Aspiring Bodhisattva

Caramel Pit Bull Needs Home + Help Cats on Long Island

2008-07-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

"Meet Mariann, a pretty, spayed female Pit Bull, estimated 3 to 4 years old, who was found abandoned and starved in Suffolk County in April of this year. This docile and sweet dog loves children and adults alike and is a total crowd pleaser. She has the reputation of being an absolute “mush”. After winning the hearts of all the staff at the East Islip Veterinary Clinic she has been moved to larger quarters at the Bayside Veterinary Center. Tourniquet, Inc. Rescue devoted a lot of money, time and TLC to this little girl, and it shows—she’s in great shape and is so, so ready for a home of her own. Maybe you or someone you know would like to give this caramel-sweet dog a fresh start and a lasting home. She is located in Whitestone, New York."

Also, caregiver of cat colony in Long Island is looking for temporary or permanent home and help with vet costs, while he has fallen on hard time healthwise.

For Your Desktop

2008-07-20T18:10:00.000-07:00

Sorry for long absence.

I stumbled on a Russian photo competition site and fell in love with these:

"Guest from the forest"
This baby moose's mom was killed by the poachers. He joined the herd of cows and came to the village with them. On the photo, he is waiting for his breakfast.

"Have you seen my mom?"
Caption says that while looking for his family, this baby bear walked right up to hidden photo camera.

Ten-month-old Female Lab / Bloodhound Mix Needs Home

2008-06-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

"This puppy looks a bit like a black Lab with the generously proportioned ears of a Bloodhound.

Shelter volunteers say her distinctive appearance is accompanied by a sweet character.

Apparently, Venus's previous human companion brought her to the shelter due to lack of time.

We can't really tell if Venus is likely to have a Bloodhound-like personality, but we'd advise her potential new family to be ready to provide plenty of exercise and training. With that kind of care, we predict Venus will be a gentle, loving companion.

To find out more about Venus (I.D. # A734512) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000. She may be gone by the time you call!"

Puppy Care Center

2008-04-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

Donate towards a puppy care center and help hundreds of abused and injured puppies have a chance to find a loving, permanent home.

"In partnership with eBay Foundation and the eBay Community, Best Friends will build a Puppy Care Center, a place where abused, abandoned, and neglected puppies will learn to trust and interact with different kinds of people and environments, providing puppies with all the tools they need to lead a long, happy life in a loving home. The 3,850-square-foot building will house 14 living areas that can accommodate up to 10 puppies in each area. The puppies, many of whom come to Best Friends with chronic health problems, will also receive state-of-the-art medical care and specialized training. A socialization area, equipped for public viewing, will let prospective families observe the puppies while staff and volunteers train them for their new permanent homes."

Beagle Mix Needs Home

2008-04-29T18:43:00.000-07:00

"Jessie the singing dog with fur the color of gingerbread is still looking for a home, in spite of being posted and featured for adoption on the Best Friends Network for several months."

Boxer Mix Needs a Good Home

2008-04-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

"No doubt about it -- Princess is a high-energy hound. She's a young Boxer mix who will need plenty of exercise.

She's not out of a control, though. NYC AC&C volunteers say she's a pleasure to walk. She's quite outgoing and likes dogs and people.

She's healthy and has been well cared for. Her previous person brought her to the shelter because he no longer had space for her.

Princess would be an excellent companion for enjoying spring in the city."

Mars Candy

2008-04-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

"If you love candy and animals, then you'll want to avoid buying M&Ms, Snickers, Three Musketeers, Twix, Dove, Starburst, Skittles and other confections made by Mars, Inc., which kills animals to test its treats.

Even though none of the experiments funded by Mars are required by law and the research could be done better using human subjects, the company continues to fund deadly animal experiments on countless animals, such as:

- Force-feeding chocolate to rats by shoving plastic tubes down their throats, cutting open their legs to expose an artery and clamping it shut to stop blood flow, then killing them.

- Feeding mice chocolate phytochemicals, then throwing them in pool of water mixed with white paint in which they had to find a hidden platform to avoid drowning, then killing and dissecting them afterwards.

- Feeding cocoa to rats and anesthetizing them with carbon dioxide, then collecting their blood by injecting a needle directly into their hearts, which can cause internal bleeding and other fatal complications."

Please attend a protest on April 26th in NYC and contact Mars Inc.

The Near-Tragic Tale of An A Bunnies

2008-04-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

This is how good writers tell a story: The Near-Tragic Tale of An A Bunnies .

I wish I could put words on paper like that - many of the things she describes, my dog does too, but this blogger makes it sound so funny.

The Asian Vegan Kitchen

2008-04-18T16:29:00.000-07:00

I love Asian food and now that I am vegan, I would love to try recipes from
The Asian Vegan Kitchen by Hema Parekh, like Vietnamese Fried Rice and Korean Noodles.

(please do not buy the book on amazon)

The dish on the cover is probably very good but does no look very appetizing - it is not a minimalist style dish. :)

Idlewild Books

2008-04-18T16:22:00.001-07:00

"On Sunday, April 20, Idlewild Books will open near Union Square in New York City with an inventory of 6,000 titles, all of them arranged according to country."

This is so cool! I would love to see their Russia, Japan, Australia and Bhutan selections. Also, the store will have "a strong humanitarian emphasis" with portions of proceeds going to refugee programs.

And this is first time I hear it - Idlewild is the former name of JFK airport!

Meet Clive Owen

2008-04-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

"Academy Award–nominated actor Clive Owen (Closer, Gosford Park, Inside Man, Children of Men) comes to the Apple Store, SoHo, to talk about two upcoming film projects — The International (with Naomi Watts) and Tony Gilroy’s Duplicity (opposite Julia Roberts) — and to take audience questions. Friday, April 25, 6:30 p.m."

I would love to see him in person but hate stampedes.

World Week for Animals; Olympic Games

2008-04-16T19:59:00.001-07:00

Get active during World Week for Animals in Laboratories - join or plan an event between April 20th and 26th.

I love Olympic games, but not going to watch or support the Olympics in China this summer. Besides human rights violations, here is another reason: the Chinese fur industry.

Drugs, Japanese and Monks

2008-03-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

I was doing chemistry homework and one of the questions was to find the name of the drug that caused birth defects in many babies. First thing that showed up in search was Thalidomide. It was taken as a sleeping pill and to treat morning sickness during pregnancy and just one dose could result in a baby born with flippers!

"In 1961 scientists discovered that the medication stunted the growth of fetal arms and legs. In fact, taking only one dose of thalidomide early in pregnancy can severely affect the growth of fetal limbs (arms, legs, hands, feet). It also puts the fetus at risk of other injuries, including eye and ear defects and severe internal defects of the heart, genitals, kidneys, digestive tract (including lips and mouth), and nervous system."

I've never heard about this and am very shocked by it.

Also, did you know that "there are more blog posts in Japanese than any other language"?

