Animal Person

Creature Update

As many of you know, 2009 was chock full of creature-related drama for me. From the feral cats of Project Treadstone to Charles' back surgery to problems with Violet's Vetsulin (insulin for dogs), we had more than our share of issues. If I told you what I spent last year doing work-wise, you probably wouldn't believe me and you'd definitely suggest I write a book about it.

At least Emily the kitty, though not at all skinny, had an uneventful year.

I receive frequent e-mails from readers asking how everything's going, so here's an update and some cautionary information.

Greyhound skin is very thin. The greyhound people tell you that, not to mention it's pretty obvious. Sometimes when they get a tiny cut or tear, it behaves like a zipper, depending on where it is, hence:

After a couple of weeks stitched up, it's now fine. She also had a tumor removed from her eye. Both of those events required the dreaded "cone of dysfuntion," as my husband calls it.

 
We were approaching our the end of our supply of Vetsulin and transition to something else was inevitable. The only problem was that there are few options and the number one option (NPH/Humulin N) was the insulin that she had a severe reaction to back in 2004. Furthermore, the insulin that was best for her back then, a long-acting one called Humulin U, for Ultralente, is no longer in production. Vetsulin was the perfect new product, except for the fact that it's animal (pig) based, unlike human insulins, and then there was the problem with quality control that was first reported last year. Though there was no actual recall, everyone using Vetsulin was told to be vigilant. Dogs have died from hypoglycemia due to Vetsulin and there is a class action lawsuit.

I am with Violet almost all day, and her communication skills are fantastic. She tells me when her blood sugar is getting low and we haven't had any episodes of hypoglycemia that needed to be treated with glucose in well over a year. Also, I check her blood glucose level at least once a day, so I always have a good idea of what's going on with her. For these reasons, my vet had no problem with me stockpiling Vetsulin.

Like many people with diabetic dogs, I haven't had major problems with Vetsulin. But alas, the supply has dwindled. I have some left but wanted to save it in the event that the transition didn't work and I needed to buy some time.

Fortunately, I can report that Violet's transition to Humulin went swimmingly. It's almost twice the cost, but it's not animal-based, she has no adverse reaction and there are no warnings about the quality. What a relief!

Also a relief is that I tried Nature's Recipe vegetarian dog food for Charles, and there's something about the ingredients (soybean meal is the 2nd ingredient--and Natural Balance doesn't have soy--maybe that's it) that he responds well to. So he is being re-veganized (Violet's already vegan), as long as his back and leg aren't adversely affected. For a little while I was convinced that he needed to eat a grain-free diet to control inflammation, but I no longer believe that grain-related inflammation is his issue. While grain-free, there was a time of improvement for him, but that improvement soon disappeared and probably wasn't related.

The success of Charles' back surgery, which was about a year ago, is at this point . . . inconclusive.

(Who can forget this?)

He has had periods where he greatly improves and looks almost normal. And then there's now, when he doesn't use his leg at all and bounces around like a bunny. The original diagnosis was severe nerve root compression at L7/S1, and I bet if we did an MRI right now we'd find not only that, but some kind of injury further up in the thoracic region due to semi-regular hopping. The vets say that Charles' condition doesn't warrant another surgery, and that sometimes it takes a couple of years (!) to see the full effects of this type of major surgery.

As for Project Treadstone, after several false starts, trapping, spaying and neutering will resume next week.

Once again, I am reminded of the micro aspect of helping animals. One at a time, each life as worthy as the next. So many, so little time, so little support and so few resources. Sometimes all we can do is care for the animals we share our homes and lives with. And sometimes, despite what we do, we can't fix everything.

But we owe it to them to do our best.

On the Vetsulin "Recall"

First let me say that there is no recall of Vetsulin (often used to manage the diabetes of dogs and cats) as of today.

Somewhere between six months and a year ago, I noticed that there was a difference in effectiveness of Vetsulin from bottle to bottle. Violet's dose, twice each day, is either nine or ten units, depending on how active she is. But sometimes I'd have to go up to 13 units, and you should increase one at a time, so that means about five days of high blood sugar to get to the 13, and that can't be much fun for Violet.

Other times, nine was too much and Violet would come close to crashing.

I alerted my regular (non-specialist) vet of this and though he didn't treat me like a crazy person, he didn't do any research, either. He just figures I know what I'm doing.

Then, I believe in November, it was Connie who first sent me the FDA "alert," which was just that and not a recall. It was updated in mid December and is still not a recall. So what is it? What does it mean? That if you have a diabetic dog or cat and you use Vetsulin, you have to be diligent. For me, that means that each time I open a new bottle, I check Violet's blood sugar before she gets her dosage, alter it or not accordingly (if it's under 100 I give her one unit less and if it's over 170 I give her one unit more), and then check it an hour or two after to make sure it hasn't moved too quickly or slowly.

