The Iditaord , Making a Positive Difference in the Lives of so Many

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” ― Jane Goodall

Wade Marrs
Photo courtesy of Stumping Jump Kennels

No words rang a greater truth than in this year's 2016 Iditarod. I believe the Iditarod is not just a race or sport, but a time of community, learning and camaraderie. These mushers and this race make a difference in the life of so many.

As I reiterated in my book, "Furry Philosophy and Memoirs Set in Stone" a quote by Dee Dee Jonrowe, "Musher’s win in the manner they take care of their dogs, in the way they treat people in the villages, and how courteous they are to the volunteers."

Some of these communities that the race runs through are very poor, or small in the middle of nowhere. These towns look forward to this event and love to come out and participate with signs of support. 

Dallas Seavey
Photo courtesy of Jeff Schultz

I would like to congratulate Dallas Seavey on another win, his 4th of the last 5. He started out the race very sick. Dallas at only 29 years, is in excellent shape and has been athletic his whole life. 

He chose to make a difference by example and push on. He chose to find his inner strength and determination and followed it all the way to first place under the Burled Arch again. I would also send a special congrats to Mr. Wade Marrs. I just adore Wade's disposition and his care of dogs. He is making a difference by continued dedication to detailed care of his dogs. He attributes his continued success to "looking at his own faults" and working on improvement. It was a nail biter back on the back and  forth race to the finish with Peter Kaiser. The last stretch of the race they were running only a mile apart. Wade also started this race coughing and sick. He flew in, out of breath, into the finish line saying, "I never worked that hard in my life" but with a huge smile on his face. His hard work is showing. In just 5 years he has gone from, 47th to 4th place. I whole believe with all my heart, this ethical, hard, 25 year old musher, who started at 8 years old, is someone to watch! 

This year's Iditarod experienced a horrible tragedy when Arnold Demoski of Nulato intentionally drove a snowmobile towards Aliy Zirkle , Jeff King and their dog teams. The tragedy harmed 2 dogs and sadly killed King's dog Nash. I send love to Nash and Mr. King. Both Aliy and Jeff chose to push on. I would like to congratulate Aily on finishing 3rd and Jeff on finishing 9th, and overcoming adversity. I also believe into every storm a little sun must shine. I believe both mushers have made a difference by showing strength and determination. As Laura Wright, Teacher on the Trail writes,  "The tragic situation outside of Nulato has created a 'teachable moment' for educators who are following the race in their classrooms."  Children are making inspirational signs. Just to quote a few, "You are brave and brilliant and oh so resilient , Go Aily" , "Don't say 'Why me' say 'Try me' Go Mr. King" and "Aily ~Winner's are not people who never fail, but people who never quit." I believe these life lessons are one that our future leaders will remember and hold in their hearts

Aliy with Kodiak at 2016 Iditarod Ceremonial Start.
 Photo courtesy of the SP Kennel

The fact the overuse of alcohol was a factor in this tragedy will teach lessons that will make a huge difference in the life of so many. It is a know fact there is a problem with alcoholism in Alaska. I believe the isolation and lack of sunlight greatly contribute to this.  Musher John Baker, his wife Katherine and Governor Bill Walker formed ACT a state-wide wellness initiative. Their "goal is empower all those residing in Alaska, especially native villages, to establish healthy wellness goals, prevent substance abuse and suicide." Wade Marrs was also asked to be an ambassador of this group and he accepted. Since I have been following Wade, I have seen him work in many ways to make a difference in the lives of so many including the dogs. 

