COMMUNITY FOCUS
Mother Theresa of street animals
By Lisa Etherington-Runions “The life of an animal is what I value most” explains Nancy Desrosiers. “An animal has no voice, so people such as myself must take up their cause.” The foreign service worker, and resident of St. Andrews, is otherwise known as Mother Theresa of the street animals. It was her career, at first with the Moroccan embassy in Ottawa, and then later with Canada’s department of foreign affairs, that enabled her to spend most of her ca- reer overseas, discovering what she loves and values most. “I had a diplomatic posting to our Cana- dian High Commission in New Delhi, India” explained Desrosiers, “and upon my arrival, I noticed the poor condition of the street animals, let alone the human poverty.” “I began feeding and taking care of the street animals near my compound, and it was then I became known as the Mother Theresa of the street animals.” Her aim was to get the street dogs and cats sterilized, but it was not an easy task. Not having a vehicle, and not knowing what resources would be available to her, she found a local taxi, and at times an auto-rickshaw, who assisted her in bring- ing the animals to a veterinarian for med- ical care and sterilization. To a certain extent, what I do for the ani- mals does assist humans” states Desrosiers.” “Various people in Delhi would ask my opinion on how to care for the street ani- mals. My greatest achievement has been saving 10 street dogs in Delhi. Though two did die from being struck by cars, I brought some to Canada and the remain- der are safe in a lovely kennel in Delhi for the remainder of their lives at my cost. I get monthly updates and photos from the animal-loving owner and my former dog caregiver who visits them.” Desrosiers also donates monthly to the local OSPCA, and she adopts their small critters. “Basically what I do for the ani- mals overseas or in Canada benefits the ac- tual animals, which has meaning for me.” Foreign service employee earns caring reputation working abroad With A Closed Fist The Cornwall & District Labour council is pleased to present Kathy Dobson at their annual International Women’s Day breakfast event. Dobson has recently published a memoir of her childhood entitled With A Closed Fist, that was chosen by The National Post as one of the ”must-reads” of 2012. The breakfast is at Best Western & Confer- ence Centre Saturday at 8:30 a.m., and the cost is $15 a person. Contact Elaine Mac- Donald, president of Cornwall & District Labour Council for tickets, 613-938-7763.
Special photo St. Andrews resident Nancy Desrosiers earned the affectionate moniker “Mother Theresa of the street animals” while working for the Canadian High Commission in India.
tivist, what she would like most is to wipe animal and human abuse off the face of the earth. “Three words always on my mind are ‘Peace On Earth’. If we had that, all else would fall into place. There would be no wars, no violence, and no persons/animals going hungry as every- one would look out for each other, no matter what nationality” said Desrosiers. As Desrosiers looks ahead, upon retire- ment she would like to have time for vol- unteerism ( Meals on Wheels, OSPCA) and also to assist the Adopt A Desi Dog program, an Indian Street Dog organiza- tion created by the Indian vets she has come to know, along with Ms. Barbara Gard of Abbotsford, B.C. Her veterinarian in India ships the street puppies and dogs to Barbara, and the lat- ter puts the word out on Petfinder for their eventual adoptions into good Cana- dian and American homes. When asked if there was anything in her life that she would like to change or do over again, Desrosiers replies there is nothing. “Enjoying what you do to the best of your ability is being successful,” said Desrosiers, “and when I leave this world, I leave hoping mankind will learn from its past mistakes” . Rock for Charity anniversary The two-year anniversary show of Rock for Charity is March 9 at La Maison in Cornwall. The eighteenth installment of Rock for Charity hosted by event organizer and founder Jason Setnyk will benefit the Cana- dian Children's Aid Society of SDG. About $8,000 has been raised in grand total for various charities and non profit groups including the Agape, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Baldwin House, OSPCA, and Tri-County Literacy Council. All are charities and non-profit groups.
meet Jesus when he walked the Earth. I would also like to see Egypt in its pharaonic days when the beautiful tem- ples were built.” Her most enjoyable learning experience was living in Washington, D.C. Her work in the Intelligence Liaison Office at the Canadian embassy involved very inter- esting experiences, especially because the
Desrosier’s personal strength over the last 3.5 years is getting through the day despite her daily schedule which includes rising at four-thirty, feeding the animals, which include rabbits, rats, mice, and dogs, cleaning the cages, and commuting to Ottawa where she works full-time, and then doing the animal routine again upon her return from work in the evening.
U.S. capital and surround- ing area is rich in history. “If I did not have the ani- mals to tend to,” explains Desrosiers, “I have yet to visit the ruins in Turkey and Greece.There is also Jordan, but given the situ- ation in that part of the world, it is best to avoid it.” “Living overseas where
On weekends, she has very little time between the usual routine with the animals, and the cleaning of her home, doing errands, and keeping up with daily life. However, if she does have time, watching a classic
“One is less apt to be racist if one simply lives among people of different ethnicities.” Nancy Desrosiers Foreign service worker and resident of St. Andrews
movie on the Turner Classic movie channel, listening to classical music, or reading a good mystery is a real treat. Environmental and animal issues as well as ancient history hold her interest. Desrosiers is fortunate to have lived in, or visited various countries that are rich in ancient ruins. Countries such as Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Syria, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Spain, Portu- gal, Italy, and Mexico resonate with Desrosiers, and hold memories for her. “If I had a time machine, I would like to Copies of the book will be available for pur- chase. PSAC workers to protest On Thursday, from noon to 12:30 p.m. federal public service workers at Lionel Chevrier building in Cornwall will take their lunch break outside -- on Sydney andWater streets across from Cornwall Square -- to protest the Conservative government’s cuts to public services and public services workers. “We are standing in solidarity against this unnecessary austerity agenda,” said Mario
one encounters other cultures, whether we agree or not with their form of gov- ernment or their way of treating women, has had the greatest influence on my life.” “One is less apt to be racist if one simply lives among people of different ethnici- ties. There is no greatest country; we can all learn from each other.” For the generous animal lover and ac-
TO THE POINT : News in brief from Cornwall and surrounding area
Leclerc, eastern region PSAC president. The walkout seeks to raise awareness of the devastating impact that such plan will have on public services, jobs and communi-
ties nation-wide, he said. Lift-Off fundraiser
Kinsmen-Cornwall Lift-Off is getting a boost next week from a city restaurant. Anyone who makes a donation to Lift-Off will receive a choice of three main courses with a non-alcholic beverage on March 7. Tax receipts are available for any amount over $20.
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