Every animal is different, so what I do with Violet won't be the ideal strategy for everyone.

Last night, my vet called to update me. He he had just gotten off the phone with Intervet/Schering-Plough and so far, a recall of Vetsulin isn't planned, but it also hasn't been ruled out. Supply is limited.

Here's my recommendation as someone with six years of experience, not as a veterinarian: Insulin for humans (Humulin N/NPH) is just fine for most dogs, plus it's synthethic and more in line with veganism--animal cells are used in the production of Vetsulin. Violet had a "reaction" (not an allergy, technically) to NPH, however, and only the long-acting insulin (Humulin U) worked for her. It was also great for most cats. Eli Lilly stopped making it though, which sent me in the direction of Vetsulin, and many cat owners in the direction of Lantus (insulin glargine) made by Aventis. There is no alert with Lantus. Some cat owners went to Vetsulin. Lantus might sound like a solution for Violet, but apparently it doesn't work well in dogs, plus much more would be needed even if it did, increasing the cost by 300%.

Now, it is entirely possible that Violet's reaction to Humulin N was due to a combination of things, including that she was in a new home (her fourth). Maybe she will react differently to the insulin now. I just hope I don't have to find out.

And yes, I am stocking up on Vetsulin.

On Taxes, Veganism and "Pets"

Because I'm a highly-social, party-loving gal who loves to get gussied up and enjoy an all-nighter on New Year's Eve, I . . . did my taxes yesterday. And by "did my taxes," I mean I went through all of my income and expenses and created a spreadsheet for my accountant (I don't know enough to do my own taxes!).

This necessary task is often illuminating as there are some expenses I'm reluctant to tally in my head as the year progresses. One of those is vet bills, which of course aren't deductible, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't know the total.

I've written about my ambivalence regarding "pet" ownership/guardianship/insert-whatever-term-you're-comfortable-with, and also about my strong belief in helping individuals, but I don't recall addressing whether the having of pets is not vegan. Someone wrote me and, though the person clearly was trolling to insult someone, s/he accused me of not being a vegan because of greyhounds Violet Rays and Charles Hobson Booger, III (no mention of Emily, which made me feel terribly neglectful).

I'm doing my best in an imperfect world to respect the rights of other sentients, and I have heard vegans say that sanctuaries--and not pet ownership--will be the only way out of subjugation for cats and dogs. But I frankly never thought of not helping individual cats and dogs (through adoption) as an option for me. I remember the first time I read an article by a prominent vegan--maybe it was David Cantor?--who chooses not to take in animals because he respects them, and I agreed theoretically. But then I wasn't able to put that theory into practice once weighed against, say, the millions of dogs and cats who are going to be killed for the brutal crime of homelessness.

I think that most animal rights advocates believe that we shouldn't own pets, but that we're not at the point where that would do more harm than good right now. Do you agree with that?

The real question for today, though, is whether you think it's not vegan to keep nonhuman animals.

Greyhound Racing Officially Ends in Massachusetts

Thanks to Grey2kUSA and the voters of Massachusetts who put an end to live greyhound racing in the Bay State as of last Saturday night! Here's more on how it all happened and why this particular situation was unique (i.e., the ban happened while the industry was still operating).

Greyhound racing is a complex topic that sometimes appears to have nothing to do with the dogs and whether we should be racing them. But however it happens, when a track closes or a state no longer races dogs, I'm pleased as that's one more step toward freeing this gentle breed from (at least this form of) exploitation.

--

Cartoonist is Pudge O'Mahoney of the Patriot Ledger

On Birthdays, Cranes and the FDA

On Birthdays

Yesterday was Violet Rays' 10th birthday! For some reason, she likes to dig around a bit and then lie down in some partially dug up ground, partly under the shrubs. Maybe because it's still 85 degrees out and December, but I'm not sold on that explanation as when it's 95 degrees she'll sunbathe and roll around in the middle of the yard in full sun for 30 minutes.

She was allowed to do any annoying thing she wanted to do for her birthday, which included standing still in the middle of the Village Green, facing into the wind, for 15 minutes straight. That was a lot of fun for me. She went on six walks, and only three were with Charles. She loves walking without him because she knows it's all about her pace and her direction. On one walk she took 30 minutes to circle the block because she wanted to sniff every blade of grass she could see.

And speaking of eyes . . . Her birthday present? She's getting the tumor on her left eye removed next week. We thought it was just a tag, but it's a benign mass that's been irritating her eyeball for months. It's like an iceberg in that the visible part is about 10% of the total mass. At least it's the bad eye that she can't even see out of because the retina's damaged and mostly detached.

Cranes

We had a visitor on our walk this morning: a sandhill crane. He belongs to a group of four, I think, and the other three are looking for him. Like when I was a kid and went to the mall with my family (BCP: Before Cell Phones), my parents would say: If we get lost, let's meet in front of the fountain. For the cranes, the meeting spot is the east Village Green. This has happened before and the others eventually come a-squawking and they reunite and fly away.

