A few weeks ago, the HSUS posted a story about one of the dogs rescued in raids which broke up a huge dogfighting ring in the Midwest.

At first glance, the bared teeth in Fay’s photo looked as if she was on the attack, as a recent fighting dog might be. At second glance, it looked like a big dog smile because Fay’s demeanor was hardly that of a angry dog.

At third glance, I suddenly noticed something was terribly wrong with Fay’s face. The bared teeth were not intentional but involuntary as I saw that her entire muzzle was misshapen. Reading the brief synopsis, it seemed that her lips had been…removed.

I’ve seen and known former fighting dogs, especially pit bulls and mixes. I also know what a dog’s teeth are meant to do and capable of doing in its wild state—to puncture and tear flesh in order to kill prey, then to dismember it with the same teeth. I’ve always tried not to imagine these teeth buried deep into another dog’s lovely shiny nose or the soft droopy skin most dogs have around their lips.

Unfortunately, as an artist, I can visualize all too well, even when I don’t want to. Looking at Fay’s face, her nostrils askew, scar tissue all over her face, and the lumpy edges of flesh that ended at her gums, I could picture just how they had been removed. A note in the story mentioned that parts of them may also have been cut off—hey, those ragged edges of loose flesh would get in the way in a fight, what caring owner wouldn’t remove them?

Fay, along with all the other dogs who were rescued, received veterinary care and therapy, most were fostered or adopted, and the HSUS posted a follow-up on her progress. Anyone would think she would at least be wary around people after that sort of treatment, but Fay loved people, happily affectionate and even submissive. She would have a number of plastic surgeries to restore her lips because her teeth and gums were eroding from constant exposure to air.

Today they posted the sad news that she had died after one of her surgeries. At least it was in the care of a human who loved her, and her last few weeks were lived probably as a dog with her personality would have enjoyed living all her life.

Likely no one who fights dogs would look at this story and think they ought to quit abusing dogs that way, but hopefully the horror of it can encourage more people to support the efforts against it. Perhaps taht alone can honor Fay’s sad, violent life and her death all too soon.

Read about Fay on the Humane Society of the United States’ site at A Symbol of Hope for Fighting Dogs, which includes an interview with the woman who decided to foster Fay, and Farewell, Fay.

I have been grooming dogs since the  late 1960s.  Our industry is the pet industry. There are several trade publications that  anyone can receive for free.  You just have to sign up to get them.

One of these magazines is Pet Age.  Clearly, they aren’t about making policy. All they do is report the facts.  The facts are, as reported in Pet Age, December 2009, on page 8 in the ‘Briefs’ section :  The Hunte Corp. (Goodman, Mo.) in conjunction with the American Kennel Club (New York…actually—Raleigh, NC, but I’m quibbling) hosted a free health clinic for professional dog breeders Sept.3—4.  Nearly 100 adult breeding dogs received heart and joint exams as well as grooming services during the clinic.

This is the same American Kennel Club that  publishes the Gazette for the hobbyists/fanciers, and  which regulates dog shows & trials, maintains our studbooks, and has a huge marketing campaign  trying to get people to insist on AKC papers.

Since they are really the ‘only game in town’ (nobody really trusts the United Kennel Club for their studbooks, & the Continental Kennel Club—which has a post office box for an address—that the puppy mill breeders use when their  records are so bad even the AKC won’t take their money?  Puh-lease…), the hobby breeders have to hold their noses & continue to register with AKC…but  the way it works is that hobby breeders are members of kennel clubs.   Kennel Clubs MAY become members of the AKC, and they then elect delegates to the AKC to represent their interests at monthly meetings…& no delegate has brought this up at a meeting!  At least not yet.

The excuse (I mean the explanation) the AKC gives for allowing the professional breeder  to mass produce puppies & not keep them in  stress free surroundings?  Hobby breeders can’t keep up with demand for puppies.

If there is anything that would make you  address your own sanity, it’s the idea that both the ASPCA & HSUS (NOT a humane society, but a lobbying organization) do more to try to warn the public about puppy mills than the AKC.   The AKC is not going to bite the hand that feeds it—& currently, the hands are puppy mills, providing way more food than the hobby breeders.

