compassionategirl

Are lobsters fed while in tanks? Because lobsters are sensitive to water quality, they easily die if too much waste is created in their environment. Merchants normally do not feed lobsters in order to prevent the lobsters’ excrement from contaminating the tank water with ammonia. Often lobsters starve or try to eat one another. I want to liberate a lobster. How can I get one? Liberating a lobster can help to ease the sense of immediacy when you see lobsters suffering in a tank, but if you buy one, you are simply supporting the industry, and the store will just replace the one you bought with another animal. If you want to help liberate a lobster, speak with the store manager. Explain that lobsters suffer in confinement and attempt to convince the store to stop selling live animals altogether. Click here to for a sample letter that you can send as a follow-up. I was given a lobster. How can I set him or her free? Lobsters are very delicate, so always handle them with care to ensure that you don’t accidentally break one of their legs or claws. • Do not place lobsters in fresh water—it will kill them. • Hold them gently. You must support lobsters’ bodies as well as their claws so that their joints won’t be stressed. • Carefully cut the rubber bands off their claws—never pull or yank the bands off, as that could damage their claws (or even rip them off!). • Don’t release lobsters into just any part of the ocean. Make sure that there are other lobsters in the area. You’ll also want to release them away from lobster pots. • Don’t just toss them in! Gently release them as far in as you can wade. I went to a restaurant where live lobsters were being presented on a plate, out of water. What can I do? Ask to speak with a manager immediately to let him or her know that this practice is cruel and unnecessary. In order to breathe, lobsters must be kept moist. As their gills dry, they slowly suffocate. Lobsters have sophisticated nervous systems and are surely suffering as a result of this unnecessary practice, not to mention the practice of cutting into living lobsters and eating them alive.

I hope I can come. I will make every effort but at this point, finances are tough and I may also be prevented from attending for other reasons that are beyond my control (and that includes the animal rights conference which i was DYING to attend).

This is where I got the article from. http://www.arkangelweb.org/international/uk/20060613nhs.php

Baked Artichoke Dip 1 15 ounce can artichoke hearts (packed in water), rinsed & drained. (I give each one a good squeeze with my hands to get out as much moisture as possible.) 4 ounces Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese ½ cup Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream ½ cup vegan parmesan – I use Soyco Vegan Parmesan Sprinkles in the little shaker bottle with a purple label. ½ cup Vegenaise 1 – 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 green onion & top, thinly sliced 2 teaspoons minced garlic 2-3 drops red pepper sauce Salt & cayenne pepper to taste Process the artichoke hearts, cream cheese, sour cream, parmesan cheese, mayo & lemon juice in a food processor until smooth. Stir in the onion, garlic & red pepper sauce. Season to taste w/ salt & cayenne pepper. Spoon dip into a small casserole or baking dish. Bake, uncovered at 350° until hot & lightly browned on top, approx 20-25 minutes. Serve warm w/ assorted veggies, bread sticks or crackers. _______________ I have made this numerous times because I am damn addicted to how good it is. I also add a cup of spinach to this recipe and make it a "baked spinach and artichoke dip" -- as good as any restaurant's!!

New study confirms animal testing is a sham! A new study funded by the National Health Service (NHS) that looked into the whole question of vivisection has highlighted some damning evidence that not only exposes the cruelty inherent in vivisection but also illustrates that it doesn’t work. The report shows that: animal researchers don't talk to hospital doctors about their work. Clinical trials with human patients get underway even before the animal research is completed. Drugs that fail in animals are used in humans anyway. A drug that increased overall mortality in animals was, nonetheless used in people and finally, that most of the animal research that was analysed was poorly conducted and gave conflicting results. Anti-vivisection groups have for some time been questioning the relevance of using animals to replicate human disease. There is an Early Day Motion (EDM92) currently going through Parliament that is asking for an independent scientific evaluation that would look into all facets of experimenting on animals and most importantly would give a definite answer to the question of: is vivisection the best way of finding cures for human diseases? However pro-vivisection groups have been actively trying to sabotage the EDM. For example, the group known as Pro-test, who in public state they want a debate on the subject are actively encouraging their supporters to put pressure on the 250 MP's who have already signed it. There is no doubt that there is great fear within the pro-vivisection lobby that any independent evaluation would expose the fraudulent nature of the vivisection industry. The survey conducted by the NHS compared the clinical outcome of six medical treatments with the results obtained from experiments on animals. The areas of research related to head injuries, blood clotting, stroke, disease in premature babies and osteoporosis. Each of the six topics was analysed by systematic review. A systematic review is a summary of the medical literature that uses explicit methods to perform a thorough search and critical appraisal of individual studies and that uses appropriate statistical techniques to combine these valid studies. In other words, systematic reviews normally represent the best available data. One systematic review looked at the use of steroids in treating people with severe head injuries. The NHS study showed that, whereas the animal experiments had provided mixed results, the drug clearly increased the risk of death in patients and had to be discontinued. Two other studies examined the effect of new drugs for the treatment of stroke. In both cases, the animal experiments showed that the drug improved the animals' condition after being deliberately brain damaged. In human patients, however, the drugs increased the risk of death and one of them increased the risk of disability. Andre Menache MRCVS, Scientific Consultant to Animal Aid commented on the finding of the report: "This high-quality survey is very significant in the debate about whether or not animal experiments have any relevance to human medicine. The answer provided by this NHS-commissioned report is that, across a range of important human ailments, animal research provides misleading and conflicting information and is therefore dangerously unreliable".

