically attended movies swaddled as a human infant. She was a guest in many hotels that did not know they allowed “pets.” She loved carpeted hallways and we would sprint up and down hotel halls whenever we had the chance. It was a sight to behold.
 
I recall once having to leave her in a hotel room when my friend and I were going to dinner and because she screamed so loud when I would return, we simply screamed and laughed and sang like drunks when we came back to the room to conceal her warm welcome.
 
She also traveled cross-country on air carriers that did not know they permitted “pets” in the cabin. One flight in particular stands out in my mind. David (of Save a Pet fame) and I had her as our ‘carry on.’ We opened the zipper of her bag slightly so she could peek her head out.  We nodded off and were awakened by the flight attendant’s announcement, “um…is someone on this flight missing a dog? If so, please ring your call button.”
 
Turns out she had gone to the back of the plane for a martini.  When I went to retrieve her I could tell they were simply giving me an obligatory slap on the hand as they could not help but fall in love with her and I’d like to believe she made them see the absurdity of their policy. She never got her martini. Nor did I.
 
Pickles as companion: This one might be the hardest loss for me to bear.  She was my partner.  My equal. Really more than my equal but I like to think we had a fair amount in common.
 
Sounds a bit grandiose, but I saw myself in her in many ways. Small. Scrappy. A little disheveled. Cute but not pretty in a traditional sense.  Well-meaning feisty little souls. Quirky and unaware of how awkward we can be at times. 
 
I sit and reflect on what I, and others, can take away from knowing my little friend. I guess it’s that we can really only be who we are.  And that to love the imperfect in ourselves and in others is as genuine a love as there is.  We need not be perfect- or some societal version of perfect.  We simply need to be ourselves, and love is born from there; The kind of love that does not allow ‘imperfections’ to lead it off course but is in fact strengthened by these very anomalies; A love that celebrates the under bite, freckly feet and low growl in each and every one of us.
 
And so my beautiful little Pic, I bid you farewell.
I hope and pray that someone up there is doing a welcome home dance for you like the one you always did for me.
 
Your snaggle teeth. Freckly Dr. Seuss paws. Tongue peeking out. Spittle on your chin.
All your gremlin ways….I will miss you so very much.
 
Rest in peace my amazing little girl…
I will love you always and I’m so proud to have been your mama.
Thank you for sharing your life with me.

This time of year if always so sad when you consider what is happening in Canada to the baby seals. While spring should bring new life, hope and joy…baby seals are being clubbed by people who want to profit from the beautiful fur and their body parts. I remember years and years ago hearing about this barbaric act and thought “this will end soon”.  Sadly, nothing has changed. If you are not familiar with this horrific slaughter of beautiful baby seals, I urge you to go to seashepherd.org and read about it. I know that it is painful to hear about these issues and even harder to see the photos. But as my late friend Gretchen used to say “we must endure with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies”. As humans we want to shield ourselves from seeing or knowing anything that will make us upset. I understand this feeling as I HATE hearing about anything sad. However, how can we change anything in this world if we don’t become educated about it? Change starts with an idea, an image, a feeling, a song, a book…anything that inspires us to actually get up and do something and create change. Change is the only thing that will make this world a better place. As I write this blog, baby seals are being clubbed to death in front of their mothers with absolutely no defense. This is unconscionable. Go to seashepherd.org and write to the Canadian government to stop this unnecessary slaughter of beautiful baby seals. YOU are their only hope.