Notice, the demand is not for adult dogs—but puppies.  We know for certain that in some breeds: Basenjis, Shiba Inus, Jack or Parson Russell Terriers, that  for every puppy sold, one ends up in rescue.   The rescues tend to keep statistics.   There are several reasons for this.  One reason is that the types of people who are attracted to certain dogs are not honest with themselves. They are not introspective, and are attracted to the dogs ‘ conformation—its looks— & don’t really understand the temperament or personality of the breeds.  But another reason is that hobby breeders are not only not screening their potential buyers carefully enough, they are selling intact puppies that can be easily bred when mature.  Go back & read my blog on Integrity & being a purebred dog fancier & humane activist.  Naive  hobby breeders who think that everyone has the same level of integrity as they do have just assumed that puppy buyers really love the breed so much that they would never jeopardise it.  They might not even know they are  jeopardizing it  if  the hobby breeders don’t address  what they are doing to ensure the future of the breed, genetic testing, etc.

Unfortunately—what is happening is that—to stop mandatory spay/neuter legislation, hobby breeders will have to join up with lobbyists for puppy mills (who have so much more money), in many states—-to be able to continue  maintaining the integrity of their breeds.  Most are libertarian in their political dealings:  that is, they don’t want to become involved. What will happen is that they will be restricted and stop breeding.  The fact is, in many places—the legislation is really fair:  they limit breeders to keeping no more than 20 breedable dogs. What kind of hobby breeder would need more dogs than that?

In the meantime, if we fanciers don’t address what the AKC is allowing, none of us will be able to afford  genetically sound purebred dogs.  We either have to ask the AKC to come up with a registry class for the poorly bred  puppy mill purebreds, or accept the idea that  many breeds will not have viable gene pools due to so many dogs being carriers or genetic defects.  It may be happening to Bedlington Terriers, due to copper retention in their livers—but the puppy mills won’t bother with Bedlingtons.  All  you Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, & Chihuahua fanciers—are you going to ignore this?

Wow!  Was I surprised today to get an email from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) letting me know that my cat, Culvey, was being featured on their website.  I had submitted his photo and a brief “bio” about him to the HSUS “Pet of the Week” contest they administer.  Every week a pet that has been rescued in some way or adopted from a shelter is featured in their email newsletter.

This article for December is called Home for the Holidays.  (Click on the link to go to that page.)  There’s a photo slideshow you can scroll through to view the pets whose corresponding stories appear on the page.  Culvey is the second photo–and a very handsome fellow he is too, if I do say so myself.

Please consider adopting your next pet from a shelter and, as always, please spay or neuter your pets.  Help prevent pet overpopulation, which always leads to the tragedy of euthanasia for unwanted animals.

Culvey says “Thank you!”

Animal Lovers and Activists, Please Help!!!

I received this action alert yesterday…I don’t know why I can’t get some of the links to work, but after trying since last night, I finally decided to just post it.  Try the link for Brookstone below….If the links don’t work, please go to Peta’s website to take action for our froggy friends.  Thanks!!! Dear Kristin, Watch undercover footage from inside Brookstone’s frog supplier, and then share on Facebook. PETA has been working for months to persuade Brookstone, Inc., a gift-and-gadget chain, to stop selling African dwarf frogs imprisoned in 4-inch-by-4-inch “Frog-O-Spheres,” tiny tanks sold at hundreds of mall locations around the country. In November 2009, PETA conducted an undercover investigation of Wild Creations, the company that provides the frogs to Brookstone. Undercover video footage obtained by PETA’s investigator reveals that untrained Wild Creations employees toss frogs around like coins, deny them food for days, and leave the animals to live and die in their own filth. Many frogs appeared to be suffering from fungal infections, and sick frogs were apparently shipped to Brookstone stores and other retailers. These delicate and sensitive animals are sold to unwitting customers, who have been gravely misled about the frogs’ care requirements, and thus the frogs are doomed to live short, miserable lives languishing in tiny plastic prisons. Please watch the undercover video and send a quick e-mail to Brookstone executives letting them know that you will not shop at Brookstone until it stops forcing living, sentient animals to suffer in Frog-O-Spheres and ends the sale of live animals forever. What the Experts Are Saying “I would support that this operation be closed down as it is unethical and unacceptable to treat live frogs in this way.” ―Dr. Phil Bishop, senior lecturer, Department of Zoology, University of Otago (New Zealand) “The advice given by the ‘technical’ staff [of Wild Creations] about this product is less than amateuristic. It is blatantly false, and dangerous and will lead to the suffering and death of many animals, and possibly also lead to human disease and death.” ―Clifford Warwick, wildlife biologist and medical scientist Voice Your Opinion Now Just this Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alerted the public to a dangerous multistate outbreak of salmonella connected to the possession of African dwarf frogs. In light of this new information and the rampant neglect documented in the investigation of Wild Creations, Brookstone needs to hear from concerned members of the public now more than ever. Please help by sharing this investigation with your friends, family, and coworkers. Click here to share on Facebook now. Thank you for taking action to help animals! Sincerely, Desiree Acholla Animals in Entertainment Specialist Click to update your e-mail preferences or to unsubscribe. This e-mail was sent by PETA, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510 USA.

