Pamela Anderson had a scheduled media event yesterday in Vancouver to acknowledge and re-affirm her disgust of the annual seal slaughter off the Atlantic Coast.  She stepped out on a cold, rainy day into the street outside of the CanadianDepartment of Oceans and Fisheries where media waited to get her story.  Virginia Fort of Peta hosted the event and Pamela sent off 5 large envelopes with over 500 000 signatures asking Steven Harper to end the seal hunt.  To see the photo gallery of Pamela Anderson in Vancouver go here.

On this past Saturday January 23 Glenn Gaetz, Director of Liberation BC organized a one of it's kind event called:  Animal Advocacy Camp.  Approximately 80 individuals from Vancouver arrived to participate in an open space plan to share ideas, information and questions regarding how to be more effective advocates for animals.  The spectrum of people who attended ranged from long time animal activists such as Anne Birthistle, John Pranger, and Karl Losken of the Anti-Vivisection Society of BC who have been working for many years to end animal exploitation, to newcomers and artists ready to explore more about the topic of animal rights. 

The event was laden with conversation, idealism and hope for a better world.  The gentleness of everybody was translucent.  I personally have never been surrounded by so many selfless and cohesive people who really have a spark of divine humanity that goes beyond the altruism of this world.  There were tears shared for the incredible sadness that holds many of our hearts in stillness while watching the incredible suffering of the most oppressed beings on earth.  And there was an incredible sigh of relief when many of us realized we are not alone in our isolation of loving animals in a world where they are completely unrecognized as sentient individuals.  Together the tears were moved to deep relief, hope and laughter.  We all walked away with a heart of inspiration and I am sure this shall not diminish in the near future.

Upate From Film Director Katia Louise on Saving America's Horses:

How you can help

Call and Email to Help Pass the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act before Feb. 2, 2010

Coming Soon From Alicia Silverstone's New Blog: The Kind Life.

Can't wait to see more from her amazing Blogs.

Repblishing from Doris Lin and her Animal Rights Column:

Animals and the Earthquake in Haiti

A search and rescue team prepares to leave California for Haiti, January 13, 2010.

The full effects of the earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 are still not known, and probably won't be known for days or weeks. The number of human casualties could be over 100,000, and one estimate put the figure at 500,000. And of course, animals are being affected by this tragedy.

Search and rescue dogs and their handlers are being sent from the United States to help locate victims buried under the rubble.

According to Kinship Circle, international organizations including World Society for the Protection of Animals, The Humane Society of the US and International Fund for Animal Welfare are monitoring the situation and preparing to assist in the rescue of nonhuman victims.

WSPA has already sent a team of veterinary staff, and is awaiting news from the area. Because of the extent of the devastation and the poverty in Haiti, most of the communications infrastructure is down and information is scarce.

What You Can Do: Food for Life Global, an international hunger relief organization, provides free vegan and vegetarian meals to disaster areas, and is collecting donations for their Haiti Emergency Relief Fund. To contribute online, visit their website, and look for the grey box in the top right corner of the page, that says, "I wish to donate . . ."

Thanks to Pamela Rice at the VivaVegie Society for the info on Food for Life Global.

David McNew / Getty Images

Dear Christian Ministry; The People's Church and Charles Price

I am writing today to inquire about your values related to the lives of animals.  Often in my journey of seeking justice for animals I come across Christians who say that the lives and suffering of animals does not matter as "God put animals on this earth fur us to hunt and eat."  I find this statement to be incredibly barbaric, naive and inhumane.  I do not understand how a Ministry that purports to spread compassion could allow the teachings of Jesus to be misinterpreted and so hurtful to God's creatures.

Today as I was flicking through television channels I happened to come across the lecture of Charles Price . He caught my attention because he seemed to have a truthful quality about him and a sincere way of speaking.  Something I don't often find when viewing Ministers on TV who normally have such an outlandish salesman approach that I can't even stand to listen.  So as Charles spoke I could hear some of the words.  And then he said something that made frustrated and concerned me:  "that human beings are the only creatures who have the ability to worry about death." 

This truly makes me wonder how much he understands about animals.  Obviously he and the Christian faith have no comprehension of how deeply animals are capable of feeling.  Obviously the Church has not witnessed the miraculous actions of animals rescuing other creatures and saving humans from harm.  Obviously the church as been so focused on human salvation that it has stepped on the arms, legs and heads of those little beings around them in order to find their truth.  The Christian Faith while stepping on the poor creatures below them, has it's head so far in the clouds that it has disconnected from the creatures that need them most.  May I remind you, these are also God's Creatures.  And God loves all of his little people.  Not just human creatures.

I would like to know if I have over generalized.  If not every Ministry has the same horrible view of animals, that they are here merely to become flesh for human consumption. Or if some Ministries might have the compassion to see outside of this incredibly selfish, oppressive and desperate view.

Thank you for your time.

Spirituality & Animals

Breakfast from Kris Hofmann on Vimeo.

Dear Mayor George Aidonis and friends,

It is difficult for me to believe that the centre of our Western civilization began in a place called Greece.  Over the past several years I have seen images of cats whom have had their eyes burnt out by acid, dogs strung from trees and horses beaten to death in agony.  As I am sure you are quite aware of by now there was a young horse who was recently dragged behind a vehicle for 2 km.  I am told he was screaming in agony while the flesh of his body was ripped away and the intestines were falling out of his body.  The man who did this apparently laughed and thought it was humorous and the police who were contacted did absolutely nothing.

This is obviously considered to be a normal behavior towards animals in this 'great' civilization of Greece.  I am sure you are aware that the integrity of a nation is revealed by the way its weakest are treated.  You must then be aware that your civilization has lost it's humanity and it's integrity. 

It is beyond shameful that this type of behavior is condoned and applauded in your Country rather than treated like a crime deserving of the most severe punishment possible.  I hope you will consider your place in world civilization.

Sign Petition and Write Letters Here

For the New Year consider the following reasons to try on Veganism.

10. Global Warming

Livestock's Long Shadow, a report from The United Nations states that eating meat is one of the most serious contributors to environmental problems causing almost 40 percent more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, and planes in the world combined.  As wilderness is destroyed for agriculture, wild plants and animals are displaced pushing species to the brink of extinction.

Sacrifice Me.

Betray My Soul.

Sacrifice Me.

I am the lamb at the Altar

I am the sheep in the strreet. crying.

The voodoo chicken is done. strangled.

The Torah Commands it; Korbanot

The lamb. lamb. lamb. blood of the paschal lamb.

Isreal serves. Eid ud-Adha to commemerate God's forgiveness.

For atonement you must kill. kill. kill. Blood thirsty killing.

blood everywhere, bulls screaming, lambs hysterical, rats in a frenzy, pigeons in love and rats diced up by dullened blades. slowly. ever so slowly.

and hysterically. Frenetic breathing by human believers. laughing. joking. sins forgiven. love given by the merciful god. the lamb. the lamb.

Religion creates slavery for all.

Peace For None.

Punishment for Animals.

Bloodlust for the sickened.

Forwarded Message from a Global Campaign to end Meat Consumption

This courageous organization revealed the abuse in the Swedish meat industry through an investigation made over two years. They deserve a lot of credit and feel wellcome to post them a X-mas card thanking them for their EXCELLENT work - feel free to say Hi from this our group to a kindered cause!  MERRY MERRY MEATFREE X-MAS AND HEARTFUL THANKS FOR BEING IN THIS CAUSE!!

Global Campaign to End the Meat Consumption Before 2020

Djurrättsalliansen,
Box 385, 
SE-114 79 Stockholm | Telefon: +46 (0)76-230 12 00

www.djurrattsalliansen.se

Update From Facebook Cause "Stop The Nisshin Maru."

Japan- Whaling ships left port today for Antarctic waters for the annual hunt of the Ocean giants, setting the stage for high-seas confrontations with anti-whaling activists. The factory ship Nisshin Maru and the smaller Yushin Maru 2 and Yushin Maru 3 left the western port of Innoshima shortly after 10am for what is usually a five-month bloody hunt.
First time after many decades, the killing fleet departed Innoshima port in southern Honshu without the ceremony that marked many previous departures (people having a Whale-shaped balloons and orchestra paying 'Popeye the sailor man').
In regards to the lethal research, the number stands at 850 Minke Whales and 50 Fin Whales. The Japanese Institute of Cetacean Research, which runs the fleet, confirmed that Humpback Whales would again be spared from the hunt, extending a postponement agreed in 2007.

Update From Humane Society International Canada:

Imagine being left in a forest, chained to a tree, without regular access to proper food, clean water or adequate shelter. Imagine growing more and more desperate as the days and weeks go by, your cries unanswered.

For approximately 100 neglected sled dogs in Québec, this was reality until their owner surrendered them, and Humane Society International and the SPCA Laurentide-Labelle arrived to rescue them this week. Watch a video of the rescue, then please consider a donation to help us stop this kind of suffering.

As we walked onto the property, my heart broke. The huskies had been chained to plywood structures over barren stretches of frozen mud. Hungry and dehydrated, they were unable to move more than the two-meter radius their chains permitted.

I am always amazed by the power of dogs to forgive. It was as if they realized we were there to help them, and slowly the miserable, emaciated huskies began to wag their tails as we approached. The dogs began to bark in excitement, but one remained quiet, waiting as his friends were rescued. I went to him and, as I grew closer, I realized he was blind because of cataracts—another casualty of the neglect these dogs endured. Carefully, we walked him to freedom, and the promise of a better life.

We arrived just in time. Winter is coming, and many of these dogs may not have survived without our intervention. With extreme cold temperatures approaching, these dogs—including a number of puppies—could have faced a horrific death.

Thankfully, our rescue operation was a complete success. One by one, we led or carried the dogs into our Emergency Services vehicle, and transported them to our emergency shelter an hour away—space generously donated by a local businessperson. There, dedicated volunteers from United Animal Nations will provide round-the-clock care, while SPCA LL veterinarians will treat and vaccinate the dogs. Once healthy, these deserving dogs will be adopted out to loving homes in Canada and the United States.

While these lucky dogs are now safe in their warm, temporary enclosures, so many more less fortunate animals across Canada still face neglect and abuse. With your help, we can ensure sled dogs and other animals do not have to face this kind of misery again.

After you watch our video, please give what you can to help us continue to fight cruelty by rescuing animals and advocating for stronger laws.
Together, we can make animal suffering a thing of the past.

Sincerely, Rebecca Aldworth, Director
Humane Society International/Canada

FANTASTIC News from Asia Pacific:

I have some wonderful news to share with you today. Thanks to a tireless and dedicated campaign by PETA India – and the continued support of compassionate people like you – the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZA) has made the decision to ban zoos and circuses across India from keeping elephants.

Elephants currently held in Indian zoos will be transferred to undeveloped areas controlled by the Indian Forest Service – and will no longer be kept in chains. This is a massive step forward in our efforts to end the captivity of animals in zoos and other forms of "entertainment" around the world. It is a ban that will be heard around the world.

The tide of public opinion is definitely turning against keeping elephants in captivity. Recently, representatives of PETA's affiliates travelled to Europe to give everyone the inside story on what goes on in the world's biggest circus – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey – before their first-ever tour of Europe began. What happened? This huge and hideous circus faced rock-bottom attendance at the first venues and had to cancel all their performances in Germany and Spain.

Life in zoos for elephants must be frightening and confusing – and it often ends badly. In their natural homes, elephants form complex, lifelong social bonds and stay with their families for life. They travel vast distances – an activity that is essential for their physical and mental well-being – and thrive by caring for one another, teaching their babies how to survive, warning each other of dangers and sharing food.

Compared to an elephant's natural habitat, zoos – no matter where they are in the world – cannot and do not provide anything close to what elephants need. Invariably, elephants in zoos spend their entire lives standing or shuffling about in relatively barren enclosures, sometimes without even a blade of grass or a tree, sometimes all alone or paired with one elephant with whom they may not even get along. With their natural herding instincts frustrated, they go insane from the lack of exercise and social contact.

In recent years, PETA India have conducted investigations into 14 major zoos and have consistently found scenes of appalling suffering. The investigations have revealed animals who are deprived of shelter from monsoons or the blazing sun as well as hungry animals who are forced to forage amongst rotten food and garbage. At the Aurangabad Municipal Zoo in Maharashtra, a PETA India investigator found elephants confined to a small bleak concrete enclosure. All the elephants were kept chained, and one was tethered by both front legs with a spiked chain that painfully prevented him from moving more than a few shuffling steps in any direction.