Martin Buser
photo courtesy of Happy Trails Kennel

Sadly this past summer there was another tragedy with the Alaskan fires.  Dee Dee Jonrowe lost her home and sadly one of her dogs. So many lost so much. Everyone showed such camaraderie helping to get dogs out and to safety. The Buser's housed hundreds of dogs and welcomed them to their home. After showing such kindness sadly, the Buser's experienced a horrific tragedy in their life when son, Nikolai suffered extensive injuries in a bad car accident in Seattle WA on Jan. 22nd. Martin spent all his time at the hospital and was not even sure he would race. He was not able to do the training that he needed. He also came down with pneumonia. Dee Dee also was not able to do all the training she wanted. I believe they both made a difference by showing determination and getting out there anyway. I also believe that the Iditarod was healing to them in many ways. Being alone, one with the wilderness and your dogs can work magic. At a checkpoint interview Dee Dee said when talking about the Iditarod, "Something in my life I understand what is going on." Mr. Buser is was having a hard year and also pulled a hamstring so terribly that he blacked out. He was asked at a checkpoint interview, "You're not going to scratch?" He replied, "Scratch? That would be like quitting, I can't quit." "I gotta prove that when you start something, you gotta see it through and I kinda wanna do this for my son who since January 22nd has a hell of a lot more to overcome than I have." I hope that both Martin and Dee Dee found some peace on this trip. When 4 time Iditarod winner Martin Buser crossed the line in 37th place this year he was asked how was the race. He replied, "What race? My camping trip, just did a fun camping trip." I hope you enjoyed your camping trip. You deserved and needed the solitude. I also want to give Dee Dee and Martin a four paws up for making such a positive difference in the community. The both are ambassadors for ethical treatment of the dogs. Dee Dee is a founding member of Mush with PRIDE, "which provides responsible information of a dog's environment, exhibiting her commitment to set the standards for all aspects of sled dog care". Martin regularity talks to the youth at schools on the humanitarian care of animals. I believe educating our future leaders on ethics is one the biggest and most important differences we all need to strive for. 

I believe one of the biggest differences we can make in the world is to be happy, share our happiness and stay positive as much as we can. I believe also we learn by example and can make a difference just by being kind and ethical, especially to the voiceless, the dogs in the race. One of my favorite parts of being a member of the Iditarod Insider is the footage and the interviews and I see this infectious joy, and love for the animals being shared! When watching Paige Drobney and her husband Cody I was very inspired and resonated with Paige's feelings. She loves being alone in the wilderness with her dogs so much "she cried tears of joy". They both mush for the right reason, the love of the dogs and nature. Aily was interviewed while camping on the very windy Bering Sea. She thought she was going to run a little longer but the dogs needed a break so she did was best for them and stopped, in the wind, to rest. She made the best of things with a smile. She said with a grin, as the wind whips in her face, "It's pretty look at it, most people wouldn't choose it, but it's sunny." Miriam Osredkar, a rookie this year running the puppy team for Joar Leifseth Ulsom has a contagious smile and a joy for this race that is quite infectious. You can feel her love for the dogs. Brent Sass has always been know for being positive and he has a logo with the word "Believe" on it, one word that says so much. He states at the finish line, "Places in the end didn't mean anything to me. It's all about the dogs." It warms my heart to see how much the mushers in this race make sure the dogs are put first and foremost and shown so much love. 

Grandpa Phil volunteering on the Pee Team

I believe one of the biggest keys in this race is the volunteers. Without these volunteers there would be no race. My friend Grandpa Phil Cady, was one of the very first volunteers of the race when it started. This year, at 89 years young, he came in all the way from Florida to volunteer on  the "pee team" to test for drug screening to ensure the safety of the dogs. All the vets that ensure the safety and good health for the dogs at every check point are not paid and all volunteers also. 

Once a dog is "dropped" for being tired or injured they must go somewhere to be properly cared for.  There is a "Prisoner Sled Dog Therapy Program" that provides this care. Women from the prison come to care and love these dogs very much. Inmate Danielle Carrier states while stroking a dog with a gentle hand, "There is a lot to be said about dogs, not for just a mental health aspect but definitely  for recovery and substance abuse as well."  Veterinarian, Dean Bauman states, I am so thankful they are willing to work with us on this. It's a win- win situation, not just for the dog's but the inmates too."  I commend these volunteers for their dedication and love of the dogs. They are making a difference in so many ways.

To this author The Iditarod is not just a sport, but a way to make a difference. It is making a positive difference in the lives of so many. It inspires our future leaders and adults to be the best you can be, teach by example and love the voiceless animals, always treating them with the proper care they deserve.

To learn more or become a member for next years adventures go to Iditarod.com.

To read a little bit more about my views and love of the Iditarod you can read older entries on my blog www.furryphilosophy.blogspot.com. 

You can also read my article in  the 2016 March -April issue of http://lastfrontiermagazine.com/ .

