The Dirty Vegan is a blog that dishes on sinful vegan junk foods, health foods, recipes, make-up, health, fitness, being a mama, and all things fabulous and vegan at the same time. It is about living a glamorous and fun lifestyle while still being cruelty free. She is not just a vegan, she is a Dirty Vegan.
I got this sweet goodie bag in the mail from Palm Done Right and after reading about the good they and the companies they are partnered with are doing, I definitely had to share.
There were so many goodies in this cool reuseable canvas tote, from so many companies that I recognized and that I love, so it was awesome knowing that the palm oil that my favorite brands use is not only harvested using responsible methods, they are also conscious and thoughtful in those ways as well.
Here's something touching on this from the Palm Done Right website and also a link to read more about their story:
"We've all heard about the impacts of palm done wrong in Malaysia and Indonesia. Endangered animals brought to the brink of extinction, primal rain forests destroyed, farmers being driven off their lands, peat fires that cause devastating air pollution throughout the entire region. Now it's time to hear the other, happier, side of the palm story. A story where animal habitats and rain forests are preserved, where farmers are empowered, where communities thrive and the environment is nurtured. This is the story of Palm Done Right."
It is just super reassuring to see all that the Palm Done Right organization is doing for preservation, for the farmers and other people involved in this work, and also for all the natural foodies that can now enjoy the amazing health of red palm oil and palm products without contributing to any harm to the environment and rainforests, to animals and their natural habitat, or to the residents living in the areas. The cultivation is doing a lot of good and I love seeing such focus on positivity and nurturing of nature and uplifting this palm farming community, doing it the right way. Bravo!
You can check out Palm Done Right on social media to keep up with what they are doing, including with their brand partners (so many great vegan brands associated with Palm Done Right, and a personal favorite of mine is Nutiva, such yummy stuff!), on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
And big thanks to the folks at Palm Done Right for sending me this generous package of goodies to try and enjoy!
And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off - have a sunny day!
Just when you think the horrific slaughter of seal in Canada couldn't get any worse, it somehow does. How could it be any worse, you ask? I read an article by Sheryl Fink from the Director of Canadian Wildlife Campaigns at the International Fund for Animal Welfare which just confirms my disgust in the human race. Canada has decided to start the senseless killing of innocent beings seal hunt early this year... during pup nursing season!
Imagine for one moment that you are a mama seal, protecting and nurturing your newborn, nursing and bonding with that child, then a spineless hunter slaughters you both. Even if they can distinguish between the genders and try to only target the males, which is almost impossible to do and trust me they don't care, imagine being that new family and the trauma that comes with other seals being slaughtered. This unimaginably cruel practice must be stopped. First let's voice our outrage on that fact that the very minute protection that wildlife does in fact have, is being ripped away from them. What's next, entire species of animals are just wiped off the earth? Not like that hasn't happened before right? Why are we going in the wrong direction? We should be protecting wildlife and moving away from barbaric acts and start living in the modern civilized times that evolution and technology has afforded us.
Please start by giving Sheryl's article a read. She explains why starting the hunt early is not only more cruel, it won't work for their purpose and it equates to senseless killing - so there's no point to this, Then, contact Canadian officials and Fisheries Minister Dominic Leblanc to voice your concern for the early hunt and this inhumane practice in general. Ask for the abolishment of Canadian seal hunting, once and for all.
Thank you for all your activism! We are winning this fight for equality for ALL.
Hi Folks, it is giveaway time! Here's what we are doing.... One Green Planet has some awesome and green Selfie fun happening right now; let's get in on it! I happen to personally know that my readers are the ultimate Green Monsters! I get countless e-mails, tweets, and messages telling me about all of the cool vegan and environmentally-friendly things you all are doing.
#IMAGREENMONSTER because I eat vegan all day, everyday. What do you do that makes you a Green Monster? Share as many times as you like (I will count each selfie that you use #IMAGREENMONSTER as a giveaway entry! Just make sure to tweet to me and tell me that you shared your selfie!), and don't forget to check out the One Green Planet link first, include that link and @OneGreenPlanet in your tweet! You can check out my #IMAGREENMONSTER tweet on Twitter.