The CZA's compassionate decision means that no more elephants will be forced to live out miserable lives behind the locked gates of India's zoos! On behalf of all elephants in captivity, we applaud this historic announcement and call on the rest of the world to follow CZA's lead and ensure that elephants everywhere are allowed to live without chains, free from fear and abuse.

Thank you for caring.
The PETA Asia Team
Activist@PETAAsiaPacific.com

I am speechless, but maybe you will understand why it is that I have given up on the human race after watching this.  Our race is the only species that does evil acts daily without thought and has no boundaries or ethical barriers with which to apply pressure against it.  From apathy to outright cruelty, there is little if any difference.  When we turn away from evil, we are perpetrators of it's actions.   We are all responsible for the suffering in this world, from the smallest emotional slight towards those who live as beacons of love and live what we aspire to be, "humane," to animal laboratory experiments, eating of their sweet flesh, to the criminal psychopathic acts of cruelty, we are swords without hearts lashing out in cruel anger towards all species that move in other directions than we do.  We are the only species capable of such cruelty, such cowardliness, such unbearable acts of stagnant, rotting violence.  As we sit and watch the horror go by, we rot in our own souls, waiting for these devils to be done with "their" animals and then turn their attention back to us, the humans who sit silently and knowingly.

The longer we remain quiet and do nothing the faster things will shift to focus on the next weakest link.  From insects to animals to children to elderly to challenged and then adults. Because the weak are always the ones who are tortured, the next link of potential victims must be on guard.  Do not stand by and be an invisible viewer of their torture: whether it is on the table before you, the souls of your feet, or something that actually attacks upon the morals of your heart.  They are all tortured equally and there is no reason to stand by and allow it to be so. NO reason other than the ignorance, apathy and deep sorrow of our own hearts who don't have the patience to understand what is truly happening in our world.
Liveleak Video
Please Call your local MP, Foreign Ambassador, Government Official, RCMP Officer, anybody, anyone.... and ask them what they intend to do about the cruelty portrayed in this video. Email this to your friends so his face shall be known around the world so that in truth he shall never ever be free of his crime. This could just as easily have been a human child as another type of animal child, but there is no difference, they are all "our" children.  They all deserve immaculate protection from "us."

Thank you for caring

Take Action

Most, if not all Elephants who once lived in the confinement of a Zoo begin to flourish and thrive once in an environment more suited to their natural habitat. Anybody who honestly explores the potential health challenges of allowing a sentient being like Lucy to be confined to a Zoo, will likely come to the same conclusion as I have. Lucy is destined for a far better life in an environment where she can freely roam on the grass and earth, where her feet will not become diseased from standing on hard cement, where she can forage for food, shake trees and trumpet to other elephants across the hundreds of acres of forest that would be her home in a place like The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

Read the rest of the Letter Here

I do not understand the joy these men take in killing such beautiful creatures.  It is devastating.  NRDC sent out this newsletter asking for her death not to be in vain, but it was in vain, nothing can change that.  Wolf "527" sounds ruthless in her strategies, ferocious in her killing, cunning in her abilities to avoid humans, but in the end stared down the barrel of a rifle with the full conviction that she would live, not understanding the nature of humanity, the nature of evil, the ruthlessness of the civilization that dominates her unknown world.  From everything I read about her, she was a unique, creative and highly intelligent being despite her ruthlessness traits required to survive in the  world she fights to live in.

Read her amazing story below:
Letter from NRDC:
I know you will be as saddened as I was by an obituary written about Wolf 527, one of Yellowstone National Park’s beloved wolves.  Wolf 527 originated from the Druid pack -- one of the best known wolf packs in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley, the scene of numerous National Geographic and PBS documentaries.  For years, the movements of some of the members of this Yellowstone pack have been monitored by biologists and wolf-watchers equipped with radio tracking devices and powerful spotting scopes.

  One of those wolf-watchers wrote this obituary for 527
"527 was a wolf that marched to the beat of a very different drummer." As a yearling, 527 left the Druids to join the Slough pack -- where she quickly became the beta (second-in-command) female. Then in 2007, she and a male wolf set off to found their own pack -- the Cottonwood Creek pack -- where she became the alpha (first-in-command) female.

As a leader of the Cottonwood pack, 527 was known to be a master of survival strategies. While four other packs that inhabited the same area suffered dismal fates, her pack thrived. As her biographer recounts, "She was a genius wolf in her tactics. Strategy was her game and she was a master at it. She would return to feed her pups in the dark of night because she would not take the risk of crossing the road."

But in the end, despite 527's "unbelievable survival strategies," this resilient wolf "was not able to outthink a rifle" and was killed on October 3 when Montana unleashed its first public wolf hunt in modern times.
Since the public hunts began, 156 wolves in the Northern Rockies have met 527's fate. And over the next year, more than 500 wolves could be shot to death by hunters and government agents ... reducing the region's wolf population by a staggering 40 percent!

There is a petition to sign, but you have to be an American Citizen.

           Pro Hunters Response to Her Death: No Mercy Here

• It’s all very dramatic and--no surprise--has caused quite a stir. But even as Yellowstone wolf biologist Doug Smith argues that the shooting of collared wolves does adversely affect research, he was shocked by the national sensation surrounding wolf 527 and remains in favor of the hunting season. Meanwhile, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wolf-recovery coordinator Ed Bangs, flatly says the loss of wolf 527 is no big deal.
• It's make an interesting full body mount if you could leave the radio collar on it.
• Congradulations to the successful hunter on a fine trophy, hopefully many more hunters get to experience the same adventure!
• Wisconsin where is your wolf season! I can't wait for it we have a pack that's been roaming around our land and neighboring land that could use a little whack and stackin'

Pro Hunters

Why Are Endangered Wolves Being Hunted?

Why are wolves who have JUST been removed from the endangered list being hunted down?

Answer: Hunters want to Kill Elk.  Wolves kill Elk for Food and so they are considered by these extreme Hunters as Vermin. Competition.

Farmers also hate predators of their animals commonly referred to as livestock.
"Those wolves they're talking about in Yellowstone are all over the place out here. They're traveling everywhere," said Ryan Counts, a hunting guide and team-rope rodeo rider from the town of Pray, who shot Wolf 527. "They're just decimating our elk herd and everything else. They're bothering cows all the time."

The Blood, Gore & Nature of Wolves

In another article: "Dillon, 180 miles northwest of Yellowstone, a rancher in late August found the carcasses of 122 purebred adult sheep strewn in bloody heaps in his pasture. It was the worst livestock predation in memory - an example of the ability of wolves to kill for the pure pleasure of it - and wildlife officials authorized the killing of the entire pack."

Shockinlgy perhaps these Wolves do kill for sport and fun.  The hunters kill the hunted which turn out to also be hunters of glory and fun. But the wolves never will have a chance to kill their hunters.  On the other hand, stories are made up to give hunters more public support for their sport.

"She was a genius wolf in her tactics," said Laurie Lyman.

Finally the utter sadness:

The wolf did not attempt to retreat before he fired, Counts said.
"They aren't showing any fear," he said. "But they will, I'm sure." said a Hunter.

I feel the Wolf Inside me and I fear for the blood spilled by humanity and I wonder if I would be so brave with a rifle faced at me with a scary white man standing behind, mouth full of tobacco, lies and greed.

Yesterday my friend told me about the Bones Chicken Episode showing footage of factory farms. Is the truth finally being revealed to mainstream viewers? The lead actress Emily Deschanel has been an advocate of animals and Vegan for many years.  Thank you Emily.

Recap Of Bones: The Toughman in The Tender Chicken

09/06 Bones Spoiler - Bones star David Boreanaz is threatening to exercise his power as a producer by skipping an episode later this fall that centers on a major phobia of his. "Are you kidding me?" David exclaimed, when I told him that series creator Hart Hanson is planning for his character, Seeley Booth, and Temperance Brennan to investigate a death at a chicken farm. "This is like some kind of bad joke," says the actor, who has a lifelong fear of birds. "Hart can play that game, but I'm going to kill him.. I just won't show up. I hate birds. They freak me out. It's more roosters that I'm fearful of, but I'm not crazy about chickens, either." Hanson, who plans to shoot at an actual chicken farm with or without David, admits to letting his devilish side get the best of him. "Between Emily, a passionate animal-rights activist not wanting to exploit animals and David having a phobia of chickens, it should be an interesting shoot," he says. "You gotta have a little fun." The episode opens with the discovery of a body that looks suspiciously like a half-chicken/half-man creature. "It is bizarre," Hanson says. "I'm not sure by the end of this episode if anyone's going to eat chicken again." Emily, who volunteers for an organization called Farm Sanctuary, has been a vegan for years. She hopes her meat-eating costar will join her in the episode-and perhaps learn a lesson. "If David's going to eat chickens, he ought to know where they come from," she says. "If we can make the public aware of atrocities, these chickens can be ambassadors for other chickens living horrible lives in factory farms." Source: Keck's Exclus

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Mahatma Gandhi

This morning Pamela Anderson, Peta Vice President Dan Mathews and Designer Richie Rich were interviewed on Canada's favourite morning show Canada am.  Pamela & Richie Rich are launching their new designer line called A*Muse which is animal friendly and eco friendly. Pamels is also working with Peta to launch a new ad campaign against the East Coast Seal Hunt.

Pamela Anderson said Canadians are compassionate people. Yet Canada has one of the worse animal welfare laws around the world and the Seal Hunt is a blood stain on every Canadian conscience.  If as Mahatma Gandi said, "the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated," Canada is definitely not a very morally progressive nation.  Although Pamela will likely take a lot of criticism and abuse for taking such a strong stand against the cruel seal hunt, I am grateful for her courage to speak up against the barbaric nature of the Canadian Government and its affiliates; the seal hunters and murderers of animals across Canada.

Dan Mathews spoke intelligently about the younger generation:  "most young people don't want animals to suffer for their fashion. They've already moved beyond fur, they don't even want leather.  We even eliminate wool.  Any kind of industry that uses an animal there is cruelty involved because they cut corners to save costs.  And you don't need it! It's just a very old fashioned thing to use animals for fashion and fur."

Thank you Dan!  Great job for speaking up and thanks to Pamela Anderson for her compassion campaign.

Watch Video Here

I am thrilled to see the well loved Dr. Oz recommending a Vegan Diet not only to a Cowboy, but to anybody for improved health! He asks the man who owns a nearly 100 year old heart from a lifetime of eating animal products to give Veganims a try.  This to save his heart.  There is, in my opinion a reason that animal products coalesce in the entrance to the soul, and it isn't necessarily to do with animal protein.  The heart magnifies life, molds it, embrazens it.  The heart has the special skill of love.  A cowboy's heart will be saved because he will for only a short time not allow the suffering of these animals to enter his closed up heart.  But if only Dr. Oz had recommended staying Vegan, my heart would be healed and my job here done.  The human hearts of millions have done too much damage to our world and they all must unlearn everything they have learned.

Watch "A Cowboy Goes Vegan"

I didn't really want to write the last post for the Vegan 21 Day Kickstart.  It went so fast and I had sooo much more to share!  So I am going to keep sharing, there are way too many more good things about Veganism that need to be known.

And there are many more kickstart days planned ahead from all sorts of organizations....Here is another! A message from

Hello World Vegetarian Day Participants,
First, I want to thank each and everyone of you for taking action and
agreeing to go meat-free on World Vegetarian Day. So far almost 900 people have accepted the challenge and will join you tomorrow in celebration. Since there are many I don't know, I want to take a moment to introduce myself.
My name is Michael Parrish DuDell and I'm the Co-Founder and
Editor-in-Chief of VEGdaily.com and the Senior Editor for
Ecorazzi.com. I'm also a contributor for the Huffington Post and
CrazySexyLife.com. Earlier this year, I founded an online media
company called Project:Green Hero and will embark on a 50-week,
50-state Green Hero Tour in the spring of 2010. I've been vegan for
almost 9 years and look forward to helping make World Vegetarian Day
simple and delicious for each of you.
At the bottom of this email you'll find a comprehensive list of
online resources that will help you succeed on the big day. For your convenience I've broken the list down into three categories: Lifestyle, Cooking and Animals. However, if you don't have time to browse, here are a few quick tips:
If you eat most of your meals on the go, check out HappyCow.net or
VegDining.com. These sites detail many of the vegetarian-friendly
restaurants throughout the world in a simple, user-friendly way. Chances are you'll discover your community is way more vegetarian-friendly than you thought! If you live in New York City, check out SuperVegan.com's restaurant guide for a database of the Big Apple's best places to eat.
If you'd rather try your luck in the kitchen, stop by VegWeb.com or
VeganYumYum.com for some great recipes. Of course there are plenty of vegan cooking sites listed in the online resource list below. Just scroll down!