Join PETA’s Action Team to receive local alerts and tips for other ways to help animals. PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!! HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php Se Habla Espanol! kjohnston@remax.net , kjjj1234@gmail.com , 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.LinkedIn.com www.kristinjohnston.com www.ecademy.com www.realtor.com , www.naymz.com www.zoominfo.com www.facebook.com www.plaxo.com www.trulia.com www.myspace.com www.postlets.com , www.perfectnetworker.com www.loopnet.com www.konnects.com www.twitter.com www.wordpress.com www.congoo.com www.xing.com corporate website , and more. And, as always, if you need real estate assistance in Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, or anywhere in SE Wisconsin, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Kristin Johnston , at kjohnston@remax.net .  Please make sure to visit my personal website as well at http://www.kristinjohnston.com and find everything from online markets , Buyer and Seller information, property searches , testimonials , calculators , my blog and more. I am proud to be a full time real estate professional and Waukesha County Realtor. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you in the purchase or sale of your next home!  Contact me today! Contact Kristin Johnston, Remax Realty Center, Realtor, Waukesha, WI (Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties and All Of SE Wisconsin!). Waukesha Realtor, Realtor in Waukesha, Waukesha County Realtor, Waukesha County Real Estate, Buy a Home, BuyerSpecialist,Buyer Agency,Sell a Home, Waukesha County, Waukesha, WI, ABR, Kristin Johnston, Kris Johnston

A Sunny Spot Deserves a Cat

First, get a windowsill. It’s a great place for a cat or dog—or person—to soak up the winter sunshine.

Don’t take for granted that animals can survive outdoors. Simply because other animals live in the outdoors without human intervention doesn’t mean that our pets can—and it doesn’t always mean that those animals whose habitats are outdoors live well or even survive the winter. A Chihuahua with short, thin fur or a delicate Italian Greyhound with no body fat obviously don’t have the resources of a squirrel who’s doubled his fur and fattened up on nuts and fruits (and my bird seed and suet). Cats may tolerate cold for a while, but their small bodies lose heat quickly and extremities like tails and ears can easily be lost to frostbite.

While the cat above isn’t a stray like yesterday’s kitty, I’m sure a windowsill like this one would be the dream of many a cat who’s found itself fending in the great outdoors. I’m starting off the winter tips as a follow-up to yesterday’s post about feral cats with information addressed specifically to caring for stray or feral cats outdoors during the winter.

The Homeless Cat Management Team’s website, www.homelesscat.org, has a detailed page on how to build a shelter and provide food and water for strays and ferals through the winter at Winter Care for Ferals. In addition, they also have in interesting page describing the difference between strays and ferals at What is a Feral Cat?

ModernCat also published a list of tips for caring for cats outdoors at (Too) Cool Cats: Winter Care Tips for Outdoor Cats.

And for pets outdoors, The HSUS Offers Pet Safety Tips for Winter Weather, including a link to more information on caring for feral cats outdoors, and the ASPCA’s Cold Weather Tips will help keep your cat and dog comfortable during walks and backyard breaks during the winter months. One of my neighbors as I grew up had a small dog of mixed breed, and the dog had more coats than I did, which I thought was cute but also thought it was just my neighbor being silly. Now I know differently.

And here is the full view of the same kitty from above, who didn’t even flick an ear as I walked around his window and snapped about two dozen photos. I like the stained glass light above the window, the shades of blue a nice complement to all the orange tones in the cat, the brick , and even the reflection on the white miniblind. Looks like it might be a painting some day?!

A Scene of Orange and Sunshine

Animals Still Suffer at Iams

Iams: A Recipe for Cruelty

For nearly 10 months in 2002 and early 2003, a PETA investigator worked undercover at Sinclair Research Center, a laboratory hired by Iams, and discovered a dark and sordid secret beneath the wholesome image of the dog- and cat-food manufacturer. Dogs had gone crazy because they were confined to barren steel cages and cement cells, dogs were left piled on a filthy paint-chipped floor after chunks of muscle had been hacked from their thighs, dogs were surgically debarked, and horribly sick dogs and cats were neglected and left in cages to suffer without any veterinary care.