In case you don't already know, One Green Planet is an awesome vegan-friendly organization that has a plethora of online resources for eating healthy, helping the environment, saving the world, and so much more! One Green Planet is really a one-stop-shop for all things green; I absolutely love them and what they are doing for our world! Basically, help spread the word about their bad-ass Green Monster campaign, and you may just be the winner that I choose! So, let's see how many Dirty Vegan readers can share their Green Monster selfies! The winner will get a box of my favorite vegan and environmentally-friendly goodies! I will collect the coolest vegan menagerie of items and ship them right to your door! I will choose and announce the winner on Monday, June 30th.
Get tweeting for a good cause! Spread the word about being a crusader for the environment, in a fun way! And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. Plant a tree.
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. -Chinese Proverb
This recipe is so much fun! This is such a great recipe to make with your kiddos, whether you are a parent, teacher, caregiver, babysitter, or a big kid yourself. There are lots of things that your children can help with, like mixing the nests, molding the bird's nests, spreading the chocolate, and decorating with jelly beans. Just be sure that you let your ingredients cool before you or your child start messing with them with your hands.
Happy Spring 'Peanut Butter & Chocolate Granola Cereal Bird's Nests'
recipes makes 16 nests
What you will need:
2 cups granola (I used Nutty Steph's Vermont Granola)
2 cups of your favorite cereal (I used Erewhon's Crispy Brown Rice & Trader Joe's O's)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup vegan cane sugar
3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter (think about texture when choosing cereal and pb, it makes your nests more beautiful)
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
splash of almond milk
About 80 of your favorite vegan jelly beans, about 1/4 of the bag
1 tbsp vegan butter, for hand buttering (I used Earth balance. Great for hand buttering!)
1/3 cup measuring cup for molding nests with
baking sheet lined with parchment paper (I always use If You Care brand)
What you will need to do:
In a large mixing bowl, combine granola and cereal. In a saucepan on low heat, melt maple syrup and cane sugar until smooth, then add peanut butter. Continue mixing until smooth and well combined. Remove from heat and let sit for a few moments so that your mixture is not too hot to handle. Butter your fingers and hands with the vegan butter. Pour sugary peanut butter mixture into your granola and cereal bowl. Mix and mash with your hands until it seems good enough for forming nests with. Take your 1/3 cup measuring cup and scoop some mixture, indent the middle with your finger, packing down into the cup, then tip cup over in the palm of your hand, placing the indent-side up on your parchment paper. Once you make all of your nests, place in the freezer to set while you melt chocolate chips and almond milk in a saucepan on low heat, making a thick ganache and let it cool for a little bit. Decorate the tops of the nests by spreading chocolate on top with a spoon (when ganache is cool enough to work with), and placing jelly beans on top. Place these in the freezer (or refrigerator for longer) for a moment or two to set, then enjoy! You can also color shredded coconut and place these on a serving dish for a pretty presentation.
Or you can use shredded brussels sprouts for "grass" like I did!
This is also a great opportunity to talk to your children about nature. You can make this a fun activity about nature. If it is a nice day outside, maybe take your nests, chocolate, and jelly beans outside to decorate them on your deck while you look at birds and nature together. Or you may want to talk to your children about birds and tell them some nature facts like, "There are about 9,865 species of birds alive today.". Or, "The largest bird egg produced is by the Ostrich, and it can measure up to 9 inches long.". You may also want to talk to your children about how birds start their families by laying eggs and caring for their babies in their nests once they grow out of the eggs. Starting this respect and understanding for nature early, makes it easier when your children grow and wonder why you don't eat eggs in your household. You can then refer back to your discussions about animals and their lives. Knowledge is power! Talk with your children and you will be surprised on how they will come to their own conclusions about this. In the end, no one really wants to hurt another living being. If you provide alternatives, eating animal products seems like an odd concept and outside of the norm. Making these fun and yummy bird's nests, offers a great chance to have a thoughtful discussion about nature and possibly observe nature while you are doing so. If you are making and decorating these nests indoors, later on you may want to take some outside with you and enjoy them with your child in the park. These can also be a fun Easter dessert. Enjoy!
I have a tiny cold today. Vegan colds don't last very long, in the rare cases that we get them, so don't feel sorry for me. It will be gone in a second. I like tea, but especially when I'm not feeling very well. I sat down this morning with my Yogi Tea (I included the link just in case any of you don't know what that is). Now I love Yogi teas for their taste, flavors, varieties, and holistic benefits...however what I love the most is the little fortune on the tea tag. They were smart marketers those Yogis! I rip open a Yogi pouch every chance I get to see what today's insight will be. Today mine read...
The art of happiness is to serve all.
