On Loving Animals...

" I know that in a criminal trial a verdict of not guilty does not necessarily mean the defendants were found innocent, but I am devastated and disappointed by the jury’s decision. I have waited two and half years for closure that will now never come. Hearing that verdict brought me to my knees; it brought me back to my bedroom on that awful night when my world was turned upside down by the actions of two police officers who were sent there to protect, but instead took advantage of their authority and broke the law. Everything they say about the difficulties of a rape trial is sadly true. One’s word is not enough in these days of C.S.I. and DNA. Even if people believe you, you are tested beyond what any crime victim should have to endure. While on the witness stand, the defense attorneys seek to shame and humiliate you for hours, even days, with deeply personal questions about your body, your intimate life and your social life simply because you dare to come fo...

I arrived in Sydney, Australia on May 15th for a two-week visit. My mom, sister, and brother-in-law live in the western suburbs known as the hills area. After a couple days rest, we drove down to Wandiligong, Victoria to have a look at my maternal grandfather's hometown. His family,the Norleys, was one of the pioneer families who settled in the area, working at the quartz and gold mines that flourished in Wandiligong beginning in the 1850s. It was a wonderful trip for us. We were finally able to relate images to the oral history that my grandfather handed down to us. We even found the very spot on which the old homestead stood on what is now Growler's Creek Road. Thanks to a 93-yr old local historian who still remembered some of the family members---my grandfather's siblings and most certainly some members of the following generation ( mom's cousins ). A trip to the local cemetery was imperative. The cemetery is located in the next town of Bright. There, we found the gr...

If there is one thing for certain, we know who supports Tambucho Gassing as a form of euthanasia at the Committee on Animal Welfare (Philippines). Their names appear on the poster shown above. They have either openly argued about the benefits(?) of Tambucho Gassing, or have voted to have it retained or reinstated in an administrative order. This is a fact, and not a point of contention. Sometimes, we need to present the sad truth graphically in hope that the errant parties will realize their bad judgment and correct it. Gassing animals to death via vehicular exhaust fumes is cruel, uncivilized, and unacceptable. Tambucho Gassing is not Euthanasia. It is incumbent upon the members of CAW to seek a path around the cruelty, to make drugs like Euthal readily available, and to be progressive in their decisions.

If you haven't been to Jockey Hollow in Morristown , NJ, go! The continental army camped there for three Winters in their struggle to liberate us from the British. You can see a few examples of the crude huts that were built by the American soldiers. Evidently, hundreds of these huts stood in the area surrounding what used to be Wick's farm. You can still visit the original farmhouse. The original huts do not exist anymore, but some of the original hearths are still in the ground. Life proved tough enough that during those Winters soldiers deserted en masse . Nevertheless, for all your sacrifices, dear patriots, the country is forever grateful. Not too far from the hill where the soldiers' huts are located, I chanced upon some birds frolicking in the branches above. It was wonderful and refreshing to hear all the chirping, singing, and whistling going on up yonder. I felt that they egged me out of the malaise that consumed me that day; my pessimistic moods often get the bet...

Does it really matter where this is? It's a lovely place wherever you want to place it. Something good can be said about running water. It is soothing and cathartic. Stagnant water translates to trouble, but a raging river is an adventure. Active is better than passive. In its grander form, running water is a natural wonder. I am, of course, not talking about a leaky faucet. Think Niagara Falls, Colorado, Mississippi, and Susquehanna. These mighty rivers have been incorporated in our folklore. They are the subject of poems, songs, and myths. Rivers also teach us to flow, to adapt, and to carry on. It's all water under the bridge, as some say. This is actually the Black River. It runs through the Hacklebarney State Park in Chester, New Jersey. If you follow the Red Trail for approximately a mile from the parking lot, you'll come to this spot. It's a good hike but not challenging by any means. The trails (there are several) take you down picturesque ravines with picnic be...

Have you seen this alleged animal abuser? - National Dogs Examiner.com

Last week, I sat down at my dining table to read the overnight emails and posts on Facebook, hot cup of morning coffee at hand, when I looked out unto the deck and saw our little friend on a ledge. Spring brings new life, and don't the Blue Jays know it. Mating season for these birds runs from March through May. Yep, a new generation of these nest-raiding, territorial birds is germinating among the bushes and tree limbs at this very moment. That's just fine with me. It's the human population explotion that we should be concerned/alarmed about. We're taxing, polluting, and outright destroying the natural resources of this planet as fast as a young lady loses her virginity in Hollywood nowadays. Think gas exploration in the arctic, BP in the Gulf, and mountain top removal in the U.S. If these photographs look soft to you, you're right. I had to shoot through glass and a screen door. There was no time to set up a better shot because there wouldn't have been a shot ...