I think this is really really funny. I will print it out as a reminder to not take life too seriously.

I will also print this out, because reading it often will help me to"smile, breathe and go slowly".

On My Mind

2008-03-19T19:16:00.001-07:00

So hot in here! It's been raining all day. Elephants walked last night - made me cry AGAIN. Feel bad for Dalai Lama. My dog might need an operation to remove a cyst - praying that antibiotics will work to prevent it. Don't want to see her in pain ever again. Keep listening to this. Need to be studying chemistry right now but my brain feels fried today.

Pit Mix Needs a Good Home

2008-02-23T18:44:00.000-08:00

Tess is a petite, slender Pit mix.

She's had it rough. She was found on the street in Brooklyn, and she has scars that show that she was mistreated.

She doesn't seem to have sustained any permanent damage to her temperament, though. She's playful and affectionate.

Tess will definitely need basic obedience training, but she's intelligent and ready to learn.

To find out more about Tess (I.D. # A748223) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000.

Horse-Drawn Carriages in NYC

2008-02-19T17:21:00.000-08:00

Please ask NYC politicians to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City.

"Many of these horses start working as carriage horses after a lifetime of working elsewhere. Many horses pulling carriages have been injured and killed in accidents, and people have also been seriously injured. The largest city in the country is no place for this outdated business. Major tourist destinations such as Paris, London, and Toronto have already banned this inhumane industry."

I would love to thank Council Member Tony Avella for introducing Ban on Horse Drawn Carriages, Int. 658/2007.

Also see: A Face-Off Over Horse-Drawn Carriages.

Shepherd Mix Needs Home

2008-02-14T16:41:00.000-08:00

* 1-year-old female
* 62 pounds
* Healthy
* Good with kids
* Housebroken

Ginger used to live in a house full of kids. The upside? She loves children. The downside? She ended up at the shelter when her former family decided that they didn't have time to take care of her.

Ginger is a friendly, energetic Shepherd mix. She gets along well with other dogs. She's quite handsome, though she could stand to lose a few pounds.

Ginger would make an excellent addition to any kind of household.

To find out more about Ginger (I.D. # A748318) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000.

European Union Considering Banning All Seal Product Trade!

2008-02-09T06:32:00.000-08:00

This is a great step towards stopping Cananda's slaughter of baby seals for their fur. Please take a few minutes to tell the EU you support a ban on seal product trade.

From HSUS:

"Twenty-five years ago, the European Union made history when it ended its trade in products from newborn harp seals. Commercial seal hunting in some countries came to a virtual standstill, and countless baby seals were saved. But the hunters began to kill the pups when they were slightly older -- and the products from those seals are legally traded in the EU. Today, some commercial seal hunts are twice as large as they were when the EU first took action.

But there is new hope for the seals. The EU is considering ending all seal product trade in the European Union, regardless of the age of the seals. This move would save millions of seals from brutal slaughter, and help put a final end to commercial seal hunting globally.

Right now, the EU is asking people around the world to submit their opinions on the historic proposal. Please take a few minutes today to tell the European Union you fully support a ban on seal product trade.

The deadline for the European Union to hear your views is February 13."

La Dame aux Camelias

2008-02-08T18:42:00.000-08:00

This fall I went to see Verdi's "La Traviata" at the Met with Renee Fleming. While reading about the opera in the program I found out that it is based on Alexandre Dumas son's book "La Dame aux Camelias".

Afterward, I read the novel and the facts about the real courtesan that the story was based on. The book also mentioned the multiple movie and stage versions. I rented one of them: 1937th "Camille" with Greta Garbo. The DVD also had a a silent 1921 "Camille" starring Alla Nazimova.

Here is the comparison:

Met's version - beautiful music, sets and costumes and very talented Renee Flemming. Enjoyable.

Greta Garbo version - tough, sarcastic heroine. Garbo seemed too old for the role.

Nazimova version - fun to watch just for the crazy hair and mimicry. The sets are also hilarious and must have been out there for 1921.

"La Dame aux Camelias" novel version - although not a literary masterpiece, it was very interesting to read about life in 1850's Paris and how things were back then.

The real Marie Duplessis - "most celebrated courtesan of the times". Possibly was being offered to men by her farther by age 12. Dead by age 23. Apparently very beautiful and elegant, she "possessed a natural tact, and an instinctive refinement which no education could have enhanced."

I actually found her life story much more interesting than "La Dame aux Camelias". I wish there was a fictionalized version of it. Apparently there is a movie loosely based on her life: Dame aux camélias / Lady of the Camelias.

Rhynochocyon Udzungwensis

2008-02-01T20:50:00.001-08:00

Soup Part Two

2008-01-26T19:41:00.000-08:00

My "Martha Stewart" style soup saga continued today - I was not sure what to do with all the soup and vegetable broth leftovers. I thought I might need to buy plastic containers and was concerned how they were going to fit in our small freezer. Google to the rescue - apparently, you can put soup in Ziploc freezer bags. It came out so neat - you pour the liquid in bags, squeeze air out, seal and put bags flat in the freezer, separated with paper towels. After the content freezes, you can stack the bags any way you like. I now have 5 two cup portion squares of soup and 4 one cup portion squares of broth. Of course, I will reuse the bags later. I am so glad I did not have to buy tupperware type containers as we are trying to minimize our clutter.

I did OK with top priority tasks today - it wasn't like I took a nap or rested or surfed the web. I was doing stuff all day, but still did not get to some things that I wish to complete this weekend. But I did mail the package to my Mom. I get such a nice feeling imagining and hoping that she will like the things I sent her. I got her these boots:

My last trip to Russia I was hoping to get to experience the real winter. But all I got was grey sky and dirt. My suede boots got kind of ruined and I was looking for rubber boots everywhere, but the trend has not reached Russia at that point. My relatives thought I was crazy wanting rubber boots - that is something you would wear on the farm maybe. So, I am sending my Mom these cool looking and comfy boots so she can wear them when you have to walk through dirt everywhere.

I am also sending her jeans as it is hard to find classic looking good quality dark blue wash jeans there. I've been buying her Uniqlo jeans but now that I am boycotting Japan's whale and dolphin hunt, I got her a pair from Express.

Lab / Hound Mix Needs Home

2008-01-25T21:40:00.000-08:00

"We know looks aren't everything, but if you want an attractive dog, Princess is for you. She's got handsome rich brown spots and a spray of freckles all over her white coat.

Princess has inner beauty as well. She's extremely sweet and gentle and loves to play, with people and dogs alike.

Princess looks to be a Lab/Hound mix. She was brought to the shelter because the child in her former home was allergic to her.

To find out more about Princess (I.D. # A746149) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000. She may be gone by the time you call!"

Soup!