Footage shows that Iams representatives toured the facility and witnessed dogs who were circling in their cells and sweltering in the summer heat. Iams knew the truth yet did nothing to protect the animals.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture investigated PETA’s complaint and agreed that the laboratory had failed to provide veterinary care and pain relief to suffering animals, failed to provide animals with adequate space, and failed to train employees—along with nearly 40 other violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Sinclair Research Center paid a penalty of $33,000 for its violations.

After intense pressure from PETA and its supporters, Iams agreed to make the following significant changes in its testing program:

• Iams bowed to pressure and severed its ties with Sinclair Research Center.
• Iams ended all invasive and terminal experiments on dogs and cats.
• Iams agreed to begin conducting humane in-home tests for palatability studies.

According to Iams, about 70 percent of the animals now in its tests reside at home with their families. In these studies, people volunteer their companion animals to participate in food and nutrition experiments from the comfort of their own homes. The human guardians can easily be trained to feed the animals and properly collect fecal and urine samples for laboratory analysis to determine the quality of the animal’s food. “In-home” studies have been shown to work and have strong scientific support, as shown by the successful PetSci program, which was developed by Dr. Charles Abramson and Dr. Timothy Bowser of Oklahoma State University.

Even so, Iams still keeps up to 700 dogs and cats in its Dayton, Ohio, laboratory for non-invasive nutritional studies. They claim that this laboratory provides a decent environment for the animals, but they refuse to allow a PETA representative to see inside. Iams claims that some studies are too complex for in-home programs, but PETA urges Iams to collaborate with veterinary clinics for studies such as these. Veterinary clinics regularly see patients who suffer from ailments that a particular dog or cat food might help alleviate.

Iams has also refused to end invasive experiments on species other than dogs and cats. For one study, Iams gave Purdue University nearly $200,000 to conduct a two-year study in which experimenters taped the tails of mice to the tops of cages to keep their hind legs suspended in the air. This was done to cause muscular atrophy—the wasting away of muscle tissue. When PETA protested, the experiment was cut short.

Iams has also fought the release of information from a public university that had conducted a study funded by the company in which a painful disease was induced in dogs. What was Iams hiding?

Iams has made progress, but as an industry leader, it must send an even clearer message: No animal deserves the fate of those who remain in their laboratories. Safe, healthy cat and dog food does not require harming cats and dogs.

PETA continues to press Iams to ban conducting and funding invasive or terminal experiments on all species and to adopt 100 percent humane, non-invasive, and cage-free “in-home” testing, as many of Iams’ compassionate competitors have done.

Until Iams agrees, we urge consumers to purchase dog and cat food from companies that do not test on animals. In the meantime, read about some other ways you can help the millions of animals every year who are abused and inadequately cared for?all in the name of research.

PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php

Se Habla Espanol!

kjohnston@remax.net , kjjj1234@gmail.com , 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.LinkedIn.com www.kristinjohnston.com www.ecademy.com www.realtor.com , www.naymz.com www.zoominfo.com www.facebook.com www.plaxo.com www.trulia.com www.myspace.com www.postlets.com , www.perfectnetworker.com www.loopnet.com www.konnects.com www.twitter.com www.wordpress.com www.congoo.com www.xing.com corporate website , and more.

And, as always, if you need real estate assistance in Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, or anywhere in SE Wisconsin, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Kristin Johnston , at kjohnston@remax.net .  Please make sure to visit my personal website as well at http://www.kristinjohnston.com and find everything from online markets , Buyer and Seller information, property searches , testimonials , calculators , my blog and more.

I am proud to be a full time real estate professional and Waukesha County Realtor. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you in the purchase or sale of your next home!  Contact me today!

Contact Kristin Johnston, Remax Realty Center, Realtor, Waukesha, WI (Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties and All Of SE Wisconsin!).

Waukesha Realtor, Realtor in Waukesha, Waukesha County Realtor, Waukesha County Real Estate, Buy a Home, Buyer Specialist,Buyer Agency,Sell a Home, Waukesha County, Waukesha, WI, ABR, Kristin Johnston, Kris Johnston

About:  The Humane Society of the United States was founded in 1954 and is backed by over 11 million Americans.  They are the nation’s largest and most effective animal protection agency.  They are America’s most effective and well known for fighting for animal rights to protect them from cruelty, abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

Their mission statement is simple:  Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty.  The job is no easy task, but they’ve commited their lives and their time until the last animal is saved…until the last animal is cared for….and until the last abused animal is found.

