Wordless Wednesday: A Special Email

Precious and Oscar, former fosters

"We just wanted to say hi and let you know we are still a couple. We hope you are all better now!"
(Note and photo received via email a few weeks after my wrist surgery - *melt*)

Go, Icky!

We make no bones about it here - we love Icky the Ugly Dog. He's the coolest. He's a champ in so many ways to us, whether or not he wins a contest. But winning means raising funds to help fellow dogs in need, so...Go, Icky!!

Jon and Icky
Photo by Noah Berger, AP

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In Memorium

In memory of all who have given the ultimate sacrifice - let us never forget.

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Fab Feline Friday: Teddy

ADOPTED!
Who wouldn't want a teddy bear of their own to cuddle with? Would it matter to you that he was black? Would any details really matter, if your soft, furry friend filled you with warmth and smiles each and every day - just by having him near you? Teddy is looking for someone to love him.

Teddy

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Having a Field Day

We live just a few doors down from the neighborhood public elementary school. That building was graced (hah!) with the presence of all four of my children over the years. "Field Day" is held toward the end of every school year. Today the school kids celebrated Field Day. Today, our family celebrates Chandler Day.

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Wordless Wednesday: Vedder Knows

Photo courtesy of BecArtStudio

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National Dog Bite Prevention Month

It's been a newsy day for pit bulls and other "vicious" dogs. A change in Ohio's approach toward vicious dogs and the announcement of a rise in dog bite liability payouts were two that topped the list. Since May is National Dog Bite Prevention month, I suppose you could say these are quite timely.

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The Honest Kitchen Treats for Dogs and Cats

Worried about which pet food to choose these days? There is one you can trust and feel really good about - The Honest Kitchen. Holistic, human-grade, dehydrated whole food ingredients make up their products, which are made in the US (right in my state, in fact) and are also guaranteed to not contain any ingredients from China. Just imagine how great their treats must be!

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Animal Cruelty: Animal Testing and Chicago

As hard as it is to believe, scores of animals are still subjected to needless, cruel, and inhumane procedures in the name of science. No matter that we are in the 21st Century, with ample means to measure what may have once been needed using animals; many labs still persist in this torture.

Photo courtesy of Purr Photography

Once upon a time, we may have been limited in how and on what/whom we ran tests for research purposes. Today, testing involving animals is not only in most instances not necessary, it is also deemed to be an inaccurate means to garner information related to the human body. (And that's when the research itself isn't ridiculous.)

Methods utilizing in-vitro research, advanced technology, computer and mathematical modeling, epidemiology, genetic or clinical research, and even autopsies or post-marketing drug surveillance not only can replace the need for animals, but have also been determined to be more accurate in their results.

How can inhumane actions legally be performed on laboratory animals in this country, in this day and age? In the U.S., we have the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) as protector of animals. However...the guidelines outlined within it regarding research animals specifically pertain to the care of lab animals prior to and after testing - nothing is stipulated about what treatment is acceptable in between. Labs are essentially free to do as they wish to the test subjects during testing.

The end result is torture and mutilation of animals. Their cries of suffering go unheard. Knowing we don't even need to be condemning rodents and small animals, cats, dogs, pigs, and chimpanzees to inhumane treatment - it's time to end such practices, don't you think?

This is "Be Kind to Animals" week - a good time to consider beginning new habits that benefit animals. What can we as individuals do?

Stay current, become aware of current campaigns against these vile practices, join protests, sign and share petitions as you learn of them. Avoiding the patronizing of businesses that utilize testing on animals is a way to speak with your wallet - and can be a very effective one, too. Check out Leaping Bunny for an excellent list of companies and products that are kind to animals.



While we're on the subject - right here in the Chicago area Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently pushed through a sweet deal with Experimur, a "toxicology testing and research" business (they do testing for Big Pharma). Offered $3.7 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, a percentage of this firm's future profits will allegedly be passed on to the City of Chicago. Great. On the backs of suffering animals our "city with big shoulders" here is attempting to manage its finances. Check out the link - it's right there on their site which animals they test on.

Progress can be very slow...

I'll Be Watching You - Wordless Wednesday

Go, Thai!

For the past seven years now, I've had the privilege of fostering cats in my home. I say "privilege" intentionally - anyone who has fostered homeless pets knows the joy and fulfillment you experience as a surprise bonus. I've loved every single one of them, but there's one boy who I can honestly say I'm incredibly proud to have known and fostered. If I'd had my druthers I would have adopted him. I. love. Thai.

Baby Thai

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Fab Feline Friday: Amiga

Adopted!
Do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Heck, we can make a whole weekend of it this year - what fun! Everyone loves to get in on this celebration. So in honor of the occasion, we present Amiga.

Amiga

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