I know this column should be all about animals, but the Department of Environmental Conservation does handle all wildlife issues as well as human problems and their rescues are so interesting.

“During the first six months of 2026, Forest Rangers conducted 126 search and rescue missions, extinguished 65 wildfires covering more than 215 acres, and participated in 54 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate 1,355 acres of land.  In 2025, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 362 search and rescue missions, extinguished 202 wildfires covering 840 acres, participated in 68 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate 1,649 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in more than 1,100 tickets and arrests. Also in 2025, 41 Forest Rangers were deployed to fire assignments in 10 different states. “

That is amazing and I bet we had no idea of all the Rangers do.

“Town of Santa Clara Franklin County Camp Disturbance: On September 4 at 8:39 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Fish Creek Campground about an aggressive person smashing a truck with a sledgehammer. Forest Rangers Foutch and Odell responded, along with New York State Police (NYSP). At 9:36 p.m., Ranger Foutch and NYSP disarmed the subject. NYSP interviewed the subject and determined there were no arrestable offenses, since the damage was done to the subject’s own vehicle. Family members picked up the camper. The incident was clear at 12:24 a.m.”

These are just two incidents from The DEC online news. We definitely need our law enforcement across all areas of society.

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My cat Tux is almost 18 and has some health concerns. He has hyperthyroid disease, which is very common in cats.

As I wrote this, I did not realize by the time I finished it, Tux would stop eating and had to be sent over the Rainbow Bridge. I cannot write anymore today so take care of yourselves and your darling pets. I will tell you all about the T-Man next time.