Puppy Mill Awareness Day 2008

Each year, thousands of dogs and cats are killed, considered part of the over-population problem. A contributing factor to why there is a so-called pet over-population problem is puppy mills. Thousands upon thousands of dogs are bred and sold from puppy mills, whether they be through pet stores, internet sales or individual (newspaper etc.) sales. Most of these poor dogs suffer malnutrition and disease. Not to mention the fact that most of these helpless puppies do not get any love, affection or any handling from human beings until they are shipped to a pet store. The mothers, once they stop producing litters, or enough litters, are killed. A very vital fact for those interested in getting a dog some time soon: 99 percent of all dogs at pet stores are from puppy mills. September 20th, 2008 will be Puppy Mill Awareness Day here in the United States. If you are looking to get a dog, why not visit a local shelter or rescue organization and adopt a dog in honor of Puppy Mill Awareness Day?

Estimates average around 10,000. 10,000 what you may ask? 10,000 individual puppy mills in the United States. The majority of puppy mills are in the Midwest, however the “capital” of puppy mills is considered to be in rural Pennsylvania. Proof of puppy mills in Amish country was even uncovered on Oprah recently, who revealed puppy mills in the backyards of Amish farms. Stacked cages containing numerous dogs were one after another, even though the farms were many acres large. The dogs were never allowed to exit the cages, and if so “lucky” they were given hamster-like balls to run in within the cage.

Animals involved in puppy mills have no life at all. All they are “allowed” to do is mate. They never are given the chance to run and be free amongst the other dogs, chase eachother, roll around in the grass or be healthy. The man behind the reason Oprah did a show on puppy mills, Bill Smith, is founder of Main Line Animal Rescue. Mr. Smith had the following to say about puppy mills:

A number of times they’ll call us and give us 45 minutes to an hour to come out and pick up a dog before they shoot it when they no longer want it. It’s always amazing to me when I go out to pick up a dog they’ve had for eight or nine years and it doesn’t have a name. It’s never been out of the hutch. It doesn’t know how to walk. I have to carry it to the car. It’s heartbreaking.

9 year old dogs, unable to walk and having no name to be known by. These are dogs that deserve names, deserve love and deserve a good home. That home just should not come from making the pockets of those who tortured them rich. Dogs need to be rescued from puppy mills. Dogs need to be taken from pet stores. Puppy mills need to be permanently shut down. Dogs need to be ADOPTED. Please, next time you are thinking about getting a dog:ADOPT.

 

Faces of Puppy Mills

Please stop this cruel “business” today. These dogs below are just like your Spot, Bruiser, Buster or whatever name that cute little guy that wags his tail each time you come is called. They all deserve good homes, with someone who will love and care for them.

 

If a dog is to have babies, isn’t this the way the picture should look?
0000102265-dog000005-004.jpg

Trying New Things

Well I’ve decided that I am going to try at least one (preferably two) new recipes per week. I have become rather bored with our usual meals (even though we do vary greatly week to week, I just want to throw more things into the mix). So I’ve begun compiling lists of main meals, sides, drinks and desserts that I want to try at one point or another. I began this about two weeks ago so I have some things to share! Unfortunately, not all the recipes I tried were a success. Maybe I should clarify. The recipes were all a success in that they came out as they should, but not a success in flavors. But I do want to point out that I am a picky eater, so if something that I said did not taste all that great, don’t just take my word for it! Everything I am about to share is EDIBLE, my taste buds just prefer some over others ;)  . Are there desserts? Well of course! How could I not make a dessert? Jeez!

Black Bean Burgers

I begin the food tour with black bean burgers. But not just any ol’ black bean burgers, these are my pal Sara’s, over at Innocent Primate, black bean burgers. I followed the recipe for the most part, but I did add garlic to the mix. I LOVE garlic and think it adds to most dishes. I did use about 3 cups beans, half the bread crumbs and of course, for my spice intolerance–only about 1/2 a jalapeño pepper. Unfortunately, I only have a photo of the burgers BEFORE they were grilled. I was extremely hungry so I just began eating once everything was done. So just picture my previous burger dinner with the black bean burger instead :) . These were sooo good and I recommend them to everyone!