The Humane Society of the United States worked with local authorities in Cannon County in Bradyville, TN on November 24th to rescue 84 neglected horses.  The horses have been recovering since then at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Nashville, TN.  They are being cared for by The HSUS, UAN (United Animal Nations) and local volunteers.

Many of the horses were in poor health and starved, and will remain at the temporary housing at the fairgrounds until they are strong enough to be taken to rescue groups.  In just two weeks time, you can tell the difference in many of the horses.  Ribs are no longer showing in some, and they can stand tall and proud because they know that they are safe now.  Fresh hay and water and lots of people giving them much needed attention, love and affection.

Scotlund Haisley, The Senior Director for Emergency Services, HSUS.

You can find more information on the HSUS at their website, www.humanesociety.org .  Please consider donating to their cause whether it be with finances, or with your time.
I’d like to very much thank the staff members with HSUS that were very catering to me on the day of my visit and especially to the local director for the Tennessee Humane Society, Leighann McCollum.  I can not even begin to tell you how friendly and outgoing these people were, and I know they were tired and very cold, yet they were there getting the job done because they know someone has too, but also because they want to.  They are there because they choose to be. 

On Tuesday November 24 more than 80 horses were found starving and on the brink of death in Cannon County Tennessee. The local sheriff’s office charged a father and son in the case. Charles Gene Howland and Clint Howland each face 84 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty.

These horses were rescued and are now receiving treatment at the State Fairgrounds in Nashville. Volunteers and veterinarians are giving the horses around the clock care and most are doing pretty well despite the odds against them but help from volunteers is still needed.

The rescue workers have been dealing with 84 horses that were so underweight that most were on the verge of death. One mare had given birth a few days before but could not produce enough milk to feed her baby.  Several other horses were too tired and weak to stand up. A few have infections and almost every horse is suffering from a skin disease.

Hay and feed donations can be dropped at the fairgrounds directly, but officials are asking that volunteers bring enough people to help unload donations.

To donate money, log onto www.HSUS.org and click the donate button. 

Anyone interested in adopting or fostering one of the horses can contact the following email address: tnhorserescue@hsus.org.  The Humane Society of the United States will foster the horses through a rescue closest to the potential adopters.

To send your gift by U.S. Mail, please make your check payable to The HSUS and mail it to HSUS, 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037.

Please Join Bill Maher (and myself, Kristin Johnston) in Helping Hens!!!

The Yolk’s on You, IHOP

Now comedian Bill Maher has added his voice to the campaign.

Please watch the video above and then please make a brief, polite phone call to IHOP letting them know you want them to start switching to cage-free eggs: 1-866-444-5144.

Please call even if you’ve taken action in the past. And if you get a busy signal, please try again when you can. Thank you for all you do for animals.

Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO

I made my call today, please do the same!!!!

PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php

Se Habla Espanol!

kjohnston@remax.net , kjjj1234@gmail.com , 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.LinkedIn.com www.kristinjohnston.com www.ecademy.com www.realtor.com , www.naymz.com www.zoominfo.com www.facebook.com www.plaxo.com www.trulia.com www.myspace.com www.postlets.com , www.perfectnetworker.com www.loopnet.com www.konnects.com www.twitter.com www.wordpress.com www.congoo.com www.xing.com corporate website , and more.

And, as always, if you need real estate assistance in Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, or anywhere in SE Wisconsin, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Kristin Johnston , at kjohnston@remax.net .  Please make sure to visit my personal website as well at http://www.kristinjohnston.com and find everything from online markets , Buyer and Seller information, property searches , testimonials , calculators , my blog and more.

I am proud to be a full time real estate professional and Waukesha County Realtor. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you in the purchase or sale of your next home!  Contact me today!

Contact Kristin Johnston, Remax Realty Center, Realtor, Waukesha, WI (Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties and All Of SE Wisconsin!).

Waukesha Realtor, Realtor in Waukesha, Waukesha County Realtor, Waukesha County Real Estate, Buy a Home, Buyer Specialist,Buyer Agency,Sell a Home, Waukesha County, Waukesha, WI, ABR, Kristin Johnston, Kris Johnston

Scotlund Haisley of HSUS and his team of fellow angels have been hard at work again, this time deep in the woods of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Québec.

