Upside Down Dogs

I don't know what to say about his site. Don't worry, the dogs are just fine.

More Regulation Needed for Factory Farm Waste

The US General Accountability Office (GAO) is not happy with the EPA.They've issued a report that throws a negative light on the EPA trying to ELIMINATE EVEN MORE REGULATION of factory farms.

Deregulation is EVERYWHERE.

Some huge livestock farms produce more raw waste than cities as large as Philadelphia or Houston. But federal regulators are failing to control pollution from the gigantic operations or assess health risks from the enormous quantities of manure they produce, according to congressional investigators.

The Government Accountability Office report on the raw waste is to be released Wednesday to a House committee hearing on federal oversight of factory farms.

The conclusions fueled concerns about a proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule change that would eliminate one of the few federal oversight mechanisms over air and water pollution from big farms.

The rule would eliminate a requirement that farms report to federal, state and local officials when air emissions of hazardous substances like ammonia and hydrogen sulfide exceed certain levels.

Quote of the Week

We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals. Animals suffer as much as we do. True humanity does not allow us to impose such sufferings on them. It is our duty to make the whole world recognize it. Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace.

~ Albert Schweitzer

An Animal Friendly Yard

One thing I really like about our yard is that it is so animal friendly. We have at least 4 different bird feeders which draw in a large number of birds and squirrels. In addition, our neighbor's cats are also frequent visitors (OK, sometimes we sneak food to them). This, coupled with the tearing out of the lawn and replacing it with shrubs gives it sort of a wild feel. We also like to keep a small footprint as far as where we can sit out there.

It's just nice when we live in such stressful times to go out and see all the little critters (and the cats are too fat and happy to bother the birds or the squirrels).

National Security or Whale Protection? Supreme Court Says Whales Lose

Not surprising.

On the one hand, there is “the potential for harm to marine mammals,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said Wednesday at a Supreme Court argument over the Navy’s use of sonar in training exercises off the coast of Southern California.

On the other, the chief justice continued, there is “the potential that a North Korean diesel electric submarine will get within range of Pearl Harbor undetected” if Navy personnel are not properly trained in the use of sonar.

“Now, I think that’s a pretty clear balance,” Chief Justice Roberts said.

Did Sarah Palin Allow Wolf Cubs to be Slaughtered?

That is the allegation in this Defenders to Wildlife video. If true, that's another reason not to vote for this backwoods goofball hick.

Penelope Cruz Draws Fire For Bullfighting Movie

Penelope Cruz is being sharply criticized for a movie she recently starred in about bullfighting.. The movie in question is about a bullfighter from the 1940's, also stars Adrien Brody (who doesn't seem to be getting as much criticism).

She was the left-wing film actress who was distrusted by Spain's Fascist rulers.

Now the passionate and tragic affair between the matador and his unconventional lover has been made into a film starring Adrien Brody and Penelope Cruz - to the fury of Spain's growing lobby of anti-bullfighting campaigners, who say the glamour of Hollywood stars glorifies a cruel sport.

Putin an Animal Lover?

Vladimir Putin, former President and current Prime Minister of Russia, just got a tiger cub for his birthday. He'll be donating it to a zoo or a wildlife preserve. No word on who gave it to him and I can't imagine where it came from (torn from its mother?), but an interesting part of the article is this insight into Vladimir Putin.

As president and now prime minister, Putin is known for his tough talk and macho image. But children and animals seem to bring out a softer side.

His dog, a Labrador retriever named Koni, is often with him, even during meetings with world leaders. He told journalists that Koni has not met the tiger cub.

In August, Putin had occasion to pet a full-grown female Ussuri tiger after shooting her with a tranquilizer gun. He was visiting a wildlife preserve in Russia's Far East and shot the 5-year-old tiger as part of a program to track the rare cats, also known as the Siberian, Amur or Manchurian tiger.

Once the tiger was asleep, Putin placed a collar with a GPS tracking system around her neck. Television footage showed him patting her cheek.

Dogs Greet Soldier Returning from Iraq

This one is making the rounds. Happy Friday. Happy Dogs!

NARN Protests Fur Store in Everett, WA

Northwest Animal Rights Network (NARN) will be staging protests at this fur store in Everett, WA.

The company is Terry L. Fieck Furs.

Here is their idea of a fur coat. Nice and GREEN! Literally and sarcastically.

Horrible Animal Abuse at Iowa Pig Farm

Horrific.

Activists Again Target UCLA Over Animal Research

This time, they've slipped unfired shotgun shells into the tailpipes of some UCLA vans.

As today began (oct 6 2008) we caught up with a couple of your currently popular vanpools. In two different locales, using small wooden rods we slipped unfired shotgun shells into the mufflers by way of the tailpipes of two of your vans. We also phoned into your media relations desk to let them know about it.
On a long enough drive or a hot enough day the mufflers will be blown off.

Leave the primates out of your inept and outdated science and we will leave you out of our quest for justice."

Charlotte Is Going to Get You!

The old cat with the collapsed lung is as ornery as ever! (What is she planning now?)

Daily Visits with Pale Male

I have visited this site almost every day for at least three years. The photographer tracks the animals of Central Park, particularly the famous red-tailed hawks Pale Male and his mate Lola.

GORGEOUS photography and a very talented man. Lincoln can be histrionic at times, and is no fan of humanity, but I basically agree with his sentiments so I overlook the melodrama.

And I love Pale Male and Lola!

Farm Animals Help Alleviate Mental Illness

It's not just cats and dogs! The study was released in April 2008, but I think it is still worth noting.

A new study, published online in Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health, suggests that animal assisted therapy for people with mental disorders can be effective with farm animals...

The study was carried out with 90 patients with a variety of mental disorders: schizophrenia, anxiety, depression and personality disorders. After six months of animal assisted therapy with farm animals, all patients reported significantly increased coping skills.