I smiled. That is kind of what I do. Serving animals and sharing my blog with humans. Blogging about both animal and human rights and also about the environment. Being an activist everyday, in everything that I do. Pretty cool. And then, I thought, remember that Twilight Zone episode, To Serve Man???!! Oh yeah, ya'll thought I was totally normal-blogging with this cold and I totally just threw a curve-ball atcha!
Here is a clip from the Twilight Zone episode, To Serve Man, set to some cool trippy music:
Basically, what happened was when communicating with space aliens, humans were averse, but then after humans were able to decipher the title of the aliens book, "To Serve Man", they thought that was really nice of the aliens. The episode is really great and you must see it if you haven't already.
Side Note: I watch these on Chiller network and for free on CBS online. Also, since I was a tot, I've been watching the holiday marathons that come on television at Fourth of July and New Years. I've also been on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. All of which are pretty neat! It happens to be my dream to own the Twilight Zone series, The Complete Definitive Collection. Yes, ALL the episodes ever made. Then no one will ever be able to pry me away from the tv and you'll be getting a lot of weird
posts from me that are Twilight Zone related but somehow connect to veganism. And perhaps some odd recipes as well.
In a nutshell, the black book is a preparation of how to serve man as a meal. I thought this was funny that I thought of this while I was drinking my Yogi. Humans have been eating animals without a care for years, what makes us think we are the highest on this so called "food chain"? I have always been interested to know who else is out there in other galaxies, dimensions, and spaces. We would be foolish to think we are
the only ones. And also slightly arrogant. We are minor specks in this vast universe, but we think we are so big, so mighty. I am happy I am vegan, and if we were ever to run into space aliens, perhaps they would spare us, perhaps karma would kick in at that very moment. I'd also be interested to know if aliens would even want to eat us at all. And I would want to know what the heck they eat!
So what are your thoughts on extraterrestrial life? Comment below; let me know what you think, or if you have been on the Twilight Zone Disney ride, or if you watch these shows, or whatever. Or you may just want to know where I purchased my satirical coffee mug, who knows. Talk to me. Don't leave me alone with my cold and my madness. And for now, the Dirty sci-fi Vegan is signing off.
One time I was doing a Dirty Vegan Foods event and I was approach by a gentleman who looked quite confused. His wife was trailing behind him. I thought he was probably going to ask me where the ATM or restroom was located. To my dismay, he wanted to ask me about my veganism. He said, "You are vegan?". I replied, "Yep!". He asked me how long I have been vegan. I answered, "About a decade.". This man looked thoroughly confused. He then proceeded to say, "But...but...you look so, so, healthy. You have color in your face, your eyes look bright, your hair is shiny and bouncy, and you are not skin and bones!". So to break the ice I said, "Well I am an Italian vegan...I don't particularly shy away from food", and we laughed. Now after breaking the ice, I knew there would be questions. I answered all his burning questions about veganism. Where do we get our protein from? Lentils, tofu, beans, soy products, quinoa, nuts, seeds, and many vegetables contain high amounts of protein, such as peas. I told him how I practically slather all my food in Braggs Liquid Aminos, which contains 16 out of the 20 essential amino acids that your body needs to function well. I told him that I take a daily vegan multi-vitamin, although I don't have to, all my food is nutrient rich and my vegan milks are enriched with vitamins and minerals. He was an overweight man and so was his wife, and they couldn't believe that our vegan sweets could taste so delicious and be cholesterol, trans-fat, preservative, and artificial free. They wanted to know more about my lifestyle and were now interested in veganism for their own lives.
I am glad that I met that man and his wife. I'm happy to have answered their questions in a non-defensive manner, even though he came off a little unwilling. Being approachable is something that being vegan for a long time has taught me. See, at first I was a vegan warrior...I still am, but in a different way. I used to approach people in a defensive way like, "Do you know what you are eating right now, that is a dead baby chicken, are you out of your mind?!?! Murderer!!!". And guess how many people I turned vegetarian back then. You guessed it. Zero. Now, everyone I meet wants to be vegan. I lead by example now. But I never withhold the information and facts. I tell it like it is; statistics ready to slip off my tongue at any moment, but I have learned a special way to approach the issue and answer people's questions. I notice that people approach me rather defensively, and not the other way around (you know the old stereotype about how us vegans supposedly act), and I always manage to change their mind and make a new friend. No matter who they are, people want to be that beautiful, happy, healthy person. Since becoming vegan, I am all those things. I float around with happiness in my heart and it radiates out. Every problem or issue is minor when it used to seem so major. I can sleep at night knowing I did a good day's work and didn't contribute to another's misery. I attribute this feeling of peace to my veganism. I no longer consume an animal or an animal's products, in which that animal was held against his or her will, abused, tortured, and then killed. That animal either fought for it's life or was too sick and weak to do so. That animal was most certainly scared and didn't deserve this life. That animal was a child to a mother.