2008-01-25T21:25:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to follow the tips from the time management lecture I mentioned earlier. I prioritized my to do list this morning and am very happy that I did the top three things on it. Top two were "Due Soon, Important" - prepare package for my Mom to be mailed out tomorrow and prepare an English language "homework" for her. (I suggested that I can help her study English because we are hoping that she will come here one day, so I will be sending "homework" for her to translate, read and answer questions on.) These were "important" because I promised to send some of the stuff in the package awhile ago and I promised to send the lesson also, so my Mom has been expecting it.

"Not due soon, not important" fun task for the day was making my first soup ever. I followed this guide for vegetable broth recipe and I used the "17 Bean & Barley Mix" from Trader's Joe that inspired me to do this in the first place. The beans were so beautiful - they made me happy just to look at them. Here they are after the soak - a bit wrinkly and not as pretty anymore.

So it took and hour to make the broth and an hour for the soup - it has been an ambitious project. I will have the first bowl of my own first ever soup tomorrow!

I discovered Zen Habits blog yesterday. Just as I was procrastinating online, the post on overcoming resistance helped me to snap out of it and "The Minimalist’s Guide to Fighting (and Beating) Clutter Entropy" post gave me enough inspirations to do some things around the house that I've been delaying for some time.

Favorite Holiday Lights

2008-01-24T15:17:00.000-08:00

Lectures by Randy Pausch

2008-01-19T12:54:00.000-08:00

This article made me interested in this lecture and learning more about Randy Pausch. I also watched his lecture on Time Management that was really wonderful and helpful for me. I will do my best to follow his advice.

2007-12-30T09:38:00.001-08:00

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

2007-12-29T16:58:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-24T19:40:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas

Some Good News

2007-12-23T18:54:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-23T08:08:00.001-08:00

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

DogTown on National Geographic

2007-12-22T21:53:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-09T17:43:00.000-08:00

"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

2007-12-09T16:56:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-03T05:10:00.001-08:00

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

They Need You

2007-11-30T18:34:00.000-08:00

Some of the beautiful dogs I met this week:

This beautiful puppy has a treatable skin condition that makes him look like he was recently shaved - army haircut style. I just wanted to hug and cuddle him. He was acting like most puppies - curious about everything, very playful and full of energy.

Big and strong! Was barking at other dogs - not sure if he was acting protective or just saying hi to them. I thought I would have trouble getting him back in his kennel but he was very obedient.

This guy gave me a workout of the day. Getting him in and out of the kennel was a challenge. The second he was out he became totally calm. He is a recent arrival so is probably totally freaked out about staying there. He has the softest fur with wrinkles, like shar pei and a cute underbite, like a bull dog (can't see it on this photo). I love his brindle color. He is very compact.

This girl has very cute ears! She was vocal at first and kept jumping on me. Turned out she was craving touch - we sat with her front paws on my knees for some time as I was petting her. She looks older than her age but still acts like a puppy a bit.

I will miss them a lot but hope that they will be out of the shelter and with loving owners soon.

******PLEASE ADOPT************

Black Friday

2007-11-30T18:05:00.000-08:00

I did end up buying stuff on Black Friday but only because I had a day off and just needed to get some things and get it over with. One impulse purchase was these shoes from Payless.

Ever since I stopped buying real leather, most of my shoes come from Payless and the ones I buy for my Mom also. I tried these on and they were very comfortable and looked great on. I've been meaning to get open toe pair also so my big toes can breathe! Can't wear them till spring but really looking forward to it.

Uxorious

2007-11-30T16:01:00.000-08:00

My aspiration is to learn a word a day times three (one word in English, one in French and one in Spanish).

Too tired to start with French/Spanish thing today, but have one word that I was curious about in English: uxorious.

Context: "self assured, ..., non-drinker, and, once he had married Goldwyn Girl Gloria Delson, in 1945, steadfastly uxorious."

Definition: "Excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife." (I like this word!)

Can not find a one word translation of "uxorious" into Russian. Just getting: "чрезмерно любящий свою жену".

I noticed the word in "Movies Rock" supplement magazine. It was in the article about songwriter Van Heusen (pal of Sinatra). I was shocked to read about how objectified women were in America at that time - it made me want to throw up. Seriously, I had no idea it was that bad. Van Heusen and Sinatra were womanizer pigs.

The other article I liked was on "Saturday Night Fever". Disco music and fashion turn me off so much - I never watched the movie, but now I am curious to see it. I also never knew that 22 year old Travolta had a 40 year old girlfriend who died of cancer in his arms.

Volkswagen's Cruel Experiments on Birds

2007-11-23T15:34:00.000-08:00

"Volkswagen Foundation is paying experimenters at German and U.S. universities to capture and use songbirds in worthless experiments that terrify the birds before they are ruthlessly killed for curiosity's sake. Although the use of any animal for experimentation is objectionable, the thought of birds--who are universal symbols of joy and freedom--captured, caged, terrorized, and vivisected, is particularly heinous. Birds are indeed so fragile that they often die of fright from the capture or transportation process.

These atrocious acts are taking place at the University of Oldenburg in Germany and Duke University in North Carolina. Songbirds captured from the wild and captive canaries and finches are exposed to different light cycles or are fitted with eye caps glued tightly to their heads to block out all light. Researchers then cut the birds' heads off to slice their retinas out of their eyes, and dissect and study their brains for clues to the secret of migration."

Please Take Action and send a polite message to Stefan Jacoby, VW President and CEO asking him to use his influence to earmark funds for research that does not entail the use of animals.

Japan and Whaling

2007-11-20T17:06:00.000-08:00

Japanese store MUJI opened in NYC last week. Although I wanted to wait before I go there, I was in the neighborhood over the weekend and decided to stop by. I love many of their products and actually need some of the things that they sell, but I've decided to not support Japanese companies because of the country's decision to hunt whales and dolphins.

Same goes for UNIQLO - I've been buying a lot of stuff there, particularly, jeans for my mom. I also shopped at Takashimaya and could not wait to check out new Kinokuniya book store and cafe.

I would also really love to visit Japan but this trip would have to wait. If one day soon, Japan will put a stop to these senseless killings, I will be overjoyed and will book my trip asap.

Please tell the US government to do all it can to put pressure on Japan to stop whaling and save the whales.

"Japan's annual Southern Ocean whale hunt is conducted under the guise of science but has been condemned internationally. This season, Japan aims to kill more than 1,000 whales, including 50 endangered fin whales and, for the first time in 40 years, 50 threatened humpback whales will also be harpooned." (greenpeace.com)

Marketing Mystery

2007-11-14T17:56:00.000-08:00

I was looking at amazon bestseller list today and this was at #1 spot:

Who is Supreme Master Ching Hai? How did this book published in June get to #1 spot? Verrry interesting....

Hound Pointer Mix Needs a Good Home

2007-10-24T19:03:00.001-07:00

There's more to Kaylah than her extraordinary ears! She's a friendly dog who knows how to sit on command. She displays admirable focus even in the hectic shelter environment. She's primed for more obedience training.

