ANIMAL CONNECTION

Archive for the ‘Animal Videos’ Category

An update on my post last week….. The West Hollywood City Council passed an ordinance on February 16, 2010 banning the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores unless from rescues and shelters.  I was overwhelmed by the number of people wanting to know, how can they do the same thing in their own town?

I contacted Carole Davis with the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) to get the information.  They did the work to get this passed.  The Animal Legal Defense Fund and Humane Society of United States helped as well.   CAPS now helps other cities with the drafting of legislation against puppy mill sales in other communities.  Here are excerpts from The American Dog Magazine, with links to each article and videos.

If your state has the puppy lemon law then move forward by going to your pet stores and asking for information about the breeder they buy from.  If not, ask your legislators to get the Lemon Law.  This law allows you to get the information about the breeder from the pet store.  Once you have that information, go to CAPS website and fill out a puppy complaint.   Please read all of the information below if you have interest, or know someone who does.  It was very time consuming and costly for CAPS to do this, but it has been worth it.

1. Pets, Lies & Legislation

Puppy mills are a hot political issue. Public outrage is growing over the legal multi-billion dollar puppy-producing business that forces millions of breeding dogs to endure inhumane treatment in factory-like conditions until death. They’re kept 24/7 in wire cages caked with their own feces, with no veterinary care or socialization. Average dog lovers want puppy mills to become illegal.

Consequently, a war about dogs is escalating in America -  a battle as complex as any fought in the history of social movements and waged with a proportionate scale of strategists, lobbyists, and commanders vying for control, power, and money.

To puppy mill investigators, the idea that commercial breeders are treating their dogs well or socializing them is laughable. A miller’s idea of playtime is to throw a bunch of females in heat with a male in one cage. As for being responsibly placed, mass volume breeders use brokers to ship barely weaned (and often sick) pups indiscriminately to pet retailers around the country. The dogs are crated in trucks for thousands of miles at an age when they need food and water every two hours. They are also sent in crates to buyers across the country on long flights with layovers. Transporting eight-week old dogs that way isn’t safe, and according to Lewis Turner, owner of the Petcare Company in California, four out of ten dogs that were trucked in to him by brokers Lambriar and Hunte were sick, “with green liquid coming from their eyes or nose.” Hardly “responsible placement” by any standard.

To Read More about This Subject Click Here.

2. Spay and Neuter Laws ……..Humans Debate While Dogs Die

It’s Tuesday, 9 AM at a Los Angeles shelter and a worried little terrier has just been “red-listed.” Unless someone adopts her, she’ll be killed. Another dog will take her place and that dog, too, if he isn’t adopted, will be killed. Could spay and neuter laws make a difference in this dog’s life?

In California, in 2008, municipal shelters reporting to the California Department of Public Health took in 833,304 dogs and cats. Of those, 429,987, or 51%, were killed. That would be a sad enough number for the whole country but it’s just for the state of California. In the U.S., the number of pets killed in shelters is astounding. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) reports that every year, between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters and three to four million of those animals are killed because there aren’t enough homes for them. In 2009, uncontrolled breeding compounded by record job losses and home foreclosures are causing the number of animals flooding our shelters to rise sharply. When the figures are finally reported, they’ll be tragic.

Until we get a handle on this crisis, we need to refrain from buying animals and adopt from shelters instead. We ought to promote adoption to our friends. And we must fix the dogs we have.  To Read More About This Click Here.

3. Undercover Investigations Prove Pet Shop Puppies Were Coming From Puppy Mills

Though there has been lots of press coverage on the subject, there are still people who don’t know that pet stores are supplied by large brokers and inhumane breeding operations. There is no other way for pet shops to have a constant supply of puppies of different breeds. It was time to take a stand and convince puppy buyers to stop shopping and start adopting. Los Angeles, the second largest market for pets after New York, was the perfect place to tell the public about the ugly truth behind the pretty store fronts.

In California, they have a Puppy Lemon Law, which requires pet store owners to post the name and address of the breeder of the dogs on their display enclosures. Putting that law to use, people were recruited who were willing to do some reconnaissance trips to pet stores. They wired themselves up with undercover cameras and disguised themselves.They fanned out across the city, hitting all the pet stores to find out exactly where the puppies were coming from.