TTouch , a second look

"The circle, ancient symbol for life unending, for renewal, community, wholeness and self "~Linda Tellington-Jones

Molly

We connect the circle as a symbol to countless things, eternity, love, and so much more, but for healing and change also? Absolutely!
In past articles I have mentioned TTouch as part of what I incorporate in my dog Odin and my daily special time together, when he gets his range of motion exercises, cold laser, etc. I will do everything his ol' bones need to keep him moving good and happy.
I would like to paws and elaborate on this amazing technique that deserves a closer look.
What is TTouch?
According to Tellingon Touch Training ,it is briefly defined , "TTouch - the Tellington TTouch - is a method based on circular movements of the fingers and hands all over the body. The intent of the TTouch is to activate the function of the cells and awaken cellular intelligence - a little like "turning on the electric lights of the body. The TTouch is done on the entire body, and each circular TTouch is complete within itself. Therefore it is not necessary to understand anatomy to be successful in speeding up the healing of injuries or ailments, or changing undesirable habits or behavior."
Ttouch was first perfected on horses and they seem to be one of the animals that are very in tune with this type of technique.

Trigger

TTouch is very easy and there is no wrong way to do it. It is circular movements that are performed with your hands ,very lightly and gently. I have taken a seminar on it. There is definitely  a lot of information you can learn to incorporate to benefit your animals. That being said your pet can benefit immensely also from simple information. I highly suggest the book, "The Tellington TTouch" by LInda Tellington-Jones with Sybil Taylor. You can get the basic cliff notes at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SoOfVpYXFo If you watch this video and want more information look to the right and you will see longer videos to click on. You can also find seminars to attend at http://www.ttouch.com/
Over the years I have heard nothing but wonderful results from Ttouch. Odin seems to respond wonderfully to it and enjoys our special time, bonding with wordless love. When you spend this time with animal in your life don't forget to breathe deep, they will relax and you will find yourself relaxing with them.

Odin J.

I have a good friend who has two beautiful horses, Trigger and a rescue, Molly, who I have been fortunate enough to go visit and spend time with. Molly has had some issues such as being difficult when ridden and showed signs of stress when my friend would run the tractor or various loud machinery. She would chase Trigger and get very agitated. Trigger was very standoffish. After a very short time of trying out the TTouch technique he has seen a change in both horses. Trigger is now not only enjoying attention, but seeking it out. Molly is calmer and now shows no reaction and doesn't even flinch when the tractor and loud machinery are brought out. Molly also is seeking out attention. I love to hear unbiased personal accounts such as this.

This quote by the founder of TTouch, Linda Tellington-Jones resonates with my beliefs on Ttouch and also in a whole how to' be' with our pets, "All it takes is your desire, your love, some trust in your intuition -and, of course, a little practice."

Fostering is a priceless gift

"There is a deep sleep that only comes on the first night out of the shelter. As he settles in, he gives a great big sigh. Like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. Then he sleeps deeper than he ever has. Knowoing he's safe. You get a lump in your throat as your realize how close he came. Now he's safe. Forever. Because you fostered."  ~Two dog farms

Paula Smith and her 3 rescues.

I cannot express how important fostering is to pets. Fostering allows pets to feel like they are loved and allows them to get used to what it is like to live in a loving home. Proper fostering allows the pet to get some basic training. Basic training will help to ensure that a pet stays in a home once it is adopted and lessens the chances of returning to the shelter.
This month Odin and I would like to introduce our guest writer and good friend Paula Smith from Dog Blessed LLC. Paula specializes in reactive dogs. She also has helped, trained and fostered so many dogs that are thankful for her expertise.
Take it away Paula!

