Things that REALLY matter: Animals

I need to dedicate more time & space to non-humans. That would be animals-- primarily dogs & cats, but including any creature that we've accepted into our homes or backyards-- all creatures, great and small. These beings that we humans both love and abuse. Nurture and nourish, torture and murder. I've done relatively nothing in my entire life to help these magical angels compared to people I've known. An extraordinary lady by the name of Mildred Lucas here in Connecticut has dedicated her entire life to the protection of animals. Spending decades and practically every waking moment establishing a non-profit organization, educating and funding projects to spay and neuter animals and countless hours of community outreach. Spending untold thousands of dollars of her own money on things like purchasing food for feral cats. She learned how to write & legislate-- lobbying on behalf of animal rights and pass legislation that has made a tremendous difference in the lives of animals. Then of course there are the wonderful famous people, from Doris Day and Betty White to Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore who have used their hard earned fame to reach out to the public to engage we everyday folks into caring about the atrocities that occur regarding practically everything about every kind of animal. June Havoc, a long time Connecticut resident and lover of all animals has been caregiver to every kind of animal from roosters to burros. The many un-sung heroes who staff animal shelters around our country and care for the homeless animals, the sad, sad cases of abuse and neglect that are so painful for me to even know about it makes me sob. The homeless man in Los Angeles that I would see regularly at the intersection of Laurel Canyon & Sunset. So dirty himself but his Chihuahua & Golden Retriever glistened and sparkled in the sun, they were so beautifully cared for. They would watch over him as though he was their king when he would leave them momentarily to come to my car to retrieve a donation. Lastly but certainly not the least, my parents Ann & Barney who made sure that our house was not only full of animals, but full of love, devotion and respect for every hair on their bodies. Who taught me all aspects of proper care from engaging the best veterinary care for our babies to the best nutrition. My parents in their struggling, young family years would spend money they didn't have to care for their own animals and donate to help the plight of others. I have many friends not nearly as lucky as me who grew up in animal-less houses. I write houses instead of homes because as far as I'm concerned a house is not a home without a pet.

It's these people-- from the famous to the unknown-- I believe will be greeted in heaven by the legions of animals they've helped and heralded as the kings and queens of the universe for their selfless dedication to helping those without voices. It's them who make me ashamed for not doing more. Yes, I've marched in New York on Fur Free Friday hoping that a rich husband would buy jewelry at Van Kleef and Arpels instead of a fur at Fred The Furrier. Yes, I've given money to all humane societies and continue to do so, during good and not-so-good financial times. Yes, I slam on the brakes for every squirrel, raccoon, fox, deer, dog, cat, opossum, bear, coyote & javelina that dashes in front of my station wagon. Yes, I've adopted strays and picked up canine hitchhikers and driven them around neighborhoods in search of the home from which they escaped. Yes, it's been a dream of mine to build the "St. Jude's" hospital & shelter for animals somewhere in the middle of this huge country where every animal without a family could come and live a Disney-like existence. But as my father would say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. I haven't done nearly enough to help the only creatures in life who have given me a moment of genuine joy. Let's all try and do something for an animal TODAY. The best scenario? Adopt an unwanted pet from your local shelter. The recent foreclosure crisis has flooded shelters across the country with cherished pets abandoned by folks evicted from their homes and forced to move into rentals that don't accept pets. I would like to think I would live in a refrigerator box with my dog if forced to, rather than abandon them. However I don't have a family to worry about, I'm still healthy and not elderly, so I cannot pass judgement on these people who have had their lives turned upside down and more than likely are at the end of their financial rope. If you can't adopt an animal, send a couple of dollars to any one of the humane societies that I'll link to below. Become involved if you can, volunteer to walk dogs at your local shelter. Perhaps help an elderly friend or neighbor with their cherished dog and walk them for them. Good exercise for you AND the dog! Do something!!! Just caring for those animals we already have isn't enough anymore.