I love my smouldering stilletto sista! Happy B-day denise.

I purchased a bag ages ago and stare at it, cluelessly, each time I open my fridge. Does anybody have nice recipes so I can use this stuff up before it starts growing fungus. Thanks.

I agree! When I hear someone say they just couldn't go in the room with their 'beloved pet' because it was too sad, I can't understand their putting their comfort over the needs of their pet. I've seen several pets through euthanasia, and though it hurts like hell, I keep talking to them, telling them what wonderful kitties they are and talking about the good times we had together, petting them. I think it makes it easier for them (oh, shit, I'm going to cry, now, because I'm remembering my last moments with Frisco, the cat love of my life---shh, don't tell the other cats! )

Can someboyd please post a party emoticon already and dedicate it to me

Nicole, my deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved family member. he was such a cool looking doggy! What really did me in with your post (I was already getting choked up but I started sobbing uncontrollably when I read about the paw print you took which you will tattoo. What a f***ing awesome tribute! AND can I just say how much respect I have for you and your partner that you stayed with him, right up until he took his last breath, so he didnt die among the arms and company of strangers. Not everybody does that, and I think that is REALLY sad. I cant imagine a time when our animals need us the most - i.e. their last moments on earth. So I think you are awesome for putting your own sadness aside for those moments and being there for your friend, right up until the very end! **hugs**

Hey caligurl, Can you tell me more about the Animal? I have been reading some reviews on some people say that is DOES lose suction, that it is a pain in the ass to assemble, and that the gadgets are a pain in the ass to use and attach and detach, etc etc. How long have you had your Dyson Animal? Can you assess both the strengths AND weaknesses of it for me? Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

Why hello there stranger!

hey fudgam, i remember you, from VF welcome!

I love you too. Loveliberate and Crash - thanks! I am so happy that you are both part of this community. I am huge fans of you both, so thanks for the warm wishes.

I agree. You guys should hang out!

Aww, thanks for saving her from her abuser and loving her forever. You guys both look awesome in that pic!

Ah shucks, thanks. Nice to to meet you too.

Wow, well I would love to be able to afford her plastic surgeon because her face looks completely natural and not "tampered" with.

I think so.

Plastic surgery didn't hurt (at least a tummy tuck and boob job, I don't know if anything on the face). ya, i know about the body plastic surgery but I am more impressed with her skin. She is in her 40s practically wrinkle free and it doesnt look like she has done anything to her face because she looks so natural. She lookss 30 not 45. I could be wrong about the facial plactic surgery point though.

welcome! Can you update your profile so we can see where you are from? Nice to have you on board.

holy cannoli nice vegan guns! pleasure to have your guns (ehem, i mean you) on board.