Kaylah was found as a stray on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens.

The people at Animal Care and Control have dubbed her a hound-pointer mix. In any case she's an active dog who will need plenty of exercise in her new home.

To find out more about Kaylah (I.D. # A734835) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000.

Lab-Shepherd Mix Needs a Good Home

2007-09-26T05:20:00.001-07:00

Constantine is an energetic Lab-Shepherd mix just emerging from the puppy phase. He's got the good qualities of both breeds -- he's intelligent, friendly, and energetic. As a bonus, he's also housebroken and walks well on the leash.

He lost his former home to a landlord's no-pets rule.

Constantine gets along well with other dogs and all kinds of people, including kids.

To find out more about Constantine (I.D. # A728995) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000. He may be gone by the time you call!

Shepherd Mix Needs a Good Home

2007-09-25T18:00:00.001-07:00

Stash is a bright Shepherd mix. He is a friendly and sociable dog who gets along well with children and adults alike.

Stash was brought to the shelter because his former owner's landlord didn't allow pets.

That rule seems particularly unjust in the case of Stash. He is a well-behaved dog who has mastered basic obedience skills and seems to be quite a quick learner.

To find out more about Stash (I.D. # A729361) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000. He may be gone by the time you call!

Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Needs a Good Home

2007-09-05T19:00:00.001-07:00

The people at Animal Care & Control are never happy when a dog they have found a home for ends up back at the shelter. Unfortunately, that's the case with Bob, through no fault of his own. The person who adopted him when he was a puppy four years ago can no longer care for him.

Bob is a Shepherd mix who looks to have some Rottweiler in him. He's well-behaved, friendly to kids and other dogs, and has had some basic training. Once Bob settles in at his new home, he'll need to start a diet and exercise regimen - he could stand to use a few pounds.

Three Bags Full - A Perfect Vegetarian Read

2007-09-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

I finally finished Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann. I highly recommend this book to all animal lovers and vegetarians out there. It makes you feel good! I wonder if Leonie Swann is a vegetarian.

Spoilers:
- I was overjoyed to find out the content of the will. I even had to tell my boyfriend - I was so happy for the sheep.

- Being the worrier that I am, I was wondering about the shepherd's dog and totally unexpectedly for me, the author did resolve that issue! I was reading that part on the subway and almost started to cry happy tears.

- The book had these Buddhist, being in the moment undertones - and I am really into that.

New Chinese Rules on Dalai Lama

2007-09-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

"No outside organisation or individual will influence or control the reincarnation of living Buddhas [eminent monks]," states one article of the new regulations.

They also say that any reincarnation has to be approved by various levels of government. (source: bbc.co.uk)

Do Chinese people realize how ridiculous this sounds? Especially the part about various levels of government.

I feel so bad about the little boy that was selected as 11th Panchen Lama by Dalai Lama - nobody has seen him or his family soon after the selection. Was he killed? He was supposed to help in selecting the next Dalai Lama.

10 Questions for the Dalai Lama

2007-08-31T19:17:00.001-07:00

I just saw "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama". It was really inspiring and I learned a lot from this documentary especially about Dalai Lama's younger years.

I also was not aware that

- Tibet is about the size of Europe.

- All Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala are given refugee status, shelter and each can see the Dalai Lama.

- Google and Yahoo let China censor their Chinese search engine results, so if you search for "Dalai Lama" in Chinese version of Google or Yahoo you get only Chinese government approved results. There was also something about Microsoft letting China edit blogs. This is unbelievable... I certainly did not expect it from Google. I have Google's Adwords ads on this blog but I am going to remove them.

Purebred Yorkie Needs a Good Home

2007-08-29T15:19:00.001-07:00

Julius is a purebred Yorkie who was found in Elmhurst, Queens. He's about twelve, and no one knows how he ended up on the street.

Despite his advanced age Julius is healthy and active. He has cataracts, but they don't seem to be slowing him down much.

Yorkies are one of the most long-lived breeds, and chances are Julius has a few more good years. He deserves to spend them in a loving home.

To find out more about Julius (I.D. # A725958) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000.

Rest in Peace

2007-08-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

Coworker's little dog got hit by a car this morning. She died. She was rescued less than a year ago and was such a lovely dog. It is so sad. Hope she wasn't in pain and died quickly. Please, if you have a pet be extra careful and if you have kids walking your dog, do teach them how to be responsible and never let the dog(s) off the leash.

Met Opera Box Office Breaks Opening-Day Record

2007-08-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

"$2.08M - Opening day sales for the Metropolitan Opera, which opened its box office to the general public on Sunday. That's a 25 percent jump over last season's opening-day take of $1.66 million." AP

And $60 of that is from me. :)

Big Cats, Dogs, Music, Words and Metaphysics

2007-08-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

I would love to read these:

Ratha's Creature by Clare Bell

Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote

This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin

The First Word: The Search for the Origins of Language by Christine Kenneally

2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl by Daniel Pinchbeck

I would have linked all these for you but I am still boycotting amazon.com. I now shop with alibris.com or at local indie bookstores and so does my boyfriend.

Kantoku · Banzai! by Takeshi Kitano

2007-08-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

I wonder when this will come out in theaters here (if at all):

(Kantoku · Banzai! by Takeshi Kitano, English title: Glory to the Filmmaker!)

Kitano is my favorite director and seems like such a cool person.

"2 Days in Paris"

2007-08-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

I saw "2 Days in Paris" and really enjoyed it. I haven't laughed so much at the movies in a long time. Julie Delpy's parents were great in it. Adam Goldberg's character reminds me so much of my boyfriend: his complaining, his Mediterranean/terrorist looks, him worrying about how he looks.

I loved the scenes after the big fight. That is exactly how I feel after having a fight.

I also saw "Mr. and Mrs. Smith". The movie was OK, if you ignore the stupid assumptions one has to make - but that is typical for a big Hollywood movie. I've never seen anything with Angelina Jolie - she is not a bad actress. I enjoyed looking at her outfits and I love the scene where she is forced to hold the baby. That's what happened to me once - I was asked if I want to hold the baby and I said, "No, that's OK." Ever since then, my boyfriend reminds me of it as an example of my antisocial behavior. :)

New Season at the Metropolitan Opera

2007-08-19T15:47:00.001-07:00

Tickets went on sale today at the box office for 2007/2008 Met opera season. After standing in line for three (!) hours I got tickets for:

* Madama Butterfly (don't really know any of the singers in this one, but I loved it so much when I saw it at NYC opera, that I want to see it again.)

* La Traviata (with Renee Fleming. Loved her in Eugene Onegin last season)

* Romeo et Juliette (looking forward to seeing Anna Netrebko live - I have her CD and recorded one of her performances on the radio last year. Also Placido Domingo is conducting.)