The Team standing amongst 100 poles and chains ending over a decade of suffering. Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec Sled Dog Rescue 11.17.09

In his own words, here is Scotlund’s account of the rescue:

Yesterday we rescued approximately 100 husky mixes who had spent their lives hauling tourists through the snow as part of a commercial sled dog business. After the dogs had been used for everything they had the business went belly-up and they were left to deteriorate on the ends of chains in the cold Canadian woods. Luckily, thanks to our team and our friends at the SPCA Laurentides-Labelle, these dogs’ story would not end here.

Happy to see Scotlund

When we arrived at the scene yesterday morning we were prepared to experience some distrust or skittishness from these animals but as we approached they strained excitedly against their bindings to reach us and receive the love they so desperately desired. It is an amazing reward for an animal rescuer to be licked by grateful dogs who have been confined in a cage or, in this case, on a chain their entire existence.

These dogs stuck to us like Velcro as we made our way through the wooded clearing releasing them from their heavy shackles. These abandoned souls were the ultimate victims of man’s incredible capacity for greed – forced to work themselves to exhaustion for the monetary gain of their captor all while being forced to live in neglectful confinement. These hard-working dogs received no reward for their labor but yesterday they finally got the reward they deserved. They are on their way to living the life every dog should have – a member of a loving family who goes for walks and sleeps on a bed.

After a long, cold day trudging through the mud, our team let out a collective sigh of relief when the last dog was finally safe on our transport vehicle. It was then that we were able to uproot the heavy metal posts and chains, which had enslaved these dogs in six foot circles, from the ground and remove them from the property so they may never cause suffering again.

The day ended on a somber note as the field team stood around the pit in which deceased dogs had been thoughtlessly discarded. We had a moment of silence for those we were too late to save and spoke words of remorse for the potential for joy and fulfillment that was stolen from these amazing animals. We almost did not want to leave the property, as we had become connected to the ghosts of hundreds of dogs who perished before they could taste freedom and experience love.

The ugly truth of neglect

Approximately 100 deserving dogs are now receiving medical care and attention from dedicated staff and volunteers from United Animal Nations, Humane Society International, the SPCA Laurentides-Labelle and HSUS at our emergency shelter. Later this week the team will set forth on another transport, which will take these former sled dogs further along their journey home.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rebecca Aldworth, Director of Humane Society International/Canada also shares her account of the rescue:

Imagine being left in a forest, chained to a tree, without regular access to proper food, clean water or adequate shelter. Imagine growing more and more desperate as the days and weeks go by, your cries unanswered.

For approximately 100 neglected sled dogs in Quebec, this was reality until their owner surrendered them, and Humane Society International and the SPCA Laurentide-Labelle arrived to rescue them.

As we walked onto the property, my heart broke. The huskies had been chained to plywood structures over barren stretches of frozen mud. Hungry and dehydrated, they were unable to move more than the two-meter radius their chains permitted.

I am always amazed by the power of dogs to forgive. It was as if they realized we were there to help them, and slowly the miserable, emaciated huskies began to wag their tails as we approached. The dogs began to bark in excitement, but one remained quiet, waiting as his friends were rescued. I went to him and, as I grew closer, I realized he was blind because of cataracts–another casualty of the neglect these dogs endured. Carefully, we walked him to freedom, and the promise of a better life.

We arrived just in time. Winter is coming, and many of these dogs may not have survived without our intervention. With extreme cold temperatures approaching, these dogs–including a number of puppies–could have faced a horrific death.

Thankfully, our rescue operation was a complete success. One by one, we led or carried the dogs into our Emergency Services vehicle, and transported them to our emergency shelter an hour away–space generously donated by a local businessperson. There, dedicated volunteers from United Animal Nations will provide round-the-clock care, while SPCA LL veterinarians will treat and vaccinate the dogs. Once healthy, these deserving dogs will be adopted out to loving homes in Canada and the United States.

While these lucky dogs are now safe in their warm, temporary enclosures, so many more less fortunate animals across Canada still face neglect and abuse. With your help, we can ensure sled dogs and other animals do not have to face this kind of misery again.

Please give what you can to help us continue to fight cruelty by rescuing animals and advocating for stronger laws:

Together, we can make animal suffering a thing of the past.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY PETITION — Sign Here

It seems strange that Christmas is a little over a month away and crops are still in the field. This fall has been a crazy one with many challenges. I cannot remember a time that we have been finishing up plowing so late. Lets hope the rain/snow mix holds off until late this weekend.

With the holiday spirit getting the best of me, I am already planning and shopping for all the lovely people on my gift giving list. For those hard to buy for people, I will sometimes make a contribution in their name to a charity that I believe expresses my and their values. Charity giving can be fun, but you need to be fully informed of the organization you are giving to. Sometimes organization are not what they seem.