please let me know if you can attend this demo. Note that although it is in Montreal, transportation to and from Montreal will be provided. We just need bodies to fill up our vans, so please put aside this day to help the tortured victims of Canada's worst known industrial scale puppy mill hell, that continues to operate with impunity. The following was the info bulletin drafted by my colleague, the demo organizer. Please rsvp to me at [email protected] regarding your availability to attend. Please put "puppy mill demo" in the subject line. Thanks for giving your voice to animals. __________________________________________ Our demo of May 28th, 2006 has brought a lot of awareness to many about the neglect, and cruelties to the many dogs in the horrible puppy mill of Lamarche and Pinard in Ste-Justine-de-Newton, Quebec. On the Wednesday, May 31st, a vet went in alone at midnight. We know that he was not accompanied by either the provincial police, SPCA, nor Animaquebec. Therefore, what did he do to the animals while he was there. At 3 a.m. in the early hours of Friday, there was a huge bonfire 200 feet from the mill. Fire trucks, volunteer firemen, and a health unit mobile went flying up to extinguish the fire. We are waiting for a report from the fire department to ascertain if there were any bones found in the ashes. We suspect that sick and dying dogs (i.e. the incriminating evidence) were burned alive by these scumbag mill and pet shop owners. In the week following the demo, a huge effort on the part of Lamarch & Pinard was underway to clean up the mill. They brought in pressure hoses, truck loads of gravel, etc. They are in a huge clean-up mode. On the Saturday after the demo, two large vans loaded up over 20 dogs. Again on Monday night at 8:30 p.m. the same vans were there bringing out again over 20 dogs, bags of dog food, and wood shavings. They are obviously re-locating. A post hole digger was brought in to erect a fence that will encompass the mill. Lamarche & Pinard went public saying that there were only 75 dogs in there. They are on a mission to reduce the population any way they can. We have tried repeatedly but have been unsuccessfull to date in obtaining the most important and most incriminating piece of evidence (videotaped footage of the mill horrors) which is being hoarded by those who are hallucinating in their thoughts that W5 or CBC will do a feature story on this CANINE HELL. The hoarders of the evidence have been waiting for over a year and have secured no justice for these animals in the interim! This is unacceptable. We are saying enough is enough. How many more pitiful souls must continue to suffer and die in that hell hole before those who have the tapes do the right thing and hand them over. What do they have to gain by holding on to it? All our efforts have fallen on deaf ears, and blind eyes. Mr. Potvin, the heroic whisteblower in all of his, has reported that there is much less barking in the mill than there ever was before. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THESE DOGS THAT ARE BEING SECRETLY TAKEN OUT OF THE MILL LATE AT NIGHT. Please help us help them. PLEASE R.S.V.P. immediately on your choice of the date of the demo, July 8th or 9th. We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and ever demonstrator who took time out of their busy schedules and who drove for hours to be active at the demo of May 28th, to be there and make a statement that we will no longer stand by while the scum of society continue to perpetrate the most heinous of crimes against those that have no voice and who have no choice. The demo was a great success, as it brougHt the terrible situation of the animals to the media. This demo was featured on; CBC News, the Montreal Gazette, The Suburban, the Hudson Gazette. Although TVA was there, we have yet to hear from them. The Hudson Gazette has done a follow-up story which is coming out today. We have sent the pictures to Peta in Washington and they are on board. We are in the process of organizing another demo. We are counting on you, the Army of Animal Rescuers, to let us know A.S.A.P. which day would be best for you. Saturday or Sunday of July 8th or 9th, 2006. Our demo of May 28th, 2006 has brought a lot of awareness to many about the neglect, and cruelties to the many dogs in the horrible puppy mill of Lamarche and Pinard in Ste-Justine-de-Newton, Quebec. On the Wednesday, May 31st, a vet went in alone at midnight. We know that he was not accompanied by either the provincial police, SPCA, nor Animaquebec. Therefore, what did he do to the animals while he was there. At 3 a.m. in the early hours of Friday, there was a huge bonfire 200 feet from the mill. Fire trucks, volunteer firemen, and a health unit mobile went flying up to extinguish the fire. We are waiting for a report from the fire department to ascertain if there were any bones found in the ashes. In the week following the demo, a huge effort on the part of Lamarch & Pinard was underway to clean up the mill. They brought in pressure hoses, truck loads of gravel, etc. They are in a huge clean-up mode. On the Saturday after the demo, two large vans loaded up over 20 dogs. Again on Monday night at 8:30 p.m. the same vans were there bringing out again over 20 dogs, bags of dog food, and wood shavings. They are obviously re-locating. A post hole digger was brought in to erect a fence that will encompass the mill. Lamarche & Pinard went public saying that there were only 75 dogs in there. They are on a mission to reduce the population any way they can. We have tried repeatedly but have been unsuccessfull to date in obtaining the most important and most incriminating piece of evidence(the TAPE) which is being hoarded by those who are hallucinating in their thoughts that W5 or CBC will do a feature story on this CANINE HELL in the fall. How many more pitiful souls must continue to suffer and die in that hell hole before those who have the tapes do the right thing and hand them over. What do they have to gain by holding on to it? All our efforts have fallen on deaf ears, and blind eyes. Mr. Potvin has reported that there is much less barking in the mill than there ever was before. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THESE DOGS, who tremble in before violence. Please help us help them. PLEASE R.S.V.P. immediately and let us know whether you can attend this protest which will be held on Saturday July 8th. We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and ever demonstrator who took time out of their busy schedules and who drove for hours to be active at the demo of May 28th, to be there and make a statement that we will no longer stand by while the scum of society continue to perpetrate the most heinous of crimes against those that have no voice and who have no choice. The demo was a great success, as it brougt the terrible situation of the animals to the media. This demo was featured on; CBC News, the Montreal Gazette, The Suburban, the Hudson Gazette. Although TVA was there, we have yet to hear from them. The Hudson Gazette has done a follow-up story which is coming out today. We have sent the pictures to Peta in Washington and they are unboard. We are in the process of organizing another demo. We are counting on you, the Army of Animal Rescuers, to let us know A.S.A.P. which day would be best for you. Saturday or Sunday of July 8th or 9th, 2006. We want to spread ourselves at two different locations, one being in front of Lamarch & Pinard, and a pet store that we know buys puppies from Lamarche & Pinard. Again PLEASE, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of your presence en mass at this upcoming demo. If we do not keep the pressure on, we will lose any gains presently made and any future gains won for the animals. Please rsvp and let me know if you can join us on Sat July 8th. Yours in rescue, Nicole Joncas Universal Peace Ambassador

Oops - that should read "60".