Sara's Black Bean Burgers

Sara's Black Bean Burgers

 
This recipe was from VeganDad. Matt wanted to try this (and he actually made it!) because he and I really like peaches, tempeh (Matt more so) and chickpeas. We don’t particularly care for ginger, at least not in larger quantities, so we left that out of the recipe. We did not particularly enjoy this meal, it was not bad but Matt wasn’t so pleased. I would have it again, but I honestly think I’d prefer to just eat the peaches as is than to include it in this meal. Matt and I felt it should be sweeter and just have some greater flavor to it overall. I think leaving the ginger out was a good call, because I probably would not have liked it as much with the ginger. We served ours over rice. I’d say with some tweaking, Matt might actually like this one more. Give it a try, you might actually enjoy it.
VeganDad's Peaches, Ginger, Tempeh & Chickpeas

VeganDad's Peaches, Ginger, Tempeh & Chickpeas

Zucchini Sticks

Matt hates zucchini. I decided I would try to convince him that the vegetable wasn’t all that bad. Well, turns out this recipe did nothing more than think he was right all along. Unfortunately, the recipe produced bland zucchini sticks. I recommend adding much more salt to the recipe, and/or figuring out a way to put salt directly on the zucchini. That sounds simpler than it is, since you dip the zucchini into vegan milk before breading. I would say if you are going to try this: increase the nutritional yeast, AT LEAST triple the salt, and add other spices you like into the breading. Some additions could be: more garlic than suggested, basil, oregano, onion powder etc.. I’m still trying to find a recipe that will convince Matt to want to eat his zucchini, any suggestions?

Zucchini Sticks

Zucchini Sticks

 
 
I love bagels. Maybe it is an East coast addiction, but I love the little guys. My favorite has always been cinnamon-raisin bagels. Well, I recently came across Happy Herbivore’s whole wheat bagel recipe and decided to try it. BTW, Happy Herbivore is also where I got the zucchini stick recipe from. Since I am essentially at the point where if something isn’t organic I won’t eat it, making my own bagels seemed like the logical solution to getting organic vegan bagels. I’m sure there are some out there somewhere, if I cared to look, but this way is cheaper and I can add whatever I want! I must note that the recipe states 1 1/2 tsp yeast, when a red star packet actually includes 2 1/4 tsp yeast. I used about 1/4 cup less flour due to my addition of 1/2 cup raisins and 1 tsp cinnamon. I would definitely recommend upping the cinnamon to at least 2 tsp if anyone decides to make these bagels in cinnamon-raisin as I did. They were very good and I plan on making them again and trying different toppings! My favorite way to eat a bagel is with strawberry jam. I hate cream cheese, and always have (vegan or not) and I keep it far away from my bagels! I know, it’s definitely not what you would expect from someone from Philadelphia!
Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

Isa & Chandra’s Graham Crackers

Yes, this graham cracker recipe comes from the same individuals behind Vegan with a Vengeance and Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World. Unfortunately, I don’t feel like these graham crackers are going to take over the world any time soon! It might just be the fact that I am not a huge fan of molasses. However, I do feel as though these graham crackers need a serious sugar boost and molasses balance. I am going to try to recreate these crackers with agave nectar and perhaps additional sugar (or agave just being the main sugar). They weren’t bad, and my dogs certainly liked them (even though I didn’t let them have much because of the sugar), but my sweet tooth just was not satisfied! I know you are supposed to use them for smores, thus making them sweeter, but I prefer eating them alone since I don’t make smores all that often! You know how graham crackers usually have that immediate sweet flavor develop into a deeper flavor consisting of molasses? Well, this just consisted of molasses.  

Graham Crackers

Graham Crackers

I’ll be sure to have more about my escapades involving trying a couple new recipes per week! Lets hope they all turn out great or else I may lose my excitement for the task!

If You Love Animals And The Environment….