* War and Peace (predominantly Russian cast with Valery Gergiev conducting. Looking forward to seeing costumes for Imperial ball scenes.)

Hour at the Museum

2007-08-18T19:48:00.000-07:00

My Metropolitan Museum membership expires soon. I haven't taken advantage of it that much, but I intend to in the next couple of weeks. Saturdays museum is open until 9pm. I got there at 6 and only had enough space in my mind for 70% of the Greek and Roman section - I get overwhelmed and dizzy after too much museum (just like too much shopping).

Some cool stuff I found:

Bronze head of a griffin
Greek, third quarter of the 7th century B.C., From Olympia

It makes me want to learn more about griffins and their origins.

Pair of eyes
Bronze, marble, frit, quartz and obsidian
Probably Greek, 5th century B.C. or later

Burmese, Hound and Pit Mix Needs Home

2007-08-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

Six-month-old Jay is under the illusion that he is a lap dog. Though he weighs 40 pounds, he will do his best to compress himself into a ball and settle in on your lap for a cozy snuggle.

Jay looks to be a melange of Burmese, Hound, and Pit. He was found on 164th Street in the Bronx.

Jay passed his temperament test with flying colors. He is good natured and affectionate. He's eager to learn and at the perfect age for obedience training.

To find out more about Jay (I.D. # A 722496) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000.

Reminder: Last Day to Vote for the Elephant Sanctuary

2007-08-10T04:33:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day to vote for The Elephant Sanctuary in a competition where the winning charity will get $100,000. Please cast your vote.

Happiest Moment: My Dog For the 1,000th Time

2007-08-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

The best Wednesday moment was the sight of my dog in the morning. It rained hard right before I got up to walk her (the rain flooded the subway, so getting to work was a challenge).

My doggie does not like to get up in rainy weather. All I could see sticking out from under the blanket was the tip of her wet black nose and tips of her front paws. She can't help being super cute!

I am also happy that she might not need to go to the vet. She was sick to her stomach last week and this week with similar symptoms. I just hope it was something she swallowed - possibly foil. Please, please, please never throw stuff on the ground no matter how tiny - use garbage cans.

Happies Memory: Inspiration to Cook

2007-08-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

Best Tuesday memory - I made this vegan pasta recipe. It came out OK - next time I'll use less garlic and lemon and more olive oil.

I've been such a Martha Stewart - did laundry two days in a row, cleaned on Monday, cooked on Tuesday - very proud of myself. I don't mind cleaning, but have trouble finding time, energy and motivation. To get myself inspired, I've been using this Meyer Lemon surface cleaner from Restoration Hardware. I love the smell! It has no animal ingredients, was not tested on animals and uses "naturally biodegradable and nontoxic plant-based cleaning agents with pure essential oils".

Happiest Moment: Unexpected News

2007-08-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

I will try to post here about best moments of each day.

Monday started out stressful, but my spirit was lifted when I received good news in a letter from my aunt. (Isn't it wonderful to receive letters. I'll try to write more to people in order to give them the pleasant feeling of receiving a letter.)

About a month ago my Mom told me that my uncle's alcoholism addiction is getting much worse and that he does not want to do anything about it and says that it is time for him to die.

I suggested that as a last resort maybe they can try to visit an old acquaintance of my dad's who is a healer who happens to live 4 hours away from them.

In the letter I received, my aunt told me that they did go to see the healer. She was very brief about it but said that it was an amazing experience. (By the way, this healer does not charge money.)

I can't wait to find out more details about their visit. I am so happy that they convinced my uncle. I thought there would be million excuses for them not to go. At least there is some hope now. I've been praying form him. He spent most time with me out of all my uncles when I was growing up. I don't want him to die and to cause so much pain to people around him.

They live in Russia where alcoholism kills men and ruins lives left and right.

Chihuahua Mix Needs Home

2007-08-08T05:25:00.000-07:00

Poor little Minnie, a Chihuahua mix, was found wandering near 167th Street and Freeman Street in the Bronx.

She's clearly not a street dog. For one thing, she's been spayed. For another, she has a sparkling personality and is never happier than when she is being cuddled.

All in all she is a sweet lapdog who would make an excellent pet for someone in search of a diminutive companion.

To find out more about Minnie (I.D. # A 722006) contact the Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000. She may be gone by the time you call!

Blonde Redhead at McCarren Park Pool

2007-08-05T19:30:00.001-07:00

Blonde Redhead were great live! The girl singer has unusual but strong voice. They rocked out enough for me to get a little high from music.

Lab / Hound Mix Needs a Good Home

2007-08-02T19:11:00.000-07:00

Mecca looks to be mostly Lab, but he's leaner than your typical Lab, and the Animal Care and Control folks think there is probably some slight hound (Greyhound? Whippet?) in his pedigree somewhere. With his glossy black coat and muscled physique, he also looks a bit like a Doberman.

Whatever his heritage, Mecca is a lean and athletic dog who would make an excellent running companion. He was found in Brooklyn in the Dr. Richard Greene Playground between Brownsville and East New York.

To find out more about Mecca (I.D. # A 720841) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000. He may be gone by the time you call.

Savings

2007-07-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting article about cutting your expenses drastically while saving for an apartment in NYC. I've been much better at saving lately - I think I never had as much money saved as I do now. I would love to move to a bigger place. My dream is to have enough space, so that I can adopt a second dog, adopt a child and I would love to have a backyard because I love plants. The place can't be too big because I never have time/energy to clean as much as I would love too.

I don't really spend that much - being an environmentalist, I always bring lunch with me, never go out for coffee, never buy bottled water and so on. My main expense is traveling.

I also don't make that much because I work part time. I just can't picture myself doing 9 to 5 (or more) if I am not passionate about the job. Unfortunately, the jobs that I might be passionate about do not pay that much. Hopefully, I can master my sewing machine and make something to support my income.

On Japan

2007-07-29T16:33:00.001-07:00

I would love to go to Japan - as soon as they stop hunting whales. In the meantime, here is very zen blog about daily life there. It is written for kids so that is why it feels "zen" to me.

I would love to visit Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine. It reminds me of bathhouse in Spirited Away.

Votes for The Elephant Sanctuary Needed

2007-07-28T08:38:00.000-07:00

Please vote for The Elephant Sanctuary in rezoom.com's competition. You can vote every day until August 10th. The sanctuary will get a $100,000 donation if they win.

New York Times Article on Animal Rights

2007-07-25T20:04:00.000-07:00

"Bringing Moos and Oinks Into the Food Debate"

Good overview - too bad author KIM SEVERSON was not inspired by what she learned and ordered a pork dish in her video report.

Collie Mix Needs a Good Home

2007-07-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

Angel is a Collie mix who was found at 106th Street and the FDR Drive.

He's at the tail end of puppy-hood and loves to play. He's eager to learn and very responsive to training.

Angel may not be a purebred Collie, but he definitely has one characteristic that the AKC says that breed must have: "a bright, alert, full-of-sense look."