One organization in particular is the Humane Society of United States (HSUS). This organization is in no way connected to your local humane society. In fact, they don’t run any shelters at all. Their ultimate goal is to eliminate animal agriculture (and that includes us farmers).

A  good way to learn about a nonprofit is to visit: www.GuideStar.org. This organization complies 501c3 listings and analysis their tax returns.

Some organizations that we feel are a good fit for our farm’s mission are:

• Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (of course I have to promote my own cause)
• Heifer International
• Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)

Still not sure what to buy for those special people in your life? How about a cheese and wine basket filled with Organic Valley cheese? Sounds  like a fabulous idea to me, you will be supporting family farms like ours!

Emily

Laura Schierhoff

On November 2nd, Ohio voters passed Issue 2, a constitutional amendment, which creates a ‘Livestock Care Standards Board’ to set standards for livestock and poultry care, food safety, disease prevention, farm management, and animal well-being.  The Board will comprise of 13 Ohioans appointed by the governor and the legislature with minimal oversight.  The Board will have the authority to establish the standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in Ohio.  As stated in my previous post on Issue 2, this ballot initiative was in response to the Humane Society of the United States’ (HSUS) having picked Ohio for the next State to target for agriculture legislation banning confinement treatment of farm animals.

The battle may have been won for Ohio, but the war is still on as far as HSUS is concerned.  With little money invested into defeating Issue 2 (Ohio farmers and agribusiness lobbies spent over $4 million), HSUS is gearing up for future legislation in Ohio and other states.  While Ohio lawmakers refused to work with HSUS on humane farming legislation, Michigan recently agreed on legislation on improved livestock-standards, requiring that egg-laying hens, breeding pigs and veal calves must be able to stand up, lied down, turn around and extend their limbs.  The lawmakers, agribusiness interests, and HSUS came together to jointly agree on livestock-care legislation.  Wayne Pacelle, the president and CEO of HSUS said that “the solution forged in Michigan shows that open-minded and fair discussions among stakeholders can lead to good outcomes for farmers and for animal welfare.”  Jim Byrum, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, said his group and others decided to work with the animal-rights groups rather than against them.  He said the decision was based on “a healthy dose of pragmatism.  In terms of public policy, it made sense to sit down with them.”  Michigan is the seventh state to act on livestock standards, including Arizona, California, Florida, Maine, Colorado, and Oregon.

Ohio farmers claim that the health and well-being of animals is at the forefront of this amendment and argue that unhealthy animals do not produce the healthy products.  This of course is false, and there is much evidence supporting the fact that very very unhealthy animals are indeed the types of animals that we find in our food.  The animals raised for human consumption are genetically designed for productivity, fed unnatural diets, and pumped full growth hormones and antibiotics, which can hardly be argued as a “healthy” way of raising them.  One of the biggest problems I have with letting farming interests decide on animal cruelty is that they certainly do not have the physical and mental well-being of animals at heart – ultimately they are a business and want to maximize profits.

While reading blogs and articles about Issue 2, I came across a farmer who phrased my opinion of this whole situation perfectly:  “We are stewards and caretakers of these animals and we have a moral obligation to treat them humanely.”  With the passage of Issue 2, I sincerely hope that conditions for farm animals improve in Ohio, as promised, but I really doubt that will be the outcome.

Help Eliminate Glue Traps!!!!!

I received this action alert today from Peta…please read and help us help them!!

Dear Kristin,

When PETA found out that ShopRite was selling glue traps—one of the cruelest pest-control devices on the market today—we contacted the company and let it know that animals who get stuck to them suffer for days before they finally die of starvation, dehydration, self-mutilation, and shock. Patches of skin, fur, or feathers are torn off their bodies as they frantically struggle to escape the relentless adhesive.

But so far, this has not persuaded ShopRite to do the right thing and get rid of the traps once and for all, nor has the fact that other companies—including CVS, Rite Aid, Albertsons, Safeway, and most recently, Dollar General—have banned glue traps because they are so cruel.

We need you to speak up for the rats, mice, and other animals who sometimes try to chew off their own limbs in a desperate attempt to free themselves from these cruel devices. Please write to ShopRite now and demand that it stop selling glue traps today!