They called on some professional investigators from LCA (Last Chance for Animals) to go and film the addresses they provided. When the photos and video came in, the proof was irrefutable. Bingo. Just like they expected, the puppies at Posh Puppy were coming from a puppy mill.

What they found out through their in-store investigations is that pet stores are openly defrauding the public – not just Posh Puppy in Beverly Hills, but all the pet stores they visited. They discovered that pet store owners, managers and employees routinely lie to people.   To Read More About This Subject Click Here.

4. A March for Free Speech for Those Who Have No Speech – PUPPY MILL DOGS

On December 19, 2009, the Saturday before Christmas, eighty animal welfare activists marched in a silent vigil for dogs suffering in puppy mills. The grass roots group was also marching for the five million companion animals who are killed every year in the shelter system because there are not enough homes for them. Local activists had been planning the event for months following an investigation by the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), which claims that Barkworks, a pet store chain in California, sells animals from puppy mills. The CAPS investigation included evidence from the United States Department of Agriculture inspection reports that the Midwest commercial breeders supplying the stores had multiple violations.

The puppy mill awareness drive that took place on the busiest puppy-buying day of the year, was intended to raise the awareness of consumers and to steer them to the overcrowded Los Angeles shelters to adopt or rescue a pet for Christmas.  Read More Here.

5. Victory for Dogs as Pet Stores Go Humane

Sadly, millions of dogs are suffering in shelters and puppy mills. This year, a record number of dogs are being dumped and euthanized at shelters because of the current economic crisis. Commercial breeders and pet stores are also feeling the pinch. “People just aren’’t buying puppies right now,” says pet store manager Justin Vanert.

Growing numbers of commercial dog breeders in the Midwest are selling their homes for a pittance – advertising them as “turnkey investments,” which often include kennels with hundreds of breeding dogs “free with the property.” As bleak as it all sounds, this recession just might have a silver lining for the dogs who are wasting away in puppy mills and shelters.  Perhaps this economic downturn might be a dog’s chance to get out alive.

The dog trade is showing signs of weakness. Successful business is all about supply and demand and right now the demand side is shrinking as buyers of puppy mill dogs snap their wallets shut. But the reasons aren’t just the economy – it’s a combination of decreased spending, public awareness of inhumane breeding practices, legislation that limits and criminalizes dog factory cruelty and effective campaigns led by animal rights activists.

This spring, a group of Los Angeles activists celebrated yet another victory. After five weeks of protests, the owner of Elaine’s Pet Depot signed an agreement to hand over all of her puppy mill dogs to Good Dog Animal Rescue for adoption. The agreement with the lynchpin store of a national chain of pet stores included a statement that reflected the store’s commitment to working with rescue organizations. The store agreed to hold adoptions and end its sale of puppy mill dogs. Reliable sources from within the franchise claimed that the entire Pet Depot chain was considering conversion to a humane business model within a few months. If the large chain stops buying from brokers and mass volume breeders, the strategy to cripple the puppy mill industry by hitting them where it hurts, in the wallet, is working.

The “go humane or go out of business” campaign has been able to gain momentum by combining its ability to exploit the current economic downtown and its skilled use of visual evidence from undercover investigations. The stores that were protested saw as much as 70 percent of their weekend business deterred by activists brandishing signs depicting graphic photos of dogs suffering in mills. An increasing number of stores in the heart of Los Angeles have been closed down or converted – more than a dozen so far in a little over a year.  Learn How You Can Do This, Click Here.

6. Now the Internet is overflowing with puppy mill sales

As the animal protection movement wages its battle against the maltreatment of dogs in puppy mills, it faces a powerful new enemy -  the Internet Pet Store. The Internet, as helpful as it has been for rescuing animals with sites like AdoptAPet.com, has become a perfect stealth shield for abusers of animals looking to make a buck. A Google search for information on dog breeds will lead any gullible browser to tens of thousands of online breeders. For the buyer in a hurry, there are Web portals to make shopping easy, like NextDayPets.com, which unite hundreds of dog dealers on one site. With a click, you can pay to have a pup mailed to you in a crate. Though it’s a convenient way to buy a dog, you might be inadvertently contributing to animal abuse.