To find out more about Angel (I.D. # A 719670) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000. He may be gone by the time you call!

Lab Mix Needs Home

2007-07-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

Sebastian is a Lab mix who has all the qualities that make Labs the number one breed in the US. He's super friendly to people (including kids), and dogs too. He's sweet, playful, and a little goofy.

Sebastian's previous owner had to give him up because of allergies.

Sebastian needs to lose a few pounds, and he's very comfortable traveling by car. So Saturday hikes at Bear Mountain would be an excellent weight loss regimen.

He is at NYC's Animal Care & Control shelter. Please adopt him if you can.

TV

2007-07-11T17:49:00.001-07:00

Make sure to read and save this beautiful post. I also quit watching TV at least a month ago. What a time waister it was.

Pit Mix Needs Home

2007-07-07T13:23:00.000-07:00

Pantro is a pit mix who was found on the streets of Corona, Queens. He has extremely soft floppy ears and interesting markings on his face.

With his heritage and history, you might thing Pantro would be unruly and ill-mannered. In fact, though, he's one of a select group of dogs at Animal Care and Control deemed well-behaved enough to be walked by the shelter's teenaged volunteers. He's sweet and friendly to dogs and people alike.

Pantro probably wasn't a stray for long. Someone has housebroken him and taught him how to walk properly on a leash. He's only ten months old and should have no trouble adapting to a new home.

To find out more about Pantro (I.D. #A 715638) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000.

Discontinuing Amazon

2007-06-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

I applaud this decision:

"The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee will be discontinuing its association with Amazon.com as they have admitted in their reply to us that they will continue to sell animal fighting books and magazines. This will represent a significant loss of annual income to the Sanctuary, (last year over $10,000), but we will not support any association with animal abuse. As the nation's largest natural habitat refuge for elephants, we dedicate our lives to the well being of this species and the education of the human species. As caring individuals we are concerned for the well being of all species. This is not, as Amazon.com asserts, an issue of censorship but rather a violation of the Federal Animal Welfare Act, as excerpted in these paragraphs from the HSUS lawsuit."

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann

2007-06-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

I am dying to read Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann. I've read something about it when it came out in Europe, but figured that it would be too hard to find in the US. This summer it got published in here and I was able to get a free copy.

I am going to Montreal for couple of days and Three Bags Full will be my reading material for the trip.

The premise of the book is that a flock of sheep has to solve a mystery. How adorable/original is this:

The sheep include the last flock of Cladoir sheep in Ireland, bred for wool (not for meat). Their beloved shepherd, George, a loner who the sheep realize has left his own "flock," reads to them every evening and has promised to take them to Europe. One morning, the sheep find George lying in the grass, "unusually cold and lifeless." They think he was done in by a wolf. But the cleverest among them, Miss Maple (a tip of the hat to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple), explains: "Even the most sophisticated wolves didn't drive spades through the bodies of their victims. For such a tool was undoubtedly sticking out of the shepherd's insides, which were now wet with dew."

Othello, the only black sheep in the flock, adds, "It can only have been a human who did it -- or a very large monkey" -- a reference to Edgar Allan Poe's "Murders in the Rue Morgue," in which the orangutan did it. Realizing it was murder, the sheep bleat for "justice."

The sheep are, of course, unreliable narrators. Their muddled notion of justice derives from a mystery novel George read to them but didn't finish because it was too upsetting. Their understanding of relationships between men and women is based on the romance novels George read them. They overhear a priest say "The Lord is my shepherd" and become convinced that "the Lord" is the butcher, the last person on earth that they'd want for their shepherd, smelling as he does of death.

"The Forever Box" by Sarah Mensinga

2007-06-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

I really want to find out how this ends:

slacker.com and Chemical Brothers

2007-06-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

Have you tried slacker.com yet?I love it! Today I am using it to discover styles of Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen. I see their names popping up but have never heard their music.

In other music news, you can listen to Chemical Brothers' new album on myspace. I like "The Salmon Dance" and "Saturate" tracks.

Shepherd Mix Needs Home

2007-06-27T15:30:00.000-07:00

Sunshine is a classic Shepherd mix with prick ears, a short caramel-colored coat, and warm brown eyes.

She enjoys human companionship, walks well on the leash, and loves to be brushed.

With her nice character you wouldn't guess Sunshine ever spent time on the street, but in fact she was found on Elmhurst Avenue in Queens, NY.

Sunshine is a bit chubby and will definitely need to go on a slimming regime. With some love and care she should settle in nicely and be an enhancement to any home.

Please adopt Sunshine or help spread the word about her.

New Skin Routine

2007-06-26T15:42:00.001-07:00

I am switching from wearing Malin and Goetz moisturizer and Shiseido Anessa sunscreen to whole new routine.

I bought Liz Earle's Skin Repair Moisturizer because of the article I've read that raved about the line. I am dropping the sunscreen that I've been wearing forever, because it looks like Shiseido does animal testing and I am not sure about the ingredients as the list is in Japanese.

I think I'll get Clarins UV PLUS Protective Day Screen SPF 40 sunscreen. Clarins doest not test on animals and does not have animal derived ingredients according to http://www.caringconsumer.com but I will double check in store. The product got very good reviews on makeupalley.com.

Hopefully, my new moisturizer and sunscreen will work together and will become my new staples.

Life Hacking

2007-06-23T20:03:00.000-07:00

Time magazine has an article about Life Hacking - popularity of tips for improved productivity and happiness.

I will try to follow the tip of checking e-mail only once an our at work. I usually do it about every five minutes.

I like the tip about computer free Saturdays.

The other wonderful tip is to text message or e-mail yourself about each day's happiest moments. My happiest moment today was spending time with my friends. Our attempt to see the Mermaid Parade was unsuccessful as it was insanely crowded, but we had good food and conversation in a little cafe on Brighton Beach. I also really paid attention to the lyrics of Ray LaMontagne's BE HERE NOW and the words are wonderful:

Don't let your mind get weary and confused
Your will be still, don't try
Don't let your heart get heavy child
Inside you there's a strength that lies

Don't let your soul get lonely child
It's only time, it will go by
Don't look for love in faces, places
It's in you, that's where you'll find kindness

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now

Don't lose your faith in me
And I will try not to lose faith in you
Don't put your trust in walls
'Cause walls will only crush you when they fall

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now

Dalai Lama on Kindness to Animals

2007-06-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

In his speech to sold-out crowd of 5,000 in Australia, Dalai Lama called for "a halt to lab experiments on animals and made the case for eating only fruits and vegetables."

Some are accusing him of being a hypocrite, because, as he mentioned in his speech, he does eat meat occasionally.