I took 14 photos and never saw the pink ball that completely ruins the photo. Sorry.

and the FDA . . .

They sent me this:

My name is Beth Martin and I work in Web Communications in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Public Affairs.  I am writing to invite you to attend a free Animal Health and Safety Widget Webinar for Bloggers hosted by FDA on Tuesday, December 8, from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET. The featured speakers, Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Principal Deputy Commissioner of the FDA, and Dr. Bernadette Dunham, Director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, will focus on the importance of animal health and safety for both animals and pet owners. After the presentations, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and/or offer feedback.

One of the FDA’s priorities is to promote animal health and safety information.  Toward that end, FDA is developing an animal health and safety widget to make it easier to receive and share animal health information. The widget is a Web application that contains FDA animal health and safety news alerts and tips. It displays this content on any blog or Web page. The content requires no manual updates because FDA automatically updates it.

If you can attend, RSVP to askCVM@fda.hhs.gov. We will email you the webinar access information. This is an open webinar, so please forward this invitation to others you think may be interested. We will be using the Twitter hashtag #FDApet if you’d like to tweet about or follow the webinar on Twitter.

Believe it or not, the webinar is the day of Violet's eye surgery and I'm not sure where I'll be. But I am interested and curious. Perhaps I can swing it and report back. I will do my best.

An Animal Rights-Protection-Abolitionist Organization

I've always thought of horse-drawn carriages the way I think about greyhound racing or fur: Most people are against them, so why are they still around? Greyhound racing is dying, for sure, but not because people are necessarily against it. It's dying because of low attendance at a venue that's relatively expensive to maintain. Massachusetts is probably an exception, as voters banned racing while tracks were still in operation, so that's a message about how they feel about dog racing that turned into a ban.

The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages calls itself "an animal rights-protection-abolitionist organization," which I find interesting. I'm sure a lot went into that and I wonder why it is defined that way. Perhaps because it might appeal to almost everyone? What do you think about the description? Regardless, they are joining Friends of Animals and Hearts for Animals on

Saturday December 5

at Central Park South (N/W corner) @5th Avenue, to

"observe the international day of recognition for carriage and cart horses by bringing attention to the conditions under which the NYC carriage horses live and work."

(Horses Without Carriages International does a great job of explaining and showing the injustices of the horse-drawn carriage industry around the world.)

The Coalition seeks a ban--not a phase out--and not the regulation of horse-drawn carriages in NYC (the proposed phase out would be over a three-year period during which "'green' replica classic cars" would be introduced). It wants a complete ban prior to the introduction of any other replacement business. An outright ban better for the horses because it wouldn't be at all influenced by or contingent upon the success of a new business.

"The well being of the horses should be the ideal of every organization whose mandate is to put animal protection ideals first - especially when they ask for donations based on that mandate. It is a conflict of interest for animal protection organizations to advocate for the drivers' jobs at the expense of the horses and they lose their moral authority by confusing those priorities.

. . .

We call upon the organizations that developed this proposal to go back to the drawing board and separate the two concepts - carriage horse ban -- and -- vintage cars. Figure out a way to provide assistance to the drivers in the way of jobs or money if that is your calling, while all of us work to see that Intro 658A - a true animal protection bill - gets passed. But do not allow the ban of the carriage horses to be dependent on a new business that may or may not be successful. It is too risky to sacrifice the horses this way and would be doing them a grave injustice."

Intro 658A will be reintroduced next year. Let's make 2010 the year carriage horses are emancipated in NYC!

Smattering Sunday

CharlesCamp1 from Mary Martin on Vimeo (which it looks like I'm going to have to upgrade to improve the picture).

Dr. Newest Vet sent this to me from yesterday's day at "camp" for Charles. His gait has improved dramatically from only two sessions of cool laser-physical therapy-underwater treadmill. I was told that 10 sessions will probably get him to as good as he's going to get, which at this rate might be close to back to normal. I asked if this is one of those therapies where the effects wear off between each session and the short-term improvements never turn into long-term ones and he said no. He also said he can achieve healing. That was the word I was looking for.

We'll see.

Also, an update on Emily's 50% vegan (Ami) diet. When I bought it she hadn't had kibble in a very long time and she'd devour it only to vomit it back up five minutes later. I tried soaking it (I soak the dogs' kibble) but she wouldn't eat it. To determine whether it was the Ami or kibble in general I snatched some samples of Wellness and she had the same issue. So for her Ami meal she can have about 10 kibble at a time, over a couple of hours. She devours them, too, but there's no vomiting involved.

There's no change in her condition. She's still overweight and prickly. I bought a new laser light and my husband and I have committed to using it every day and getting her to sprint around the house (away from the dogs-don't worry) for at least 15 minutes/day. And if anyone has any ideas about how to get a couple of pounds off of her I welcome them. She doesn't eat a lot, so decreasing her calories doesn't seem like a great idea. The problem is lack of activity.

