I wasn't too happy to see the Chinese president visiting last week at the same time as the Pope. What a contrast! Today I learned that it was a good thing, because our President and China's president, Xi Jinping, agreed to end the domestic ivory trade, according to The African Wildlife Foundation.

Did you know that as many as 35,000 elephants are killed every year for their tusks? What an immoral act just for some material product. There will still be poachers and deaths, but hopefully the pressure will slowly make a difference in other countries.

Last Wednesday afternoon the Ulster County Legislature voted on the Animal Abuser Registration law. The law will provide citizens a list of all those convicted of a felony of animal crime. We will know where these lowlifes live and can report if they have any animals on their properties. I will let you know what happens, but I am sure it will pass since we have such a superb legislature.

The Chapel of the Holy Name (The Stone Church) in Cragsmoor, is having a Blessing of the Animals at 11:00 a.m. on October 11. If you would like to, bring treats for the animal shelters in our area, towels or food. We would also like any children to bring crayons and paper to draw pictures of the ceremony to hang in our church. If you bring a pet, all dogs must be on leashes and cats and rabbits in carriers. Do not let your dog bite the blesser.

You can bring a photo or drawing to be blessed if you cannot take your pet. For directions call 647-6412.

The New York State Humane Association just notified me that The Village of Mamaroneck may allow deer culling by bow and arrow. The veterinary profession has the ability to put birth control in food into the woods to keep the population down, but I bet a million bucks the sportsmen of this country are opposed to it. I will never accept bow and arrow hunting ever! This a most cruel way to kill anyone. The animals never die immediately as with a sharp shooter, but run and slowly bleed to death. The hunters follow the blood trail which could take up to two days. What do they do if they find the deer alive? Shoot it again with a bow and arrow? Use a rock or a knife? It is a hideous thing.

I understand the fun of shooting arrows at a round target called archery. Why not just take up that sport? Do not tell me the bow and arrow people always eat the "kill;" they more than likely never find the deer.

Here are the email addresses of the trustees in Mamaroneck to contact to give your opinion — The Honorable Norman Rosenblum, Mayor, [email protected]; plus [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected].

Let us promise ourselves not to allow this to happen here.