Beagle Freedom Project

Marci loves to relax.

Did you know…?

Beagles are the most commonly used breed for lab testing? According to the Beagle Freedom Project, “Beagles are the most popular breed for lab use because of their friendly, docile, trusting, forgiving, people-pleasing personalities. The research industry says they adapt well to living in a cage, and are inexpensive to feed.”

As a loving beagle daddy, this breaks my heart. As an animal lover it infuriates me.

I can’t even imagine the pain and torture these animals must endure. It is unbelievable… Of course, all of this is an excellent reminder to try and purchase products that are not tested on animals. This can be tough and may cost a little more money, but you know it’s worth it. Their lives (and safety) are worth it.

Someone sent me this video and, clearly, I can’t watch it without crying. This video has a happy ending, but make sure to get your tissues out. It is also a great reminder of just how hard life can be for dogs in lab captivity.

Finally, in case you need a reminder, please remember to adopt if you are looking for an animal companion. If you don’t know that already, I will be happy to personally come to your house and smack you upside the head.

If you would like to adopt a beagle, I will be happy to tell you anything you want to know!

Tweet

Missing In Action

Buddy's Recovery

You can just call me the Chubby stranger because that is what I have felt like!

So here is the low down. I have four dogs, Pepper, Marci, Buddy, and Nana. My dog Nana has been really sick over the past few months. She is about 13 and has mammary cancer. We really thought we were going to lose her two weeks ago and then miraculously she started feeling much better.

Nana

I will spare you the gross details, but she is now feeling much better. Yay Nana!

However, by some cruel twist of fate, another one of our dogs (Buddy) got hurt. We are not really sure how, but he managed to rupture 4 disks in his neck and upper back. We think it was a furniture related accident. He was in more pain than I think you can even imagine and then he lost his ability to walk. What followed was a very costly surgery and will now be a very long recovery.

A very special person in our life helped us more than I can even explain and saved Buddy’s life. That person and the neurologist and staff at the Pittsburgh Veterinary and Specialty Emergency Center (PVSEC) are Buddy’s Angels.

This all happened right up against what was to be the first week long vacation Husband and I were going to have in a long time. Thanks to Mom-in-law we were still able to go away for half of it, which was lovely.

There you have it. My patience and emotions have been stretched fairly thin over the past few weeks.

Back to food tomorrow! I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait! 

Tweet

Mr. Jingles & Hope Pastures

I have rescued four dogs.

When I talk to people about my dogs they go crazy... People say, “ Oh beagles!” “Show me pictures” & “Do they howl all the time?”

I love when people have questions about my dogs because I love them and I love talking about them. They changed my life. Really, they did. But, that is a whole other post.

When the Humane Society shows videos of dogs (and cats) who are abused and neglected people lose their mind. It is heartbreaking. It is sad. I am so appreciative for rescue groups like the Humane Society and all of the wonderful shelters and breed rescues around the world doing the challenging and important work of animal rescue. However, there are so many animals in the world that face the pain and sadness of abuse and neglect that don’t get a big celebrity endorsement or television ad.

A few months ago I saw a post by fellow blogger Fat Gay Vegan (FGV) about a Horse & Donkey rescue just outside of Leeds, England. He spoke passionately about Hope Pastures which is dedicated to saving horses and donkeys “deemed redundant or left for certain death.” The trust is run by a few paid staff and a team of dedicated volunteers.

I love places like this; saving horses and donkeys can’t be easy. Not only does a place like this require a tremendous amount of financial support, but even more “people time” to make sure the animals are properly cared for. People who do this work amaze me and I am so thankful for them.

FGV laid down a challenge to his readers to send some financial support to Hope Pastures. Twenty (20) dollars (12.50 pounds) “adopts” a horse or donkey for one year. Twenty bucks; I can afford that! I headed to their website and Mr. Jingles the donkey became the fifth member of my furry family!

Here is the kicker, I am currently the only American who has given them any financial support. 300 million people in the US and I am the only one! I hope one of you will change that.

We all choose charities that are important to us and with no personal connection sometimes its hard to send money to a random place. However, I hope you give Hope Pastures a chance. Take a look at their website, see what they do, and think about “adopting” your own horse or donkey. Plus, these horses and donkeys have a British accent, can you beat that?

Mr. Jingles picture is proudly displayed in my office with his four other furry family members. Thank goodness he likes dogs! They sent me his picture, a letter from him, and a lovely certificate confirming my adoption. So sweet...

What did his letter say? I thought you would never ask...!

Read my letter from Mr. Jingles after the jump...

Tweet

Kitty Love

Why is it that people always say you are either a “dog person” or a “cat person?” Do people really have some type of allegiance to one type of companion animal?

"What are you looking at..."

Guilty…

I love cats, but I just don’t think the feeling is mutual. I have been around so many sweet cats that just want to love on me and give me all sorts of affection. But then, for some reason, it is like the evil kitty trait just pops out around me and they set their dial to harass and kill.

What gives cats?

Maybe they know my home is full of much loved rescue dogs (who hate cats) and they are secretly jealous that I can’t open my house for all of them to roam free and eat like Garfield. Cats always do have a (loving) secret motive.

Anyways, I still have love for cats. Yesterday I made a visit to see some adoptable cats and wanted to share their pictures with you. Although this Chubby Vegan has a no vacancy sign on his door for homeless animals, I STRONGLY encourage anyone to support their local shelter or rescue groups whenever possible. Please know this does not just mean adoption. Support can also mean volunteer time, financial support, and in kind gifts (blankets, food, toys, etc). Shelters are all doing tough work and we all need to do what we can to help.

My Marci preparing for the snow.

When you are ready to make the commitment to adopt  a companion animal, please visit your local shelters (kill & no-kill) and rescue groups to find a companion that is the best fit for you and your family. Always know that adopting a companion animal is a huge commitment and is one that should never be entered into lightly.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, four million cats and dogs—about one every eight seconds—are put down in U.S. shelters each year. So encourage all of your friends and family to always consider adoption first!

And if for some reason you don’t already preach to everyone you know about this, have your pets spayed and neutered. Please!

If you are interested in visiting any of the cats I have posted today, they are all from the Animal Rescue League of Pittsburgh and are housed at the Ross Park Petco on McKnight Rd. More pictures after the jump.

Tweet