Thank you again for participating in World Vegetarian Day and going meat-free on October 1st. Not only are you doing something awesome for yourself, but your helping to make the world a cleaner, greener, more compassionate place. Feel free to add me as a Facebook friend and message me with any specific questions you might have. I hope you enjoy this challenge and discover how fulfilling a vegetarian lifestyle can be! Happy World Vegetarian Day!
- Michael Parrish DuDell

Online Resource List
Cooking
CookingAniPhyo.com
Jam-packed site filled with tons of raw food recipes.

BitterSweetBlog.wordpress.com
Every sweet tooth will be satisfied with these scrumptious desserts.
Blog.FatFreeVegan.com
Nutritious and delicious well-crafted meals.
VeganChef.com
Impress your friends with these great recipes.
VeganYumYum.com
Mouth-watering food and gorgeous photography.
VegWeb.com
A one-stop shop for all your cooking needs.
ViveLeVegan.blogspot.com
Well-rounded site filled with yummy food for all three meals.
Lifestyle
CrazySexyLife.com
Healthy living never looked so good. You’ll leave this site feeling amazing!
ChristianVeg.com
What would Jesus do? He’d probably logon to this site!
Ecorazzi.com
Green gossip? Veggie Celebs? This site is the leader in sustainable pop culture!
GirlieGirlArmy.com
Ethical style, fashion and more, GirlieGirlArmy is a guaranteed good time.
GoVeg.com
Want a FREE vegetarian starter kit? Go here to get yours today!
HappyCow.net
An amazing guide to VEGing out just about anywhere in the world.
NAVS-Online.org
The North American Vegetarian Society is one club you HAVE to join!
SuperVegan.com
News, reviews and a killer restaurant guide, this site provides it all.
TheDiscerningBrute.com
Ethical style and fashion for the modern day gent.
ThePPK.com
Weekly bloggings and killer recipes make this site a must-visit.
Vegan.com
Long-time vegan Eric Marcus keeps it real on his all-vegan blog.
VeganBodyBuilding.com
Wanna get ripped on plant-based power? Find out how here!
VeganDrinks.org
For the 21 and up crowd who want to connect with like-minded peeps.
VEGdaily.com
Packed full of all the latest VEG news, this site is a one-stop-shop
forall things veggie!
VegDining.com
Stop by VegDining.com to learn about the great restaurant options
in your neighborhood.
VegForLife.com
Visit this site to find out why going VEG is the best thing you can do for yourself, your planet and your animal friends.
VeggieConquest.com
Learn about New York's Iron Chef inspired vegan cooking competition here.
VegNews.com
The Vanity Fair of vegetarian magazines! Learn from the best!
VegSource.com
Want proof? Get all your VEG-based science from this gem of a site.
VegetarianStar.com
Tons of celebs rock the plant-based lifestyle. Keep up with all their
comings and goings here.
WeLikeItRaw.com
This online network proves that raw food can be easy and delicious!
Animals
AnimalsAnimalAcres.org
Learn more about this Cali-based animal sanctuary here!
Circuses.com
Find out why the circus is far from the greatest show on earth.
Dawnwatch.com
Get hot off the presses animal alerts from a reliable source!
HSUS.org
The leading animal advocacy organization – plain and simple.
MakingHay.com
Keep up with the activist scene on this rad site!
MilkSucks.com
Think milk does a body good? Think again!
PetFinder.com
This site proves there’s never a reason NOT to rescue your pet!
PETA.org
Love them or hate them, this organization works their tails off for the animals.
PETA2.com
PETA’s younger brother. It’s never too early to get involved.
SanctuaryTails.com
Get the latest news from Farm Sanctuary here.
WoodstockFAS.com
Find out more about Woodstock’s only farm animal sanctuary.

Karl Lewis, Olymipian of the Century proudly says, “My best performances were when I was 30 years old and I was a vegan.”

See more Top Athletes who perform best Being Vegan

...."nutrients from animal based foods, especially the protein, promote the development of the cancer whereas the nutrients from plant-based foods, especially the antioxidants, reverse the promotion stage" ...

...."cancer proceeds forward or backward as a function of the balance of promoting and anti-promoting factors found in the diet"....

..."Most estimates suggest that not more than 2-3 percent of cancers are due entirely to genes; almost all the rest is due to diet and lifestyle factors. Consuming plant based foods offers the best hope of avoiding cancer, perhaps even reversing cancer once it is diagnosed"...

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathy-freston/a-cure-for-cancer-eating_b_298282.html

Earthlings is the ultimate story.  If you have not seen it yet, it is a must see.  If you are already one of the converted and absolutely know with complete certainy that you can not witness anymore truth and cruelty than know this IS one of the most powerful tools you will have to share with others.

I am not sure why it is so hard for people to make the connection. To see themselves in other's.  To see the goodness in the expression of all life.  To see that we are all living creatures, with divine thought and kindred hearts.  All animals love.  All animals protect their children.  All animals fight for goodness and for what is right. Fathers may love their genetic newborn child, but feel disdain for another's.  What is the difference?  They are both children of God.  Mothers' will fight for their child and lift cars up with their bare hands to save their own infants, yet eat the child of another.  What is the difference? People often call themselves compassionate, saying they care about the welfare of others, yet they will not think twice about the subject upon their dinner plates.  Priests acting in sound councel guide others to be kind and think of their neighbours, yet act in complete callousness to God's creatures.  Pet owners will love their cat or dog, providing every affection they can, yet give no thought to where their food comes from. What life was stolen to for them?

How can we as a nation be so disconnected from everything.  From all life? It is so easy to make the connection when you realize we are all the same!

Just watch.  Life has something greater in store for this planet and it does not include cruelty to animals.

http://www.earthlings.com/ 

(Click on the Watch Now Link For Full Documentary)

Commentary from a non animal rights person

This article explains in some simplicitity why the human body is not designed to eat meat and how our desires for flesh obscure our natural tendencies to eat simple, refined and joyous meals.  Meals that come from true evolution.  Read more here: Shattering the Meat Myth

Kathy Freston

Author, Health and Wellness Expert

"Going through the comments of some of my recent posts, I noticed the frequently stated notion that eating meat was an essential step in human evolution. While this notion may comfort the meat industry, it's simply not true, scientifically."

How many ways, how many times can we say the feel . . .

They think, they understand, they are intelligent.

They know, they care, they are.

Just as we are.

Secret Society of Vegans:

Good News Everywhere . . .

"Sarah Kramer, bestselling author and one of the highest ranked SSOV agents, is on tour right now. She's traveling all over Canada to promote the 10th Anniversary Edition of her first book (co-written with Tanya Barnard) "How It All Vegan"... Here, she is interviewed by the morning show on Canadian TV. Spot the SSOV subliminal propaganda message on the How It All Vegan video:

The Vegan Virgin Guide:

Going Vegan. Vegetarian Starter Kit. Plenty of Extra Resources

Vegan Pyramid Guide: (Short Version Below)

WHOLE GRAINS
Servings per day: 5+

Serving size: 1/2 cup cooked cereal; 1 slice bread

Source of: Protein, Fibre, Complex Carbohydrates
Such as: Bread, rice, pasta, cereal
VEGETABLES:
Servings per day: 3+
Serving size: 1 cup of raw veg
Source of: Fibre, Vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals
Such as: Carrots, squash, yams, pumpkins,  Dark leafy greens

FRUITS:                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Servings per day: 3+
Serving Size: 1 fruit; 1/2 cup cooked fruit; 1/4 cup dried fruit,4 ounces juice
Source of: Fibre, Vitamin C, beta-carotene and, phytochemicals
Such as: Citrus fruits, melons, berries, bananas & apples, mangoes

LEGUMES:
Servings per day: 2+
Serving Size: 1/2 cup cooked beans; 4 oz tofu; 8 oz soymilk
Source of: Protein, Fibre, Iron, Zinc (also helps reduce cholesterol and stabilise blood sugar)
Such as: All beans, peas, lentils, tempeh, tofu, & the full range of soya

Calling all angels.   There are those who are born into this world too lovely for earth's suffering, too beautiful for it's demise, too graceful for it's torment and too special for this life of extraodrinary cruelty, however they have come to teach.  Most if not all animals are those beings.  They are pure love and deserve so much more than the crucification man impinges upon them.  However there are a few children born into the world who also recognize the preciousness of life.  And they are distraught with our world.  They come in all forms: quiet genius's, autistic, outrageous artists, activists in many fields, loud, obnoxious, sweet, kind, genetics, genes and races from all mixes.

They are precious.  They are the teachers.  They are the way forward as they understand all life.  They are born with memories and with full awareness and much understanding.  They are Christian, Jewish, Native and Wise.  They are all.  They are the kinetics of the future.  They are Earth's children.  They are guides. They are angels.  They are highlights of what we are and what we should be.

I am calling on you angels to be who you are. Love who you are. Keep growing who you are.  And never ever give up on who you are.  And I love you for being here.  You will know who you are, for you will be drawn to this message.

What it means to be Vegan:

And this is for you my angels:

Midway there, the half way point.  Day 11.

I wonder if this has reached anybody.  I wonder if any non Vegans are actually even participating.  I know all the Vegans are! LOL.  Humans.

I found out the Dalai Lama actually eats meat.  He enjoys all sorts of tortured beings: veal, pheasant, steak, who knows what else.

If the Dalai Lama can not be Vegan or even Vegetarian, is there any hope for the planet?  I kind of doubt it, but you never know.  Maybe we will all be surprised.  Maybe hearts and minds will change and love will overflow. Then again, maybe Mother Earth will get fed up with all of us and crash in and expose the truth of our lives: as parasitical creatures on the back of her precious body, suckling, taking, digging, destroying.

Thanks to all those who dedicate their lives to goodness, wholeness and perfection. The achievement is not impossible, but the rigorous command of life demands more from many of us.  Most of us.  May we all be aware. Simply aware of the truth of all sentience.  That is true enlightenment.

Linda McCartney: Balti Curry

PCRM: Recipe of the day Chickpea Tacos

The organizers of the Vancouver Peace Summit have done a huge disservice by playing the political game in their supposed Peace conference.  Along with true, living iconic peace symbols such as The Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Eckhart Tolle will be asassin of seal pups, Governor General of Canada Michaelle Jean.

This is a conference I respect and the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education is something I am truly proud of, or was until now.  Michaelle Jean's presence taints the stage with the blood she drew by eating the warm heart of a seal and decreeing to the world that the EU ban on sealing was unjust and a mistake.

How can supporters of World Peace be in such arrogant dismissal of the lives of all sentient creatures?  The Buddha himself would not touch the flesh of other living beings and yet these highly qualified individuals who live in alliance to truth and God will be in the company of one who sheds no tears for animals.  In fact, she is known to be an ample meat eater (and worse a fur wearer) of all little persons who suffered in anguish to be delivered at her table.  I wonder what the menu will be for this Conference?  Will they also be eating the remains of souls who lived and died in agony for their pleasure?

Please write to the Organizers of the Peace Conference here and share your thoughts on this matter:
http://dalailamacenter.org/contact or info@dalailamacenter.org

One of these People Do Not Belong At a Peace Summit

When I first started introducing people to the idea of going Vegan and began sending video footage of slaughterhouses, I never expected so much resistance.  I actually had the audacity to think that people would care, that their eyes would be opened to the horrors of the field of cannabilism, the eating of other members of our extended families.  I thought they would begin to make changes if not immediately within their diets at least slowly.  Instead, I lost friends, I recieved hate mail for sending them graphic footage of the meat they ate and more so just received silence and apathy which is probably the most frustrating of all emotional options.

Some cynical comments I often see in regards to eating meat is, "I have Free Will and I can eat whatever I want to."  Well, yes you do have free will.  And if eating the horrified and bloodied bodies of others is the choice you would like to make with your free will, then I suppose that is allowed.  We really have free will to do anything we want to. We can steal, kill murder, start wars, rape, pillage, burn down houses and do a variety of hostile things in the name of free will.

But with this extraordinary ability to use our free will should their not be a committment to making grand choices for liberation and a better world?  Choices to liberate, rather than confine?  Choices to love rather than murder? Should there not be consequences? I understand that we have free will, I just don't understand our abuse of this power. This decision to confine and torture other beings in the name of will.  It almost seems a misnomer to justify our ability to use free will when we have no consideration of other's free will.  When our choices infringe not only on the choices, but the lives of others, there must be consequences.  There must be a consequence to eating the flesh of another living being. I am not sure what it is yet.  I do not know if there is a hell, if there is karma, or an experience that ever comes to one in their knowing that they have caused great suffering, free willingly. Free Will...causing suffering willingly, this is the essence of a non Vegan Path which is not a free future for the planet, the animals or the human spirit.

