Living Without Meat

Sitting at my desk, I can glance up and see out a window overlooking an open field. I often enjoy watching groundhogs and birds romping around.

But not this Wednesday.

As the afternoon slump began to set in, I stretched and looked around. Two men (maybe 40-50 years old) were riding a golf cart through the field, which is not an unusual sight. Then they stopped, cart butted up against the fence, just behind the dumpster.

I was bored; I was intrigued. What were they doing?

It only took me a moment to realize what was going on: they had a groundhog pinned while one threw rocks and the other smacked at it with a stick.

“They’re beating a groundhog!” I shouted, catching the attention of my three neighboring coworkers. “I wonder how fast I can get out there.”

I leaped to my feet, ran down the hallway, out the door, down the steps, out the next door, and continued toward the fence.

“Excuse me!” I shouted, getting no response.

I clapped my hands, as you might have to get the attention of a stray animal. I finally got a look. They began to meander on their way, but I was not finished.

My heart was pounding.

“What is your problem? Do you honestly have nothing better to do that pick on something barely 1/100 of your size?”

Silence. One man shrugged. One gave me the creepiest smile that I have ever seen in person.

They finally began driving away, but were moving at a speed that told me they were interested in coming back. I stood statuesque, hand on hips, and stared. They stopped and turned around to see if I was still there. And finally, the *!@#$!s drove off.

I walked over to where the groundhog hand last been. He was cowering on the edge of the parking lot, a small thing scared and confused. I waited and watched as he was finally able to run off into the field safely.

I was agitated, shaky, and generally disgusted for the rest of the day. What is wrong with people?

The onset of summer seems to invoke in people a need to think about their pets’ needs more so than other times. Whether it’s the heat or vacations, I don’t know. But here are some odd and interesting pet-related stories, news, and products.

* Veterinarians have agreed: a pet’s biggest health threat is human error. With the launch of a new site - Remind My Pet - owners can now receive e-mail updates reminding them how and when to give their loved creature medicine. Register for free and ensure that you are providing healthy and safe care.

* Animal Keepsake Memorials has a new product to help you remember your four-legged family member forever: the Fur-Ever-Friends pet urn. For $65 you can get a triangular box. For an additional $125, you can order a personalized, engraved plaque with a photo on it. For about $20, you can buy a picture frame and make your own photo memorial.

* When Leona Hemsley passed away in March, she left $12 million to her dog Trouble. And almost nothing to her grandchildren. Now, a judge reversed Hemsley’s will on the grounds that she was not in sound mind when she created it. The ruling gave each of two grandkids $3 million, $4 million to charity, and the remaining $2 million to Trouble (and his caretaker who gets $60,000 a year).

* PetMD.org published a list of ten ways to keep your pets healthy during hot summer days. In short: provide lots of water; don’t leave them in a car; know that age and weight effect heat tolerance; don’t leave food out - it can grow bacteria; learn what’s toxic; put an ID tag on them; check for bugs; groom them; provide shade, especially for fish tanks; take walks in early morning or late evening.

* The Humane Society created a top ten list for best things to do outside with your dog. But it seems they forgot the best one … having your dog help you score a date.

* Pet Sitters International has declared Friday, June 20, to be Take Your Dog to Work Day. Supposedly it’s to celebrate canine companions and encourage others to adopt a dog, but I say it’s to give pet sitters the day off.

* The ASPCA is hosting the Adopt-a-Bull contest where humans can show off their recent pit bull adoptees. In celebration of Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month, there is also a cat photo contest.

She’s perhaps one of PETA’s most outspoken celebrity supporters. Spending her time serving food to those in need, speaking up when the media assumed that the hot dog she was eating was made of meat, and starting a petition to help the harp seals.

Who is the wondrously outspoken, animal-rights activist? Why, it’s Pam Anderson, of course! And now she’s found yet another way to act on her beliefs.

Not long after holding a fund-raising, private estate sale at her home, Pam will be auctioning off her beloved 2000 Dodge Viper (shown here) to collect more money for PETA. Anderson’s Viper will be auctioned off during the “Julien’s Auctions’ Summer Entertainment Sale of Hollywood Memorabilia” event on June 21 and 22 at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

“I’ve been working with PETA for 15 years. They’re kind of my ethical advisers. With them, I see actual results,” she told reporters with the AP.