Anyone have any luck walking a cat with a leash and harness? I'll try anything.

Next, to today's New York Times and Gary Steiner's fantastic Op-ed called "Animal, Vegetable, Miserable,"which begins with:

"LATELY more people have begun to express an interest in where the meat they eat comes from and how it was raised."

(Try not to think about the "meat" being "raised" and the "it." And the "strict ethical vegan" to come.)

And then it proceeds to:

"None of these questions, however, make any consideration of whether it is wrong to kill animals for human consumption."

Finally! And great timing: between Jonathan Safran Foer and Thanksgiving.

I'm going to give thanks to The Times by e-mail.

Update on Charles, Violet Rays & Emily

This is my darling 83-pound red fawn greyhound, Charles Hobson Booger, III who has been lame for about a year. (Click on the photo for a much better version.) Our latest attempt to make him a bit more comfortable and perhaps improve his condition is the cool laser followed by some physical therapy and then a walk on an underwater treadmill. I dropped him off this morning and retrieved him at about 4pm.

My other goal is to have him expend energy. He is very frustrated because he doesn't get to do anything other than walk very slowly (to make sure all feet hit the ground) five times a day. He has taken to ripping up any paper in sight and lunging at every dog except his greyhound friends on our walks. If Cesar Millan has one thing right it's that a tired dog is a well behaved dog. And poor Charles is never tired these days.

The ocean's been very dangerous for small crafts for the past couple of weeks, so we've been keeping our small craft named Charles out of the water. Hopefully, he'll be able to swim or walk in the ocean, with his snazzy life jacket, once things calm down. In the mean time, I need to tucker him out in a way that doesn't hurt him (like letting him run). The newest vet says swimming won't be that helpful as he doesn't really know how to swim and could hurt himself trying. But he can walk in a lagoon or in a calm ocean, in chest-deep water, says Dr. Newest Vet.

Most impressive was that Dr. Newest Vet, after looking at Charles' hundred-page history, said, "My goal is to relieve his discomfort and straighten his back, hence his gait, but also to find out what started him on this course of year-long lameness." Five vets had different diagnoses and after rounds of x-rays and an MRI, what we know is that because of some injury somewhere, he has himself all twisted and tense. But no one has been able to say what the origin is.

I'm sort of beyond caring, and just want him to be more comfortable. But if Dr. Newest Vet can figure it out, more power to him!

Lest I not mention 62-pound Violet, she did a capital job guarding the door at Dr. Newest Vet's office. Though these photos look very orange, everything in the room was orange or reddish, and both dogs have red in them, as do their collars, so the tone isn't as off as it looks.

Violet's diabetes is regulated and her glaucoma is stable and there has been no further detaching of her retinas (the left one is very detached and damaged and the right one is in great shape). She does have an interesting looking, bulging, blood red tag protruding from her left upper eyelid (the bad eye) which we're going to check out next week.

Emily Fokker, diagnosed as an FIP carrier and having visible symptoms, was told she would have only weeks to live way back when we adopted her and her baby, Lars Axl Fokker--nine years ago this month! Lars was euthanized a mere six weeks later (on New Year's Eve), and Emme is still going strong!

Viva la Emme!

Last Call for Greyhound Calendar Photos

Today at 5pm EST is the deadline for entries for the 14-month calendar "dedicated to the thousands of greyhounds who have been rescued from racetracks nationwide" according to GREY2K USA.

Submission Rules:

• One photo entry per dog
• Include your greyhound’s name, tattoo numbers, adoption group and history of 150 words or less
• Photo must be in color and of 300 dpi quality or greater at 8.75" high x 11.25" wide (file size will generally be greater than 500 KB)
• Photos must be horizontal (wide/landscape) format, not vertical (tall/portrait) orientation
• E-mail entries to calendardog@grey2kusa.org
• Photos cannot have been published in other calendars
• Be sure to include your name and address
• Deadline to submit photos is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday August 31, 2009

Fourteen dogs will be selected, one to represent each month. Unfortunately, entries that do not meet all of the criteria above will be disqualified. Winners will be asked to sign a release granting use of the photo to GREY2K USA.

Of course, I have hundreds of photos of Violet Rays and Charles Hobson Booger, III, few of which I've ever actually printed. I have one in mind that fits the requirements, of Violet mid-roll on the grass in sheer delight. No idea where it is so I've got to start looking!

Have a greyt day!

Animal Person on Animal Voices

Animal Person reader stevetshirt wrote to say that my interview is available on Animal Voices.

Here's to shameless self-promotion! Check it out at http://www.animalvoices.ca/shows/mary_martin and thanks to Karol Orzechowski for interviewing me.

