Mice & men....or other rodents

Okay, so my co-worker proceeds to tell me abou the glue mouse traps...I'm not completely up to speed on animal traps & catching or whatever, so this was quite horrifying. So the mouse/rat gets stuck to this glue pad essentially & then what?  Do you throw them away in the garbage? Do you stomp on them? I envision this mouse trying to crawl away & starving to death...it makes me want to cry.

While I understand I can't save every animal/species etc. & mice/rodents can create issues within your household (like carry diseases) what do you do? What is the best way to handle it? Is there really such a thing as 'humane' mouse trap?

Butterball Workers Arrested on Animal Cruelty Charges

Butterball Workers Arrested on Animal Cruelty Charges

I am glad national news is sharing this information & thankful for groups like Mercy For Animals.

*Unicorns & Glitter*

If you take an oath...keep it: Sante Fe Vet Brags about Killing

I ran across this post yesterday & it just makes me sad. While I can comprehend the horror, anger, sadness & sense of loss, that still does not make it right to take vengeance. As the author of this article puts it "...the coyote was only doing what came naturally to it. Coyotes have as much right to be here as do humans, dogs, and cats, and to do what they do naturally." On top of that, the statement that the barn cat only went after bunnies, mice & rats in the veterinarian's barn & she was grateful for the elimination of these other animals by the cat itself, is a horrible justification made by the vet. Um, hello? Bunnies, mice & rats are all living creatures, you would think a person who specializes in the animal field would know this.
Yes, I hate the idea that anything gets "hunted" & "killed", but I also understand the circle of life & the basic nature of most creatures that dwell on this earth. The cat was acting out of natural instincts - it doesn't know any better. It wasn't out of malicious intent; it didn't sit there & devise this master plan of revenge & create a justification to make itself feel better at the end of the day; and it wasn't KILLING for no reason!
I think the worst part of all this is the fact a middle aged woman got onto Facebook to brag about a childish action, that is also damaging to her career. Seriously lady?! This has LAME written all over it. This is like a politician posting pictures of his penis on Facebook & not expecting to be caught...and we call ourselves the most intelligent creature?
If this cat was that important to you that you would purposefully harm another, what were the safety precautions you put into place to protect the cat? Probably none...any feral cat (or other animals that roam freely) run the risk of being killed, ran over, etc. My personal opinion: This woman should not be able to practice animal care anymore. Period. I would definitely NOT take any of my animals to see her, much less live anywhere in the vicinity of her.
I would love to have been a veterinarian...but unfortunately, funds for going back to school are not available.
It makes me sick that people like her are practicing with something that is so precious, yet there are others out there with the heart, compassion & passion to do this but are not able to.
Santa Fe Vet brags about Killing a coyote on FB

Veterinarian's Oath

(Approved by the HOD, 1954; Revision approved by the HOD, 1969; Revision approved by the Executive Board 1999, 2010)



Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.

I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.


I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.

Why is there so much hate?

Why is it that animal rights activists, or those who categorize themselves as such, use such hate & anger towards others who do not think as they do? No where in the span of history has force made a change that was positive and/or a step closer to compassion. You cannot make someone 'feel' like you or believe what you do. Not everyone is passionate about animal by-products that are used by us. If we want others to hear us out & be open-minded, shouldn't we show the same courtesy? People have the ability & right to form their own opinion & beliefs, so let them.
Using foul language, name calling, arguing over the internet, & basically attacking each other does nothing but create resistance. People, by nature, get defensive when they feel like they are being attacked...whether that be physical, verbal, mental...we all close up & dig our heels into the ground to make the offender see where they are coming from' & think the way they think. Then arguing & all that jazz on the internet is absolutely ridiculous! What good are you doing? None. You end up pissing people off, making animal rights/welfare activist all appear to be crazed & arrogant (which who wants to be like that?) & you lose sight of what the real issue is. It's not about who is wrong or right; it's not about how you or I feel, it's about the animals & their pain & suffering. Once you get into a pissing match with someone, it becomes all about 'proving them wrong'.
Can't we just all get along & be honest, kind people? I know, that's a lot to ask.


*Unicorns & Glitter!*

Elephants never forget...

As much of a fan I am of Reese Witherspoon & Rob Pattinson, I still cannot bring myself to watch, much less buy, the Water For Elephants movie. The allegations of elephant abuse from the trainers at Trunk Will Travel, undercover footage provided by Animal Defenders International, are just heartbreaking. I have seen at least one video & I just can't bring myself to watch more. Regardless if Tai was not abused on set or during the making of the film, does not negate the abuse Tai (or any other animal being trained for entertainment) endured prior to...of course she was trained before the movie & of course the trainers will never admit to abuse or brutality, but let's be realistic here...some people's view of abuse is quite different from another. These elephants are just "things", property & a means of money...when you have that outlook, any sort of sympathy does not apply. If the trainers truly cared for the well being of the elephants, then electric prods or bull hooks would not have been used in the first place because they would know these animals FEEL just like we do. Would they ever do that to a dog or a cat? Of course not - because we humans have an emotional connections with these animals (which I do not believe you can have an emotional connection with something & purposely cause harm to it) & the same views for companion animals do not always transfer to those non-companion animals (or animals that a person may know nothing about etc.).
On another note, elephants were not created solely for our entertainment nor is it in their well being to "train" them to do abnormal activities (i.e. balance on a ball or whatever). It's not like it's done for educational purposes, it's solely for entertainment & the bottom line.
So with just these random thoughts in my mind, is it acceptable to support this movie? The jury is still out on this one...but what I do know, is that anyone who takes an electric prod to a baby in front of their mother should have that electric prod shoved where the sun doesn't shine. I'm just saying...if we believe that would be unkind & painful, how do you think Tai felt?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/11/water-for-elephants-animal-abuse-video_n_860792.html
http://www.tmz.com/2011/05/09/water-for-elephants-reese-witherspoon-robert-pattinson-abused-shocked-animal-defenders-international/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/may/10/water-for-elephants-abuse-claims

Justice for puppy mills

I think it is awesome to know a woman is being charged for neglect & animal cruelty - 46 counts to be exact!

www.aspca.org/news/kentucky-woman-charged-in-puppy-mill-case-neglected-dogs-receiving-care

Spicy taste buds...

So tonight I attempted veggie chorizo (I think that is how you spell it) w/ mexican rice & it is delicious! Especially for a last minute, quick dinner.

That's all for now!