Before I was living a plant-based lifestyle, I would often be sad, or anxious, or upset, or even mad...for no reason at all. Do I think that was directly affected by my diet? Absolutely. As I was transitioning from vegetarian to vegan, I paid attention to what I ate and how I lived my life. I also paid attention to how I felt and what happened in my world. Back when I even ate a little honey, I felt frenzied and on edge. When I became full vegan in everything that I did, I sat back afterwards and realized that I felt better. I became vegan for the animals, and the bees, and the bugs...then my heart and soul became happy and light. If I didn't believe in karma, I sure believe in it now. Karma has affected me first hand and I get some good karma returned to me regularly.
I was able to have a really nice and pleasant conversation with that reluctant man and his wife and completely change their minds about veganism. In a not-preachy-whatsoever way, I was able to convince them to consider a plant-based lifestyle, just by chatting and by them observing ME. So YOU should lead by example too. If you are a nasty vegan, people will think veganism is mean and nasty too. If you are an open and welcoming vegan, people will be drawn to you and the vegan lifestyle. So give it a try; try to infect everyone you meet with happiness and positive vibes! They may just go vegan!
You would think little Rocky the chihuahua would be just the little darling during grooming. Well when it comes to nail clipping, you thought wrong. He despises it. We've tried different methods, tools, clipping devices, and the only way that seems to work is when I take him to the groomers and hold him while she walks around us and clips
away. It takes like less than a minute and he's fine with it. But for some reason, when he's home, the nail clipping takes a long time. Rocky likes to squirm, and move his little arms all around, and with frequent breaks and treats, its like a full day, sometimes over the course of multiple days, adventure. Mind you, I've never cut the quick of any animal's nails and I frequently trim the claws of two dogs, a cat, and an iguana successfully. However, to save little Rocky the stress of nail clipping at home, I opt to take him to the groomers most of the time. On the flip side, Rocky loves baths, eye and ear grooming, messages, and doesn't mind teeth cleaning, but only to be done by me at home. He does not particularly enjoy these spa services to be preformed by anyone else but moi.
Here is a look at Rocky's latest mani/ pedi. We did this at home in the sun where he enjoys to bask and relax, and I did as much as I could until he got squirmy, then did the rest the next day. All I can say is to have patience, and if you cannot, take your fur baby to the groomer...its quick and painless. You should never ignore your animal companion's grooming needs, so if they are fussy with you, take it from me and leave it to the professionals. And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off.
When I read this poem I laughed so hard that I cried! Thought you might like this and it may remind you of your canine companion...
"I lie belly up...
In the sunshine, happier than You ever will be.
Today I sniffed Many dog butts — I celebrate By kissing your face.
I sound the alarm! Paperboy — come to kill us all — Look! Look! Look! Look! Look!
I sound the alarm! Garbage man — come to kill us all — Look! Look! Look! Look! Look!
I lift my leg and Whiz on each bush. Hello, Spot — Sniff this and weep.
I Hate my choke chain — Look, world, they strangle me! Ack Ack Ack Ack Ack Ack!
Sleeping here, my chin On your foot — no greater bliss — well, Maybe catching cats.
Look in my eyes and Deny it. No human could Love you as much I do."
-Anonymous
Love this, especially the part about the service workers being out "to kill us all". It just reminded me so much of Rocky and Shirley. The only part I don't like about the poem, is about the choke collar. I am against them and do not use choke collars, obviously. If you are kind and patient, you can teach your dog anything with positive reinforcement, not by abusive methods. When all else fails...use treats! Works every time. Works on people too. How do you think my parents taught me things like potty training? There is a reason I was reading at age three! Age three and high blood pressure from all the "treats". All kidding aside, I really was reading at age three. Fun fact about the Dirty Vegan. Why am I not working as a mad scientist you ask? I was born to be an animal rights activist and be the voice for my animal pals. And for now, the Reading-At-Age-Three-Animal-Loving-Fat-Kid is signing off.