Deborah Howard, president of the Companion Animal Protection puppy dealers. “One should never, ever buy a dog on the Internet because you’re not seeing the conditions under which the puppy is being raised,” she said. “There are no good ones because reputable  reeders don’t sell puppies this way.” “The HSUS receives hundreds of complaints about sick and dying puppies sold over the Internet,” says Kathleen Summers, Deputy Director of the puppy mill campaign of  The Humane Society of the United States. “In fact, several of the puppy mills that the HSUS has helped close down recently were Internet sellers, including a mill in Tennessee with almost 700 dogs and a millin West Virginia with almost 900 dogs. Both of these facilities posed online as small family breeders.”

A lot of them arrive sick with Parvo, worms, Giardia, coccidia, kennel cough or pneumonia. It’s even more dangerous than buying in a pet shop because legal recourses are more challenging. You have to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office in the state of the breeder and if you want to sue the seller, you have to go to small claims court in their state, not yours. These Internet sellers know this.

Many of the sites linked to substandard breeding operations will say anything to deceive buyers into believing the business is ethical or humane. They often describe themselves as “Christian” and “familyrun.” A common lie is that their dogs are “raised in the home.”

Read More About This Here.

I want Friday’s to bring awareness to other organizations that are doing wonderful things for animals. If you have information you want to share, send me a paragraph on the topic with a link to the website, by 11am on Thursday.  I will do this each Friday.  Please pass this link on to bring awareness to these wonderful organizations, thanks!

Jake

Urgent: Jake needs a new home today, Friday! This dog is at Suncoast Humane Society in Englewood Florida. Jake is cage stressed and is going to be euthanized on Friday. He is a great dog and loves people and toys. He just doesn’t like being confined in a run and has damaged his tail. A great dog. We can help with transport from englewood to anyone that will take him. He is fully vetted.
If you can help email Michele at doggieresqr@yahoo.com

1.  A documentary on the pairing of seniors with seniors was recently completed.  The purpose is to raise awareness, and secure more homes, for older shelter pets as well as bring companionship to the elderly.  It’s called:  Old Friends… Timeless Love.  Perfect Pairings.

“Old Friends…Timeless Love” came about when Maureen Kelly realized the beautiful energy of pairing seniors with seniors: bringing companionship to the elderly, saving older pets from shelters, and honoring the magic that animals bring into our lives.

Working with a variety of organizations across the United States, she has had the great joy of meeting not only hard-working, loving people, but remarkable dogs, cats and horses.

This is a film in their honor.  Hopefully, it will ignite a spark that will inspire many more such pairings.

View the heartwarming video here.

2. Pattie Roberts has a ranch called Dudette Ranch. Pattie spent years promoting good causes with local radio station KFROG and then with her own agency, MarketingWithACause.com. Through the years she has served on various Board of Directors. She has worked tirelessly to promote organizations such as Exceed, work programs for Adults with Disabilities, Animal Friends of the Valley, the Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s awareness, she supports four school districts Student of the Month programs and many others good causes.

Last year she relocated her horse ranch to Murrieta and retired from advertising to pursue her lifelong passion of horses. She started the Dudette Ranch.  The concept is a local take off of the vacation destination Dude Ranch. “Although we aren’t wrangling cattle or sleeping under the stars, this is a working horse ranch and the monthly membership allows members daily access to hang out at the barn and work with the horses as we care for, train and ride.

Here is one great story: Dakota is a tall rangy bay Quarter horse gelding, he was a competitive working cow horse in his younger day.  A knee injury took him out of the show ring years ago. Dakota has been totally healed from his injury for years, but he still favored it not out of pain but out of fear.  This beautiful horse, with plenty of life left in him, was just standing in a stall.  This summer he became the best friend of a troubled teen.  She worked with him daily, riding him slow and easy until he got stronger and realized his knee didn’t hurt any more.  He thrived on the attention and got strong and muscled up again.  Unfortunately, the teenager went back to her old ways and left Dakota alone.  Lucky gelding though because he now has a brand new best friend!  A really nice lady named Micheal.  She has fallen in love with him and signed up to sponsor him.  She already takes lessons here and after riding him last Saturday well….no other horse would do she just had to have him!

