Animal worries

We’ve recently read that kittens waiting to be adopted are not wanted now, as many potential buyers cannot afford to feed household animals.

Beyond chopping vacations short, downsizing their cars or selling their boats, an increasing number of people are dumping their pets. Through mid-June, 70 people surrendered their cat or dog to the Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center for financial reasons, up from 21 during the same period last year, said a spokesman for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Now, a recent front page article in the Boston Globe reports that many horse owners must close their barn doors. The owner of a horse rescue center in Plymouth, Mass., says that horses have become a disposable commodity: “I get three or four calls a day, when I used to get three or four calls a month.”

The market is flooded with unwanted horses. Caretakers fear that cash-strapped owners with nowhere to turn will stop feeding their horses, and they wonder if putting them down, once an unthinkable act, is the only solution.

There is a waiting list for unwanted horses. One Massachusetts Equine Rescue owner says, “The checkbook is empty, and we’re overloaded.”

Grain is going up weekly. It was $8 a year ago, but now it’s $14 a bag. One owner said, “Is it worth it to spend the gas money to get the hay?”

So there are dilemmas for pet owners as well as for home and car owners paying their advancing oil and gas bills.

Health worries

The July 9 Boston Globe headline said, “Headed For Surgery, BSO’s Levine leaves Tanglewood abruptly.” A picture shows a solemn James Levine, who took over as Boston Symphony Orchestra’s music director in 2004. He is in the fourth year of a five-year contract there, and the BSO is close to negotiating an extension.

Levine must have surgery to remove one kidney, and abruptly he has had to leave the summer season at Tanglewood after leading only the first of the eight summer concerts to be held there. Other conductors must now be chosen to lead the concerts.

Levine also leads master classes and coaches the stable of young singers on campus during the summer at Tanglewood. He meets with composers and holds sessions with conducting fellows. He also works on planning future BSO seasons.

Anthony Fogg, the BSO’s artistic administrator, said, “He’s in a way the sort of glue that holds everything together.”

Levine hopes to be ready to conduct Symphony Hall’s opening night this fall. Along with his BSO position, he serves as music director of the Metropolitan Opera.

We know that wishes and prayers for a successful recovery are being said for James Levine.

Suprise vote

What a surprise! We read the news and saw pictures of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, 76, in many July 10 newspapers. The story I most enjoyed was written by Dave Wedge in the Boston Herald. Kennedy completely surprised fellow Senators, as he is still a patient in Boston, where he is receiving treatment after his brain surgery.

He said he was feeling better and is looking forward to coming back to the Senate, “Hopefully, not too far away,” he told reporters.

Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) said, “For everyone who loves Teddy and admires his grit and passion, this was a magical moment. The lion came home to roar. Medicare wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for Ted Kennedy, and the statement he made today with his voice and his vote could be heard all the way up the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue.”

Kennedy’s dramatic return give Democrats the vote they needed to pass a bill halting 10 percent pay cuts to doctors treating Medicare patients. The measure previously failed by one vote. After Kennedy cast his deciding ballot, some Republicans voted with the Massachusetts senator to pass the bill in a show of solidarity.

“It’s enormously important,” Kennedy told reporters following the vote. “The whole issue for our seniors to be able to be protected is a key defining issue for this Congress and for this country. And I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to be able to express my voice and my vote.”

Kennedy got clearance from the doctors Tuesday and flew in with his wife, Vicki, who wiped away tears as her husband cast his vote. Kennedy’s niece, Caroline, was also in the gallery. The senator received a standing ovation upon his arrival.

Crantastic

For my recent birthday I received a paperback cookbook titled “Crazed for Cranberries: Lowfat Recipes.” This is one of the interesting recipes.

CRANBERRY SWEET POTATOES

4 medium sweet potatoes

1 cup fresh or dried cranberries

1/2 cup apple juice or cider

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 cup honey

1 tablespoon melted butter

Cut sweet potatoes in half and boil in water until tender. Cool in cold water, then peel off skins. Place potatoes in a baking dish lightly wiped with oil.

In a saucepan, combine cranberries, apple juice or cider, and brown sugar. Cook 25 minutes. Mix in lemon juice, and spoon cranberry sauce over the sweet potatoes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine honey with melted butter and pour over the cranberry sauce. Bake 20 minutes, serve hot from the oven.

Ramblings