Today is Shirley's 1st birthday! As many of you may already know, Shirley is our rescue pup, who really rescued us. She is the sweetest girl you can ever imagine and takes great pride in being a Mama's girl.
See what I mean about my little Mama's Girl! This is us sleeping. Out like lights. And don't even make fun of the pajamas/ socks...they are couture.
I'm so happy to celebrate her special day; to a doggie that makes our lives so special everyday of the year. We really take care of each other and have a great pack, a loving little family!
Shirley's peanut butter birthday cake!
Shirley and Rocky dig into the cake after we sing a silly Happy Birthday song!
Like magic, the cake was all gone!
Rocky ate his piece and then all of the crumbs on the plate...
Shirley took her piece of cake and ate it on our bed.
Peanut butter cake all over the blanket and sheets! LOL
Looks like Shirley had a great day and enjoyed her yummy birthday cake! Now we'll play outside in the yard, then the pups will have a little afternoon nap too. The life! I hope your day is sweet like birthday cake and as cuddly as a puppy! And for now, the Dirty Vegan (w/ Shirley & Rocky) is (are) signing off. Tootles!
Recently I was saying, "Help! Shirley Girl has been skunked!". She is very curious of the wildlife that come visiting our yard. Needless to say, she stuck her nose where it really did not belong, and got sprayed by a skunk. Here is the recipe I used to bathe the stench off of my sad pup. I say sad, because after she got sprayed by Pepe, she was sad until we got her smelling like her normal self, understandably so.
Dog De-Skunkin' Bath Recipe
-1/4 cup baking soda
-dollop of puppy shampoo
-10 hyrodgen peroxide wipes/ or a few cups of 3% peroxide
Do not mix this stuff in a bottle! This will explode! You have been warned. Get your pup into a warm bathtub full of water and mix these ingredients into the tub. Scrub the stench off of your dog. Dry your dog and repeat if necessary. A little dab of white vinegar also works on a cotton ball afterwards and applied to the fur if smell is concentrated in one spot. This was the case for Shirley. Also, if your house stinks like this strong pungent smell, even after cleaning it up, fill up glass bowls full of white vinegar and place one in each room. Overnight should do, but longer if the smell lingers. The vinegar absorbs foul odors.
Please understand that this advice is not in place of veterinarian advice, this is just what I used on my Shirley and what worked for us. Please use these tips at your own risk.
They also sell skunk bath products for your dog and some groomers have de-skunking services available. Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? What did you do?
"Art may imitate wild nature; less often does it dare to place itself in the midst of it, and when it does, it may come out second best." -John Hart
One of my pals
When we moved from the city to the country, I had one condition - the next place we would live must be just like camping. The scenery looked just right and I was pleased to see wild bunnies upon moving in. I got more than I bargained for, but I couldn't be happier. Here is a look at the crazy critters that live in our trees, shrubs, bushes, and even underground in the neighborhood. I call them my friends.
Chipmunk. I see this little one and his/ or her mama all the time.
Squirrel eating some food.
I call this squirrel Donut. I know I'm not supposed to have favorites, but I do. We have a bond.
Can you spot the little birdy?
Please, please National Geographic, stop calling me for this picture. Just kidding.
I thought it was funny that this bird likes to sit on St. Francis's head. And ironic too.
"We don't communicate through words, but yet the time I spend observing wildlife, is the best conversation."
-the Dirty Vegan (that's me)
Another shot of this gorgeous bird sitting atop St. Francis. Look at the pretty coloring, feathers, and tail. Again, NatGeo, I'm all booked up! Gosh!
Bird scoping out the seed situation.
Two birds singing.
Uh oh, they caught me! I'm like the Critterazzi!
Two squirrels foraging.
We think this handsome darling is a woodchuck!
One of the resident bunnies. There are a few of them that live in the neighborhood. One was abandoned because its mother was killed by probably a cat, so I introduced the baby bunny to a mother bunny who gave birth and made an underground nest in our yard. Luckily, the mother accepted the abandoned baby, and now it is alive and healthy (and pretty big now - juvenile size). That very same bunny can be seen laying in patches of grass in various yards and also hanging out with another bunny of similar age.
It was funny when we accidentally discovered the nest, my husband was mowing the lawn, went over a patch of overgrown grass, and saw a bunch of bunnies pop their heads up out of a hole. It was funny to see a bunch of babies that looked the same and then this different looking wild bunny that Mama Bunny decided to care for. I'm grateful she did.