A touching Video for those are Vegan, becoming Vegan, exploring Vegan and not Vegan:  Please Watch this beautiful transistion of human animal encounters

The Vegetarian Times is another fabulous recource for some great looking recipes along with high quality images to help draw your senses out.

On page 1 there is a Soda Bread Scone recipe that looks divine.

If you are looking for some spice try the Thai Spicy Eggplant with Sweet Basil.  The ingredient list, along with the Nutritional Profile and Directions are all easily located in boxes for readable easability.

If you are missing those eggy, rich breakfasts check these Vegan Brunch Recipes from the PostPunkKitchen blog out: There is the Chesapeake Tempeh Cakes, Pumkin French Toast and Puttanesca Scramble. "Vegan Brunch offers revamped savory classics like omelets and scrambles as well as scrumptious waffles, french toasts and pancakes for that morning sweet tooth. Recipes include: Pumpkin French Toast, Tomato, Basil and Ricotta Omelet, Sweet Lemon Crepes, Mom's Morning Casserole, Chocolate Beer Waffles And Samosa Mashed Potatoes. Peruse the recipe sections below and try a few out!"

Don't miss this recipe from the Vegan Kickstart Day 7: Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes

If you like quick, easy to create recipes perhaps you are happy simply remo ving the animal products from your normal recipes and replacing them with the basics: tofu, beans and veggies.  And this is great!

However, if you want some more choices, check out all of these great Vegan Recipe Books such as Vegan Fire & Spice, the Vegetarian Meat and Potatoes Cookbook, The Native Foods Restaurant Cookbook and much more.

When I bit into my first freshly ripened home grown tomato it invoked long unnoticed senses in my detective tastebuds.  The tomato was full of exquisite and tender juices unlike the best possible store bought tomato.  The flavour was a perfect balance of salt and sweetness with a mix of cherry colours and a grainy, juicy texture that was so incredibly satisfying.  I could taste the various elements within: the salt was not just the taste of sodium; it was Potassium, Choloride, Fluoride, Phosphate, Sulfate and other Biochemical Salts that nurture our circular system.

It was a lot of work raising this little Tomato.  I had to keep him safe from the hungry munching of deer.  Give lots of soil and large amounts of water and make sure it was allowed to be drenched in the sunlight of our golden summer days. I wish all tomato's could taste this way.  If only our fruits and veggies could be fully ripened and closely grown to home, maybe it would be easier for all of us to be Vegan with the sweet, juicy and meaty flavours they naturally inherit.

Even Organic food doesn't taste like it used to.  It has been drizzled down with new large end commerce and overgrown to massive productive quantities (still for the same high prices).  With out the delicateness of love, nothing tastes the same.  This luscious tomato reminded me how perfect nature is when grown in a small, sustainable way.  I believe we would crave for nothing else if each banana was ripened to it's fullness, each fruit kept on the tree to the last moment and each vegetable grown in soil of rich nutrients with unmodified genetics.

But because our fruits and veggies come nearly colourless and flavourless we need to add condiments, salt and sometimes sugars to make them have the qualities that suite our individual taste buds.  Still, it is possible and that is why we have amazing Vegan Chefs and new recipes to enjoy each day.

Enjoy the last days of summer, their warmth and all the goodness that your food can behold.

Recipes:

Rawly Vegan Blog: Stuffed Avocado

Day 5 of the Kickstart: Hoppin John Salad

VegCookingBlog: Southern Style Tomato Gravy

I am not sure how to begin this. In the video you can see right into Maxine's eyes: waiting, solitary. One of the few escaped.  Why is it the expression of freedom means so much more to people than the mishandled, abused and tortured?  Humans have some sixth sense that the meat on their plate suffered enormously, but not until seeing the face of one who has run for it's life, will people truly connect with the beauty within that body.  That body that they call flesh, ribs, sirloin steak, roast, BBQ, add a little sauce.  Yes there is a face with that name.  Yes there is heart and feeling mind within that dinner.  She is alone in her struggle now, wandering free as a messenger to the innocent:  She is human.  I don't care why people will choose to end their meat consumption: health, environment or ethics. I just hope they do and quickly. We need more free Maxines' to touch people's hearts like this one and allow people to leave meat off their plate once and forever.

Watch Maxines Dash for Freedom

"We must not refuse with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies" Gretchen Wyler as spoken by Shaun Monson.  If you still aren't convinced about Becoming Vegan, please check out this great interview with Shaun Monson, Producer and Director of "Earthlings."  He brings a spiritual connection to sharing the pain and suffering of all sentient beings and helps you find a way to want to connect, to know that wisdom is discovering and learning the truth.  This is enlightenment.

Available Here Part 1 and Part 2

Other Shaun Monson Links

Meatless Mondays Interviews

Myspace

Shaun Monson on Speciesism

Ecorazzi Interview

Yesterday in the grocery store I was looking at the stalks of broccoli and an elderly woman was there who appeared to be negotiating over the various shapes and sizes.  She felt so gentle, her nature was soft and somehow she just glowed with the quietness of humility and compassion.  I sensed that she was trying to make a decision and she made a comment on the large bundles.  We briefly related our broccoli stories and I told her how she could use the stalks of the broccoli by cutting away the outer layer and inside was a crunchy yet tender tasting portion that tastes similar to Kohlrabi.  I somehow felt touched by her unique and special energy.  It is rare to meet one with such a glow around them that they make you want to learn more about them.

A few minutes later I met her at the Tofu Section.  I suppose because she was so without harshness and defensive I felt I could ask her the silly question: "do you eat tofu?"  "Yes" she said.  I asked her if she was Vegetarian.  She said a profound "yes!"  "Me too!" I said in a resounding joy.  To meet a woman of her age (late 70s) who felt like she had never done any creature harm in her life made my spirits soar.  Somehow the gentleness just exuded from her.

Striving to be Vegetarian, if not Vegan is a worthy cause: for your heart and soul and something simply happens in your body that reflects the beauty within you....

Great Vegan Recipes on Cookshow

Note on Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi is a favorite of mine as well. It is easier to grow than broccoli and very tolerant of insect damage since the vulnerable leaves are discarded. It ships and keeps well also. Very tasty and fairly versatile as well. To grow in a garden, it can be direct seeded, but starting in flats and transplanting works best for me. You can grow an early crop, and second late crop in most warmer zones. Some gardeners plant every couple weeks for a continuous supply. It tolerates heat better than most cole veggies such as broccoli and cabbage. Peeled, cut up cubed and steamed is my favorite way to prepare.

I hope Day 1 was a successful and enjoyable day for those that participated in the "Vegan 101 Class" from PCRM.  If you tried and failed, don't worry.  This is not about perfection, it is about substitution: substituting old habits for new ones, old foods fore better ones.  It takes time. It also takes awareness. The more you learn about the diet and the consequences of eating Vegan and those of not eating Vegan, the more inspired you will feel to do what your heart knows is best.

Here is a Vegan Link to nourish your inner Whale Wars self

A Vegan Diet is the answer to a long, healthy life for everybody including those who have Diabetes.  Listen to this 40 minute interview entitled "Halting Diabetes with a Vegan Diet" with Dr. Neil Barnard.  It has been kindly downloaded by LOBSA into a 5 part You Tube Video Series.  This interview is enlightening, interesting and very educational. Take the 21 day Vegan Pledge now.

If you are only able to listen to one of the 5 place check this one out:

All 5 Listed Here (Scroll to bottom of article)

What is Carnism?

~ By Melanie Joy

Carnism is the name I’ve given to the belief system, or ideology, in which it’s considered ethical and appropriate to eat (certain) animals. Carnism is essentially the opposite of vegetarianism; while a vegetarian is a person who believes it’s unethical to eat animals and therefore eschews meat, a carnist is a person who believes it’s ethical to eat animals and therefore eats meat.

Most people, however, don’t recognize that their choice to eat meat reflects a deeper belief system. They don’t think, for example, about why they love dogs but eat pigs, why they find the meat of some animals disgusting and the meat of other animals appetizing, or why they eat any meat at all. Most of us consider meat eating a given rather than a choice, and when we do think about our consumption of animals, it is through the lens of biology rather than ideology. But meat eaters are not carnivores, which are animals that need meat in order to survive. Nor are they merely omnivores, which, like vegetarians, are animals that are able to survive consuming both plant and animal matter. “Carnivore” and “omnivore” reflect nothing more than a biological predisposition. For humans, eating meat is not a biological necessity (with the exception of those within geographical or economic constraints), but a philosophical choice based on a set of assumptions about animals, the world, and oneself. As long as eating meat is not necessary for survival, it is a choice, and choices always stem from beliefs.

Why, then, has carnism not been named until now, when vegetarianism has been recognized as an ideology for centuries? One reason is because it’s simply easier to recognize those ideologies that fall outside the mainstream. A much more important reason, though, is because carnism is a particular kind of ideology: it is a dominant ideology whose tenets run counter to the values of most people. Dominant ideologies are belief systems so widespread and entrenched that their values and practices are considered common sense—“the way things are”—rather than a set of widely held opinions. And dominant ideologies whose tenets are in opposition with the deeper values of most individuals hide themselves in order to ensure the participation of the populace. Without popular support, the system would collapse. Most people’s value system does not condone intensive, extensive, and unnecessary cruelty to animals, and yet carnism requires just such violence.

Dominant, violent ideologies such as carnism keep themselves alive by utilizing specific strategies, or defenses, to hide the contradictions between our values and behaviors, allowing us to make exceptions to what we would normally consider ethical. The primary defense of the system is invisibility and the primary way the ideology stays invisible is by remaining unnamed. If we don’t name it, we won’t see it, and if we don’t see it, we can’t talk about it. Invisibility protects the ideology from scrutiny and thus from being challenged. And when it comes to carnism, not only is the ideology conceptually invisible, but so, too, are the animals whose lives and deaths the system depends upon.

In Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism, I discuss the various defenses of the system as well as strategies to counter these defenses. In this way, we may step outside the system to become more empowered citizens and consumers.

Sign up for a 21 day Vegan Kickstart Diet to learn about and appreciate what Veganism has to offer.

On September 8th the wonderful medical organization called PCRM is helping to kickstart a 28 Vegan Online Program.  I will be doing my own supplementary commentary during this time. 

The last Newsletter said that 10 000 people have already signed up online.  I hope you will be one of them to enjoy the benefits of Vegan Eating.

The Vegan Kickstart begins on Sept 8th and you can sign up here to recieve the recipes, updates and encouragment.

Today is the beginning of the dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan. There is barely a report to indicate it's arrival and as anybody who has watched the number one film across North America, The Cove would know, the dolphins are killed in sublime secrecy.

About 2,500 dolphins and other small whales are killed in the dolphin drive hunt that takes place six months out of the year. The rest are killed with handheld harpoons out at sea. In the small fishing village of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, the dolphin drive hunt is carried out by about 26 fishermen from September 1st though March. Operating with 13 motorized boats, the fishermen go out to sea at early sunrise and look for migrating dolphins. Banging on metal pipes submerged into the water, they terrorize the dolphins with a "wall of sound," causing the dolphins to panic, the fishermen herd the dolphins into a secret killing cove close to Taiji Town. Often dolphins die during the chase that can last eight hours or more. The Taiji fishermen claim that dolphins eat too much fish and therefore must be exterminated. As one Dolphin Hunter said, all we need is to get one dolphin and the rest come to try and save it.

People around the world are taking a minute of silence at 12pm today to honour the lives and deaths of the families of dolphins.

Gordon Ramel is a scientist who has "come to poetry as a scientist."
                             Darkness

As yet another dolphin dies a voice I cannot see
calls out in pain “Enough. Enough. I will not let this be.”
As a dark cloud quickly rises from deep within the sea
an awesome beast of writhing form takes shape in front of meits massive arms raised heavenwards in prayer or else in plea.

Now a thought inside me whispers. “Be careful child, take care. This is no normal summer storm that is abrewing there.”
The atmosphere around me has grown heavy with despair.
I feel a shiver down my spine and static in my hair.
From the beast a voice of thunder now shreds the fragile air.

“Behold I Am the Darkness.
And I am the pain
of a thousand species dying
and of one that is insane.
Enough!
Enough I say again.
Let retribution come to those
who live with such disdain.”

The air is full of howling and the beast becomes forlorn
defeated by an anguish that no living soul has borne;
it drops its mighty head and arms as if about to mourn.
Then a gentle breeze arises and shreds the bitter storm,
in just the way the rising sun dispels a mist at dawn

A flood of mixed emotions sweeps across my timid soul;
I find that I am crying, weeping tears I can’t control.
For suddenly I know our planet as a living whole;
I see how hard it is to live without a greater goal
and just how far we have to go to fill our promised role.

