Mission Rabies

[Cibach]

We, as a family, have always been rabies aware. We don't have it in Britain but it is only a few miles across the channel to Europe, where it is found.
My Dad was a Sea Pilot (ie he guided ships from all over the world into a local deep water port) and often came face to face with pets on board. Most crew were very protective of their animals and made sure they were suitably contained when in port, but one of my Dad's colleagues had a scary experience. He was on board a Russian registered ship which had just docked and as he walked along a corridor to make his way on deck to go ashore he heard the patter of feet behind him. He turned to see what he thought was a big dog walking towards him, but it stood up on it's hind legs and was very clearly a big black bear.
They eyed each other for a few seconds and then the bear dropped back to all fours, turned around and ambled back from whence he came.
The ship's compliment were sternly warned that all animals must contained, but no mention was made of the bear!!

It's very encouraging to see that efforts are being made to prevent rabies rather than deal with it when it has occurred.