When your foster dog leaves to join her new family, it is a bitter sweet moment.  In my case it always involves a few tears, but every day I look back on it with a warm heart and smile on my face.  I know I helped her find that special family to give her the life she deserves and I got a chance to have another special dog in my life, even if only for a few weeks. Most importantly, I helped save a life.
According to the ASPCA website, approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide every year.  Of those, 1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats are euthanized for a variety of reasons. Shelters play an important role by providing temporary shelter, safety, food, and water to animals in need.  However, shelters have limited space and resources. Additionally, some animals don’t do well in a shelter environment.
Foster homes are a vital part of saving lives of dogs, cats and other animals.  These special homes are lower stress environments that allow the dog to feel safe; learn that humans are kind and loving; and, how they should behave to live their life with humans to the fullest.  Foster homes also free up space in the shelter for another animal so shelters do not meet capacity or have to turn needy animals away. Most shelters have a foster program and there are many rescue groups that operate as only foster homes, without a main facility.  Some of these groups are breed specific.
While the primary goal of the foster family is to save lives and provide safety for their foster, they can also teach her basic rules about living in a human world. These simple lessons impact the dog’s quality of life forever. Many dogs are abandoned because of behavioral issues that can be resolved with basic training. Other basic training such as sit and keeping four feet on the floor can also help a dog make a better first impression to potential adopters.
Best of all, anyone can foster.  If you love animals, you can open up your home to them while they are waiting for their new family to find them.  Most shelters provide training and everything you need, so fostering costs very little.
To learn more about fostering, I suggest contacting a shelter or rescue group you are familiar with or one in the back of this magazine to learn about their foster programs.  Ask questions to learn about their program.  How do you select your foster dog? What happens if the foster dog does not get along with your dog?  What if you have to leave town and can’t take the dog? Do you get to help select the dog’s new family? What expenses (if any) are you responsible for?  What if you think the dog needs special vet attention or training?  Can you adopt the dog if you decide to you want her forever? Are there any cases where the dog might not be adoptable? If so, how are those handled?
This past fall, I fostered two puppies from a litter of eight abandoned at a kill shelter at just six weeks old. I had the opportunity to socialize them and teach them many lessons during a very critical time in their lives that will impact them and their families forever.  Best of all, one of those puppies ended up finding his permanent home with our family. I hope you find your next family member through fostering or at a local shelter.
Paula Smith , Dog Blessed LLC

Patience with reactive dogs

Patience is the key which solves all problems. -Sudanese proverb

      This applies to all aspects of life , however I think we need to especially remember this when it comes to our animal friends. They have memories and fears just like we do. Sadly they do not understand English and we need to be patient. We need to particularly remember this when it comes to reactive dogs.
     What is a reactive dog?  Sara Reusche, CPDT-KA, CVT, ANWI  states, "Simply put, reactivity can be defined as an overreaction to external stimuli."  Personally living with a semi-reactive dog, I believe just like autism, it is not a disease, but just a handicap that we can work with. We do not turn our backs if a child is autistic or has learning disabilities. We find ways to make that light bulb come on over their heads and we don't set them up for failure . The same principles should be applied to our canine friends. We have to celebrate making it over the hurdles and celebrate the accomplishments, not punish their downfalls.

     In my case and in many others I have seen, reactive dogs are highly intelligent. It is so important to give those pets jobs, structure, and positive activities to celebrate that intelligence.
     There are many tools available for reactive dogs, and also for basic obedience for that matter. In my opinion, there should never be force,violence or hitting in training. Structure and positive reinforcement are the key.  One method that is highly effective in working with a dog, is to not free feed, but make your dog earn their dinner by watching  you , and performing basic obedience such as sit , stay , down, etc.  There are fun ways that will keep them thinking and earn  food. You can purchase puzzle and treat toys and hide their food around the house and teach them to "find".  Rally and agility are excellent activities that allow your dog to bond with you and teach them to pay attention and look to you with trust and joy for commands.

      Please make sure you take all proper precautions with a reactive dog, you want to protect your dog at all cost. If you know there are going to be small children or other dogs at an event and your dog is reactive to them , PLEASE DO NOT take your dog or take the proper precautions, such as bringing a kennel.