Funny, Mama was always so large, I thought sheesh this bunny looks more like a giant cat! Then she didn't come around for a bit. Next time I saw her, she was noticeably smaller. It finally dawned on me that this large rabbit was not overweight, just very pregnant!
Note: Its best to just observe wildlife; you should not feed wild animals. I never do while hiking, and during camping animals will only get what we happen to drop and not end up picking up. We don't want to mess with their natural ability to forage and survive. These animals live in the yards in our neighborhood. They reside here and procreate here. So our little community is all that they've ever known. If you've ever been to Boston or NYC and have seen the squirrels in the parks there, you will know exactly what I mean. You know when your strolling along and these squirrels just come right up to you? It is kind of like the Enchanted Forrest where I live. Or Disney World, except here we have to clean up after ourselves, no magical brooms. But I still do not get too friendly with my wild animal pals. I do not want them to trust people, because there are people out there that might be mean to them. Also, I put out bird seed, bird baths, fountains, and Apple Feeders only) especially now since Shirley got sprayed by one of the resident skunks, which I am told by neighbors is old and has been around many years carrying on his evening ritual of visiting yards at 8:00 pm. We have rescheduled Shirley's bathroom visits and no leaving out trash or sweets; skunks are known to have a sweet tooth. In addition to skunks, we have been visited by raccoon, possum, so many wonderful birds (ducks too and even an owl!), and bats too! I also love to observe the insects; I love to watch the dragonflies dance. Dragonflies do not fly their entire life. They fly for only a period of their life, usually brief. That is why when you see a dragonfly, they normally do not take breaks - they fly, fly, fly with not a care in the world. If only everyone could see that life is too short, so the time you do have to fly, go for it, fun and breezy, and don't sweat the small stuff. And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off.
"Want to know a secret? Promise not to tell? We are standing by a wishing well. Make a wish into the well, that's all you have to do. And if you hear it echoing, your wish will soon come true." -Snow White
Have you ever found yourself with too many apples? Maybe you aren't in the mood for apple pie. Who isn't in the mood for apple pie? Well, maybe you aren't in the mood to make apple pie. Why not make bird feeders with all those extra apples?!
What you will need:
-Apples
-Wire Ties
-And a helper!
What you will need to do:
String apples with wire ties. As you can see, the square connector part at the end, holds the apple on. You can string as many apples as you like and connect them tightly onto trees. Aim for a tree branch high enough where cats will not likely be able to bother the birds while they are eating. Basically, high enough when you are standing and reach your hands up, that should be fine.
Voila! Birds and Squirrels can now enjoy some fresh and beautiful autumn apples! Send me pics of yours!
Today I'm going to address three topics that are common among cat parents, including myself, with some simple solutions or ideas on how to keep the whole family in balance at the same time.
Simon making his Puss In Boots face!
Claws
When we rescued Simon a few years back, he had a problem with little Rocky. I talked about it in a Previous Cat Talk Post. At that time, Simon was attacking Rocky and it even resulted in some scratches. In fear of Simon ripping Rocky's eye out, kitty received regular nail trimmings and SoftClaw applications. Since this past winter, peace has been restored in the house, no more SoftClaws for Simon, and he now just gets regular nail trims. He no longer attacks Rocky, but not because he fell in love with him, its because we rescued Shirley, a dog who wouldn't stand for anyone being mean to anyone else in her pack.
Shirley saves the day!
There are many other instances where your cat child may be causing doom and gloom with her claws. Many cats kneed on furniture or even scratch up the entire house. It is also not uncommon in the world of rescuing animals, to encounter feral or non-feral cats who just want to claw the crap out of you! Declawing is NEVER the answer. SoftClaws and similar nail covers is a better and more humane alternative. Thankfully it was temporary in my household and since, the canines and felines created their own boundaries and territories. I really didn't have to do too much there. However, if your fur children aren't making their own space and separating themselves, you may want to create a space for each, in which they feel comfortable and safe. It takes time and is trial and error, but eventually peace should be restored. Offering scratching posts, lots of toys and play/ stimulation, is also always a great idea.