A clear, yet quiet voice speaks next, across the troubled sea
“The story is not finished yet, and you must let it be.
‘Though they have left your world for now, they’re living still with me.
You cannot stop them dying, not so long as life is free.
So return now to your dreaming and let the living be.”

The darkness then descended to the molluscs and the krill
The sun once more was warming, all the waters calm and still.
I wondered at the gentleness of such a mighty will,
yet my heart within me trembled, touched by a sudden chill, remembering the ease with which humanity can kill.
Then I heard the darkness bellow from deep beneath the brine. “The innocent may well be yours, but the guilty will be mine.” And I heard the daylight answer as clearly as sunshine" “It is only for a while that you will call them thine, then they, like you, will come to me, for this is my design.”

Footnotes to "Darkness"
by Gordon Ramel
Gaia is my muse, and poetry is becoming more and more the staff that supports me on my path to her. When I am asked if this was a vision from a greater intelligence or merely a momentary reorientation of my own subconscious caused by a passing configuration of tendencies and predispositions, I can only say I do not know. It was and is a part of my life; I have felt it appropriate to share at this moment in time; the moving finger writes and the dominoes keep falling; we live creative lives and we live in a beautiful world; to see it clearly is to love it. I wish you well.

More Commentary On Images Here

I am wondering if you would be interested in following up on a story about Brindi. Brindi is a dog who was rescued from the SPCA in Halifax, only to be returned through a series of traumatic events approximately 2 years later.

Behaving much like a normal dog, she defended her property line and had a very minor incident with a dog passing by.  There was no puncture wound and no physical damage done to the other dog or it's guardian.  Still, Francesca, the loving friend and guardian of Brindi offered to pay for the dog to see a Vet to ensure this dogs safety.  The offer was declined.
Shortly after this incident the Halifax Control Centre came to Francesca's home and seized Brindi in a most traumatic way.  They intended to euthanize her, however Francesca fought for her life in court.

It is now over a year later and Brindi remains living in a cell at the SPCA. Francesca has nearly lost everything she owns trying to pay for legal bills to get her friend back.  This nonsense has gone on long enough.  Two best friends are being forced to live apart out of a power struggle by the city of Halifax. This is cruel and unusual punishment for a dog who was abandoned at birth and forced to live in a shelter for two years (something which often drives dogs completely insane) and then ripped away from the only person who has ever loved her.  Still she is considered to be one of the sweetest and kindest dogs by those who know her (including the SPCA!)

Please consider following up on this issue. Paul McCartney has been written numerous letters asking for his help as has Peta who wrote a formal letter of request to the city to release Brindi. Please read their letter here: Peta Stands Up For Brindi

Countless people are writing daily for the life of Brindi.  Many around the world are disgusted with the treatment by both the SPCA and the City of Halifax over such an unreasonable and incredibly minor issue.  It just seems so bizarre, unethical and unfair that a woman who obviously loves her dog so much, who is willing to go through so much to be with her again is being fought by those people who supposedly protect animals. 

Thank you for your time,
With all my respect,
Amanda Daniell

Background Info and Links:

On July 24, 2008-nearly a year ago-the unthinkable: my beloved Brindi was seized and put on death row. A mutt that never bit a human or seriously harmed a dog, she's smart, gentle, and affectionate. Did well in obedience class, but, being rescued from a native reserve, gave in to territorial urges, slipped my grasp, and ended up reported for run-ins with dogs. All were on our property line; only one minor injury resulted. I apologized, attached enclosures to both exits, and arranged for a private trainer, to no avail. I had an expert assess Brindi, and she found her highly trainable, even after being caged for 5 months. I paid a lawyer thousands to get the AC officer's euthanization order quashed in court. But the city kept Brindi, without any legal order, and rather than holding a fair hearing to consider affidavits from a groomer, a kennel owner, and scores of others, it charged me with 3 by-law violations- offenses normally fined - in order to parlay a guilty verdict into a new kill order. Meanwhile, courts are booked till March 2010. The pound is nowhere to keep a dog over 30 days!
Free Brindi Blogspot! <http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/>

Brindi, a 5-year old mixed breed dog, has never bitten a person or seriously injured another dog. She is friendly and calm around people and likes the vast majority of dogs she meets. Found abandoned with 5 puppies, she waited 2 years in a shelter before owner Fracesca Rogier adopted her in 2007. Ms. Rogier had her microchipped, spayed and vaccinated. Brindi did very well in obedience class and obeys many commands. She loves her owner and is gentle and safe around infants, children and adults. She even lives peacefully with 2 cats.
All Creatures

Additional Links:
Animal Advocates
Update on Brindi
Free Brindi Petition

Help Us Take Action For Brindi

A few days ago I found a great link on BC Liberation's website with an automatic email to all Vancouver Locations that serve Foie Gras.  I love efficiency and I was pleased to receive three emails in response to my concern.

La Terrazza replied that they had removed Foie Gras from their menu some time ago and wished me luck in my work.  The General Manager of Shangri-La, Mr. Stephen Darling, answered with a formal letter saying that he had forwarded my concern to the culinary team and they will be deciding the best choice to meet all of their patron's needs. Mark Hills, President Hills Foods Ltd suggested that my comments reflect that I have been grossly misinformed and that it is unfair to those who appreciate and love farming as a way of providing for their families.  He also suggested that the producer, Aux Champs d'Elise in Quebec (who is according to Liberation BC and as revealed in horrendous video footage one of the worst farms in Quebec) is passionate about the production of foie gras.

Here is my original letter as well as the link from Liberation BC for the quick emails.  While you're there don't forget to vote for the best name for their new Duck mascot who will be fighting Foie Gras Production!

It has come to my attention that you serve Foie Gras.

Of course the raising, breeding, growing and slaughter of all animals is devoid of human compassion.  However if we look at the unlimited food choices available certainly one would be capable of removing the most barbaric of all the artificially raised beings, Foie Gras being one of them.   One simply needs to view any video's of the extreme torture these gentle duck's endure at the hands of their mutilators. If any human being watches these video's and feels nothing, it certainly is a sign of complete and utter dissociation from oneself and the world around them.

Please Remove Foie Gras from your menu and begin to add more Vegetarian Items to increase compassion in our world.

Thank you,

Amanda Daniell,

Vancouver, BC

http://www.intotheeyesofgod.org

How do you argue with divine intelligence?  "I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men." Leonardo Da Vinci.

I guess the reason I keep fighting, despite blatant neglect and abuse from such horrid animal hating criminals, is that I believe.  Underneath the surface I just believe animal people are better.  That they care.  That is the crux, despite the agony they inflict on their fellow beings somewhere deep inside I just keep assuming there is some truth in them that leads the way to humanity again.  Perhaps this is my greatest fault.

What scares me most is that intelligent, educated and professional people are still eating meat despite their subtle awareness of the effects of the agricultural industry.

I say subtle awareness, because once one becomes fully conscious of what is behind the meat industry I have to believe their high capacity for learning and understanding would overpower their desires and greed for flesh.

I have been surrounded by intellectuals: intelligent, caring, generous, honest and wonderful people.  Yet they seem to have no idea of the pain and suffering they are inflicting on animals and our planet.  Or worse, they know but do not care.  This leaves me to wonder, if these people can know all there is to know and  refuse to change their ways, is there any hope for animals and for this world.  Some days I truly don't want to know the answer. 

In addition I just read this nice little article from Care 2 entitled "No View from the Top of the Food Chain" that asks a similar question "maybe, when it comes down to ordering our dinner, we just don't care. As is true for all solutions, improving the way livestock is treated starts with defining the problem. So is it ignorance, blinders, or indifference?"

I for one would love to know.

After Reading About the Fire (in) The Grid Meditation occuring today it really makes me wonder.  What happened several nights ago.  Many people did say that the Skies were eerie.  And today I read about a transental meditation taking place where new energies willl spread through our planet, healing the waters and flooding the earth with new potential.

Read and Join in the Meditation Here

Tonight God Saw The Earth Through my Eyes. And her silent rage was a beacon in my heart of bitter debris. The Earth was a shade of light never before seen, otherwordly, a different fragrance of light. The Waters danced in a Golden Hue, the mountains arced beneath a light of beams from a distant galaxy.

The light shuttered like moonbeams in a too near sky and the thunder harked the sounds of innocent angels in the earthen night. The clashes of Zeus's warriors in the sky serenaded us for the breathren hours.

I stood with my eyes raised to heaven and my arms wide spread, fingers touching the sky and said, "forgive me, but you can take me now."  Let the lightning strike. Then I danced down my drive way, tempting the fates of heaven,in my rain soaked clothes and feeling the cool breeze upon my sun burnt, fiery skin.

Thank God, you have not left us.  The Golden Light said to me. Earth Mother responds with pounding rain and crackling lights of blue and white.

It is her heart, craving the coolness of her skin, the light of her eyes and the feel of her roaring in glee in the release of the tension and pain of the rising heat of her internal organs.

The constant blood shed upon her bones, the agonizing cries of her innocent children, the light born of stillness inside her animals. Longing, aching to be free.  If I were God I would be enraged with Earth's people.  But God is far better than me who still shows mercy.  On this night I can see the fury in my heart reflected in the sky around me and it gives me humble peace. For I know they are still coming.

My favourite blog, which is actually an editorial page that Paul Watson has been writing for far longer than Blogs have been around are the writings from Sea Shepherds Captain Waston.  His commentaries give me great joy.  They are always informative and well crafted pieces of humour, intelligence and journalism.  For a spectacular peek into some of the daily nonsense Paul is accustomed to seeing, he has shared an interesting rant and rave on his MySpace from a Dolphin Killing Tuna Captain.

He also explains why Japan should not be allowed to host the Olympics while they are allowed to Harpoon whales and slaughter thousands of innocent dolphins each year as finally documented in The Cove. Former Minister of Australian Environment says, "Japan is trying to pitch its bid for the 2016 Summer Games as a Green Olympics' whilst just across the bay one of the greatest acts of environmental vandalism on our planet paints the waters red," he said in a statement on Wednesday."

In my opinion, making Ethical choices for the Olympic Hosting Process should have been a practical and mandatory step long ago. Countries who endorse human, animal and environmental treachery should be automatically exempt from the economic gain they receive by hosting the Olympics.  In 2010 Canada, the largest host of the seal slaughter will also be hosting the Winter Olympics.  Previously China, a country where cats are boiled alive and dogs beaten for better flavour, not to mention the awful human rights issues, were able to develop their political and economical status despite the horrific tragedies within their Society.

Japans' Harpooning of innocent whales and massacre of thousands of dolphin lives is as dishonorable as the misshaped sword that once spoke of heroism.  I applaud the efforts of Ian Campbell.  It is a much needed time for somebody with a political background to speak up for the citizens of the world who don't vote.  What a wonderful addition he is to the Sea Shepherd Team.

Brian Vincent from Big Wildlife continues to advocate for the Cougars and Wildlife who are coming into conflict with Residential areas in Squamish, BC.  CEO Developer Mike Esler says that wildlife issues are "just a reality for everbody. You’ve got bear issues in Coquitlam, North Van, West Van. It’s just a fact of life living in beautiful British Columbia.” Full Story

This is certainly not an easy situation for anybody to resolve over night.  However, I for one am tired of developers re-arranging the planet for their self serving interests.  Wildlife deserves better than extinction and being pushed repeatedly to the borders of our developments, lawns and urban sprawl. Humans also need to coinhabit this earth and share it with all species, for that is what makes it the evolving ecosystem it is.  Without wildlife there is no ecology, only humans. This becomes increasingly more realistic as our oceans are on the verge of collapsing from overfishing and pollution and the forests are being destroyed in massive quantities.
Those communities who still have the valuable resources of land and wildlife have been put in a position of having even more responsibility in preserving it.  There are not enough places left where one can still feel that vital connection to all of nature and life.
Please Squamish hold on tenaciously to the remaining paradise and don't let developers pave the last piece over.

Dear Executive Chef/Proprietor Chef Robert Belcham,
I just opened your website and the first words were Fuel From the Earth, Fuel For The Soul. I am to be honest a little dumbfounded that you could speak such poetic words and compare fuel from our earth and our soul with the wretched endorsement of slaughter and cruelty that you honour and endorse.

I sense from you Chef Robert Belcham that you are a very proud man.  And from most of my experiences from Chefs, that pride is often combined with a deep and firm stubbornness.  I almost sense you are refusing to remove Foie Gras from your menu because you refuse to be bullied into anything.