What have you done for the animals lately? Remember, it doesn’t have to be a huge gesture: every small detail makes a difference. As Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see.”

I just sat down to watch The Last Mimzy and not 20 minutes into the movie … we have a veg reference!

Sitting around the dinner table, with Iron Chef playing on the TV, Noah and Emma begin to eat with their mom. A clip of the show that they are watching shows a live crab (or could have been a lobster) being held down, and whacked with a mallot.

Emma jumps. Questioning why they had to do that, why would they kill him when he didn’t do anything to them.

“What about that chopped-up cow?” Noah teases.

A hesitant Emma, with a bite of hamburger in her mouth, asks, “What chopped-up cow?”

“What do you think hamburger is?”

She thoroughly spits out every ounce of meat in her mouth.

From there, it’s just your basic plot of a young girl saving the planet and securing the future of mankind through a time traveling stuffed bunny rabbit.

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is often deemed one of the worst cases of animal cruelty by animal rights groups, especially PETA who has a Kentucky Fried Cruelty campaign.

While most of the claims of inhumane treatment fall on deaf ears within KFC, the Canadians have listened and are ready to change!

After seven months of closed-door negotiations between Canada KFC and PETA - and don’t forget a letter from Ryan Gosling to Canada KFC - a new animal welfare plan has been set into motion.

Some of the details set forth include:

* Phase in purchases of its chickens from suppliers that use controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK) until 100 percent come from this method, considered the most humane.

* Have a vegan, faux-chicken item available.

* Improve its animal welfare criteria.

* Urge suppliers to adopt better practices.

* Form an animal welfare advisory panel to monitor the changes and recommend further advancements.

Even if I did live in Canada, I still wouldn’t eat the chicken. But being able to (occasionally) grab a vegan fast-food meal would be nice. Although … how much would you bet that they will fry the fake meat in the same oil as the real meat?

Downers - cows and other animals that are too weak, sick, or injured to stand on their own - made headlines not long ago when the Humane Society released video footage of an undercover investigation into the treatment of these animals. Workers seem to think that a few, constant swift kicks will help a downer get motivated to walk. If an animal still won’t (can’t!) get up, perhaps a tow truck, front-end loader (a “digger” in 3-year-old boy speak), chains, ropes, or other will help. It’s also consider acceptable to use the meat of these sick and dying creatures for human consumption.

The public was shocked to learn about this standard practice when the HSUS video gained coverage even in public media outlets including television news.

The HSUS never gave up; their power has only been strengthened by the public outcry. Yesterday, they announced a breakthrough: “…the USDA announced that it will implement a complete ban on slaughter for human consumption of cattle unable to stand and walk unassisted.”

A Clueless quote is what comes to mind regarding this change: “Not a total Betty, but a vast improvement.” In other words, there is still plenty of work to be done, but this is still a great step towards preventing the abuse and misuse of downed animals. I can guarantee that the HSUS will not stop here.

The picture here is a screen shot from one of the HSUS’s downed cow videos. Click on it, and you can view this and all of their undercover footage.

I’m all for people on both sides of an issue speaking their mind … but in a mature, respectable manner. This means to paint throwing, no name calling, and no childish language.

Animal rights, and PETA specifically, tend to get a lot of grief for their alleged immaturity. So today’s lesson is that neither side is innocent … or fully matured.

A press release from the Center for Consumer Freedom, a non-profit supposedly “devoted to promoting personal responsibility,” was just sent down the wire with this title:

“Foie Gras Prohibition Repealed! Consumers Win!”

Offenses made:

1. Media fails to be unbiased.

2. Improperly and incorrectly speaks on behalf “the masses.”

3. Lacks basic journalistic skill; does not follow writing guidelines.

Next, the opening sentence:

“Today in a stunning yet welcome reversal of an ordinance that had made the Windy City a national laughingstock … “

4. Name calling begins.

5. Immaturity enters the picture.

6. Continued proof of lack of professionalism.

Now they bring in an “expert”:

” … experiment with Prohibition was always bound to end like this … “

7. Comparing your situation to a historical hard time is always a dumb move.

8. Arrogance much?

9. It’s just a wordier version of the grade school kickball rave: “I’m gonna kick your butt!”

“… a Nanny State looking over the
shoulders … “

10. So laws and regulations are bad? Is this what you are telling me?

I could go on and on, but I’ll just allow you to take it from here. For a good laugh (and groan), visit their Web site - you’ll find smear releases about PETA, jeers at organizations trying to help with America’s obesity epidemic, and, of course, plenty of childish, unprofessional language.