 Your dog would much rather feel safe in a kennel than to be thrown in a situation they cannot handle. Do not be afraid to be bold or even rude to protect your dog. If someone bends down to stick their face in my dog's face,  I have no problem telling them, "back off, he cannot handle that". When I teach kids bite prevention, I stick my face one inch from their nose and asking them if it makes them uncomfortable. We need to give dogs that personal space and not be afraid to tell others too. I suggest hanging a small sign on your door that says something like, "please be advised my dog needs space, please give it to him." You are your dogs voice and you need to speak for them.
     Some helpful tools to help you with your reactive dog are handouts and literature from Dr. Sophia Yin http://drsophiayin.com/. A gentle leader is a great tool to take a reactive dog into public. To make sure people are not rude and give your dog the space they need, I found a great snap on leash sleeve in bright yellow that says, "I need space". This reminds people to ask before they pet, so you can instruct them the polite way to approach a fearful or reactive dog. You can find these on this site http://www.thedogperk.com/products/leash-sleeve-i-need-space-brights
     I suggest contacting a kind, reputable trainer in your area that specializes in your problems. DON'T be afraid to ask for multiple references. If a trainer is rough, cruel, or in any way makes you uncomfortable, speak up for your dog and don't allow it. Force will only make matters worse and don't let any trainer convince you otherwise. There are so many positive activities now for reactive dogs. They can now even compete without being exposed to other dogs or people that they may fear in cyber rally and agility.
     If you are in West MI and want a trainer who specializes in reactive dogs and who can assist you with cyber competitions, I highly recommend Dog Blessed LLC.  http://www.dogblessedllc.com/ 616-430-0297.
Odin and I wish your pets a joyous stress free life.
 Please feel free to read the first chapter of my book and more articles at www. furryphilosophy.blogspot.

Paws and Remember the Magic of Christmas

Most of us remember the wise words from  Dr. Suess,

"Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!"

"Well, in Whoville they say - that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then - the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of *ten* Grinches, plus two!" 

     I believe, our pets often share the same message, gifts from the heart mean so much more; it is the laughs, homemade gifts , and the things you did to give back that will resonate the most in your memory. Our pets don't care the price of things, for them it's about the love and fun.

     There is something about Christmas that puts that sparkly fairy dust in the air. We bake ,we wrap, we want to give and make merry. 

      Odin,Raven and I would like to ask that you spare just a smidge of that magic in your heart and merriment and remember to give back in anyway that resonates with your heart.

    Giving back can be not only rewarding but fun. I really enjoy heading up charity pet photos with Santa. It is a evening of laughter, joy and giving back. You cannot help laugh at pets in their Christmas attire and feel their happiness as they know something good is happening. They enjoy getting special goodies thanks to our ever faithful and gracious hostess, Tonya from "Must Love Dogs Boutique and Spa".

     I recently interviewed a wonderful man, 'Grandpa Phil' who was one of the organizers of the first Iditarod. He now lives in Long Boat Key, Fl. and he protects the nests and aids  the  baby turtles to safety every year.  He is 88 years old and still running two miles a day on the beach. I asked him to share some of his secrets of longevity he would like to convey. He said, " If it ain't fun don't do it". He has spent his life enjoying it, but also giving back in ways that were fun for him. 

     Everyone has a talent. Aren't we put on this earth to share the gifts we are given? For example, I love photography and editing and tweaking photos. Every year I take and collect pet photos from others to collaborate a fundraiser calendar.  

       There are so many ways to give back. Follow your heart ,it will lead you. Do you have room in your home for a rescue? The love the can give is priceless. If you search, you can find the breed you are looking for from a rescue. If you can't rescue , please consider volunteering , donating or giving a small part of your heart. In return you will also feel your heart grow and fill up to the top just like that Grinch.

 This Holiday Season,Odin, Raven and I wish you joy, laughter , and unlimited treats for all the furkids. We also wish that all the homeless pets will find their fur-ever home and receive the love they deserve.

Below are suggestions on ways to give back this holiday season and always. Feel free to use my contact info below for more information on any of these:

* Best Pals animal Rescue charity calendar only $10 full of fun furry friends.

* Foster a pet for Christmas

*Volunteer with Heal with a Horse and be fortunate enough to spend time with those amazing creatures. The mission of Heal with a Horse is to enhance the quality of life of chronically ill and special needs children through equine assisted therapy. 

*Be fortunate enough to be in presence of rescued wolves, exotics, and other miscellaneous  rescues by volunteering at Howling Timbers Animal Sanctuary.

*Buy the perfect Christmas gift for animal lovers  of "Furry Philosophy and Memoirs Set in Stone".  I feel it only fitting since I was given the  gift of memories from the animals to give back to them. $5 from every book sold is donated to the animals with love.  This month (and always on my list to chose from ) I will donate $5 to Best Pals Animal Rescue.

* If these don't resonate with you, remember your heart, it knows the way.   