Then you need to vote this November! No, I have never gotten political on this blog before, but I felt with new events occurring recently in the election that I need to. Don’t get me wrong, I am very political off my blog (hey what do you expect from an opinionated person?). Now you not only need to VOTE, but you need to vote Democratic. I am not necessarily endorsing Barack Obama (although I do think he is a good candidate), but I am SEVERELY against the McCain-Palin duo.

I was under the impression for quite some time that McCain simply was not as bright as he needs to be. (See, I’m even being nice ;) ) And I never considered voting for him BEFORE, but then he went and announced that Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska, would be his VP. Like most Americans, I didn’t know who the hell she was. Turns out, I liked it much better that way. Let me introduce you to Sarah Palin and the many reasons why you need to vote AGAINST her and McCain in November, if you love animals and the environment. Or if you generally just want future generations to see polar bears and not live under water.

Palin_2

Well for one, she is wearing a fur in this photo. Doesn’t she look classy! Nothing says class quite the way a dead tortured animal around your neck does.

She does not believe in Global Warming. “A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I’m not one though who would attribute it to being man-made,” said Palin to Newsmax.

She filed a lawsuit when the Bush Administration put Polar Bears on the threatened species list. Even Bush eventually realized (or thought it was good political move, which is more likely) what horrors are occurring to polar bears. But, apparently Palin’s greed for oil money is the most important thing (polar bear protection could interfere with oil and gas development).

Promoted the shooting of wolves and bears from aircrafts. Alaska, under her command, even offered an incentive to those who were shooting wolves in order for them to shoot more. Palin also spent PUBLIC money to advertise against campaigns (Measure 2 in Alaska, voted on this week and NOT passed) that were trying to stop the shooting of wolves and bears from aircraft.

She is a hunter herself (how impressive, she enjoys death.)

She has been going after natural predators of moose and caribou (such as wolves) so others of her hunting clan can go out and shoot moose and caribou till their hearts’ content!

She believes more drilling for oil is the answer to our energy crisis and future needs. She agrees with opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. “I beg to disagree with any candidate who would say we can’t drill our way out of our problem or that more supply won’t ultimately affect prices. Of course it will affect prices,” said Palin to Investor’s Business Daily. Apparently the here and now is the only thing that matters. 10 years from now? Eh, screw it!

I’m sure there are countless other things she has done that would horrify any environmentalist and animal rights supporter (or general animal lover), but these here should be enough to affect the way you vote. I dare say she might just scare me more than Bush, and THAT is saying something. I believe that electing her as a VP candidate is some oddball stunt move. At first I thought it was because she was a woman, then I realized it is just to make McCain more of the evil-idiotic-style of Republican. That is, afterall, the style they prefer it seems. I sincerely hope that any Hillary voters who were unsure of their voting status (or if they were going to vote at all), will NOT vote for McCain simply on the Palin is a woman and Obama beat Hillary thoughts. The pure absurdity that this woman could be running this country one day (lets face it, McCain is NOT a young chap) leaves me with nightmares. Well, if McCain were to be elected, I sure hope we all have our SCUBA gear, 200 SPF sunblock and our Encyclopedias (so we can recall all the species lost) ready to go.

For more information on Sarah Palin’s record with animals and the environment, go here:

Humane Society Legislative Fund-Michael Markarian Animals & Politics

Anchorage Daily News

Meaure 2 Fails in Alaska

Sarah Palin’s Piece for The NY Times (Oh this is a gem, apparently polar bear populations are UP, did you know that?)

Defender’s of Wildlife (Also has a link to videos.)

Oh The Stupidity!

Hello everyone! First of all, I’d like to announce that apparently my cupcake SUCKS cause I am losing pitifully. But oh well, at least I have cupcakes!!

I would LOVE to share this gem I received in my comments today….oh, it is quite fun-filled. Hope you get a good laugh from it as I did! ;) Apparently this is from someone who calls himself “NotADumbassWhoBelievesEverythingHeReads”. Oh yeah, it gets better! Now you knew from that name that he just HAD to be an idiot, but let him prove that himself!  

