I was looking for a pair of canine orphans the other day (BTW, our landlady has cleared us for parenthood – again – and we’re all set to meet a mother-daughter pair of rat terriers tomorrow afternoon…yay, doggies!) and came across this listing for Fluffy (also known as #3796196).

Fluffy’s foster home describes him as “the perfect pet”:

Notes: Fluffy is our near perfect dog for the person who wants just that. He is about 10 years old, however, looks identical to the time that he had just entered the world. His owner had surrendered him for no other reason than that he was tired of looking at him. Now I’ve heard just about every reason for surrendering a dog.

Anyway, Fluffy is nonshedding so there will not be any dog hair in the house. He never gets up on furniture unless someone actually puts him there. He never begs for food and never needs to go for a walk. Fluffy is totally nondemanding. He had never cost his former owner any money since his initial investment. He has never had any illnesses or injuries which necessitated visits to a veterinarian. Fluffy never barks, and he never dug any holes in the yard. He has never brought in any muddy foot prints, never vomited on the carpet and never made any mistakes in the house. Fluffy never left any doggy snot on the windows and he never chewed a single item. He never has a doggy odor and never needs grooming. Fluffy would never bite for any reason even in self defense, so he is the perfect pet for the person who is inclined to kick or beat an animal. We can guarantee that anyone who adopts Fluffy will have the same experience with him as his former owner.

As said, Fluffy is the near perfect dog. However, he is near perfect, not perfect. His faults are that he never greets his owner at the door to say he thinks his owner is the best person to ever walk the earth. He never looks at you when you talk and cocks his head like he is really interested in what you are saying. Fluffy doesn’t really have any sense of humor and has never done any cute things or doggy tricks. He doesn’t give a sense of warmth, unconditional love and loyalty that we get from our other shelter dogs that we have come to know. Hate to say it, but Fluffy acts pretty much like he is in a coma with his eyes open.

But, for some people, he is the perfect pet.

People never cease to amaze disgust me.

Sigh.

(If you don’t get it, click through to see Fluffy’s photo.)

Here’s the TOC from IDA’s 08-30-06 newsletter.

Click on the links to take action, or read the whole newsletter online.

IDA ACTION ALERTS

1. New Elephant Abuse Allegations Surface at El Paso Zoo

2. Chicago Foie Gras Ban Under Attack

Chicago residents: Tell your Chicago City Councilmember that you support the ban on foie gras.

Bills to ban foie gras are pending in several states right now. If you live in a state where a ban has not been introduced, please contact banfoiegras [at] idausa.org for information on how to get your legislators to introduce a ban.

For more information about foie gras, please visit www.StopForceFeeding.com.

3. Help Save Endangered Steller Sea Lions

CAMPAIGN NEWS & UPDATES

1. Pig Documentary to Air Nationally: Watch 110 Kilos in 25 Weeks on Link TV in September

Back in February of this year, IDA helped get the groundbreaking animal rights documentary The Witness aired across the nation on Link TV, a satellite channel that reaches millions of viewers throughout the U.S. We are pleased to report that this station will be airing another animal-related film starting on Labor Day called 110 Kilos in 25 Weeks.

This documentary portrays what it is like to be a pig on a modern farm in Holland. The title refers to the rapid growth that the subject of the film, Knor, undergoes as an animal who was brought into the world for the sole purpose of being turned into pork products. He is fattened quickly and slaughtered when only six months old to maximize the farm’s profit.

If you get Link TV (channel 375 on DirectTV, and channel 9410 on the DISH Network), watch 110 Kilos in 25 Weeks when it airs. See the program schedule.

2. Participate in National Primate Liberation Week, October 7th to 15th

3. Hurricane Katrina – One Year Later

An archive of past IDA eNews newsletters is available here.

Follow the links to view the full text of recent action alerts from Kinship Circle:

8/31/06 – New Jersey Bears Face Violent Hunt, Again

8/24/06 – POM Wonderful – Cruelty In A Cup

8/21/06 – Save Your Right To Protest – Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act

8/19/06 – Thrill-Kill Country Singer Charged In Bear Death

8/16/06 – Target: HLS Customer Pfizer

8/03/06 – China’s Slaughter Of Innocents: 50,000+ Dogs In 5 Days (previously posted here)

8/02/06 – Man Severs Kitten’s Head With Knife

You can view a full list of Kinship Circle’s letter campaigns here; their disaster-relief information has its own directory, here.

She Cannot Say Good-bye

by Kathy Pippig Harris
 
It is a comfortable little place — their home — and it is paid for, cozy, and theirs alone. Just the two of them, therein, reside…an older lady and the aging canine.

Listening to the radio, as the storm grew, tears well in her eyes, upon hearing the news. She gazes at her friend, and he regards her, too. Reporters are saying everyone must now go…she was to pack only what she needed from home.

She shakes her head and wonders, Didn’t they know? That folks like her had no means to get away and no car of their own.

But officials called to say public transport would stop by; they’d take her and her things, but her beloved friend could not ride. Tears fall as thunder and lightning rent the damp air. Her friend pads over, then leans against her, there in her chair.

Sensing her sadness, the old dog wags his tail. As the wind past their porch swells to a wail he reaches up and reassuringly licks her hand. And as he has always, by her side, he will stand!