I do not want to judge him or anybody who eats meat - I did eat meat in the past and I wouldn't have wanted to be judged, only educated. I do not know his reasons for eating meat after being a vegan - medical reason are often mentioned when this subject is raised. The fact that he mentioned kindness to animals was very inspiring to me and if his speech resulted in at least one person becoming a vegetarian, I think it was worth it.

Jack Russell Mix Needs Home

2007-06-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

One year old Beaver was found on East 102nd Street. He's a Jack Russell mix, and very bright and affectionate. Beaver seems to be house-trained and walks well on a leash. He's prime material for more advanced obedience training.

Jack Russells are the perfect size for apartment life, but they are definitely not couch potatoes! Beaver will need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. As long as those basic requirements are met, he will be an excellent pet.

Please help him find a loving home!

Curious Product of the Week (GOOD)

2007-06-12T17:03:00.000-07:00

Bag Snagger - made specifically for removing plastic bag and other litter from trees.

Amazon Is Still Selling Products Promoting Animal Fighting

2007-06-08T16:12:00.000-07:00

I was shocked to find out that amazon.com is still selling animal fighting magazines and videos. I remember there was a letter writing campaign long time ago about this. I am shocked that it did not persuade amazon.com to pull this horrible stuff.

"Amazon.com seems so determined to profit from illegal animal fighting that, rather than simply drop its sales of animal fighting materials, it has filed a motion against The HSUS in federal court, essentially asking that federal and state laws to protect animals be gutted to accommodate Amazon.com's sales of animal fighting paraphernalia."

I've been a customer of theirs for a long time - for everything from books to electronics, but I will no long support a business that puts profits before common sense.

Please tell Jeffrey Bezos, Amazon.com's CEO, that you are appalled by their decision.

Siberian Husky Mix Needs Home

2007-06-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

Lucas is a gorgeous Siberian Husky mix with dramatic light eyes, a soft caramel-colored coat, and a pinkish nose. He's been given up by an owner who has to move and can't take him along.

Like most Huskies, Lucas is an extremely intelligent and athletic dog who will definitely need lots of exercise. Though he's quite large and imposing-looking, he's very friendly and gets along well with adults, kids, and other dogs. Apparently, though, he's afraid of cats.

Lucas is at Animal Care and Control shelter in NYC.

P.S: I love the name!

Cocker Spaniel Needs Home

2007-06-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

Tony is a black, 3-year–old Cocker Spaniel whose great heart and spirit have enabled him to cope with his physical challenge and shine through as the sweet, gentle boy who melts the heart of everyone who meets him.

Tony was rescued while running through traffic on a busy street in Brooklyn, New York. This experience would be terrifying for any dog, but Tony is blind, due to early onset glaucoma. This abandoned little guy may not have made it without the help of a young girl to put her life on the line to save him.

Tony is a playful young guy with a very sweet temperament. He gets along well with adults, children, cats and other dogs. He has to be give eye-drop medication for the glaucoma, but is otherwise in good health. He is hoping to find a special person of his own who will love and cherish him for the rest of his life. In return, Tony has a lot of love and cuddles to give.

If you or anyone you know can help find a forever home for Tony, please contact Garo from Companion Animal Network TV, in Forest Hills, New York at 718-544-7387.

Precious Needs a Good Home

2007-05-31T18:42:00.000-07:00

8-month-old female Precious as "an amazing animal," with the friendly and chilled-out demeanor of a Lab and the intelligence of a Shepherd.

Precious was brought to the shelter by an owner who could no longer afford to keep her. She's been well cared for. She has good manners and is housebroken. She's a "dog lover's dog," with the potential to be an excellent companion for years to come.

Precious is in NYC's Animal Care and Control shelter. Please spread the word.

Mouse Guard

2007-05-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

How cute is this? Somebody should do a version of Zatoichi (the blind swordsman) with mice.

In My Head

2007-05-30T18:40:00.001-07:00

This is what I've been busy with lately:

1. I would like to try taking ballet classes. Yes, I am one of those girls who wanted to be a ballerina but life did not turn out that way. Actually, my mom did not want me to go to ballet school because she thought it would be too tough - living away from her in ballet school dorm and things like that.

The other reason is because I am so damn inflexible right now. Ballet should be good for that and would be more fun than yoga in my mind.

So, I found the school I want to try, but now I am researching what I should wear. In reality,my regular gym outfit will probably work just fine. I just need to buy cruelty free ballet shoes. There is a dance wear store around the corner from my building so I will go tomorrow to see if they have any.

Very excited!!!

2. I am planning a trip to Ukraine in September.

3. Where can I buy bamboo towels in NYC?

4. Went away for the long weekend. Came back to find 100 ants in our kitchen. I freaked out a little and killed a few - now I feel guilty. Then, I sprayed various smelly things (nothing toxic, all natural) around the doorways and counters. All ants are gone! Why did they come in the first place? There was no food laying around at all.

Inspiration: Isaac Singer

2007-05-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

Here is quote from Best Friends magazine article I am reading:

"Writer Isaac Singer grew up in Poland, and escaped the Holocaust by coming to the U.S. in 1935. He won the Nobel Prize for literature, and in one of his short stories, he wrote the famous comment that "for animals, life is an eternal Treblinka," referring to the infamous extermination camp of Nazi-occupied Poland.

The son of rabbi, Singer gave up traditional Judaism. He wrote that "eating meat or fish is a denial of all ideas, even of all religions. How can we pray to God for mercy if we ourselves have no mercy? How can we speak of right and justice if we take an innocent creature and shed its blood? Every kind of killing seems to me savage and I find no justification for it."

I would love to read his work - will get it from the library.

La Bayadere at the Met

2007-05-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

I went to see La Bayadere last week at the Met. I wanted to compare the version I saw by Bolshoi Theater in Moscow with American Ballet Theater's version.

When I first saw it in Moscow, I disliked the plot - it felt very forced as if it was written at the last moment.

This time, knowing the limitations of the plot, I was able to enjoy La Bayadere much more. The role of Nikiya, the temple dancer, was performed by Nina Ananiashvili. I had an out of this world moment watching her dance the first scene. She made it seem so effortless, like her body is made out of hot wax and there were no angles in her movements - just perfect flowing. I would love to see more of this dancer.

Irina Dvorovenko was Gamzatti. She was good, but I felt like the role does not give her a chance to have a "wow" moment.

I also loved the music - hearing it for the second time made it more memorable.

Dharma and the Dollar

2007-05-25T19:46:00.000-07:00

I like this quote from Tricycle Daily Dharma newsletter:

Dharma and the Dollar

Awakening entails economic pursuits that foster self-respect and self-reliance and that serve to integrate, rather than disperse, the energies of the local community. From the perspective of the Dharma, economic goals include not only production and profit, but also their human and environmental impact. The conservation of material resources, their humane use, and their equitable distribution are taken as preeminent concerns.