Christ people. Meat is good for the body. Long before PETA has brainwashed the dumbass people that follow the Vegan bible man has consumed meat, whether it was fed straight manure or straight grass. And on the topic of what the cows eat, tests of meat have shown how much protein, vitamins and minerals are in the meat, so as far as your “12 years of biological science higher education” goes, suck a dick, the burgers, steak, and chicken I eat DAILY provide me with what I need. Do you really think the cows gave a damn about where their food came from? If they were being fed the meat from aborted babies, assuming they liked the taste, they’d refuse to eat? I really doubt that. Yeah, we’re smarter than they are and we’re at the top of the food chain, that doesn’t make you right, in fact that makes you silly vegans wrong. We’re (and I really mean the people who eat what they want to eat) able to feed these cows what we feed them because they’re willing to eat it and from what I’ve heard from the cows, no complaints have been made. You people make me sad for the human race because of how wrong you are and how right you think you are. You chew on your asparagus and broccoli and other crap you choose to eat because you refuse to think for yourself, I’ll buy double the meat to take your place and throw what I don’t eat in the trash. You people make me sad for humanity because of the stupid you spread. I’m living a life full of good tasting food though, with all the essentials the body needs from meat. So you do you and I will laugh at you simple bitches every time your pompous ass laughs at the lifestyle that has worked for hundreds of years. Dipshits.

Okay, I will let you absorb that comment for a bit. Take all the time you need! I actually was somewhat happy to receive this comment…hell, I was a little iffy on what to write about tonight but this gave me the perfect topic! Idiots! Yay! The never-ending topic that always brings me such agonizing joy to complain about. Now lets go through this, shall we? Side note: this was a comment left on my Cows Fed Junk Food piece.

Christ people. Meat is good for the body. Long before PETA has brainwashed the dumbass people that follow the Vegan bible man has consumed meat, whether it was fed straight manure or straight grass.

First of all, even a great number of doctors are finally coming to the conclusion that meat is BAD for the body. How else would you explain the tremendous rate of high cholesterol, heart ailments, heart attacks, obesity etc etc.? And how would you explain that these ailments only generally arise in a “western” style diet? Asian countries who are becoming more “western” in diet or wealthy (and therefore able to afford meats etc., depending on how you wish to look at it) are finding their rates of these ailments increasing drastically. They have gone from nearly no such ailments in their societies to great numbers suffering from them. Oh, that must be from the tomato and lettuce ON the burger. Damn tomatoes, screwing all of us up! Second of all, I am anything BUT brainwashed. If anyone is brainwashed it is this fool who continues to swallow every ounce of propaganda given to him by the government and meat and dairy industries. Also, I don’t adhere to ANY bible. I personally don’t believe in the bible one iota. But that is another topic altogether. As for PETA, I don’t get much, if any, of my information from PETA actually. I find that I don’t often agree with PETA, but I do find it is a good source of information for people just starting to explore animal rights.

on the topic of what the cows eat, tests of meat have shown how much protein, vitamins and minerals are in the meat

Hmm, how does this make my junk food point invalid in any way? Was there supposed to be a test showing the level of chocolate in their system? Because I really doubt they would go through the trouble of testing the meat for every iota of nutritional information since they won’t even test every cow for Mad Cow Disease (and other diseases). Hell, they don’t even test 5%, if even 1%.

the burgers, steak, and chicken I eat DAILY provide me with what I need.

Oh yes, and the artery clogging that is occurring DAILY brings me great joy. Here’s to your heart attack! May you enjoy it as much as your burgers :)

Do you really think the cows gave a damn about where their food came from? If they were being fed the meat from aborted babies, assuming they liked the taste, they’d refuse to eat? I really doubt that. Yeah, we’re smarter than they are and we’re at the top of the food chain, that doesn’t make you right, in fact that makes you silly vegans wrong.