Dogs as Smart as 2-yr-old Kids

When I saw the Live Science article about dogs being as smart as 2-year-old kids I knew that if there were any talk of ranking, my beloved greyhounds would be at the less-desirable end of the list (not from personal experience, but from reputation), and I also knew that there would be a whiff of speciesism. Why? Because when you compare two species, or rather a nonhuman animal species to the human animal, the humans almost always come out on top. The point is to show how much another species is like us, but of course never as good as we are, at whatever the measurement is. And of course, the definition of whatever is being measured--in this case intelligence--is our version of intelligence. We define intelligence as what we have, and then compare other species, to see how much they are like us. It's a no-win for the other species, but it's also a compliment as they have some of the great stuff we've got that makes us . . . us.

First we define intelligence in terms of language and the number of words someone knows. Then we go to math, and then we go to socializing and problem solving.

"While dogs ranked with the 2-year-olds in language, they would trump a 3- or 4-year-old in basic arithmetic . . . In terms of social smarts, our drooling furballs fare even better. . . . The social life of dogs is much more complex, much more like human teenagers at that stage, interested in who is moving up in the pack and who is sleeping with who and that sort of thing. . . . We all want insight into how our furry companions think, and we want to understand [their] silly, quirky and apparently irrational behaviors . . . . Their stunning flashes of brilliance and creativity are reminders that they may not be Einsteins but are sure closer to humans than we thought."

The upshot is that the "smartest" dogs are the most recently-developed breeds as we bred them to be responsive to us, unlike the older breeds, such as greyhounds and other hounds whose skills are said to be the result of "instinctive intelligence." That last part is interesting. The way greyhounds, for instance, have been bred and trained takes advantage of their natural talent and instinct, but you could say the same thing about the border collie (number one on the list). One has just been bred and trained to be around people (socially), while the other hasn't.

So we train dogs to be around us and responsive to us and then label that smart (because they have become more like us in ways we can understand), while the behaviors we understand less/cannot decode because they are less like behaviors we exhibit get overlooked and/or called "instinct." 

Now, I'm just unpacking what has occurred here. If the assessment that dogs have a certain level of intelligence or are like us results in them being treated better as pets or people wanting to profit from them less, great.

Do you think this helps dogs? It certainly might cause a spike in orders for border collies and the other dogs on top of the list, but does it help dogs?

 

Greyhound Racing to End in Rhode Island

As you may have heard (here and here are two of Stephanie's posts on the matter), Rhode Island legislators were going to hold a special session to prevent Twin River from shutting down live racing. But thanks to the many people who care about the dogs and don't believe they should be exploited, dog racing at Twin River--in Rhode Island--will end on August 8.

As is usually the case, the next step is legislation that actually bans dog racing in the state. Sponsors of the bill are Representative Patricia Serpa and Senator Lou Raptakis (thank them!). And check out Sins of Omission Radio on Monday, August 3, at 9pm EST for "Unseen Costs of Greyhound Racing." Grey2kUSA encourages you to call in with questions and comments to: 347-677-0792.

Thanks to all of you who care about this single-issue, low-hanging fruit. Each dog who is saved from a life of servitude and abuse is grateful. I promise.

Needlenoses Charles Hobson Booger, III and Violet Rays

1001 Journals-Rescue Dogs

Check out the Facebook page for 1001 Journals--Rescue Dogs.

This is from Kate Merriman:

"I would LOVE your contribution to this traveling journal.  Don't worry if your first response is "but I'm not an artist" (I know some of you may be thinking that) - you can contribute a poem, some collage, stickers, journal entries, a drawing...".

Here's the page for the project on the 1001 Journals site.

Here's the process:
1 - Register with 1001journals.com.
2 - Once you've registered with them, go to http://www.1001journals.com/journals/3766// and click on "Get In Line".
3 - Kate will email the first/next person in line and ask for their snail mail address.
4 - Kate will mail the journal to them.
5 - That person will keep it for up to 3 weeks and add his or her content (up to 4 pages).
6 - Subject matter can be anything about rescue dogs / humane treatment of animals and you can use any medium. The only other request is that you refrain from deliberately harming any prior contributor's work.
7 - Kate will make sure that each person in the chain has the next person's snail mail address.
8 - When the journal is completed (it's 100 pages, so that means it will hold work of 25 artists at least if everyone sticks to a max of 4 pages), it should be returned to Kate.
9 - Kate will send it to the "1000 Journals" main office and they will do a HIGH RESOLUTION scan of all of our pages and we will become a part of the larger project and have our work available for all to see online. Pretty cool!!

I love this idea, although I haven't printed a photo in over a year so I have to figure that out first. I'm getting in line!

FYI: When you register, the answer to the question in the form of numbers should be in numbers. Pretty sure most of you would have done that. Here's what I did: What is 5 + 5? Ten (wrong answer).

Urgent Appeal for Flex, the Greyhound

Doesn't he look like my boy Charles?