However, please do not let your pride allow for the barren cruelty that exists in this industry.  Have you seen the video footage and images of this industry Mr. Belcham? It really is more horrendous than anything any sane and caring person could witness or imagine in their wildest and darkest moments.  Please think about this before continuing to serve animals that have endured more horror than any persons in history could have ever endured.

A creative Chef can find ways of creating with kindness, this I am sure of. 

Note:

Vancouver Animal Defense League has been protesting outside of Fuel Restaurant in Vancouver, BC in an attempt to have them remove Foie Gras from the menu.  The response from the restaurant has been one of name calling and harsh and cruelness.  We can only hope that the poetic justice they seem so enamoured with may become meaningful in some deeply, profound way. Please feel free to drop a line to this very inhumane establishment and see if you can give them some of your constructive criticism.

Email: info@fuelrestaurant.ca

Today is the last day to show support for Namibia seals before money is due each day to keep them alive; contingent on a pending deal. Those holding back on pledges are urged to immediate action. The impending slaughter will otherwise go forward. Where will you stand when the killing begins?

WFL Endangered Stream Live stands united for all seals.  We hope you will too.
The Team at WFL Endangered Stream Live

http://www.wflendangeredstreamlive.org/namibianseals.html
http://wflendangeredstreamlive.org/savethebabyseals.html
http://wflendangeredstreamlive.org/sealwarriors.html

Please send an email to Francois Hugo and tell him you pledge to support him with a financial donation, however large or small to keep the killing of these babies from becoming a reality:  sasealion@wam.co.za

Francois Hugo Assisting and Rescueing the Cape Seals

Francois Hugo The Seal Whisperer

I feel renewed inspiration from the following letter (background info to follow):

Thanks to everyone who participated in the virtual protest against Barbra Joe's Books to Cooks and their foie gras promotion event that was scheduled to happen on June 22.  The store received HUNDREDS of emails and phone calls from all over the world and the event is now CANCELED!  12 hours after our protest message was sent out on Facebook, the bookstore removed the event from their website. The store owners confirmed that the event has been canceled. Thanks to all of you, this bookstore will probably think twice now before promoting an event like this again. Great job everyone! You've made a difference!
Joanne, Liberation BC
-------------------

Original Message: Liberation BC
Barbara Jo's Books to Cooks is hosting a $125 dollar foie gras dinner on June 22nd. Please join our virtual protest by calling or emailing the store. Please keep it polite, but definitely express your displeasure that this formerly wonderful store is glorifying such a cruel product. Tell them that you will be boycotting their store and asking all of your friends and family to do the same.
Barbara-Jo's BOOKS TO COOKS
1740 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver
Telephone: 604-688-6755 or 1-866-688-6744 A caged duck struggles on a foie gras "farm" Fax 604-688-6759 Email: bookcook@intergate.ca

The event is being advertised as "an evening of the quintessential French delicacy, foie gras. Mark Hills, owner of Hills Foods, will share the history and culture of foie gras. Club Members will be served a delicious meal featuring this cherished French specialty and will take home their own copy of Foie Gras by Michael Ginor. Price: $125.00." Some more information can be found on their website. With everything we know about foie gras, it's hard to believe that anyone would want to celebrate it. And yet on June 22nd, that's exactly what Barbara Jo's Books to Cooks will be doing.
Please set aside a moment to contact Barbara-jo McIntosh and politely let her know that you are disappointed. Then, please send us an email and tell us if you took part in the virtual protest so that we'll know how many people contacted them. If you get a response, we would love to see a copy. The ducks have no other voice and need you to speak for them.
Harper was rescued from a foie gras farm and will never be fully healthy
By the way--instead of having Mark Hills as a guest, perhaps Books to Cooks could talk to someone who really knows foie gras, like a former employee of Elevages Perigord, one of the largest foie gras farms in Canada: "It was not uncommon during the last few days to have six or seven dead ducks after a single feeding. In fact, if the mortality rate was not high enough, we were instructed to boost the dosage given to the ducks . . . We did this fully knowing that we would kill some of the ducks by increasing the dosage so rapidly, but that it was worth it because of the increase in liver size in those ducks that managed to survive." (source: Global Action Network, from an investigation jointly conducted with Farm Sanctuary)  It is extremely important that we let Books to Cooks know the true "history and culture" of foie gras, and why the truly ethical foodie leaves it off his or her plate. Thank you for all you do for animals!
For the ducks! Joanne
In addition: you may consider sending along this horrific video footage of what goes on in our Quebec Province: Warning! Do Not Watch This Yourself if you have a tender heart and sensitive mind. It is Hell.

You have likely heard about the recent Cougar Attacks in Squamish, BC. Brian Vincent who is a wildlife advocate and communications director for an Oregon-based wildlife advocacy group, Big Wildlife has just issued the following Press Release about the Cougar Attack.

Attached is the website for further information on his efforts for wildlife around North America and an article from the Vancouver Sun.
http://www.bigwildlife.org/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009
CONTACT: Brian Vincent, Big Wildlife, Squamish, brian@bigwildlife.org, 604-618-1030  For more information go to:http://www.bigwildlife.org

OLYMPICS TO BLAME FOR COUGAR, WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS
Rampant, Unplanned Development Destroying Wildlife Habitat, Pushing Animals To Limit
Squamish, BC – Big Wildlife, an international wildlife organization with an office in Squamish, BC said the recent spike in encounters with cougars in the area is a result of rampant, uncontrolled development related to the 2010 Olympics. The wildlife group said expansion of the Sea-to-Sky Highway to prepare for the winter games has created a Gold Rush of related commercial development in the once sleepy community. Fresh housing projects, a Home Depot and Wall Mart, and other sprawling developments have sprung up in areas once critical to wildlife, including resident cougars. As humans encroach more into cougar habitat, and as urban sprawl levels more natural areas, encounters with cougars and other wildlife are likely to increase.
“Since BC won the bid for the 2010 Olympics, growth in Squamish has exploded. Areas once home to cougars have been bulldozed to make room for sub-divisions with MacMansions and chemlawns and big box stores,” said Brian Vincent, Communications Director for Big Wildlife. “Residents may be quick to blame cougars for recent attacks. But the real culprits are the pro-business Squamish council that put out the welcome mat for developers who have shown no regard for protecting wildlife habitat," said Vincent
Cougars are elusive animals and attacks, especially on humans, are quite rare. Most conflicts with cougars and other top predators are the result of irresponsible human behavior. For example, ranchers who leave animal carcasses in their pasture or homeowners who refuse to properly secure garbage essentially lure cougars and bears to their property. In addition, uncontrolled development, as seen in Squamish, pushes subdivisions into cougar territory, creating potential conflicts. Expansive development can also impact the big cats' prey base, forcing the cougars to search out food in areas they might otherwise avoid.
While Big Wildlife expressed deep concern for the three-year old girl who was attacked last night by a cougar and for the couple whose dog was killed by a cougar along a popular hiking trail earlier this week, the group urged local authorities and residents to avoid whipping up hysteria about the big cats. In addition, the group said the Squamish Council should put the brakes on further development in the area. Finally, the wildlife advocates said Squamish residents should take simple steps to avoid conflicts with cougars such as not recreating in areas where cougars have been sighted or hiking at dawn or dusk, properly securing garbage, and taking companion animals in at night.
"We didn't have a problem with cougars in Squamish until developers, hopping on the Olympic gravy train, came to town. The Olympics is allowing developers to pave paradise. And,
tragically, animals are paying a fatal price,” said Vincent.
News Story Vancouver Sun
Toddler Attack

Forwarded Letter from the group to support Brindi.

Dear Brindi supporters,
As you know Brindi is still locked up in a cell after being seized from her home 10 and a half months ago, and the City of Halifax is still refusing to let her go home. They are continuing with the court case to try and get this much loved dog destroyed. In the meantime her health is suffering.
What would be really helpful is if she could get some celebrity support, with accompanying media attention. By a stroke of good fortune, Paul McCartney will be performing in concert in Halifax on the 11th of July!!
As Sir Paul is a longtime animal activist, and he works for PETA, who already supports Brindi, this could be the miracle Brindi needs! But how do we reach him?
Many letters about Brindi are more likely to get his attention than just one or two, so we are asking you all to please write to him and ask him to support Brindi and try to get her returned to Francesca immediately. Please tell him why you support Brindi and why you do not think she should be put down. Let him know as well that that donations to Brindi's legal defense fund are desperately needed. You might also include photographs of Brindi and the PETA letter of support that you can download and print from the group.
The mailing address is:
Sir Paul McCartney
c/o MPL Communications, Inc.
41 West 54th Street
New York, NY 10019
U.S.A
Paul McCartney's support could make the difference between life and death. This is urgent, as his Halifax concert is only four weeks away!!
Thank you all very much for all your help and support,
Maureen Hurly, Admin

"Gunshots rang out across Middle Island this month as Parks Canada launched in earnest its controversial five-year plan to protect the Lake Erie island's rare Carolinian forest from a native bird.  While officials hope culling the habitat-altering cormorants will save an ecosystem that makes up just one per cent of the country, others grapple with the ethics of re-engineering nature.  Middle Island, Canada's southernmost point, underscores the enormous philosophical divide between those who argue against what they call the arrogance of thinking we can reassemble ecosystems and those who say that in some cases, we have no choice."

Comment on CBC Culling the Cormorants

Here is the seal, whale and otter hunt deja vu.
People do not comprehend the complexity's of nature.
They go in with blaring ax and ringing rifles and start killing what they see at the surface as the problem.
Like a garden rich with soil, worms, bacteria and insects one can not possibly comprehend what goes on below the earth where the seeds have sprung up....
We start killing and slaughtering away at the surface of the problem without knowing where the roots end.
I found many of my bean seeds recently eaten, the insides sucked out. This morning I found the head of a slug jammed inside a seed. The thing is the slug is only eating the bad seeds, the ones that have started to mould.
If only humans could comprehend the root cause of why this is an issue perhaps a true solution could be found rather than Mike Matta's comment: 'People say they are a beautiful bird. I say they're more beautiful when they're dead.' —Mike Matta, a Lake Erie charter captain
There is so much to learn about nature. Patience, gentleness and kindness are the way forward.

 Perhaps you already know how I feel about humanity these days and their vulgar habits and their inability to think about the weakest and most vulnerable on the planet.  But I came across this particular video which speaks everything from my heart directly.
I do not understand how dignified people can kill.
I do not understand how so many walk through this world without compassion.
I do not understand how an advanced civilization such as ours is undignified enough to gnaw on the bones of another being.
 I do not comprehend anything at all about my fellow human beings, but this video sparked a moment of truth in me that I can only hope once again to inspire a spark of truth within you.
I know that in your soul you are better than succumbing to each and every single desire you have, every antiquated instinct, every grotesque image of horror....and I hope too that you can reconnect.
PLEASE watch this video entitled Supreme Master Ching Hai on the Environment and Please tell me if there is a moment of truth in it for you.

The Relief I feel is overwhelming.  PETA's animal cruelty department has written a letter to the SPCA of Halifax, Nova Scotia over one of the most absurdly cruel and neglectful acts a supposed shelter could ever force up the very beings whom they are designed to protect. Unbelievable!  Thank you PETA!  5 stars!

May 27, 2009
To Whom It May Concern:
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the world's largest animal rights organization, with more than 2 million members and supporters—including many who call Canada home. Our office has received numerous calls and letters from Canadians and Americans alike who are deeply concerned about the welfare and safety of a dog named Brindi, who has been in the care and custody of the Nova Scotia SPCA (NSSPCA) since July 2008 (and as of this writing, still remains at the NSSPCA). We share our callers' concerns and are writing today to encourage authorities to release Brindi to her guardian, Francesca Rogier.

PETA has not been involved in or privy to the many details of the legal case involving Brindi. However, it is our understanding that at this time, there is no legal reason for this dog to remain caged at the NSSPCA and that releasing her to Ms. Rogier's home is legally feasible. This is good news not only for Brindi and her guardian but also for the animals who depend on the NSSPCA for safe haven—Brindi's release would open up an enclosure that has been off limits to other animals for almost a year now.

I have not met Brindi or Ms. Rogier, but I have been corresponding with Ms. Rogier for several weeks now in an attempt to ensure Brindi's well-being and safety as well as the safety of other animals in the community (I understand that in the past, Brindi was involved in altercations with other dogs, purportedly the reason that she was originally seized by authorities). Ms. Rogier assures me that Brindi will not be left outdoors unsupervised at any time and that adjustments have been made to Ms. Rogier's home to make 100 percent certain that Brindi and other animals in the area will remain separated and safe.