I am reposting a message from Keep Life in the Park (KLIP). ====================================== Dear Friends of NJ Wildlife, Our friend Dee at Wildlife Freedom Rehab is still in need of volunteers. 'Hands on' volunteering is rewarding, and you'll spend time with like-minded people who respect and support our wildlife. If you are physically able and have some free time, what better way to 'give back' to nature? Please phone Dee for more information. Wildlife Freedom Rehab is located in Wanaque, NJ (North Jersey). Thank you!!! Dee writes: I am still looking for some sincere responsible volunteers to help out at my Wildlife facility in Wanaque, New Jersey. The season has begun for orphaned wildlife as we already have some tiny, fox, raccoons and squirrels. Whatever spare time you may have to offer, your assistance will be very much appreciated. I am waiting for some new arrivals from the Humane Society as I write this e-mail. So please contact me ASAP if you have t...

Believe it or not, the Committee on Animal Welfare (CAW) is again pushing for the reinstatement of Tambucho Gassing as an accepted form of euthanasia in the Philippines. This comes after CAW dragged its feet from August 2010 to April 2011, stultifying a directive from Secretary Proceso Alcala of the Department of Agriculture to rewrite a previous CAW-endorsed administrative order that embraced Tambucho Gassing like it was a God-sent cure-all for stray or unwanted animals. For those coming into this matter only now, Tambucho Gassing is not carbon monoxide gassing as CAW would like the world to believe. Tambucho Gassing is death by vehicular exhaust fumes. No gas cylinders are used, just a rubber hose connected to a clunky, old, usually badly tuned gas engine. The animals are entombed in a sealed metal container and toxic fumes are pumped into it. In terms of expediency, the process is slow, inefficient, and ineffective against the problem. In terms of humanity, it is depraved, utterly c...

Yesterday evening, Sunday, April 17, 2011, Razzle's long journey to his forever home ended when I handed him over to a mother and child from Brewster, New York. We met in the parking lot of Stew Leonard's in Yonkers. I took possession of Razzle from another volunteer driver in Elizabeth, New Jersey an hour earlier. Razzle's journey started the previous day in Tallahassee, Florida under the aegis of the All American Dachshund Rescue (AADR). Days before, Razzle's new family saw him online, wanted to adopt him, but Tallahassee lay approximately 1200 miles away. Enter the network of volunteer animal transporters crisscrossing the United States like a grid. I am a member of the I-95 and I-80 group which are, for those who don't know, two of the longest interstate highways in the U.S. I receive via email information about transports, or runs, that cross my area (NYC, Northern NJ). I get to choose which leg I can possibly do. A volunteer driver normally does one-hour leg...

If you haven't noticed, the Robins are out in force. Their reddish, bronzy breasts make them easy to identify. They stand tall and proud; they epitomize the old saying to keep our breast out and stomach in. I spotted a lone Blue Jay a few days ago along the stream that flows through River Edge, and that's a bit of a rare sighting. Even more rare is a sighting of a Cardinal. I reckon even birds have to drink and take a bath, and a waterway is a good place to spy on them for more than a fleeting moment. Here's one I chanced upon in Van Saun Park. It was an unusually hot day for early April. The temperature peaked around 80F. As I said, the Robins were numerous but this one seemed to have excused himself from the rest to take a most personal bath. And I was there to play voyeur. Fortunately, I had my long telephoto lens on my DSLR and I started clicking away. Photo opportunities don't come easy, particularly with birds. Always bring your camera. No red-blooded biophiliac...

A message from our friends at Keep Life in the Park and the Animal Protection League of NJ ====================================== Dear Friends of NJ Wildlife, I pass along the following action alert on behalf of Animal Protection League of NJ . We must send a clear message to our state Senators that we DO NOT want them to support S 2649 . Particularly residents of Districts 12 and 17 (towns listed below). Please forward this email to those you know who reside in these districts as their voices are crucial. Thank you on behalf of NJ wildlife. Let's keep fighting for their lives! Merrilee for K.L.I.P. ======================================== Dear Members, Supporters, and Friends: On March 21, 2011, S2649 , a bill we thought was bad and unconstitutional , turned ghastly . We realize this is a lengthy email, but please take the time to read it, and act. This is a terrible bill that makes it even worse for the poor beleaguered deer in NJ. The general provisions of the bill as it ...