Individual Sponsorship programs are one way you can have a horse without really owning one, there are horses available for Adoption and Lease and a Sponsorship Program Geared to the whole family!  To learn more click here.

3. Small Angels Rescue, a non-profit based in Frederick, MD, finds homes for rescued chinchillas, degus, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and rats.

They do not have a shelter and use a network of foster homes for these rescued animals until they are permanently adopted.  They have very dedicated foster parents involved with this organization.  One guinea pig foster mother-in-charge has a wonderful web page (click here) where you can scroll through, looking at pictures and reading very engagingly written bios of rescued guinea pigs awaiting adoption.

Enzo and Eva, a bonded pair of guinea pigs, were adopted. I’ve been told the Small Angels vetting process is very meticulous.  The owners of Enzo and Eva had a process to go through before adopting.  They were invited to the foster mother-in-charge’s home to meet her and the guinea pigs. This kept Enzo and Eva from being subjected to undue stress by taking them from place to place to show to prospective adopters. Then they had to fill out a detailed, five-page questionnaire containing questions that would really screen the potential owners to be sure they’re responsible. It takes about a week for the application to be approved.  The new owners said, “Adopting from Small Angels Rescue has been one of the most satisfying things we’ve have ever done”.

To learn more about Small Angels Rescue, click here.

4.  Nature’s Variety Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall

Nature’s Variety has initiated a voluntary recall of their Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Click here to learn more.

The West Hollywood City Council passed landmark legislation banning the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores unless from rescues and shelters. This law will prevent the sale of cats and dogs in West Hollywood from cruel puppy and kitten mills. The ordinance was passed unanimously by the City Council. According to coverage by NBC Los Angeles, the ordinance stems from an investigation of a West Hollywood pet store, Elite Animals, by the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) which uncovered evidence that the shop allegedly misled consumers by selling puppy mill dogs and broke federal law by importing animals for resale. Social Compassion in Legislation reports that the West Hollywood City Council not only received emails from local and state supporters on its proposed legislation but also from groups and individuals across the country and even as far away as the United Kingdom. The legislation “could be the beginning of the end of puppy mills and it’s happening in West Hollywood, one of the most progressive cities on animal welfare issues,” Ed Buck, Director of Social Compassion in Legislation. In passing the legislation, West Hollywood continues its leadership in passing progressive animal welfare legislation. The city was the first in the U.S. to ban cat de-clawing. Many other California cities followed suit last year with their own de-claw bans. Speakers at the council meeting included Dr. Allan Drusys of Social Compassion in Legislation, Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, Dawn Armstrong, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society, Chris DeRose, founder and president of Last Chance for Animals, and Carole Raphael Davis of the Companion Animal Protection Society. A statement read by Norma Sandler for Bill Dyer of In Defense of Animals, who was unable to attend stated that “This unprecedented, historic action, in this Guardian city where the de-clawing of cats is also banned, will send a signal throughout our country for others to follow. West Hollywood will always be remembered as the city that had the foresight and compassion to first end the horrible commerce of puppy mills in our society.”

Donna Paige and Rescued Horse

There are lots of horse issues rearing their heads.  From horses being bred then discarded for not performing, to horses being roundup in the wild, captured and kept in corrals.

This past weekend I asked my local TV station go with me to our local polo fields.  I wanted to do an interview with a local Restaurateur, Jaymie Klauber, who is a polo player but also rescues horses that need a home.  If she did not adopt them, they would be sent to the slaughter house. She takes them then trains them to play polo.  They have a wonderful home and a productive life playing polo.  The day I was with her she got a call that other horses needed to be rescued.  If she can’t take them she does find them homes.  She will not let them go to the slaughter house.  If you are looking for horses, let us know.  We can get you in touch with Jaymie.

Jaymie Klauber & Her Horse

I also met with Larry Robinson, NHL Hall of Fame, Stanley Cup winner and on the board of Animal Connection.  Larry is a polo player and also rescues animals that need a good home.  He was raised on a farm and has always had a special place in his heart for animals.

Donna Paige, Larry & Jeannette Robinson

Click Here to see the interview with Larry Robinson and Jaymie Klauber.