  Read more Furry Philosophy in my book, “Furry Philosophy and Memoirs Set in Stone.” It is available at Amazon.com or by emailing cani7lupus@aol.com or calling 231-893-1227.  

Find more fun photos and updates by following me on Facebook  “Memory stones by Jodi” and “Furry Philosophy and Memoirs Set in Stone.”

Keeping your furry friend joyous and pain free

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself."― Josh Billing
     A love that deep, deserves for us,our dog's caretakers, to do the very best we can by them. When we make the decision to be a caretaker for a pet, I believe we owe it to them to give them the best life they can.
     As I was walking through the woods today, hearing the acorns pop under my feet, and seeing Odin's white fluffy tail wagging in front of me, I thought about how thankful I was to have him romping ahead with joy, and not painfully from sore joints, as he has in the past.
     I would like to share some more ideas with you. Odin and I have found different techniques that have helped so  much on his aging stiff  joints, in hopes it can help your furry friend too.
      I few months back  I listed some items that have helped Odin so much. We continue to use these. I think sometimes the cure is not just one thing, but a combination of treatments, that help our friends. To see this list again please go to: http://www.furryphilosophy.blogspot.com/2015/07/keeping-healthy-and-active-natural-way.html
     After writing this article I read a piece by  Mary E. Haight from Dancing Dog Blog  that talked about Passive Range of Motion. I have added these stretches  to Odin's daily regimen and have to say I saw more improvement ! I searched for "how to" videos on passive range of motion and they were all similar. Here is a link that is quick, to the point, I'd like  to share:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2g5CYXlHMsH3NbJ_DxK0Tb2fea9Tavu6
     Even though I saw great improvement , I thought there had to be something I could do to help him even more. I continued to do research and spoke with contacts that raved about cold laser. I had to look further.
     This is a brief history and information on the subject:
 Mikaela Conely  stated " The cold laser therapy is a noninvasive procedure that uses light to stimulate cells and increase blood circulation. At the correct laser wavelength, pain signals are reduced and nerve sensitivity decreases. The procedure also releases endorphins, or natural painkillers, but it is not recommended for animals that have cancer because the device can stimulate blood flow to cancer cells." "The procedure is based on the idea that light is absorbed into the cells. The process, known as photo-biotherapy, stimulates protein synthesis and cell metabolism, which improves cell health and functionality."
     The American Chiropractic Association states, "Light in its various forms has been used for healing from the time of the ancient Egyptian and Greek civilizations."
      Cold laser therapy is now being recognized as beneficial by many veterinarians and it is easy to find in most areas.
     If Odin needed something I would even sell plasma to make sure he received it. But I am also not rolling in dough, I always look for ways to save money. I looked at my options and found for our budget it would be most economical to purchase one and give him daily treatments at home. I found an affordable one Amazon.com called Tendlite Joint Home Therapy. It had very informative instructions and I also did more research on safety. Make sure you read the safety instructions. I found an important part of the body to avoid is the thyroid (throat area).

      I started this therapy on Odin, and MY joints, and found immediate, extreme relief and improvement for both of us . We give the cold laser a 4 paws up, 5 dog bone stars and cannot say enough good things about it !
     If you want to take this one step further I have also used the cold laser on acupressure points. A good reference book for this is, "Four Paws Five Directions" by Cheryl Schwartz. There are good clear charts in the middle of the book.

This is a page  from " Four Paws Five Directions" The BL 60 point is called the arthritis point. It  is a very beneficial point to rub and apply cold laser to.

     I now partner laser with  the passive range of motion and have special bonding time with Odin, that benefits him more than I can say.

Odin, and I wish your pet many fun walks, tail wags and a long, pain-free, joyous life.

Read more Furry Philosophy in my book  “Furry Philosophy and Memoirs Set in Stone.” Available at Amazon.com or by emailing cani7lupus@aol.com . If  you order directly through me you can choose from the list of my animal charities to have a portion of the proceeds to be donated. You can read the first chapter for free on my very first blog post: http://www.furryphilosophy.blogspot.com/2015/02/trying-my-hand-at-blogging.html
Find more fun photos and updates by  following me on Facebook  “Memory stones by Jodi” and “Furry Philosophy and Memoirs Set in Stone.”

Be the voice for the animals!