Owen County Friends of Animals (KY) is a non-profit organization that fosters and seeks adoptions for the dogs picked up by their local dog warden. Dogs they can not place in foster care or find adoptive homes for are euthanized after 14 days by county ordinance. Their shelter is full.

Flex is a handsome, neutered male, red fawn greyhound (currently under 60 pounds). He came to OCFA totally flea infested and with a few open wounds. One wound (the one on his front right leg) was to the bone. He has been vetted and is healing nicely. We have not determined an age-he acts and appears young except for his teeth. He will need some dental cleanings and such done at a later date.

If you can help in any possible way, or for more information, please call Hilari Gentry :  502-514-1539 or e-mail Debbie.Strong@Owen.kyschools.us.

Here's the page about him.

From the Animal Rights Action Network re: Greyhounds

Brief commentary follows this e-mail I received regarding greyhounds, animal rights and Ireland.

************************

Dear ARAN Members,

I remember as a young child throwing stones and sticks at a terrified greyhound that slept in a back shed a few blocks from where I live. Every day myself and other 'friends' went out of our way to terrify the poor helpless dog that used to live in this filthy run down shed for shelter. Once we'd get to him we'd start throwing stones, he would run terrified out of the shed and through the fields with his helpless frail body to get away. He would not return for many hours.

Back then I was a young child and never thought any different about greyhounds or indeed any other animal. Now I look back and realize that maybe every time i tormented him and throw stones at him he was actually feeling pain and so scared that he'd try run as fast as he could to get away to keep himself safe, I am sure he valued his own little precious life just as much as you and I value ours? Thinking back still touch's me to the point where I feel so guilty-but I knew no different. Today it is a different situation, i learned from then about respecting animals and my life has been devoted to ending their suffering and torment. But yet every single day in Ireland there are greyhounds all over the country been dumped into rivers with rocks tied to their little feet and their ears cut off so that they are non identifiable, this is the Irish greyhound racing industry at it's best when they no longer want the ones who are 'useless' or 'unwanted'. These poor animals are literally running for their lives and we must do everything we can to educate people about their suffering and exploitation and work towards ending this horribly cruel activity because many people out there just don't know any different, so we must be the greyhound's best advocate
and use our voice for theirs.

DO http://www.aran.ie/  SOMETHING, WORDS ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH - ONLY YOUR
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION WILL END ANIMAL ABUSE

ARAN has designated August 24-30th 2009 as our official week of action against the Irish greyhound racing industry. During this week in Ireland, we are working on staging peaceful events outside of every possible greyhound stadium there is in North and South of the country but we desperately need people who are reading this email who say they care to hit the 'reply' button to get involved. During this week of action ARAN will be getting in touch with some local members and supporters to organize local events in
their area, we are happy to provide free of charge leaflets, posters, stickers, organizing advice and much more-we are simply asking you to give just a couple of hours for this one week, is it really much to ask for? At ARAN many of our volunteers work day and night fighting animal abuse- -we're simply asking you for just two hours during our week of action against the Greyhound industry in Ireland. Our aim of this week is to educate people about the cruelty of greyhound racing and of course call for an end to government grants to this business and our sights of course are to see an end to this cruel exploitive industry. Whilst our heads are in the clouds our feet are firmly on the ground.

I hope that you'll find it in your heart to give up just two hours of your time as these beautiful and gentle dogs are literally running for their lives.

Thanks for all that you are doing to help animals,

John Carmody

Ps, I know the many countless supporters out there who constantly attend ARAN events, donate, write letters and emails, I would urge people who have yet to do 'something' to get involved. We're simply asking you for just a couple of hour to help greyhounds in serious trouble right now. Also, please feel free to cross-post this appeal and post it on Facebook, Myspace, Forums and mailing lists.

John Carmody | Campaigns Director | Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN)
Tel: 087-2391646 | Intl' +353-87-2391646 | Email: arancampaigns@eircom.net
Website: www.ARAN.ie
"Fighting Animal Abuse Across Ireland"
Please include all previous correspondence when replying! Need reminding why cruelty to animals is wrong? Check out Earthlings, the award winning video narrated by Hollywood actor Joaquin Phoenix.
Donate to ARAN, make checks or postal orders payable to Animal Rights Action Network and mail to the address above, thank you. 

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but
because of those who look on and do nothing" - Albert Einstein 1879-1921

One of the best ways you can help ARAN is to get actively involved with our ongoing research, lobbying, events, projects, peaceful protests and tabling events across Ireland. Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) is against all forms of cruelty to animals and is a grassroots group working to establish rights for all animals here in Ireland, whilst helping to promote and support European and international campaigns. ARAN works with volunteers, activists, members of the public and other animal protection groups. We believe that by working together we can do so much more and be far more effective. Please be sure to check out ARAN.ie on a frequent basis to keep up to date with ARAN's latest lifesaving campaigns work. Together we can make a huge difference and we need you on our side.