Not all horses are cared for as well as these polo ponies. There is an issue going on in the Wild West…..there has been a big roundup going on in Nevada.  There have been over 2,500 wild horses captured.  They use helicopters and horseback riders to herd them into corrals.  These corrals are in the Black Rock Range, a chain of mountains 100 miles North of Reno.  The local Land Management estimates there are nearly 37,000 wild mustangs. About half of them live in Nevada, with others concentrated in Arizona, California, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. The Land Management feels if this is not controlled now, the horse population will double in 4 years.  They also say that many of these horses are ill.  The challenge, where will these horses end up?  The plan is to have the horses adopted or sent to holding facilities in the Midwest since the space near Reno is full.

The roundup has upset a lot of people for many reasons.  Using helicopters frightens the horses which can cause injuries like broken legs, and is inhumane.  If a horse breaks its leg it has to be put down.  There is also the risk of respiratory illness to these horses.  Foals also can’t keep up and get separated from their mothers.

There are a number of celebrities who do not approve of this roundup.  Two of these include Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow.  Willie Nelson has said he feels these animals will become extinct if this continues.

Please give us your feedback and thoughts in the “Comment” section below.

Your typical dog may not be so typical.  There are a number of dogs that have been flown to Haiti to help in the search and rescue of missing people.  These dogs are the last chance for most of these people.  This is a serious situation but to the dog, it’s a game, like hide and seek.  If they find the hidden treasure they get a prize.

I’ve been luck enough to see a number of dogs get adopted from shelters and rescues specifically for the purpose of using them in situations like this.  They have a certain personality and quality that is noticed.  Once they are adopted, then trained, they go to work and are very happy animals.   See, you never know what you will find at your local animal shelter or rescue.

Here is a video clip on some of these dogs.

There are ways you can help the people of Haiti.  Please review the list below.

The U.S. State Department says Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti should call 1-888-407-4747 or or 202-647-5225.

Due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording. “Our embassy is still in the early stages of contacting American citizens through our Warden Network,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement. “Communications are very difficult within Haiti at this time.”

The FBI is cautioning Americans who want to donate to Haiti relief funds to be careful. If past tragedies are any indication, not all of them are legitimate.

Text Donations
To make an automatic $10 donation to the Red Cross, text “HAITI” to 90999; the money will be charged directly to your cell phone bill.

To donate $5 via your cellphone to Wyclef Jean’s grassroots organization: text “Yele” to 501501.

What’s Needed
Experts say whatever you do, don’t donate anything but money. Under no circumstances should you mail care packages, toys, food or clothes. Read more on this from GlobalPost.

Special Report: Haiti Earthquake

Charitable organizations that offer aid to Haiti:
• American Red Cross: Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation’s premier emergency response organization.

• Habitat for Humanity: A nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry.

• Salvation Army: an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

• Action Against Hunger: Named for the original member of the International Network, Action contre la Faim, or ACF, the ACF International Network shares an overall vision of a world without hunger, collaborating closely and sharing human resources, logistics, and technical capacity.

• AmeriCares: a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs – and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs – for all people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion.

• American Jewish World Service: American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is an international development organization motivated by Judaism’s imperative to pursue justice. AJWS is dedicated to alleviating poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the developing world regardless of race, religion or nationality. AJWS fosters civil society, sustainable development and human rights for all people, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship within the Jewish community.

• Beyond Borders: Beyond Borders is a registered tax-exempt (501c3) non-profit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible. We are certified by the state of Pennsylvania as a charitable organization.

• CARE: CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty.

• Catholic Relief Services: Help CRS rush humanitarian relief to survivors within hours of man-made and natural disasters around the world.

• ConcernUSA.org: a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

• Childcare Worldwide: At Childcare Worldwide, our unique programs not only help feed hungry children and their families, they also help children receive an education that leads to employment. Our goal is to help children survive and succeed.

• Direct Relief International: Since 1948, Direct Relief International has worked to help people who confront enormous hardship to improve the quality of their lives.

• Doctors Without Borders: Doctors Without Borders provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters.

• Episcopal Relief & Development : In the aftermath of a 7.0-magnitude earthquake, Episcopal Relief & Development is providing critical emergency funds to Haiti.