“There is no fundamental difference between man and animals in their ability to feel pleasure and pain, happiness, and misery.”― Charles Darwin

Odin says, "Be the voice for the animals"

Definition of Vivisection viv·i·sec·tion-the practice of performing operations on live animals for the purpose of experimentation or scientific research

     It has always hurt my heart to think about this. Can animals feel pain?  YES. Did they sign up to be tortured this way? NO.  Is one life more valuable than another? NO.
Why does the human race think it is ok to  torture other species? Can you imagine committing no crime, and being locked up in a cage,and tortured until they eventually kill you?

     While reading one of my the best books ever written, in my opinion, "Dog 281" , it was reiterated to me, 'we can stop this insanity, we can make a change.' I am now reading "The Dog Who Spoke with Gods." It hurts my heart to read what can happen to  dogs in laboratories and how they can go insane from the pain. We are not Gods, as this poor dog believes, and we should NOT play God.

     There are alternatives , there are ways and we need to be the voice for the animals!
Information from NEAVS states, "Alternative scientific tests are often more reliable than animal tests. For example, experiments on rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, monkeys, and baboons revealed no link between glass fibers and cancer. Only after human studies related the two did the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) label these fibers as carcinogenic. The use of human tissue in toxicity testing is more accurate than the animal models.Non-animal tests are more cost-effective, practical, and expedient.. The traditional testing of chemicals using animals can take up to five years per substance and cost millions of dollars, while non-animal alternatives can test hundreds of chemicals in a week for a fraction of the cost."
     This is controversial, but what about testing on humans for human drugs? Test on humans that have committed horrific crimes and are already behind bars, instead of innocent creatures.
     One of my favorite books, by my hero Jane Goodall  states, "a great deal of animal research has been misleading and resulted either in the withholding of drugs, sometimes for years, that were subsequently found to be highly beneficial to humans, or to the release and use of drugs that, though harmless to animals, have actually contributed to human suffering and death.

     Amelia Kinkade's book  "The Language of Miracles" states when talking about animal activist Chris Derose from Last Chance for Animals going undercover in a laboratory that tested animals, "Chris had invited himself to take photographs and shoot video tape. His forbidden footage aired on CNN , allowing some viewers to actually identify their own animals on the news." "He was able to reunite some of the humans with their dogs. Other heartbroken people were only able to get collars and tags of their missing dogs." Amelia  Kinkade also informs us ,"one university in southern California was breaking the legs of animals and subjecting them to third degree burns with no anesthesia so that the students could face "realistic situations" during their final exam." "Other puppy lab 'research' has been funded by tobacco companies, whose researchers pump smoke into the dogs' lungs so that they can breathe nothing but smoke". All of this breaks my heart. We already know smoking is harmful. If humans want to do it, let them, but don't let the innocent suffer from our ignorance.
Did you know there was such a thing as people called bunchers? They either buy animals very cheap on craigslist (this is one of many reasons to NEVER advertise FREE to a good home) or they will actually steal dogs out of people's back yards. They then are sold to laboratories to never be seen again.
      I feel SeaWorld is just as torturous as laboratories. They only have  one thing in mind- making money. Animals are suffering more than we can imagine. Educate yourself and watch "Blackfish." Jane Goodall says "Sea World Needs To Be Immediately Shut Down" & "Dolphins are one of THE most intelligent animals on earth" - Sir David Attenborough
These amazing creatures are enslaved by SeaWorld for the whole of their lives. Never to swim free in the ocean, joyfully ride massive waves, eat fresh fish, live with their own kind. Instead they are forced by Sea World to work every single day to entertain humans until the end of their days."
     In my book "Furry Philosophy and Memoirs Set in Stone"  I wrote, "Who are we to make that one life miserable? Please educate yourself and see how torturous circuses really are and please, refuse to support them. Watch” An Apology to Elephants’ on YouTube.com. Please, see what goes on in factory farms and eat ethically. Please understand why wolf hunting is not the answer and how breaking up a pack can really cause imbalance. Please understand laboratory testing is VERY inaccurate and not necessary, only torturous. If we ALL say ENOUGH and act as friends to the animals who love and feel just as we do, these horrible people will be put out of business and this nonsense will have to stop! This is a dream of mine. TOGETHER we could make it a reality."

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