She sobs at his sweet, loyal gesture, for he does not know that on this journey, her dearest friend will not go. They had weathered life’s storms and both had grown gray. She worries as they were never long, from the other, away.

She rises slowly when she hears the knock on the door. A man takes her bags, saying, “I’m sorry, ma’am, it’s now or never — we can wait no more.”

When the old dog follows her, she says, “No, go inside where it’s safe.” His expression is one of bewilderment and hurt, as rain pelts his face. When she steps into the bus, she hears him whimper and cry. She cannot turn around to him. She cannot say good-bye.

She studies the man who holds her bags, then she steps off the bus. When she reaches her friend, she says, “No future is as important as the gift that is us.” She bends down and, happily crying, embraces her furry soul mate. “The worst storm ever is near, but alone, you will not have to wait.”

Later, as the night explodes ‘round them, and she draws him snug to her side, he lifts his fuzzy head, stares lovingly at her and she contentedly sighs.

For on this, their last journey, the two would be together always…now…and forever.

—

Dedicated to a future where, in a disaster, we will not be torn apart from our furry kin.
 
 

Well, OK, not really.

I kind of put him up to it.

Thanks to Shane for the link!

Via The Wilderness Society:

Ask Interior Secretary Kempthorne to Support the BLM’s Conservation System

From red rock canyons and ancient archaeological sites to roaring rivers and snowy mountains, BLM’s infant National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) offers abundant opportunities for recreation, scientific learning, and community economic benefits.

But this system needs protection from special interests, and that’s why we need your help today in sending a letter asking Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to take the steps necessary to support—rather than neglect—the BLM’s Conservation System.

Tell me more.

Via The Petition Site & The Wilderness Society:

Oil Sale Imminent – Save Wildlife & Fragile Habitat

It is one of the most remarkable wetlands on the planet. Millions of waterfowl and tens of thousands of caribou are lucky enough to call it home.

But their luck may run out as soon as Sept. 27, when our government plans to sell the fragile habitat to the oil and gas industry. The place is the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area in Alaska, and you have a chance right now to protect this land – public land – from getting sold to the highest bidder.

We urgently need your help! Click here to write the Interior Secretary and demand that the imminent oil and gas lease sale be postponed.

The Teshekpuk region, part of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, is a stunning sweep of landscape, remarkable even in Alaska where a grand scale is the only scale. It is one of the most important wetland complexes in the Arctic, providing essential habitat for millions of birds and caribou.

We don’t have much more time to weigh in – act today before it’s too late!

Via Consumer’sUnion.org:

Tell Congress you’re fed up with high gas prices!

August marks the one year anniversary of the adoption of the Administration’s energy policy and what have we seen? Record high oil profits and prices.

This year families will pay over $1000 extra annually for gasoline compared to the late 1990s. Oil companies continue to benefit from our nation’s energy policy, not the American public. What can be done?

Congress can increase the miles per gallon standards for vehicles, so a tank of gas will get you farther down the road. Even though the technology exists the miles per gallon standards have not increased in over 20 years.

Tell Congress it is time to increase the miles per gallon standards!

Via the Center for Biological Diversity:

Speak up for environmental protections

The Bush administration is holding a series of “listening sessions” across the country as it promotes its so-called “Cooperative Conservation” agenda. Please help ensure that these sessions are not used to undermine environmental laws. Submit a public comment letter to let the administration know that voluntary conservation efforts complement, but absolutely cannot replace, strong environmental laws. You can also click here to check for listening sessions in your area that you may be able to attend in person.

Tell me more.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: Aug 29, 2006 8:48 PM
Subject: DawnWatch: Time Magazine protests ban on “Fine Food and Fun” 9/4/06 edition

The September 4 edition of Time Magazine has a brief piece, by Nina Vizcarrondo, headed, “Banned: Fine Food and Fun.” (Notebook, pg 16)

It opens:

“When Chicago’s ban on the sale of foie gras came into force last week, liver lovers revolted. One pizzeria began serving pies topped with the fatty delicacy to protest a law that even Mayor Richard Daley called silly. Chicago isn’t the only place with rules drafted by the Ministry of Loopy Laws. Here are four others.”

Then the piece mentions laws that ban impersonating a minister of religion, pulling things behind bicycles, mismatched suits (in Carmel) and playing games in the street.

The article cries out for letters questioning foie gras as “fine food” and objecting to its ban being lumped in with silly laws. Please send a letter to the editor. Time Magazine takes letters at letters [at] time.com

Two good sources of information are www.nofoiegras.org and www.stopforcefeeding.com.

Always include your full name, address, and daytime phone number when sending a letter to the editor. Shorter letters are more likely to be published.

My thanks to Teresa D’amico for making sure we saw this.

Yours and the animals’,
Karen Dawn

(DawnWatch is an animal advocacy media watch that looks at animal issues in the media and facilitates one-click responses to the relevant media outlets. You can learn more about it, and sign up for alerts at www.DawnWatch.com. To unsubscribe, go to www.dawnwatch.com/cgi-bin/dada/dawnwatch_unsubscribe.cgi
You are encouraged to forward or reprint DawnWatch alerts but please do so unedited — leave DawnWatch in the title and include this tag line.)

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