• Food for the Poor: Food For The Poor ministers to spiritually renew impoverished people throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Food For The Poor raises funds and provides direct relief assistance to the poor, usually by purchasing specifically requested materials and distributing them through the churches and charity organizations already operating in areas of need.

• Feed My Starving Children: Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit.

• Friends of WFP : Friends of WFP is a U.S.-based, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that focuses on building support in the United States for the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and other hunger relief operations.

• Haitian Health Foundation: The Haitian Health Foundation provides health care, development, relief, and the hope of a future to more than 225,000 of the poorest people in over 100 rural mountain villages in southwestern Haiti.

• Hope for Haiti: Hope for Haiti has held the vision from the very beginning that the people of Haiti are the ones who take control of their future and we are here to lend a needed hand along the difficult path.

• International Medical Corps: International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.

• International Relief Teams: International Relief Teams is a nonprofit, international relief organization dedicated to organizing volunteer teams to provide medical and non-medical assistance to the victims of disaster and profound poverty worldwide.

• The Jewish Federations of North America : The Jewish Federations of North America represents 157 Jewish Federations and 400 Network communities, which raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually for social welfare, social services and educational needs.

• Lutheran World Relief : Lutheran World Relief is responding to the affected communities through its partners on the ground in Haiti. LWR anticipates a large response. Every dollar donated to this life-saving effort is critical to providing the necessary emergency support to the people of Haiti.

• Medical Teams International: Since 1979, Medical Teams International has shipped more than $1.3 billion in antibiotics, surgical kits and
lifesaving medicines to care for 35 million people in 100 countries around the world. More than 2000 volunteers meet the needs of people worldwide each year.

• Meds and Food for Kids: Meds & Food for Kids is dedicated to saving the lives of Haiti’s malnourished children and other nutritionally vulnerable people.

• Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps is a team of 3,700 professionals helping turn crisis into opportunity for millions around the world. By trade, we are engineers, financial analysts, drivers, community organizers, project managers, public health experts, administrators, social entrepreneurs and logisticians. In spirit, we are activists, optimists, innovators and proud partners of the people we serve.

• Operation Blessing International: Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation (OBI) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) humanitarian organization based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.

• Oxfam: Oxfam International is a confederation of 14 like-minded organizations working together and with partners and allies around the world to bring about lasting change.

• Operation USA: Operation USA helps communities alleviate the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty throughout the world by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid.

• Partners in Health: Our mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care.

• Samaritan’s Purse: Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.

• Save the Children: Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world.

• UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) : Humanitarian fund established by the United Nations to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to areas affected by natural disasters. CERF will assure that the funds for the relief effort in Haiti will go where they are most needed in the network of international aid organizations.

• UNICEF: UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

• World Concern: World Concern works in 24 of the poorest countries on Earth, giving hope and opportunities to vulnerable people in great need.

• World Vision: World Vision helps transform the lives of the world’s poorest children and families in nearly 100 countries, including the United States. Our non-profit work extends assistance to all people, regardless of their religious beliefs, gender, race, or ethnic background.

• Yele Haiti: Yéle Haiti is a Wyclef Jean’s grassroots movement that builds global awareness for Haiti while helping to transform the country through programs in education, sports, the arts and environment.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I have a friend who sent me a video of a new born kitten she found.  It was barely alive and was covered with fleas, ticks and hungry.  She brought it home and nursed it back to health.  She will be taking it to the veterinarian this week.  My friend owns a Pit Bull.  When the kitten and the Pit Bull met they clicked.  She took some footage of the interaction.  Keep in mind that her dog is NOT nursing but was willing to allow this kitten to enjoy what she had to offer anyway.  My friend also has a young daughter.  The child and dog get along very well together

Please Enjoy This Video

This is an example of how loving the Pit Bull really is.  I decided to do a piece on this breed.  I have found that a lot of people have no idea about this dog.  If you say, “Pit Bull” most people become fearful and think of fighting and danger.  Until the Mike Vick incident, a lot of people never realized how common fighting rings are in communities across the U.S.  I assume it is the same in other countries.

