And profuse apologies to one and all loyal blogsite 'followers' (in spirit if not in name) who've patiently, painstakingly awaited my eventual return to this (and my sister) blogsite, I can assure you your 114-day-and-night wait has not been without reason, purpose or ultimate recompense...over days (and weeks) to come

Hip, Hip Hooray for Four Paws, (as opposed to) Hysteria-ridden Hubbub from PETA: while the latter talks a good talk, the former walks a better walk

Congratulations to the animal rescue outfit known as Four Paws for rescuing lions Simba and Saed (sp?) from their strife-torn home in Syria, returning them safe and sound (as much as can be expected in the circumstances) to their native habitat in South Africa, long a bastion of 'the king of the beasts'.

Though some - including myself - might initially reflect unfavourably on their thus doing - whilst millions of human beings remain in wrack and ruin, in strife and suffering, in misery and neglect, heartache and hunger in Syria - let's for a change simply celebrate the betterment of two 'lone' lions.

While (for my part, anyway) reflecting - by way of comparison and contrast - less favourably upon their 'sister' organization (in these - Antipodean - parts) 'P.E.T.A.' Whose extreme form of 'Getcha' and 'Gotcha' tactics (in the cause of selfsame animal rights) has been over the top (and off into the wop-wops) as they, for instance, sought - ultimately unsuccessfully - to pin all manner of animal cruelty charges upon the likes of WETA workshop et al, in its well-supported crusade (by certain kiwis) to find ammo in their Hobbit films-bashing, Sir Peter Jackson-loathing misanthropy.