Circle of Compassion

Some potential good news on circuses in Minneapolis

Well what do you know folks? Good things DO happen! It seems the Shriners are threatening to pull their disgusting wild animal circus from Minneapolis due to the fact that the the City Council is proposing to disallow elephant rides altogether, citing reasons of public safety. The City Council is also imposing higher fees for licenses and higher fines for violating their stricter animal cruelty regulations.

Sadly and disappointingly, the Council voted several months ago against an outright ban on circuses in Minneapolis, which would have made it the second major city in the U.S. to ban wild animals in circuses, after Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, with a new, stricter ordinance in place, it looks like the Shriners may pull out anyway. Call the City Council members today and ask them to ban elephant rides at the circus. Click here to contact your Councilmember.

To read this story in its entirety, CLICK HERE.

Thank you for all you do for animals!

Ten things a dog asks of its person!

My dear friend Erin has recently become a foster parent for the Minnesota Boxer Rescue. I think people who foster animals are amazing angels! Maggie - seen here in the pictures - is currently available for adoption and would make a wonderful family pet. She is an absolute sweetheart! If you're interested in adopting Maggie, click here.

Tucked within the paperwork that the MN Boxer Rescue gave Erin was this awesome mantra. I couldn't keep it to myself, so I thought I'd share it. Enjoy!

Ten things a dog asks of its person:

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 12 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you adopt me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me - it's crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I only have you.

5. Talk to me sometimes. Even though I may not understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will not forget.

7. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones of your hand, but that I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being "uncooperative" or "obstinate" or "lazy," ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food, or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.

9. Take care of me when I get old; you too, will grow old.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there.

Compassionate and ooooh so tasty travels!

My friends and I recently traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to attend a Patty Griffin/Emmylou Harris concert. (Emmylou told the audience, "Be kind to animals!" - which I thought was hella cool of her!) Having never before been to "the drunkest city in the U.S," located in the state of a million cheeses, I found it surprisingly more vegan-friendly than I'd ever expected.

For breakfast, we stopped at Beans & Barley, a cute little co-op, gift-store, restaurant combination. I have to say, my tofu scramble was one of the most flavorful I have ever had. It was exciting to sit down to breakfast to a menu that had so many vegan options. I would highly recommend it!!

For dinner, we cabbed from our downtown hotel to an interesting and eclectic restaurant called the Palomino. Cool art graced the walls, punk rockers were plentiful, and the menu was loaded with delicious vegan "soul food". The "faux fried-chicken nugget" appetizers came with three different vegan sauces: a traditional spicy wing sauce, vegan bleu cheese, and a pineapple jerk sauce. All of them were out of this world!

After our food arrived, and we tasted each other's dishes, we concluded that the vegan "riblet" sandwich and the "faux boy" were by far the most lip-smackin'!!

From Milwaukee, we headed south to Chicago and visited our favorite grubbin' vegan hangout, the Chicago Diner. The food there is always awesome, everything can be made vegan, and it is - hands down - the best vegan rueben I have ever tasted!!!!

A great opportunity...

Apparently, the KS95 morning show in Minneapolis has a new co-host named Melissa. Melissa is from the South and recently moved here, so she has been talking about needing a warm coat. Melissa is actually considering buying a FUR COAT!!! What is worse, most of the people who called in to give Melissa advice crooned about how warm and wonderful fur coats are, and how many compliments they get when wearing them. This is terrible!!!!!!!!!!!

Please take a moment to send Melissa a polite e-mail and tell her about the horrors of fur and the cruelties of the fur industry. Her e-mail address is: Morningshow@KS95.com

Click here for some great info on fur.

Fruits and veggies are good for you? No kidding??!!!

As I was rushing around to get ready for work this morning, I had the morning news on in the background. As I was slipping into my coat and hat and gloves, I heard the TV annoucer state something that literally made me yell at screen. In my most sarcastic tone, I heard myself exclaiming, "No kidding?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

What, you ask, provoked such a reaction? Well, according to a new study, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can add something like 10-15 years to your life. Translation (because you won't hear this in mainstream media): veganism is good for you!!!!!!!!!!! I stood in front of the television to catch the remainder of the news story and I am happy, though not surprised, to report that not once was it mentioned that chicken, fish, or any form of "animal" was good/healthy for you. Nor was there any mention that using cows as our wetnurses was a healthy addition to one's diet either. Again, it is becoming more and more clear, even in the mainstream, that veganism truly is the healthiest diet you can follow.

Oh, and of course, quitting smoking and exercising regularly were part of this healthy living formula, but isn't that pretty much a given in this day and age?

Cheers to veganism, folks!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year one and all! I truly hope that 2008 is the most compassionate year yet for animals. Since this is the time of year for goals and resolutions, I thought I would share just a few of mine with you.

1. 2008 will be the year that I make a consorted effort to delve in to and examine my animal beliefs and make some goals for myself about what it is I want to do/accomplish. What kind of an animal person am I? What kind of an animal person do I want to be? First and foremost, I need to work on becoming less emotionally involved in animal issues. What I mean by this is that I really struggle with letting my tears and anger take hold, the result being that I end up feeling overwhelmed, overcome, and swallowed by the issues that confront me. Hence, I render myself immobilized and unable to take any action. I know I am not alone in this struggle, but this is something I really need to work on if I am going to meet my goals and make my dreams of a better world for animals come true. And, as always, any advice one can offer on how to become more objective and less weepy about animal issues would be welcome, welcome, welcome!!!

2. Last year I was utterly shocked by the number of friends and acquaintences that I influenced. Several friends of mine announced to me -out of the blue - that they were going to become vegetarian, or that they were going to stop purchasing leather, or stop buying products from companies that tested on animals. What I am starting to realize is that most people really do want to do the right thing. They just need a little push in the right direction. And more and more I understand that this is accomplished, not by yelling or screaming or accusations, but by understanding and compassion and education.

3. One of my main goals for 2008 is to spend more time in nature. That connection is very important to me. It helps keep me centered and focused and cleansed.

So, what are your goals for 2008?? What can you do to make a better world for animals and for yourself?