Thank you for your support and for speaking up for rats, mice, and other animals.Sincerely,

Tracy Reiman
Executive Vice President
PETA

PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php

Se Habla Espanol!

kjohnston@remax.net , kjjj1234@gmail.com , 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.LinkedIn.com www.kristinjohnston.com www.ecademy.com www.realtor.com , www.naymz.com www.zoominfo.com www.facebook.com www.plaxo.com www.trulia.com www.myspace.com www.postlets.com , www.perfectnetworker.com www.loopnet.com www.konnects.com www.twitter.com www.wordpress.com www.congoo.com www.xing.com corporate website , and more.

And, as always, if you need real estate assistance in Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, or anywhere in SE Wisconsin, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Kristin Johnston , at kjohnston@remax.net .  Please make sure to visit my personal website as well at http://www.kristinjohnston.com and find everything from online markets , Buyer and Seller information, property searches , testimonials , calculators , my blog and more.

I am proud to be a full time real estate professional and Waukesha County Realtor. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you in the purchase or sale of your next home!  Contact me today!

Contact Kristin Johnston, Remax Realty Center, Realtor, Waukesha, WI (Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties and All Of SE Wisconsin!).

Waukesha Realtor, Realtor in Waukesha, Waukesha County Realtor, Waukesha County Real Estate, Buy a Home, Buyer Specialist,Buyer Agency,Sell a Home, Waukesha County, Waukesha, WI, ABR, Kristin Johnston, Kris Johnston

Tell Allergan that Animals Should Not Die for BOTOX

Botox^® Cosmetic is the number one cosmetic procedure in the US, and the manufacturer, Allergan, Inc., makes hundreds of millions of dollars on the product every year. Despite the popularity of the product, this beauty enhancement comes at a terrible price. Animals suffer and die in the potency testing of every batch of Botox. The Humane Society of the United States has tried numerous times to start a meaningful dialogue with the company to work with them to quickly advance the development and validation of a non-animal alternative. In response, we have only gotten vague assurances that the company has reduced and refined their current animal use and are working on a non-animal alternative.

We have sought to fill the information void by tracking Allergan’s technical updates in the scientific literature and occasional scientific presentation but this is no substitute for the company making it easy for interested parties to understand, in layperson’s terms, the status of Allergan’s effort to replace the LD₅₀ Test. Otherwise, the company is essentially asking us, and the concerned public, to take their word that they are working on alternatives as a priority.

We do not want to waste any more time with speculating the present and future status of animals in this kind of testing. We have asked Allergan to create an annual report disclosing their recent activities and future plants to eliminate the animal-based LD₅₀ test from the manufacturing process of Botox and Botox Cosmetic. We need your help in urging the company to be open in their efforts, to more effectively move this inhumane testing into the pages of history. Please contact David E.I. Pyott, chief executive officer of Allergan, and let him know that you want an alternative developed and validated as quickly as possible, and that they owe it to the public to be as transparent about their efforts as possible.

Click HERE today!!!!

PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php

Se Habla Espanol!

kjohnston@remax.net , kjjj1234@gmail.com , 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.LinkedIn.com www.kristinjohnston.com www.ecademy.com www.realtor.com , www.naymz.com www.zoominfo.com www.facebook.com www.plaxo.com www.trulia.com www.myspace.com www.postlets.com , www.perfectnetworker.com www.loopnet.com www.konnects.com www.twitter.com www.wordpress.com www.congoo.com www.xing.com corporate website , and more.

And, as always, if you need real estate assistance in Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, or anywhere in SE Wisconsin, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Kristin Johnston , at kjohnston@remax.net .  Please make sure to visit my personal website as well at http://www.kristinjohnston.com and find everything from online markets , Buyer and Seller information, property searches , testimonials , calculators , my blog and more.

I am proud to be a full time real estate professional and Waukesha County Realtor. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you in the purchase or sale of your next home!  Contact me today!

Contact Kristin Johnston, Remax Realty Center, Realtor, Waukesha, WI (Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties and All Of SE Wisconsin!).

Waukesha Realtor, Realtor in Waukesha, Waukesha County Realtor, Waukesha County Real Estate, Buy a Home, Buyer Specialist,Buyer Agency,Sell a Home, Waukesha County, Waukesha, WI, ABR, Kristin Johnston, Kris Johnston

It’s rare I’ll give a shout out to Buckeyes, given my green and white Spartan blood. However, Election Day 2009 calls for a rallying cry for every Ohio resident who cares about agriculture, the rural economy, freedom of business choice, scienced-based information or maintaining low food prices.  My thoughts – live and unedited - about why Issue 2 deserves your YES vote.

If your zip code isn’t in Ohio, this still matters. It’s time to stop the emotional pandering of an a multi-million dollar animal rights industry!