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That letter makes me want to raise a boy, just so I can see the impulse toward destruction and cruelty. I'm not saying they all have it or that they understand destruction and cruelty and their actions have those intentions, but I wonder if vegan parents have to fight what they see as wiring, or if it simply depends on the child, or if it depends on the parent. (I assume a nature and nurture view of things rather than one or the other.) Every week, I see at least one instance within driving distance of my house, of boys tormenting creatures for the fun of it, or because they are curious. Of course, I try to have a conversation with them about what they're doing, and often in front of their parents, and invariably they look at me like I'm an alien.

Also, you see how ARAN concentrates on the cruelty of greyhound racing, and their goal is to eliminate it, and they work with animal protection groups? They don't say: you want protection and I want rights, so I want nothing to do with you. I wonder how well that works. 

Note that ARAN is "vegan-based" according to the video from Supreme Master Television on the site. Also, John Carmody is PETA's spokesperson for Ireland. 

I think that greyhound racing and circuses are uses of animals that most people aren't thinking too much about, but if they did, and if they were presented with all of the stats and the behind-the-scenes information, they'd easily opt out, as they have nothing to lose. Few people are that invested that they'd put up a fight, as they would regarding their beloved "meat," which they strangely think they cannot live without and they have all kinds of emotional attachment to.

This is such a small request (if you live in Ireland!)--to help out during one week in August--to fight for the freedom of creatures enslaved and commodified for nearly a century solely for their ability to sprint.

On Conditional Love

Yesterday I promised to write about "Conditional" over at Alec's Story, and again, if you haven't read the blog I highly recommend it. The other idea that came out of it (perhaps for tomorrow) as well as my e-mails and conversations with another blogger, is the life of a person who cares for a special needs animal.

Nicole at Alec's Story writes:

One of my pet peeves, so to speak, is the concept of “unconditional love” as attributed to dogs by humans. It is a popular way of romanticizing dogs and while I am loath to be the Grinch who stole unconditional love, there are reasons why I think this “compliment” is over- and misused in the context of human-dog relations.

That's a pet peeve of mine, too, along with "children are so honest!" (If you've ever seen the Bill Cosby bit about that, it's hilarious!)

When we adopted Violet Rays we knew she was diabetic and we chose her because we were told she was unlikely to be adopted (and had already been returned) and was living in a crate all day and night, just like at the track but at someone's house instead. We didn't adopt her so we could spoon with her at night or cuddle on the couch with her or have her be our trusted companion. And it's a good thing we viewed her that way because it took over four years to get even an inkling that she cared if we lived or died.

And we're still not sure.

Charles Hobson Booger, III, on the other hand, hangs on our every word and stares at us constantly. He needs to be touched, when we walk him he stays at our side, and he brings us toys to toss at him (he catches them and makes a neat pile of them all for some reason). When you toss a toy to Violet, she promptly takes it into another room and plays by herself. She throws it, catches it, and leaps around joyously with the toy. But she's also an alpha dog and Charles isn't.

Though I test Violet's blood sugar several times a day and give her her insulin and glaucoma medication and eye drops and eye gel, she is only mildly impressed with my dedication. Meanwhile, Charles thanks me all day long just for patting him on the head. If you call Charles' name, his ears perk up into full wombat, and he waits patiently for his instructions. When you call Violet's name her ears do perk up a bit, and if she feels like paying further attention to you she'll let you know.

Charles wants us to be with him, and Violet simply wants to be. When off leash and permitted to do anything, Charles wants to play racing games. Violet wants to explore on her own, roll around, leap, and do a couple of figure eights. She'll let you know when she's finished.

My angle on this pet peeve is my observation that many people adopt or buy an animal to satisfy a need they have. They want love, companionship, snuggling . . . unconditional love. This is the ultimate insult about this type commodification: buying love by proxy. And if they're not satisfied, they can return the animal and say "we never bonded." Is there an unwritten law that animals we purchase or even adopt are obligated to shower us with their unconditional love, or we have every right to return them?

We take an animal in because they need a safe, loving home where their needs can be met and they can enjoy (or not, depending on their disposition) the rest of their lives in comfort, without fear, and with plenty of appropriate stimulation. Not so they can boost our self esteem. If you have issues with self worth and want to feel loved, get a therapist and work all that out. But don't require that the animals in your care give you the type and amount of love you want.

Chipping Away at Greyhound Racing

In March of 2007 I wrote, "in a horribly-depressing vote of 198-138, New Hampshire's House voted AGAINST a bill that would shut down live racing at its three greyhound race tracks." E-mails were exchanged between yours truly and NH legislators, and though I knew the hounds would someday be free of racing, they were going to have to wait at least another year. At least.

Nearly two years later, one of the tracks closed. The Hinsdale track ceased operations in December and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

And this year, according to Tom Fahey in "Dog Racing May Be Gone Forever," the two tracks that remained "won permission to drop all racing dates. They will continue to operate as simulcast betting centers, and to host gambling events for charities."