If you would like to understand more about why people are against foie gras, read Farm Sanctuary’s opinion on Chicago specifically. Also find great information through the No Foie Gras campaign.

It’s not just rare, it’s probably the first time ever that the two media networks that I keep up with - animal issues and fashion - are in agreement.

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 is currently up for discussion - commonly referred to as the Farm Bill, or the $300 billion Farm Bill. It was passed in the House yesterday and received more than two-thirds pro votes, which is what they will need to maintain the bill if President Bush were to veto it.

Now, I’m not up on legal or farm speak, but both fashionistas and animal/vegan advocates are showng support for this act that sets to defend farmers and the environment.

For the fashion side: Women’s Wear Daily says that this “could potentially help retailers and apparel brands save millions of dollars.”

For the veggie side: There are food safety and labeling issues addressed, with country of origin becoming a mandatory label. Nutritional programs would get more funding and support. There would be tax deductions for farmers using renewable energy sources. There are positive implications for organic food, rural preservation, and general conservation of resources, too.

To read more, the House Committee on Agriculture has put together a one-page factsheet about the bill as a whole. Plus, there is a page dedicated to the bill where you can read a factsheet on each section, follow the legislative proceedings, and read statements from involved people.

If Ryan Gosling has time to write a letter expressing his concern for animals, even while working abnormally long days on movie sets, then we should be able to find a few minutes to do the same.

Here’s a copy of the letter (click on it to see a readable size) and an excerpt of what the star from Lars and the Real Girl, Half Nelson, and *sigh* The Notebook had to say to John Bitove, Canada’s Kentucky Fried Chicken top dog.

The time is ripe to do the right thing. By adopting the basic recommendations made by PETA and scientific experts (including raising birds in a more natural manner and employing less cruel slaughter methods), you could dramatically improve the lives and deaths of chickens raised and killed for KFC Canada.

The letter was written by Ryan on behalf of PETA, which is why it is on PETA letterhead. The actor is originally from Canada, and wrote his country’s KFC executive to urge him to stop KFC suppliers’ worst abuses of chickens.

One of Ryan’s longtime passions has been educating the public on the issues of Darfur. He also has a rescued dog named “George.”

Sigh. As if I needed any more reasons to be smitten with Noah, er, I mean Ryan.

To find a letter-writing campaign that fits your passion check out PETA’s Get Active Center, the Humane Society’s campaigns, or any favorite organization’s Web site. Many will also send you local contacts and concerns - such as proposed legislations - if you sign up for their e-mail alerts. Like Horton the elephant says: every voice counts!

I am not the type of vegan who starts lecturing people about their choices. Although I will gladly discuss my diet with anyone (unless I’m on the potty. Good grief why do people insist on talking to me while I pee? My bladder is shy, okay?), I won’t point at someone’s hamburger and tell them what was done to the cow and what that cow is now going to do to their body.

But, if you point at my food first all bets are off.

Enter my fave comeback to people questioning the health, nutrition, and even the taste of my plate full.

Boy: Ewww broccoli is so gross.

Me: (Silent restraint)

Boy: Do you even have any protein on that plate?

Me: Start talking about my food and I will start talking about yours.

Boy: It’s just that that doesn’t even look good.

Me: You know what doesn’t look good to me? The dead chicken on your plate that had to go through un-Godly lengths of torture just to get tossed into a deep fryer so that you could get fatter.

Boy: … okay.

Point Sally. Bring it.

This is a photograph of the last moments of the life of Kentucy Derby second-place winner Eight Belles.

The young filly finished the race, despite being repeatedly, mercilessly whipped by her 20-year-old jockey Gabriel Saez. At the end, she appeared fine. Then, Saez galloped her out (a sort of cool down and celebration) for a quarter of mile.