You wouldn't think that in the Wayne/Paterson, New Jersey area there would be enough acreage for a wilderness preserve. Well, there is. It's called the High Mountain Park Preserve (HMPP), and it lies just north of William Paterson University. I believe some time in the past there was a fight to save the area from development, and the result was the HMPP. If you happen to be driving on I-80 West, just when you're at the Paterson exists, look to your right (North) and you will see a series of peaks. The highest peak is High Mountain and to the left is Mount Cecchino . Not so obvious is Beech Mountain which lies to the northwest of High Mountain. You'll need to stretch your neck for that one, and probably cause an accident on the interstate. All three peaks comprise the Preakness Range . Two weeks ago, my wife and I decided to climb the 875-foot High Mountain. It's a popular climb among hikers, not too hard but not too easy either. We started on the Red Trail which ...

I am cross posting a message from our friend at KLIP. ==================================== Dear Keep Life in the Park Members, I wanted to make sure that I shared some important information. Due to our attending freeholder meetings in the winter & speaking up for animals, the Bergen County Freeholders passed a Resolution against Black Bear Hunting in NJ. (attached) "Resolution seeking the prohibition of all future Black Bear hunting within the state of New Jersey" This resolution passed on 12-30-10, with a copy being sent to the Governor. One line stated: "Whereas The Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders find the hunting of Black Bears to be inhumane and unnecessary considering the alternative methods that are available in deterring human and Black Bear interaction." So true!! The vote was almost unanimous: Freeholders Ganz, McPherson, Hogan, Driscoll, Calabrese, & Carroll voting yes, and Freeholder Hermansen voting against. Please send an email, th...

Please take the time to read about the wonderful work PAWS is doing in the Philippines. There are several heart-warming stories in this edition. http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-The-Philippine-Animal-Welfare-Society.html?soid=1104292817189&aid=wRqKEvRH7ps

He is a controversial guy, but there is no controversy in Howard Stern's disgust about people who dumped their dogs at the shelter. I share this disgust for irresponsible pet owners, particularly towards those who abandon their dogs because they've found a new place to live---no pets allowed. Their decision: jettison the pet and consider it as c'est la vie. People, if pets are not allowed, then keep on looking until you find one that does! Give your pet some importance. They are not your disposable old furniture.

Roughly a month ago, on Valentine's Day, I joined other animal rights activists in protesting the horse-drawn carriages in New York City. We met at the corner of 59th St. and 5th Avenue, known as the Grand Army Plaza, across the gloriously lit Plaza Hotel. This protest brought together members of the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages , Friends of Animals, NY , and Heart For Animals and individuals like myself who didn't have to be a member of any organization to stand up against cruelty. I took this video at the very beginning of the evening when the group was just beginning to gel. Compared to other demos, this one was much more gratifying since we could elicit responses from the very people we are demonstrating against. The carriage drivers stood right across the sidewalk from us. When demonstrating against Ringling Bros, for example, we meet and speak with the ticket holders but not the circus people themselves. The carriage drivers' reactions were predictably hos...

Here is an announcement from Keep Life in the Park (KLIP) regarding humane geese population control in our public parks. GeesePeace ,the organization, has been working with government agencies who are enlightened enough to go the humane way in controlling the geese population in parks and the general area. Remember, not too long ago, families of geese in Bergen County parks were surreptitiously herded into a truck and gassed to death by the USDA. The gassing took place in the wee hours of the day to escape detection and public outcry. If not for an early morning hiker who cried foul, the gassing would have continued unchecked. The Bergen County Board of Freeholders quickly condemned the practice and outlawed the gassing of any geese in the county. I am still awed by that class act that other counties can't seem to follow. GeesePeace will show us how they do it in these training sessions. I can make it to the 8pm sessions, and so I'll see you there. ============================...

Did I hear this guy say that he stopped eating chicken because of his relationship with the goose? Maybe he should regularly visit farms where he can create a bond with an animal and see it go to the slaughterhouse because someone ordered meat from a menu. That goes for all of you carcass-eaters out there. Your life is no more important than an animal's, not by my yardstick, nor in God's eyes that know no favoritism.

You might wonder what on Earth are these? They are called, "gaiters," and fashion has nothing to do with them. Gaiters act like shin guards against briars and other thorny plants, worn by those who work outdoors like forestry rangers, ranchers, and farmers. Gaiters come in different styles and material, but they normally protect the ankles up to the knees. This pair provides protection against snake bites. New material called SuperFabric makes protection possible without putting on the usual thick, cumbersome gaiters with polycarbonate sheets embedded in them. This pair is flexible and light, made by Whitewater. I got this pair from http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/ I believe that such protection is necessary for hikers considering that rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths are not rare along the trails, and they can be difficult to spot on the ground. I am willing to accept the prevailing theory that snakes, like most wild animals, will avoid hikers if given enough t...