Just like humans, animals who are confined for long periods of time suffer physically and emotionally—and their condition can deteriorate rapidly. Dogs in particular are very social animals who need and crave love, companionship, exercise, and playtime in the comforts of a loving home. Experts agree that dogs' health can begin to decline after spending just two weeks in an animal shelter or similar environment. Given that Brindi has been held at the NSSPCA for nearly a year now, the situation is critical.
PETA respectfully urges authorities to work with Ms. Rogier to resolve this matter without delay so that Brindi can be returned to her home and spared any further anguish.

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Very truly yours,
Daphna Nachminovitch, Vice President
Cruelty Investigations Department

For more Info or to help please go here: http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/

Dear State Attorney McAuliffe

Thank you for taking the case of Congress Middle School teacher Allison Dinsmore who is facing felony charges of animal cruelty charges seriously.
Leaving her two cats to die horrible deaths by starvation in her apartment, Dinsmore reportedly cited her busy work schedule, long commute and a camping trip as reasons for her failure to see to the cats' need.

In my neighboring province of Alberta, 4 children were found to have put a cat, Princess in the microwave to die an agonizing death for 10 minutes.  This haunts me daily as I imagine the horrific pain this cat must have endured as it boiled from the inside out.
Cases of cruelty to animals seems to be becoming more prevalent and is occurring in the most horrific ways possible everyday around the world.
Animals must begin to have rights in our society in order to challenge the views so many people have that animals are here for their personal entertainment and benefit.
Animals are feeling, altruistic, thinking individuals who deserve far better than how our fellow human beings treat them.
I will be following this story closely and hope that you will take this case of cruelty more seriously than our Canadian counterparts do.

For your reference: case #502009CF004107A
Thank you
Sincerely,

bc-sea-otter-hunt-vancouver-island-nuu-chah-nulth

This is so tragically sad.

The First Nations waver between being stewards of our land and teaching us how to truly respect the spirit of nature and then giving way to undignified and disturbing qualities such as this.

How are we ever going to be able to truly respect their traditions if they descend from a place of helpful observation and ethical behaviour to one of respecting their own needs over the animals in their habitat.

On one hand a First Nations tribe defended Luna the baby Orca and gained immense respect from the public for this courageous and beautiful action. Next they want to begin to cull a species that was once nearly decimated by greed and a contemptuous desire for fur.

There is so much more involved than culling and killing a group of animals. They are introducing fear back into the relationship between humans and otters where a trust has begun to be rebuilt over generations. They will be creating havoc among the family bonds that exist between the otter family. Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and babies will be killed amid complex social systems.

A balance will truly be lost and a respect for First Nations will be degraded for people who respect their environmental ethics.

I also do not understand how groups of people who were once oppressed would want to oppress other groups of beings. I would think that an incredible sympathy to the suffering of beings who have been so tragically hurt by the white civilization would have an inherent respect for other beings who were treated in such a barbaric circumstance.

This is a very sad event.

The current B.C. sea otters are descendants of 89 Alaskan sea otters that were relocated to the west coast of Vancouver Island from 1969-72.

British Columbia: approximately 3,000 (2003)
Russia: approximately 22,500
Alaska: approximately 71,500
California: approximately 2,500
Washington: approximately 550
(Source: Vancouver Aquarium)

If each tear I cried for animals could be gathered there would be barrels full of my sadness.  And if each could be transformed from wine to honey, my tears could become useful.  If each drenched and windswept land had floods of tears from the army's of people who care about these sentient beings, could this ocean be turned into love and human respect?

My eyes do not dry and my heart keeps stretching to bare even more of what evil this world has to offer.

These things I know not how to change.  These things make me wish my tears could affect something or somebody or that I could simply touch the hearts of these precious creatures and tell them how deeply I love them.

The intelligence of animals is so far beyond human comprehension that there are no statistics to measure them.  Their emotional capacity is so great that our small human minds and hearts are like fleas on the back of the dogs; we are so unaware of those things much greater than us that we continue to spawn our unintelligent ways on the backs and hearts of creatures more aware and majestic than we.

Recently, one of the most emaciated animals I have ever seen but who still contains a far greater beauty than what this world deserves has died.  Human failure killed him. But his magestic glory will not fade.

Thank you to those who feel this is something close to your heart.

Thank you for keeping in your consciousness the pigs and the unending abuse they receive.

Thank you for trusting there is a way out and a need and desire to move this planet increasingly forward.

This weekend it is the hope that Awakening Angels can remove the veil of light that is crossed between us all . To find a place where common communion can occur between all living beings. Consciousness is larger and more intangible than something we can simply walk into. But it is something worth touching.

Prayer, thought and focus are proven daily to have an impact on objects, people, earth and animals. However small the impact is, however lightly it touches, human consciousness is still part of the common laws of nature that make it accessible to our energetic thoughts and patterns. We are greater than what our human illustrations perceive.

Animals read us like open books, because they feel us and know our minds far better than we know ourselves. That is part of the reason we are all so connected to their lives and why we love them more than life itself. Let their thoughts guide us to a better world. Let their dreams take us to the place they wish to create. Let us be their channel for the world in which they desire to live.

It is our hope that something will shift in the memory and consciousness of all beings who are provoked by our thoughts. Thoughts are vibrations or electrical impulses that have the ability to materialize through the waves of light and photon energy that create every cell structure and every living being in our world.

Written spiritual scrolls from great prophets tell us that we are channelers of love and spiritual energy on earth. They tell us that we are all god beings on earth and that we have a quiet and forgotten power to create. Our creative skills are possible through these electronic and magnetic symbols called words, thoughts and most powerfully images. Images are one of the many great universal tools we have access to.

Send them out in quiet stillness and they will touch the hearts of many. Push them out in heated rage and they will impact only the most affected and already touched, but neither are wrong. Both are quite correct. In quietness the sill word travels very far. Much further than would be expected.

Touch your heartself gently and feel yourself move to a higher and more transcendent place.

See yourself moving great obstacles aside with absolute ease as though you are yourself a great spiritual being, which indeed you are.

Allow yourself to become a part of the great picture. Not a tragedy of this earthbound consciousness, but something from great heights where the wonderful illustrations of life are held in deep beauty and cherished sun beings.

Allow your imagination to roam freely and see the earth in all of it's splendor. You will know the right movements, thoughts and always be at peace in this process......unless another emotion, image or feeling is needed to create a necessary part of this shifting process. You can ask to be guided through your journey by an angel, a pig, an animal spirit or your higher being.

Finally, ask for the veils to shift. For the light to remove the ground that consecrated evil occurs within. Ask for it to not only be removed, but be shown to all people so that the vital action required within human understanding can occur. Not tomorrow or in 5 or 10 years, but today. Allow the media to see what is truly happening. In your prayers ask that the media show to the world the truth of what is happening to all creatures and that we start seeing real action in these horrible places and death houses for animals. Ask that they become one with nature and see through all things.

Our hope is to see time pass quicker for all sentient beings on earth who live in darkness. Our hope is to see things move quicker so that they suffer less. Our hope is to speed the healing of human beings who still live in darkness and hope that this will end the suffering of beings whom the feel it is their right to oppress. You do not need to change anything, but simply ask that the focus shift towards animals and that healing occurs faster than humanly possible.

Be guided always in light on your wonderful journey and take great pleasure in knowing how you are making an incredible difference for all sentient life on earth.

This is one of many ways to work for the betterment of animals.

Each and every way is vital for the necessary change to see animals becomes lighted stars in all of humanities eyes.

May your subconscious be with you on this journey.

Think not, but see all.

With my utmost respect,

Your Awakening Angel

I walked into the small community school where the elections were held yesterday feeling clearer than I ever felt.  I knew exactly who I was going to vote for: the Green Party and STV.  I had never had the experience of such clarity in voting before.  I had done the strategic voting thing before. trying to avoid the worst of the worst.  I have voted for the Green Party 3 times previously.  But I never felt the clarity of feeling I made the right choice as I did at this moment.  I left by the way, feeling the same way, crystal clear and hopeful.

I actually watched the elections with excitement for the first time, thinking of the possibilities of change for our world.  The hope I was filled with diminished beat by beat and vote by vote as the night wore on. It was clear by the end that the Liberals won and gained even more seats than they had previously.  Carole James, leader of the opposition party the NDP is not somebody I particularly warmed to, however she had what I thought was an amazing closing speech.  My stomach turned at the beginning of Gordon Campbells winning speech.  Within minutes the t.v. was off and I was in bed dreaming about my frustrations for our little earth we so dearly call home.

Despite my shock at not seeing even a single Green Party Member elected I realized there is a certain consolation in knowing that human beings are quite reliable. In this case, the general population is reliable in their fear and unwillingness to transform their lives into a supporting a greener and more promising world. While earth and nature are in continual flux, humans remain stoically stationary and demand the world change around them.

For centuries people of unparalleled thinking and spiritual excellence have entered our civilization to teach us how to lead compassionate lives.  But these kind words, lovingly shared by archetypal prophets such as Buddha, Jesus, Mohammad, Dali Llama and others continue to be simultaneously glorified and ignored  despite their cherished promise of Eden on Earth.  I wonder why god keeps sending them to walk so gracefully and intelligently among us only to be dismissed by members of this Patriarchal society.

Unperturbed, Conservative (not conservational) supporters flock diligently to their redundant democratic process to make sure that everything remains the same.  As it was described after the election the overwhelming majority of British Columbians chose the status quo for the third term in a row. Tick.Tock.Tick.Tock. My intention in voting was to see authentic and inspired change that could eclipse the suffocating humanity that is enslaving the planet and province.

With all the media hype of going green, I thought it sounded like greening up the province was high on the priority list.  I suppose Gordon Campbell and his team perceived the general public far better than I did which is why he is the Premier for the third time in a row.  Or perhaps money is simply the new green....or wait a minute the new green is the old green....money again...I mean still...There you go, status quo.

 My vote was to speak up for those who can not vote, a participatory voice of the voiceless. Since this did not happen, this is what the status quo means to the voiceless I support:

 --- Animals in BC as in all Canadian Farms will continue to live in deplorable conditions such as the ones listed in the Green Party Animal Plank:

 - Their lives will be lived out in gestation and farrowing crates and battery laying hen cages.

 - They will continue to be mutilated with 'surgical' procedures such as tail docking, castration, debeaking, detoeing, branding, teeth clipping and dehorning, all with out anesthesia.

 - During Transport, as part of the 650 million farmed animals in Canada will be transported in grueling conditions on their way to their slaughter.  Of that percentage 3.5 million will thankfully be dead before they are forced to face electrocution, clubbing, hammering, knives, strangulation, bolt guns or the many other ways animals are inhumanely killed.

 - In the auctioning of their lives they will be forced so stand on their feet for unnatural amounts of time without food and water.

 --- In entertainment marine mammals will still be allowed to be imported into marine parks and other public gawking facilities such as Zoo's.

 - Animals will continue to be bred and used for public spectacles such as dog, bullfight and cock fights and public rodeos' will continue to injure horses, calf's and bulls for Colosseum amusement.

 --- In research and testing for 'educational' purposes UBC will continue to be one of the largest facilities to do nonsense research to ensure large sums of private and public funding will be available for employment.

 - Millions of animals such as mice, rats, cats and dogs that are dropped off at shelters will be condemned to irrational and painful tests that have been repeatedly proven ineffective.

 - pigs will continue to be used in military training practice for events such as target practice and other emergency medical training seminars.

 --- BC, one of the most diverse provinces of wildlife will continue to erode without any protection of endangered species.

 - Bear hunting for Sport and Trophy will continue to cater to rich American Sportsmen who are looking for a head to mount on their barren wall.

 - The fur trade with it's cruel leg hold traps will be continue to be set among the mountains and countryside unknown to most BC residents. 

 - Animals will die with clamps squeezing the intestines out of their guts, chewing off their legs to fight their way free or simply from dehydration and starvation.

 - Mink, otter and other fur farms will be supported and encouraged to grow in B.C. where shockingly 20 already exist.

 - Breeding of animals such as puppy mills allows for more than 350 000 unwanted companions to die annually across Canada. BC has no laws against this.

 - Race horses that are not quick enough will continue to be exported across the border and slaughtered in cow stalls that are too small for their larger bodies.  It will require several bolts to kill them due to their fearful and erratic behaviour as they sense their imminent death.

 - Cattle Ranching, one of the largest contributors to Greenhouse gasses will be encouraged to expand under our Liberal Government.

 - Destruction of BC's natural resources will continue.  The wild salmon will very likely be destroyed due to the salmon farms and the spreading of sea lice.  The Orcas lives are already being held in a tenuous balance and are likely declining.  The loss of salmon will affect every living part of our ecosystem from the "trophy" bears, seals, orcas, sea lions, otters and nearly all marine life to the forest soil,  trees, roots and plant life within our Rain Forest.