If "won permission" sounds odd, that's because not every track wants to force live dogs to race. Not because it's wrong but because for most tracks it's not profitable. Other types of gambling are profitable, but not usually live dog racing. However, the law in most states where there is live dog racing specifically states that if there is to be gambling there must be live dog racing. So NH tracks "won permission" to drop dog racing, thereby also winning permission to be able to maintain their gambling operations.

This is not a ban on dog racing, but that does often come next.

Thanks to the folks at Grey2KUSA for their tireless efforts for greyhounds.

Finally, I'm off to Orlando to see the neurologist again. Charles looked great the first week after his surgery, and his condition has progressively deteriorated to the point where he is about 80% lame. Not 80% better--80% lame. I'll tweet (http://www.twitter.com/mary_martin)--or you can see updates over on the right column.

Wish me luck!

Good News for Greyhounds

We who want humans to stop using sentient nonhumans have few victories to celebrate. But one area that continues to provide them is the fight against the use of greyhounds as a source of entertainment (and gambling revenue) by forcing them to race.

Here are a couple recent bits of good news . . .

• You may recall that Massachusetts voters let their opinions about dog racing be heard when they voted to ban racing in their state. That decision was threatened, however, when Senate Budget Amendment 155 was introduced, which would have allowed racing to continue for several years beyond the original (2010) date of cessation. But voters called and e-mailed and sent letters to their legislators making sure that the original decision was preserved!
• Rhode Island's only dog track, Twin River, will be "suspending" dog racing.

I urge everyone to read and circulate "Heartbreak at 45 mph" by Michael J. Mooney, which features Michelle Weaver, who was dedicated to finding my Violet Rays a suitable home. Her dedication included taking Violet back after her first adoptive home didn't want to deal with her diabetes, and even keeping her in her own home, away from other dogs (to control her condition and food intake and exercise) until we found her and demonstrated that were prepared to properly care for her.

There are people who care for the animals they use and trade, as the article shows. And not every dog's career ends in death or broken bones. Some get adopted into great homes. But for me, the number of adopted dogs doesn't make up for the fact that we have no right to breed dogs to use them as gambling chips.

Charles Emerges Victorious!

Nothing like driving three hours for a ten minute appointment.

Here's a reminder of Charles three days post-surgery:

And here's post-surgery Day 13:

And here's Day 14 (today), after removal of the staples:

His neurologist said he's healing well and his recovery shouldn't be as painful (for him or for us) as she first anticipated. She said that whatever we're doing is working beautifully and he can work back up to regular activity over the next six weeks. He can begin with walking half way around the block, a couple of times a day for a week, then next week all the way around the block. No off leash for six weeks and no running, but we can work him up to a brisk walk or light jog.

He probably will never be 100%, but we knew that going in, and I must say that his mood has been transformed and he's back to what he was like six months ago, before this all began. I'll bring a camera when I walk him so you can see how happy he is!

Thanks for all the well wishes!

Charles Comes Home!

I've been a bit preoccupied with a couple of stranger-than-fiction situations that recently caused me to tweet "Sometimes I wish there were a god so I'd have someone to blame."

But alas . . .

One situation was that Charles, who will turn six on June 3, has been lame for nearly six months. And after vet upon vet, and drug upon drug (and also some acupuncture and chiropractic), we had to take him to Orlando (3 hours north) for an MRI. Oh, after they redid everything we already did (exams and x-rays) that turned up nothing.

Though the problem presented as orthopedic, it was in fact neurologic. Severe nerve root compression at lumbar 7/sacral 1, which was causing not only lameness, but intense pain shooting down his leg.

 

Want a better look?

Closer?

I drove him up Monday morning and my husband went up yesterday afternoon to retrieve him. He is allowed outside only to relieve himself; he can't even go around the corner for a couple of weeks. The recovery time (i.e., period of very restricted movement) should be about 6 weeks and involve a lot of tranquilizers because he's a rowdy boy.

How did this happen? It appears that Charles never got the memo about his physiology. He isn't aware of the limitations of his build and thinks, for instance, that he has the agility of the golden lab puppy he plays with (or the adult goldens he plays with). Violet's idea of playing is to chase or be chased in large circles or figure eights. She won't even try all of that quick zigzagging that other dogs do. She won't stop short, pivot and change directions while maintaining speed. But Charles will.

Or at least he used to.

The neurologist recommended Charles not play like that anymore. As in, never.

Fortunately, greyhounds Ivy, TK and Baby just moved back into town so he'll have some friends to lounge around with in a couple of weeks when he's permitted more movement. And the issue with movement is that it leads to the formation of scar tissue, which puts pressure on the nerves that now have more room because part of his spine was removed.

So there you have it. Thanks for all the well wishes and wish me luck keeping him still for six weeks!