Here are the names of people you might know, who have all owned Pit Bulls:

Jessica Alba,  Fred Astaire,  Jessica Biel,  Mel Brooks,  Adam Brody,  Linda Blair,  Humphrey Bogart,  Jack Dempsy,  Thomas Edison,  Kevin Federline,  Jamie Foxx,  Michael J. Fox,  Ken Howard,  Jesse James (West Coast Choppers),  Helen Keller,  Ann Bancroft,  Pink,  Madonna,  Bernadette Peters,  George Patton,  Brad Pitt,  Joey Porter,  Rachael Ray,  Theodore Roosevelt,  Jon Stewart,  Alicia Silverstone,  Sinbad,  Usher, Jan Michael Vincent.

What Is A Pit Bull?

The purebred American Pit Bull is America’s greatest working dog.  They have their roots in “Olde England”, where butchers specifically bred “gripping dogs” for use in controlling bulls and cattle. No other breed had (or has) the courage and determination to stick to the dangerous task of controlling a mad bull. The dog’s desire to complete the task of holding the bull often saved his master and other humans. In the middle ages, there were no guns or easy means to control a bull.  These dogs were highly prized and carefully bred heroes.

These bull dogs (not to be confused with the modern AKC show version “bulldog”) were used in exhibition contests against bulls called bull baiting. When bull baiting was outlawed in the 1800′s, bulldogs were contested against each other, seeing which dog had the determination and drive to keep at the task in the face of pain, fatigue and even death. Because two handlers and a referee were in the pit with the dogs, the breed was selected for amazing stability; a calm, friendly manner with people….even under extreme pressure. Dogs which lashed out at humans, even strangers, while fighting or in pain were not tolerated.

The pit bull’s athletic build and legendary determination to get the job done makes him a perfect candidate for detection work. Nothing deters him, heat, cold, fatigue, etc.  If drugs or explosives are there, the Pit Bull will find them. It’s in his nature.

Today’s American Pit Bull

The American Pit Bull has a strong pleasure to please. They have more human emotional response than any other breed that exists today.  By no means are these dogs people-haters or people-eaters. Their natural aggressive tendencies are toward other dogs and animals, not people.  If they are trained properly they are not aggressive with other dogs or animals either.

The pit bull enjoyed wide popularity during the period of 1840 – 1950 as a family pet and farm dog. At the turn of the last century, the pit bull was one of the most popular of dogs.  Pete the Pup on the Little Rascals Our Gang comedies was a purebred, registered American pit bull.

The Pit Bull is a good-natured, amusing, extremely loyal and affectionate family pet, which is good with children and adults. Almost always obedient, it is always eager to please its master. It is an extremely courageous and intelligent guard dog that is very full of vitality. Highly protective of his owners and the owner’s property, it will fight an enemy to the death. It is usually very friendly, but has an uncanny ability to know when it needs to protect and when everything is okay. They are generally okay with other pets if they are raised with them from puppy hood.  They are not good match with every owner.  They need to know who is boss in the house.  If someone is meek and lets the dog take over, and doesn’t know how to discipline properly, the dog will think it’s the owner.

The Pit Bull has been exploited by back yard breeders, criminals, dog fighters and others who abuse the breed’s amazing strengths for their own selfish gain. The press encourages fear and hysteria because fear sells.  In addition to the Mick Vick incident, whenever someone is hurt by a strong, broad, short haired dog it is reported that the breed was a Pit Bull.  In reality, the dogs might be another breed that looks very similar to a Pit Bull because of their build.

Professional dog trainers, and those who know the breed, understand that the properly bred and raised Pit Bull is one of the sweetest dogs with people.  Although, most Pit Bulls will not back down from a challenge from another dog.

Pit Bulls don’t see strangers as a threat or “the enemy”. Each person is a “new best friend”! This makes them ideal for those situations where a non-threatening dog is required.

Why We Use Pit Bulls

With Homeland Security concerns elevated, the need for explosives and narcotics detection dogs for law enforcement is increasing. There are programs that connect cops with outstanding working dogs – many of whom might otherwise be euthanized for lack of a home.

Because they are a “fad breed” right now, there are literally thousands of pit bulls being euthanized in American shelters every week. There simply aren’t enough homes, and breeders keep breeding to make money. Many of the Pt Bulls are being used adopted from shelters and used as working dogs with police and military.