Litter
There are always issues when it comes to litter. The mess, the strong fragrance, the way your cat reacts to litter, if your cat favors a particular brand or not, and so on. There is also the potential harm to your cat's health and the environmental impact to think about. A lot of clay-based litters that contain perfumes and other chemicals are risky for cats, especially since cats are such keen groomers and are prone to ingesting these chemicals. Alternatives are fragrance free litters or natural pellet and pine litters. I've heard a rumor that the small natural company that owns Feline Pine, has been bought by Arm & Hammer. I am still researching this, but if this is true and A&H is still testing in animals, then obviously Feline Pine would not be a vegan-friendly recommendation However there are many other natural litters available, and other pine products. Another perk of using clay-free litters is that you don't have that dust cloud when you are pouring litter into the box. That is kind of gross.
Fur Shedding
Whether your cat child is a short haired breed or long haired breed, chances are you're dealing with fur everywhere. Embedded in your rugs, on your furniture and clothing, and even clumps slowly breezing by like tiny tumbleweeds. Well, regular brushings help keep everything under control, and also will create a bond between you and kitty. Also, some groomers have a brush that trims a little while it brushes, if your cat is very fury. For rugs and such, I notice that a hard bristle broom (plastic bristles work great) will get the hair unstuck. Just sweep as usual, applying firm pressure to your rug and sweep into a dustpan. You may also want to use a small handheld sweeper. I usually take Simon's fur from the rugs and brushes and put them outside in the yard for the wildlife to make nests with. Its always funny to see nests made with an array of materials, including your cat's old rug fur! It must keep the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and other wildlife nice and warm in the fall and winter months. Not to mention it must make a soft and comfortable home for them.
Do you have any neat animal companion tips or stories?
I had a meeting in a beach town. It was a gorgeous day outside; sunny and bright with a nice summer breeze. I put on a pair of preppy plaid short-shorts, tucked in a crisp white fitted button down, put on a cute pair of sandals to showcase my tropical pedi, and accessorized with a cute belt and pair of sunglasses. The day was starting out great.
I was driving along and realized my vehicle was running out of gas. I stopped at a station close to where my meeting was located. Something compelled me to pull up to a pump that was kind of out of the way. I get out of the car and go around towards the station and something on the ground quickly caught my attention. There was a pile of dead starfish on the ground. I almost had to pinch myself; nothing these days should shock me, although they always do. There was a rock near them and it appeared that the starfish had been smashed to death. They were all dried out, bloody, and hard. I had to double check to be sure. One of the starfish appeared to be alive. I now have a rescue situation on my hands.
I got myself into rescue mode and thought quickly. I don't know how long Starfish has been out here, but judging by the others, I knew I didn't have much time. I ran into the gas station's convenience store. I tell the attendant and ask for a container with water so that I can get this starfish in some water and figure out my next step. I was told that they didn't have anything to give me. At that point, I started becoming cynical and disappointed in my fellow humankind, as I so often do. For one, someone did this to these starfish, and two, no one was helping me. I quickly grabbed supplies and pay for them. I bought a foam cooler and room temperature bottled waters; complaining to the attendant the entire time while I was checking out, on how terrible I think it is that they allow people to abuse animals outside of their business and do nothing about it. I asked them to look at the surveillance tape and do something about this. I was cashed out and dashed back outside to Starfish.
Two gentlemen who had overheard me inside the store, helped me outside. Whether they were helping the girl in short-shorts or helping the starfish, I was glad to receive assistance and was grateful. I was feeling a little better about my fellow mankind, but not much. We gently got Starfish into the cooler and I was almost certain Starfish was still alive. I thanked my helpers and quickly sped off.
I controlled the temperature in my car with some A/C and some fresh air from the windows. It was comfortable and I was hoping it was okay for Starfish too. I arrived at my meeting, explained I had a rescue starfish in my car, met, and was out of there in a matter of minutes. I then head off to the beach, which was not far at all - literally three minutes, perhaps.
I arrive at the beach and explain my discovery to the attendant at the booth. He let me park and didn't even charge me for it. Regaining my faith in fellow humankind...slowly. I clutch the foam cooler containing Starfish, and powerwalk to the beach. I come across a lifeguard and told him what I was doing. He pointed me in the right direction to the best place to release the starfish, which was a far edge of the beach, full of rocks and seaweed and no humans to disturb this starfish. I thanked him for his assistance and zoomed over to the quiet spot of the beach.
I happen to know that if you place a starfish upside-down in water and it is alive, it will quickly right itself. I kneel down and notice that the current is kind of strong as waves come splashing into the rocks. For a second I feel like I should bring Starfish home to rehabilitate and then release in a few weeks. However, I don't know what starfish eat and have no idea how to properly care for one. The lifeguard did mention earlier that starfish heal themselves very quickly and can even regenerate lost limbs. Starfish only had some scrapes, so I decide to carry on with the release.
