Living Without Meat

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.

The ASPCA has come up with a very unique, interesting way to garner new donations. In fact, I think it is great idea!

Here’s their explanation of the new campaign:

Getting married? Want to do something different? Make a donation to the ASPCA in lieu of wedding favors. In exchange for your thoughtfulness, we will provide you with place cards to notify your guests of your gracious gesture.

If you prefer to give by phone please call Linda Tiramani at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4516. (Click for the online donation site)

How original! Plus, it makes one less thing for the bride-to-be to plan and put together.

So if your big day is coming up, consider making a gift on behalf of your guests, and in honor of your special day, to the ASPCA or your any of your other favorite charities - I am sure that any of them would love to help accommodate you in telling your guests of your generous choice.

wedding favors, alternatives to wedding favors, aspca

Rounding up hour three of the blogathon with post number seven, I am starting in on my first craft project (and my first iced coffee!). This project, however, will not be offered to someone who can read my blog, but to those that are benefiting from you reading it.

Animal shelters need towels and blankets, so I am knitting a cat bed from scrap yarn. The ASPCA says: “Gently used towels and blankets are great for bedding in shelters and for bathing shelter animals. Collecting towels and blankets will help your local shelter offset the cost of caring for homeless animals—and they’re usually always in great demand and very much appreciated!”

So I encourage you to also get something together that you can take to your local shelter. Peruse your abode for bedding that you can spare, gather it up, and head off to give it over to the puppies and kitties.

Animal rights activist usually don’t have any problem making the news. They do, however, tend to lean towards more negative press coverage than positive. That is why I was so delighted to read the recent NY Times article putting a rose-colored spotlight on Farm Sanctuary.

It is definitely worth checking out; you’ll see why I support the organization, and why I have chosen them as my charity for this Saturday’s blog-a-thon.

Even if you don’t make a donation, please stop by Living Without Meat throughout the day and show me support as I write 49 posts in 24 hours without any sleep!

Want a teaser? I’ve been making plans for what to write about and some ideas include: addressing the search strings that have brought Web surfers to LWM; making handcrafted items during the event and giving them away as I finish them; introducing myself and my cats a bit more … the list goes on. You won’t be let down!

(And thanks to Chris for a heads up on the article!)

blogathon, ny times, vegetarian, animal rights, farm sanctuary, freebies, cats, living without meat, sally andersen

It seems that America has decided that Mike Vick is guilty. I especially have trouble remembering “innocent until proven guilty” when: 1. animals are involved, 2. the defense is so unbelievable, and 3. he has had previous legal problems where he admittedly lied.

Vick claims that he was allowing family members to reside at his Virginia property, and that they - without his knowledge - were running the infamous dogfights.

Upon the breaking news, Peta protested; the ASPCA held meetings; and the Humane Society took care of the rescued dogs while calling for public response. And the NFL finally took action. Sort of.

Yesterday, Monday July 23, NFL News announced that Vick would not be allowed to attend training camp that started this week while the league looks into his case determining if he violated the Personal Conduct Policy (grounds for suspension), and the strength of the legal findings against him.

However, league commissioner Roger Goodell, who sent Vick a personal letter with the above information, also told the Atlanta Falcons that they were not to take any action against Vick until the league had made their decision. Likewise, Vick is to continue to receive his pre-season weekly paycheck totally about $1,100.

A paid vacation? Appeasing the public without making industry enemies? A time-out? Or fair proceedings for a man who has yet to be legally tried and convicted?

mike vick, michael vick, dogfighting, dogfights, nfl, atlanta falcons