Taxpayers should know about these issues. Find out if police departments in your area utilize free, or low cost, animals before they spend several thousand on an untrained “green” dog from Europe or a dog vendor.  There is a myth that there is a shortage of good detection dogs in America. This is simply not true. It is time people became aware of this breed and others in this country.  We should learn more about our own, American, working breed and use them accordingly.

Lately I have seen some very interesting, educating and amazing videos about animals.  The ones I seem to like the most are ones that are filmed in the wild. We get to see animals in their own, natural, habitat.  It bothers me to think that a lot of these animals might not be here for our children, or grand children, to see.

It’s Monday so I wanted everyone to be able to start the week off with something enjoyable.  Some of these might be disturbing, but remember, you’re viewing nature.

Have a fabulous day!

These days there are more and more people becoming vocal about their food, what they eat, where their food comes from, etc.  Haven’t you heard the term “ignorance is bliss?”  When it comes to this subject of food, I sometimes wish I didn’t know as much as I do.  On the flip side, I hope, the more I know the better off I will be in the long run, if I use that information properly.  Case in point……

I am from New Orleans and always loved French food.  I recently visited a French Restaurant and their “specialty” is Foie Gras.  I asked a lot of questions about this food because I really did not know all of the details.  Once I was informed I came home, did some research, and thought, “This is something I would like to write about.” Do you sometimes eat food because it is called a delicacy or because it’s expensive?  Do you know what you are really eating or where it came from?  Do you care?

Translated literally from French as “fatty liver” and pronounced ‘fwah grah’.  It is made from the grotesquely enlarged livers of male ducks and geese that are also diseased livers.  When you think about it, who would want to eat a diseased liver anyway?   At just a few months old, ducks are confined inside dark sheds and force-fed enormous amounts of food several times a day.  The ducks and geese are held, one-by-one, and a metal pipe is forced down their throats so the food is force fed directly into their bodies.  This happens to them every 3-4 hours everyday.  The pipes puncture many birds’ throats, sometimes causing the animals to bleed to death.  Many become so sick they die.  In a matter of weeks these animals are extremely overweight and their livers are 10 times the size they should be.  The birds who survive the force-feeding are killed, and their livers are sold for foie gras.  Although widely condemned, it’s also widely consumed, not only in the heartland of France, where they LOVE this food, but in many other countries too.  Here is a video for you to see.

Banning any food, especially “luxury” food, has been a challenging issue for chefs, who generally defend their right to use whatever they want.  It usually has to do with the demand and price these items command. These are not the only animals that are treated in such harsh ways.  There are many issues around the treatment of all kinds of animals.

There are also a number of well known people who are doing their part to bring these types of subjects to the general population.  One such person, who is also a well known chef, is Wolfgang Puck.  As part of a new initiative to fight animal cruelty, Puck said he will no longer serve foie gras. In his fine-dining restaurants, eateries and catering venues he will use only eggs from hens that have lived cage-free; veal from roaming calves; and lobsters that have been removed from their ocean traps quickly to avoid crowded holding tanks.   “We want a better standard for living creatures. It’s as simple as that,” Puck said.  He believes the best-tasting food comes from animals that have been treated humanely. The campaign to stop its sale is gathering growing more and more support.

Even people like Roger Moore (A.K.A. James Bond) and Bea Arthur are opposed of the treatment of the ducks and geese, as well as the industry as a whole for allowing the sale of foie gras.   See the video from Roger Moore.

Many chefs at high-end restaurants, some smaller food-service chains and grocery chains like Whole Foods have refused to buy meat and eggs unless animals were raised under certain conditions.  They also are aware that Americans are becoming more health conscious about what they eat. In 2000, McDonald’s became the first major American food company to impose minimum animal-welfare standards such as increasing cage size on its egg producers. California has decided to ban the production and sale of foie gras starting in 2012.  Chicago imposed a ban last year, and bans are being promoted in Illinois, New Jersey and New York.

To stop this act people will need to stop consuming this food and ask chefs to stop serving the dish. If  you have thoughts, stories, information, etc.  please share it so other people will know your thoughts.  This is what I found in my search for the real answers behind the question, “What is Foie Gras?”  What do you have to say?

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