I somehow joked after the greatest loss in my life-- after the devastating illness took my favorite angel of all time. If a parent of multiple children says they have no favorite child, they're a charming liar. That favorite was Trixie Brewster Bagley, our 7 year old Boston Terrier. We lost Trixie to an inoperable brain tumor 4 years ago this coming June 4. Through the profusion of endless tears, I told someone that Trixie was the new hostess in heaven, greeting all the new arrivals. Some animals greatly loved & cared for like she, but most not. All animals, those tortured and killed for food, most just neglected. I joked that Trixie sits at the right hand of God-- just as mischievous as when she was here on earth-- and says under her breath to each new arrival: "You know, it's too bad for you that your life on earth wasn't really groovy because they treated me like a movie star"! She danced through our lives way too briefly, but boy oh boy am I glad she graced us with her presence.

Most animals aren't treated with nearly the degree of love & respect that we give to our canine or feline children at home. Dogs raised to fight-- small dogs stolen to throw in the pen with fighters to shred to pieces to train to kill. Monsters who look like normal people who torture and kill out of thrill or rage. Shall I mention what animals in the food industry endure to get to the dinner table? Baby calves raised motionless to be slaughtered for veal so tender & juicy! Ducks force fed to make their livers fat & flavorful for fois gras. Think of the source of food, PLEASE the next time you make a meal choice. Why not consider eating every-other meal meatless and perhaps eventually leading a meat-free life? Even if it's for selfish healthy reasons. The animal food processing industry suppresses negative data about the ill-effects of consuming animals. It's so much easier to be a vegetarian today than when I became one over 25 years ago. You can even get veggie burgers at Burger King now! Not-Dog hot dogs taste like the real thing after you pile on the mustard, relish & sauerkraut! Imitation ground beef for chili and hamburger recipes. If anyone wants my de-lish "Park & Orchard" Mushroom Stroganoff, just ask! Really folks, eating animals is so disturbingly grotesque. Remember the recent "downer cow" scandal where an obviously ill animal was slaughtered for food? Forget downer cows-- do you think the thousands of "healthy" cows processed daily are run through the "Oprah Scan" by top flight veterinarians to ensure they're cancer free before they're sent through the grinder? PLEASE! Animals-- like humans--can "appear' to be healthy on the outside but can be riddled with disease on the inside. Think of that the next time you're at the Outback Steakhouse or tossing burgers on the grill. Who knows? Maybe that's exactly how we acquire cancer-- by eating it. Something the National Beef Council would rather you not ponder. I'm getting a bit "preach-y, eh? YOU BET!!!

Today I'm going to write a check to my local shelter in honor of all my babies I've loved and lost-- Princess, Ranger, Fritzy, Jiggsy, Orphan Annie, Star-- dear, dear Maggie Millerton Bagley and of course Trixie. Can you do something to help, too???

Founded by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore, Broadway Barks is dedicated to helping animals in New York City. You may not think that NYC needs a group like this, but think again. Gulianni was very unconcerned about the plight of unwanted animals in NY and their shelter system is one of the most horrific in the country. http://www.broadwaybarks.com/

North Shore Animal League: The largest no-kill shelter in America, these folks are dedicated to finding good homes for their temporary residents. For those of us concerned about what might happen to our loved ones after we check-out, North Shore has taken the fear out of that equation. If you bequeath a portion of your estate to their organization, North Shore will either find a suitable home for your pet, or take care of it for the rest of its life for you. Truly an awesome organization. http://www.nsalamerica.org/

Actors and Others for Animals was founded by several actors when they discovered the atrocities and a nearby Burbank shelter. They are actors in their finest roles. Did you know that over 30,000 unwanted animals are euthanized in Los Angeles County annually??? It's a holocaust, every day of the year. http://www.actorsandothers.com/

Another great organization in Los Angeles is PAWS LA. Dedicated to all aspects of the protection of animals, with an emphasis on assisting those stricken with terminal illness keep and care for their animals. www.pawsla.org/

Founded by Doris Day, I don't have to tell you what this women has dome on behalf of animals for decades. http://www.ddaf.org/

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, their name says it all. http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer

My "local" animal shelters, in New Milford, Connecticut and Scottsdale, Arizona. Local people completely & thoroughly committed to the front lines of the battle. Folks who feed, bathe, treat and love these creatures until they find a suitable human match. And love them forever if they cannot find that perfect home. New Milford Animal Welfare: http://animalwelfaresociety.homestead.com/
Scottsdale Strays:
www.scottsdalestrays.com/