 - In addition, oil tanks will allowed to cross the delicate and challenging Pacific Coast line where it will only be a matter of time before a spill occurs. 

 - Drilling for oil will be allowed, rivers will be damned for hydro as they are sold to private corporations and incredible carnage will continue in our landscapes and environment.

 - It is also likely that a private pipeline will be built from the Tar Sands of Alberta through BC's fragile habitat and end up in the Pacific where tanking and selling of oil to Asia's market can be expanded.

 - The Port Man bridge will be doubled in size so that urban sprawl can well, sprawl and cars can continue to drive long distances with a solitary person inside.  All in the name of convenience this 1.5 billion dollars will be used to ensure that families can get home to their loved ones sooner.  And those who can not afford a home or have a quality of life to consider a family will watch those funds support a Gateway project intensify the deplorable living conditions in one of the Continents most impoverished neighborhoods.

Gordon Campbell and his Liberal Party believe in commerce. They also believe in building infrastructure and lots of it.  As long as ugly buildings are being built then the economy is considered the number one place in Canada. After kicking out Seniors from their homes in his first week of office, decreasing wages for training and failing to increase minimum wage to be consistent with levels across Canada (despite Vancouver being the second most expensive place to live in across North America) he is being heralded as taking the province from a "have not" to a "have."

Everything considered of value in our Province is eroding: health care, social integrity, care for the elderly, housing for the homeless, funds for those living below the poverty line, public transit and the core of it all which is the land we live upon.  If all of our systems we have in place for equal opportunity and a fair standard of living are malnourished this is a deplorable situation.  However, we will still have the means and intelligence to correct this.  If however the soil of the earth that ultimately sustains us and all life suddenly collapses, cultural identities will no longer matter.  If our streams, forests, oceans and earth continue to be slowly poisoned there is no where to run and no system will save us.

I think the "have's" may one day question whether or not their false economy was truly worth it.  Wasn't it the Cree Proverb that says "only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money?"  And Friedrich Nietzsche said, "The Earth has a skin and that skin has diseases, one of its diseases is called man." 

I look forward to the day when the betrayal of those things so precious will not be so quickly cast aside.  I see people emoting suggestions of green, but this election showed that other things definitely take precedent.  Whether out of fear or greed, the limited belief that being respectful of our environment and other species can not coincide with wealth is still the biggest conflict of our ability to be humane.  The natural laws of earth affect all of life, but the human species always find a way to avoid each one of them.  This is sadly something many people are proud of.

We are an aberration of nature. My only comfort in living among this very backwards and unusual civilization is in knowing that some things will always stay the same.  That is one thing guaranteed by human's nature.

Tomorrow is the big election.  Are you planning on voting?
In case you are struggling with all the information like I have been for the past few weeks I thought I would forward you my favourite links that have helped me to finally make my choice. Voting Yes for STV has been getting nothing but positive reviews.

Check out the Green Platform for sure on animal agriculture:
They do not propose and end to farming, but a shift to small farming....which is a step in the right direction I think.
Recommendations for Metro Vancouver Voting

Christy Clark on STV
Animals Count Video
Blog Thoughts About Strategic Voting:
Jane Sterk Interview
------------------------

And from Jane Goodall...yeah Jane!
"NDP environment critic Shane Simpson said he needs to see more scientific information on bear populations before taking a hard position on trophy hunting."
"Contacted on the provincial election campaign trail this week, Penner chose not to respond to Goodall's comments."

"Green Party of B.C. Leader Jane Sterk said she is opposed to bear trophy hunting."

Yesterday I forwarded my letter (in my previous post) to as many of the Green Candidate members that I could.  To my surprise within an hour, I had heard back from the first green party, then the second, third and so on.  I was thrilled.  For a year and a half I have been writing to every single Senator, MP, and parliamentary official on a range of topics from the seal hunt, Senator Mac Harb, the horse slaughter industry, wildlife preservation, orca's, salmon farming and the multitude of other environmental, wildlife and domesticated animal issues that are so incredibly important to our preservation here.

So to find out that I received responses from 10 individuals, including Jane Sterk, leader of the BC Green Party I was uber impressed.   The passion and the incredible responses has inspired me to see that there is alot more to the Green Party: 

Jane Sterk:  You are welcome. We select our candidates because they are thoughtful and engaged citizens and we want them to bring their opinions and good ideas to the debate. We are not a party that would require its members to vote a particular way although we are united by a series of values to which we subscribe.

Thanks you for your work. We all must be engaged if we want different solutions to the problems we all face. And of course, our behaviour impacts other species and future generations who have no say or choice in the decisions we make on their behalf. We have not been good stewards and clearly other species are paying the price for our arrogance.
Jane

-----------------

Dan Bryce,

http://www.greenparty.bc.ca/daniel-bryce

I decided to write a letter to all the NDP MP's in office who may have voted for the Seal skin uniforms in the Vancouver Olympics.  I waited a couple of days. No response.  So, I wrote a second letter.  This time I forwarded it to the liberals, some of the Senate and to all of the Green Party Members I could.  Here are the two letters:

------------------

Sent Sunday May 10th
Dear NDP Members,
I do realize that this is a very busy time for you with the upcoming election.  However my previous email was sent in an effort to try and understand
if you personally voted on this issue. I was hoping you didn't, but the lack of response implies you did.

The answer to this question is incredibly important to me because it will help to determine my vote. Because the non human species have no protection in our Country and our ineffectual laws date back as far as 1892, my vote will be completely determined by the party's environmental, wildlife and animal rights guidelines.

It may be difficult for those who do not care about nature and the sentient lives of animals to comprehend this. However animals have the same complex social structures we have, except they do not get a chance to vote on how their world will be manipulated and often destroyed at the hands of mankind.

The Liberals have made it absolutely obvious that they do not care about animal welfare or the environment.  The NDP have nothing written on their website about animal rights, (other than that they shamefully support the seal hunt), but do have some exceptional environmental initiatives that are progressive and clear.  The Green party is miles ahead in terms of both animal rights and environmental issues. The decision I make in my final vote will be a strategic one, based on which party will have the most chance of being elected and who will make the most impact for all animals: wild, domestic and farmed.  Strategically, the NDP, may possibly make the most sense for this vote however the green party would be my first choice.

Do I vote for the NDP party to help ensure the liberals are not allowed to destroy our environment?Or do I vote for Green because their values are so much more in line with my vision and dream for a kinder world to the oppressed beings of this planet?

Please help me to make the right vote.
You make think I am a single individual whose vote does not count, however I can tell you I personally know of 6000 Vancouver citizens who will make the same strategic voting choice as I will.  And there are many, many more throughout BC.  We all care primarily of the citizens of the earth who are forgotten each day.  And we and many more around the world actually do care about these individuals.
This is a growing movement, one I think you should not ignore.

------------------------------

Sent Friday May 8th, 1:35 am

Dear NDP Members Of Parliament.
Myself, my family, my friends and my colleagues were all more than a little stunned when we heard about the initiative asking for Olympic Athletes to wear seal fur for the games.

I read that every single MP present voted unanimously in favour of this.
I am hoping to get some feedback from the NDP elected members on how and why this is possible.

I am looking forward to your response.

My Letter to CBC after viewing the Rex Murhpy Opinion slagging animal activists who fight the Canadian Seal Hunt.

Dear CBC Staff:

It is clearly obvious that not a single person working for CBC actually cares about animals or the seals. This is made obvious through the daily articles supporting the seal hunt, the interviews and debates on CBC radio which take condescending attitudes towards those opposing the seal hunt and to the very rare segments on National news.

Clearly the support for the seal hunt goes back many years to the days where journalists opposed the tactics of Paul Watson from Sea Shepherd.  I am curious as to how CBC seems to be consisently in support of the seal hunt.  Does every person who works for CBC need to come from Atlantic Canada?  How does this work? And isn't a publicly funded organization supposed to reflect all of Canadian opinion not just a single region?  And I wonder where Rex Murphy hails from with such outright disdain for animal rights issues. Newfoundland?

But more importantly, the biased attitude is so evident that many people are not able to take any of CBC reporting seriously.  If this media outlet can be so blatantly biased about thousands of animals lives, how can we expect neutrality in any other area?

It is unlikely I will hear a response as it is obvious that CBC does not care.
But I assure you more and more people like me are finding their information from other online networks because we do not trust you at all.  It is defeating and frustrating to watch the uncaring and unkind remarks towards citizens who spend every bit of their life and energy trying to defend sentient beings.

Contact CBC Form

No more angels to take away the pain.

No more angels to make everything taste like ice wine again.

No more angels to break through the head and stomach aches.

No more angels on my shoulders.

No more angels to love and mourn.

No more angels to blow their majestic horns.

Where have all the angels gone?

Free from the land of doom?

Where do they come from and to where do they return?

I love them.

I miss them.

And I mourn.

Message to my Angels:  http://groups.to/awakening.angels/

If you decide to do a meditation or visualization today for our planet I would like to suggest this:
Imagine standing in a wide open field of flowers, grass and the sun shine pooling on your warm face.  You can lie down in the tall grass and disappear for a little while and dream about your future dreams, your wealth, your power, your love, your life, your children, your goals, your pets or just on the state of this planet.....whatever makes you feel warm and cozy inside.  Let your dream and mind wander. Explore. Let your life fall open like a sweet, citrus orange that you have unravelled.  Taste it's sweetness, it's wholeness, it's goodness.  Know that you can build and rebuild your self, your dreams and your connection over and over and in a multitude of ways.
Visualize your dream over and over until it sinks in...deep and sweetly into your tender and most precious and beautiful, divine filled sugar coated, yummy and extraordinary soul!
When you feel almost full, like the sun has rounded and tipped to the high noon and you are done dreaming...be that 5 minutes or an hour, then do one last powerful vision for our earth.
Track back to a time you have either been on open water in a place where the wind has suddenly emerged from no where...and it came so fast...that it was almost like the wind itself has a message for you....it is speaking to you...alive...you know this...you have experienced the wind and it's inner voice...
Stand up and open your arms and welcome it.
Let it soar through your muscles and into your bones...nourishing your sweet soul with it's refreshing platitude,
It will guide you to a better place. And you can follow it in your heart.  Watch it as it builds so quickly that the grass begins to dance and coalesce between your feet.  Your heart moves and you follow this wind in your minds.  Collectively.
Together you see where it goes. It builds up like a Tornado, but rather it has purpose...it has it's own universal dream.... it is healing our planet...it carries with it a song of freedom....the song moves through all people like a whipping hurricane....you can see it as it arcs through the clouds, pours through the trees and blurs through the open fields. It is strong. It is powerful. It is the dance of heaven. Reflect. Witness. Soar. Dream.
Ask the wind to pour it's soul and rain drop waters through out the earth...lakes and pools of love remove all the debris...the hurt, the heartache the pain...you will know where it will lead you...I won't say where...the wind will guide you....let it guide you to where you are needed and where you need to go.
Have a lovely and eloquent day my dear participating friends.
love and light.
xxx

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430161242.htm

It is surprising to me that a scientist has to do pain tests to determine if fish feel pain. For one, they have the same nervous systems that we do!  Actually we evolved from them.

They provided us with our first nervous systems.  But because the don't cry out loud and have vocal cords we dumb humans think they don't have sensors or pain receptors.  How many people does it take to figure out that fish feel pain?   Well all one has to do is connect with a gold fish....look into their eyes....put your finger up along the glass of a fish tank and watch them follow you around....wait for them to become used to you...they will be shy at first and then warm to your energy and presence.  Once connected they will begin to follow you...no not just because they think you have food...but because they are curious....

By this very thinking that if we can't hear them scream they can't feel pain...we should assume that insects feel no pain?  We could start pulling wings off flies for fun as we can not hear the sound of pain?

Fish feel.  Animals feel.  All animals have a way to communicate and sense their surroundings.  Pain is another sense receptor that allows them to live and comprehend their environment.....it is just so ridiculous to me that it takes a scientist to figure out that a fish feels!

Fish also think, learn, react, feel and talk...to each other :-)

"Touting tofu chowder and vegetarian sushi as alternatives, animal-rights activists have launched a novel campaign arguing that fish -- contrary to stereotype -- are intelligent, sensitive animals no more deserving of being eaten than a pet dog or cat." http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/17/national/main656288.shtml

While it may seem obvious that fish are able to feel pain, like every other animal, some people still think of fish as swimming vegetables. http://www.fishinghurts.com/FishFeelPain.asp