I am big on recycling and was glad to learn about Office of Recycling Outreach and Education where all my recycling questions can be answered.

While there, I learned that NYC residents can recycle clothing, textiles and shoes (including clothing, hats, coats, towels, bedding, jackets & shoes!). Used textiles represent almost 6% of the City's waste stream, or there are almost 190,000 tons of textiles annually that could be potentially be recovered and recycled (data from "City Sierran", Volume 24, No. 1).

I used to bring old sneakers to Nike and clothing that were in OK condition to Goodwill or homeless shelter, but it is wonderful to be able to recycle stuff that can not be donated. Textiles that can not be reused is turned into wiping and polishing cloths, fiber for mattresses and couches and so on.

I also learned about Wearable Collections organization, that can provide a collection bin for buildings. I will certainly ask our building to implement that.

Books I Want to Read in 2008

DOG MAN: AN UNCOMMON LIFE ON A FARAWAY MOUNTAIN by Martha Sherrill

"As Dog Man opens, Martha Sherrill brings us to a world that Americans know very little about-the snow country of Japan during World War II. In a mountain village, we meet Morie Sawataishi, a fierce individualist who has chosen to break the law by keeping an Akita dog hidden in a shed on his property. During the war, the magnificent and intensely loyal Japanese hunting dogs are donated to help the war effort, eaten, or used to make fur vests for the military. By the time of the Japanese surrender in 1945, there are only sixteen Akitas left in the country. The survival of the breed becomes Morie's passion and life, almost a spiritual calling. Devoted to the dogs, Morie is forever changed. His life becomes radically unconventional-almost preposterous-in ultra-ambitious, conformist Japan. For the dogs, Morie passes up promotions, bigger houses, and prestigious engineering jobs in Tokyo. Instead, he raises a family with his young wife, Kitako-a sheltered urban sophisticate-in Japan's remote and forbidding snow country."

Why: dogs; devotion to dogs; Japan; unconventional person; remote area of Japan; Akita breed - never knew that they were used this way in WWII; further research into Akitas reveals that the breed is a lot alike to my dog - not the easiest breed to have.



TWENTY CHICKENS FOR A SADDLE: AN AFRICAN CHILDHOOD by Robyn Scott

Why: AFRICA! (I think I might have lived there in previous lives as I am fascinated by it); childhood in Africa; hopefully there will be animal/nature mentions in it too.

My Favorite Christmas Story

Merry Christmas

Some Good News

PetSmart Won't Sell Bunnies
There are so many rabbits at the shelter - one cuter than the next. Thank you, PetSmart!

Japan Halts Plan to Kill Humpback Whales
Thank you Japan for taking this step. Now, you just have to stop killing other whales and dolphins. Can't wait to visit your fascinating country once you are marine mammal friendly.

Sunset

This was the view from my window the other day. It was really beautiful and kind of scary.

DogTown on National Geographic

I am going to be staying home Friday nights in January to watch DogTown show on National Geographic. It was filmed in one of my favorite no kill shelter - Best Friends and I am looking forward to seeing how they handle difficult cases of aggression and health issues in dogs.

"Best Friend's DogTown is the largest no-kill animal facility in the country, located on 33,000 acres of Southern Utah canyon country. At any given time, the sanctuary hosts hundreds of dogs from all around the country, and the world, along with cats, horses, guinea pigs, rabbits, goats, and various other farm animals—between 1,500-2,000 animals at any one time. NGC teams up with the DogTown’s top-notch staff of veterinarians and trainers to find out what it takes to rehabilitate problem pooches and find them loving homes."

Michael Vick Dogs Cleared to Come to Animal Rescue Organizations

"Judge Henry Hudson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia has approved a recommendation by a guardian/special master appointed by the court that 22 of the 48 American pit bull terriers connected with the Michael Vick civil forfeiture action be placed with Best Friends Animal Society.

Valparaiso University School of Law Professor Rebecca J. Huss, in a Summary Report to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, recommended that 47 dogs (one has been euthanized for medical reasons) be placed with eight organizations, with Best Friends receiving the most dogs (22). The next largest group would be placed with Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls (BAD RAP) of Oakland, Calif. (10). Other organizations that would receive dogs are Richmond Animal League of Richmond, Va. (4); Georgia SPCA of Suwanee, Ga. (3); SPCA of Monterey County, Calif. (3); Recycled Love Inc. of Baltimore, Md. (3); Animal Rescue of Tidewater, Chesapeake, Va. (1); and PACK (Pit Bull Advocates for Compassion and Kindness), San Francisco, Calif. (1)." (Source)

Collie / Canaan / Lab Mix Needs Home

Adopt Wyatt - he is 2-3 years old, neutered, up-to-date on shots, and housetrained. He came to the shelter in Princeton, NJ after being found as a stray in Ohio.

Shepherd-Mix Rocco Needs Home

Rocco, 1 year old shepherd-mix has his heart set on a new home for Christmas. He is located in Princeton, NJ.