I place Starfish upside-down in the ocean and wait. Starfish was still. I began to worry that Starfish didn't make it or that maybe Starfish was too weak to right itself. Then, just like a miracle, Starfish did a sort of wiggle flip-over thing. Starfish was right-side up. I worried about the current, but then watched as Starfish swam against the current into the ocean! It was a funny type of swimming I've never seen before. I didn't even know that starfish swim like that. It was very slow and gentle, almost like a glide. I now knew Starfish was strong enough to swim into the ocean against the waves splashing in, and make it look like a simple task to boot! I knew for sure Starfish would be okay. I felt better. I felt happy for Starfish. Although, I also felt sad for the others that had died at that gas station.
I walked back towards my car and stopped to tell the lifeguard the good news. He was glad to hear and thanked me for what I did. It was cool, it was like the lifeguard was a guardian of the sea and appreciated that I brought one of it's inhabitants home. I then passed by the attendant in the booth. I told him about Starfish being alive and gliding away into the ocean. I expressed my sadness for the others who did not make it and how cruel it was that someone brought them there to die. He also thanked me and was very pleased that I was able to save the one that was alive. He told me The Starfish Story. I had never heard this story before. The gist of it was that saving one (or as many as you can) makes a difference and is significant. Here is the full story that I found online when I searched for it:
I drove away from the beach feeling much different than when I had first arrived. When I found the pile of starfish, I was deeply saddened and sickened by what people can do to other living beings. I see it all the time being a vegan and animal rights activist, but I never get used to it. It never gets any easier to handle, but I do work harder and with a sense of urgency everyday. No creature is too small to be respected, loved, or saved. Of coarse, even starfish deserve a chance to live out their lives unharmed. Isn't that a given?
After meeting people who cared about my mission to save Starfish, and especially after hearing the beautiful story of caring and determination afterwards, I felt renewed. I drove off admiring the sky, the beach air, and the ocean - feeling good about the fate of Starfish, feeling good about my life's mission, and feeling good about those fellow compassionate mankind who have it within themselves to care. And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off.
Today's post is about being brave. Rocky was never scared of thunder and lightening, storms, or fireworks. Not until he met his late friend Sammy. Sammy was scared of those things. She was also big, strong, and tough. Rocky knew it. My guess is that if Sammy was so brave and still afraid of those noises, that Rocky should be too, because the noises must be a big deal. Rocky started fearing storms and fireworks.
A few years after Sammy passed, as you know, we decided to adopt a pup from a shelter. The tragedy of Sammy's passing hadn't left us, but we felt as people who have the means to rescue another animal, we should do it. Nine year old Rocky started becoming a chipper young pup again with the new addition to our family. We met her at her foster home, the next morning after her shelter transfer. They called her Shirley. Her sister named Laverne. Laverne was already adopted. Knowing us, we would adopt them both not to separate the sisters. Shirley seemed like she was doing just fine, however. Brave little girl.
She was this little ball of fur, but very muscular with big paws. Shirley is the toughest pup I've ever met (so tough that when she was only about 40 lbs she sent me to the hospital with a contusion - almost broken nose - during "play" - but thats a story for another post).
Spring approached, Shirley's first spring, and accompanying it was the first big thunder storm of the season. Living in the countryside, I now get a taste of storms in a much different way than when I lived in the city. It brings me back to my childhood, the nature that I thought was long gone (global warming, I assumed). In the city, in a third story apartment, you do not get to experience seasons the same way as when you live in the country. This spring storm's thunder rocked the house. I was pretty frightened. Rocky was shaking and I pulled him up onto the chair to sit with me. We both looked at Shirley, who was standing guard. The first thunder boom looked like it gave her a scare. She studied Rocky and me. The next thunder boom happened, now sounding louder than before. Shirley ran off the couch, onto the chair at the window, puffed her chest out, and barked at the storm. She let out a booming thunder of her own, a bark so terrifying that the neighbors might have thought my companion animal is a T-Rex!
Shirley could have chosen to feed off Rocky (the way he did from Sammy) and be afraid of the storm. Instead she chose to be protective; she chose to be brave. She chose to suck it up and fight the thunder. Today's lesson is about bravery. No matter what life throws your way or how many people tell you that you should be cowering from it, choose to face your fears and be brave. Puff up your chest and stand tall. You are tougher than you think. And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off.