She collapsed, having broken both front ankles.

Fighting, no doubt, to calm concern in the crowd, vets and officials rushed to Eight Belles’ side. And immediately euthanized her.

Saez won $400,000; Eight Belles was murdered in front of all the Kentucky Derby attendees - but, I guess if you are one to attend and bet on any animal sport, you are not one to be bothered by a needless killing of the animal. I mean, if you bet on her to win, she still finished and got you a decent return, right?

Of course every animal rights group is quickly throwing punches at the event, but PETA’s voice is strongest, making CNN headlines today for lobbying the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority for further investigation (i.e. Did Saez know the horse was injured?).

Death by electrocution … it’s how many animals in the fur industry end their short, pitiful lives. And not just your average electrocution means, but disgusting, up-the-rear prodding and shocking.

In New York, however, fur traders and farmers will no longer be allowed to use anal electrocution as a means for offing animals, whilst preserving as much fur as possible. If they do so, they will face up to one year in prison.

That’s right: the home state of a great fashion capital has placed a legal ban on killing chinchillas, rabbits, mink, foxes, by anal (and genital) electrocution.

New York was the first state in the U.S. to make such legislation, and although no others have such a law in any state of the process, it is hopeful and likely that more will soon follow.

Something notable about a senator behind this animal rights law? He’s republican!

Said Republican Sen. Frank Padavan in the Associated Press article about this new legislation: “I draw a very strong correlation between how we treat domestic animals and all animals and how we treat each other.”

Well, there you go. Republicans can be bleeding hearts too.

Whoops! According to the AP, the law was actually signed into act back in March, but was headed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer, the man who has since retired after being implicated in a prostitution ring. He’s a Democrat. Conversely, the Humane Society featured a press release on the law being enacted back in August, 2007.

So the facts and dates are somewhat iffy, but there is no denying the fact that it is now illegal and prosecutable by law to ram a rod up a furry creature’s bum and shock him to death in the state of New York.

Not interested in buying mom the standard (albeit organic) flowers for Mother’s Day? Think she won’t get it if you get her cereal?

Well, how about a mommy and baby endangered animal then?

Defenders of Wildlife has a wonderful Wildlife Adoption Center online where you can sponsor a particular threatened species, and receive a stuffed animal, photograph, activity book, fact sheet, and certificate (dependent on level of donation). Donate $100 or more, and receive dark blue windbreaker with the Defenders’ logo.

As a special deal for Mother’s Day, Defenders have created a handful of mommy and baby duel-sponsorship packages. For $50 you can help an entire penguin family or a panda mommy and her baby cub; for $100, a polar bear mom and her cub.

With 11 recent additions to the Adoption Center (for a total of about 25 different species), and sponsor levels starting as low as $25, this would make a great gift for an animal lover.

Plus, you can request that Defenders not send you a plushie to maximize how much of your donation goes to the animals. … but don’t feel guilty if you really want the cute, squishy version of your new adoptee! Every penny helps, and the stuffed toy can act as reminder or a tangible learning tool for kids.

Click on either photo to see more about sponsoring that animal, or to learn about the animal itself and why it is threatened. The first is a photograph of a clouded leopard; the second, a wolf mom and cub adoption gift set ($100).

Look out: in Austrian petri dishes, straight from the frog’s you-know-what …SUPER SPERM is here to save the dying species!

This is an actual headline from Plenty Magazine today: “Project aims to preserve endangered frogs — by freezing their sperm”
.

The research company that has been working on this concept had this headline: “Sperm ‘On the Rocks’ - Using Semen Cryopreservation to Protect Amphibian Species”.

It is definitely a different way of aproaching an ever-growing and changing problem in the animal world. But how do they get these “samples”?

Naked, showering PETA members Chloe Jo (left - a Farm Sanctuary worker)
and Ashley Lou (right - not of Whoville, not related to Cindy Lou) bathed in Times Square today to make a statement:

In short, the meat industry wastes water and creates greenhouse gases.

The “Clean Your Conscience: Go Vegetarian” campaign (these are the words on the unseen side of the curtain) wants people to make a connection … Just one pound of consumer-ready meat is the equivalent in anti-green waste as more than one year of showers.