Ouch, he is trying to get Pro-lifers involved too! Wow, attacking vegans and pro-lifers (I’m sure some are one in the same). Sorry for the graphic image people, hope you weren’t eating lunch! Hmm, I dare say the mother of this uneducated, brainwashed idiot should have given a second thought to having him. Moving on though. Let’s see, do I care where my food comes from? Yes. Does a cow care where it comes from? Well I suppose a cow wouldn’t necessarily care where it came from, but I have a pretty good idea it would care WHAT it was. Cows are not scavengers, they do not eat anything and everything. They have preferences involving their diet (and their lives), or else they would be just like a vulture. So no, cows wouldn’t care where their GRASS came from, but they sure as hell probably care why they are forced to eat CHOCOLATE. Guaranteed: if a cow had a choice between fresh grass and ethanol waste, he is choosing the grass.

Yay for silly vegans and their long, silly, healthy lives! Oh and there are plenty of people who are far less intelligent that any cow you could find me. FAR LESS INTELLIGENT.

We’re (and I really mean the people who eat what they want to eat) able to feed these cows what we feed them because they’re willing to eat it and from what I’ve heard from the cows, no complaints have been made.

Wow, all this time I have been forced at gunpoint to eat my veggies! Holy crap, I must have been forced to make it too! Damn, someone really has some control over me. Oh if only I could think for myself. IF ONLY!

Hey, this guy can talk to cows! Holy crap, I’m in awe of his cow communication. He must communicate with one just about at his level too or else I’m sure he would have heard SOME sort of complaint. At the very least in the realm of “please don’t slaughter me”. Hmm, maybe I have had it wrong all this time. Wow, he really has opened my eyes. Cows speaking English (I assume it isn’t Russian or Spanish since this guy communicates in English), what will do next?

 

Cows Can Speak English!!

Cows Can Speak English!!

You people make me sad for the human race because of how wrong you are and how right you think you are. You chew on your asparagus and broccoli and other crap you choose to eat because you refuse to think for yourself, I’ll buy double the meat to take your place and throw what I don’t eat in the trash. You people make me sad for humanity because of the stupid you spread. I’m living a life full of good tasting food though, with all the essentials the body needs from meat. So you do you and I will laugh at you simple bitches every time your pompous ass laughs at the lifestyle that has worked for hundreds of years. Dipshits.

Such sweet parting words, brings a tear to my eye. *sniffle* I think I am in love! A cow whisperer and poet to boot! Oh, be still my heart!

Where to begin…WHERE to begin.

It really is funny that we “people” make him sad for the human race. Funny because I find that people who have their heads stuck up their asses are the ones who are ruining the human race. Especially when they reproduce and spread the bigotry, stupidity and overall angry traits. Did you happen to notice that all of a sudden I CHOOSE to eat what I do? Wow, what a transition. I just had a gun pointed at my head a minute ago too. Phew, glad that is over!

How exactly is it that I do not (and others who are vegan) think for myself? Would the LOGICAL situation not be that those who are following the STANDARD diet are the ones not thinking for themselves? Those who are doing just as the meat and dairy companies are wanting them to do, they are the ones NOT thinking for themselves. Since only less than 1% of the United States’ population is vegan, and only about 1-2% are vegetarian, that leaves…ooooh over 97% of Americans following the standard meat, dairy then maybe some veggies diet. Wow, somehow the less than 1% are so strong and powerful that they can brainwash me to eat what they eat! Wait, did they also force me to read books, go to school and to love animals? OMG, they had me since birth. Those bastards and their mass of media outlets constantly bombarding me with images of what I should be eating. Oh please, make the billboards, neon signs and commercials dictating that I am to eat at a vegan restaurant go away! I can’t take all the veggie burger advertisements any more! Wait a minute, they never advertise for veggie burgers on television. I’ve also never seen a billboard saying where the next exit for a vegan restaurant was. Holy crap, I have seen such a thing for McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, KFC and the like though. OMG, could the cow whisperer be wrong? Could the meat eaters actually be the brainwashed ones? Thank my vegan bible, it is true!

My guess: this person is not very well educated, has at the very least his head up his ass, is a bigot, is a bachelor, doesn’t believe in global warming and loves fast food. What age are you giving him? Since I don’t know his age now, I am going to guess a heart attack at the ripe ol’ age of 45. Hopefully he won’t have reproduced by then.

Oh, and Mr. Dumbass, all comments of yours will be dismissed, so don’t even bother.

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