--Joanna Macy in Mindfulness and Meaningful Work by Claude Whitmyer

Feed Bag

2007-05-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

Vanity Fair's Green Issue had an article about Feed Bag created by Lauren Bush. The proceeds from FEED products go to feed hungry children in school around the world. I think I might get it for one of my friends as a gift.

As for me, my Puffin Organic Cotton bag is still going strong after many washes and heavy groceries. It is always with me - folded inside my other bag until needed. It saved the world from hundreds of plastic bags.

Enlightenment Card

2007-05-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

I stumbled on a web ad for "enlightenment card". It is a credit card with points reward system. Points will get you discounts on health-conscious stores, products, and services or you can donate them to charities.

You can pick from several designs for your card - one of them has Buddha statue on it.

I have very mixed feelings about this product. My main objection is with its name, as enlightenment and consumerism are such opposite concepts. I also do not like an idea of showing off your belief system. I know I am not perfect, but one should show off his or her beliefs with actions, rather then credit card design.

I do like that you have an option to donate points to charities with this card. I think it would have been less of a turn off if the point system was entirely about donating to charities.

Dogwood Kennels Puppy Mill

2007-05-16T16:54:00.000-07:00

Tragically, on March 21, of this year 192 dogs and puppies suffocated and burned to death in a puppy mill known as Dogwood Kennels that is owned by the Schmucker family. This incident appears to have occurred because Dogwood Kennels used a kerosene lantern. Their puppy mill has no electricity. Less than a year before this very sad event, dozens of dogs and puppies died at the same puppy mill allegedly from drinking unsanitary water given to them.

Dogwood Kennels has continued to operate the puppy mill and it turns out, they never obtained a conditional use permit from the county to operate a puppy mill. They have been operating all this time without a permit. But they have not stopped their illegal operation. Instead, they now have applied for a conditional use permit from Bland County, Virginia where they are located.

If the county gives them a permit, hundreds more dogs will be at risk. You can help stop this!

Pointer mix needs a good home

2007-05-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

2-year-old Chyna is a slender and elegant Pointer mix. She's a bright, alert, affectionate dog who loves to play outdoors and enjoys the company of kids and other dogs.

She's got sweet, expressive eyes and wonderful ears that are somewhere between pointy and floppy.

Chyna is currently in Animal Care & Control shelter in NYC. It is a kill shelter, so please adopt her or spread the word if you can.

Update on recycled envelopes search

2007-05-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

I posted couple of weeks ago about having trouble finding recycled envelopes in NYC.

Eventually I was able to find a decent selection at Paper Presentations store (23 West 18th Street) and bough Genesis brand envelopes.

And thank you Rick for pointing out where I can get Hemp Heritage products. I assume you work for the company - it is very smart of you to blog search what people are saying about you.

Pure-bred English Springer Spaniel Needs Home

2007-05-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

Jack is a pure-bred English Springer Spaniel, whose former human companion didn't have time for him.

Springers are affectionate, playful dogs who make excellent family pets. But not for lazy families! They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy.

Jack is young enough to adapt well to a new home, preferably one filled with people as energized as he is.

Jack is at NYC Animal Care and Control shelter (a kill shelter).

More Action Alerts

2007-05-09T17:01:00.000-07:00

This one is unbelievable: Sony Decapitates Goat to Promote Violent Videogame

Sony displayed a beheaded goat carcass at a launch party in Greece for God Of War II, a newly released title for the company's PlayStation 2 console.

The gory "sacrifice" of an actual goat in a commercialized ritual of domination was clearly meant to advertise the vividly rendered violence that characterizes God Of War II, which has earned the game a rating of M for mature (ages 17 and up). However, this supposed safeguard will not prevent underage gamers in the UK who subscribe to Sony's official PlayStation magazine from getting an eyeful of the headless goat in the latest issue, which includes a two-page photo spread of the launch party. Though Sony pulled 80,000 copies of this edition from newsstands last weekend, it has already been mailed out to subscribers and cannot be recalled.

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Action Alert: Tell GUESS to Stop Selling Fur

If you think GUESS should get with the times and stop selling the products of cruelty, please let them know.

Elephants Abused at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

2007-05-09T16:58:00.001-07:00

IDA (In Defense of Animals) has launched a new campaign targeting Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, Calif. where dozens of animals have died prematurely in the past decade. The seven elephants on display there now experience continual suffering from the noise and crowds at the park, and painful abuse from trainers who use sharp bullhooks to control them. Six Flags is the only facility in the country accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association that still offers elephant rides (!?!?!?!?!?!), even though they endanger the safety of park visitors and are stressful for the elephants. Other zoos stopped providing elephant rides long ago for these very reasons.

Find out how you can make a difference and please write to the City of Vallejo (which “owns” most of the elephants) right now.

Dulary's Diary

2007-05-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Dulary (left), the elephant from Philadelphia Zoo, arrived at the Elephant Sanctuary. Check out the slide show of Dulary getting the courage to step out of her trailer into the new world. Dulary came from Thailand to The Philadelphia Zoo more than 41 year ago.

Angel needed for hospice and a home

2007-05-06T09:46:00.000-07:00

Bear, a 10-year old Belgian Shepherd mix, has been at the Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services (C.A.R.E.S.) for several days, and has just been diagnosed with oral melanoma, an aggressive cancer in his mouth and throat. At the time it became apparent that he likely had cancer, his foster parent of over a year refused to take Bear back into her home.

Yvonne of Hope for the Animals (in Washington Crossings, PA) is awaiting information from the veterinary oncologist regarding the possibility of chemotherapy. There is a a new drug available that has been achieving positive results; however, they do not yet if it is appropriate for Bear. If Bear can receive this medication, he will have to be taken into New York City 3-4 times over a period of weeks to the clinic that would be providing the treatment. Yvonne and Hope for the Animals can transport him if his new foster parent is unable to arrange the travel.

Bear is still enjoying a good quality of life, despite the fact that he has to breathe entirely through his nose. His appetite is fine, and he is alert and behaving normally. Because it is the HFA’s policy to allow a dog to enjoy his life for as long as he has the capacity to do so, they do not want to euthanize Bear right away. He is a loving and happy guy who enjoys life and wants to live fully to the end of his days.

Hope for the Animals is therefore looking for an angel: a person or a facility that can take Bear and give him a loving environment until his cancer compromises his quality of life. If they decide not to treat the cancer, Bear’s time will likely be very short—a month or so. With chemotherapy, the possibility exists that he can enjoy his life a bit longer.

If you know of anyone who might be willing to provide a home for Bear to enjoy the last days of his life, please let Hope for the Animals know. HFA will cover all costs for veterinary care, medication, and food.

If you would like more information on Bear, please call Yvonne at (215) 321-1798 before 5 p.m. Friday, or at (215)945-6204 after 5 p.m. on Friday and throughout the weekend. Bear’s profile can be found on Petfinder.org at http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=5317765

You can also help Bear by passing on this message to your personal contacts. With your help, we can make a difference for Bear and all the animals.