dog fighting - the new entertainment for children?

What the michael vick dog fighting allegations have brought to light is that dog fighting is a problem in this country and it's more prevalent then you might think. A study recently quoted that 1 out of 5 children from the inner city of chicago have taken part, in some form, with dog fighting. This is frightening considering the majority of violent offenders have had unhealthy relationships with animals. One of the major problems is that dog fighting, in some circles, has become a cool thing to be a part of and it doesn't help that many celebrities are attached to this scene. It's nice to see russell simmons and al sharpton speaking out against dog fighting so strongly. The president and both houses recently signed a bill making dog fighting illegal and the michael vick allegations themselves were recently discussed on the floor of the senate. You can click the following link to view a CNN behind the scenes look of the dog fighting world. Please click the following link to view a full page of posts about dog fighting.

vegan food - peanut butter and banana sandwich:

High protein and mmm, mmm tastes good.


image source: Something so Clever

the verve - "bitter sweet symphony":

This video was shot in a tough neighborhood and many of the people the lead singer runs into did not know they were going to be.

lamon brewster , heavyweight champion, speaks out against dog fighting:

Please click the following link to view a full page of posts about dog fighting.

2 ducks and a cat:

image source: the cats meow

5 blog posts from the past:

* first the baby, then the dog (video)

* michael vick's dog fighting ring

* washington square park dog run

* "i'm a pug" (video)

* a ducks life, the good and bad

laird hamilton - big wave god:

cat rubbing heads with a horse:

a cat, mouse, bunny and dog together:

These guys like to party.



image source: Cats Meow

vegan food - guacamole and chips:

image source: avocado central

john belushi, on SNL, as joe cocker singing "with a little help from friends":

On top of being funny belushi is an exact replica of joe cocker and you've got to love that he's introduced by "meat head".



Cocker liked belushi's imitation of himself so much he would perform on this future epiosde of SNL, side by side with belushi.

i'm a pug....whoop, whoop!

audioslave - "cochise"

Missed your morning caffeine? Try this...

vegan food - veggie burrito:

image source
Meat always used to be a distraction in my burritos. My perfect burrito has rice with cilantro, black beans, corn, lettuce and guacamole.

dog and a baby sleeping together:

image source

the hives - "hate to say I told you so":

the yoda of dogs:

image source

want to try a hippo for a household pet?

rage against the machine - "bulls on parade":

Put the kids to bed, it's "rage against the machine" and they're not very happy about the WTO.

downtown pets own doug smith, making us laugh:

Downtown Pets longest existing walker, Doug Smith, making us laugh in "hats for sale".

michael vick, dog fighting update:

image source:
"They shouldn't be really upset, OK?" he said. "Because it's only just an animal (only an animal? you've already lost me). It's just a dog that is raised up. He's put out there, you know, and he's chained up (so maybe you shouldn't chain him up), OK. And the time he gets a certain age, this dog is going to want to fight (because he was bred to and now forced to). It is bred in him (hmmm, did the dog choose to be?), OK? He knows what he is and he's going to fight. Just take him off the leash, let him go (yeah, let him off the leash and let him over to my place and get the fu*k away from you)." - Confidential source

clips from an espn article on michael vick:

* "Everybody in the dog world is worried about Michael Vick talking. Michael Vick is making large money; he's making millions, OK? And if he has to tell on some people [to avoid prison time], I think he would tell … I don't put nothing past him."

- Confidential source

* The pit-bull debate is tired and done - an owner decides what type of dog their dog will be.

* Roger Goodall, the NFL commissioner, has ordered michael vick not to attend pre-season football camp.

* Please click the following link to view the entire 18 page indictment of michael vick and his alleged dog fighting ring.

Please click the following link to view a full page of posts about dog fighting.

zorba the greek - a philosophy for life:

zorba the greek: Zorba the greek is almost a philosophy on how to live life, more than a movie. Anthony Quinn, in his best role outside of La Strada, is electric and Alan Bates is great in an understated performance.

Here Zorba helps his introverted boss deal with tragedy in only a way "Zorba" could.

two kittens on guard:

Image Source: Amy's Pets

judge judy (prank) - questions a debt collector calling her:

image source: MSNBC
There's a new form of prank calling where callers use a sound board to mimic famous actors quotes. When they have a good rhythm it's almost as if the actor is actually on the line talking with, or many times arguing with the unsuspecting receiver.

This particular clip is rare in that the prank caller is receiving a call as opposed to making one. The call is from a debt collector and he uses judge judy sound bites to question him.

michael vick - dog fighting - two supporters who need some re-education:

These two might not have heard about the new law against animal fighting, nor do they seem to care about it but do you really need to have heard about it? Isn't it just obvious that forcing animals to fight is a cowardly thing to do? Unfortunately they speak more to the continuing acceptance, in some areas, of animal fighting as a sport. The reason the michael vick story is so big to me is that it signals the beginning of the end of this practice - as slow a process as it might be to get rid of animal fighting everywhere, it's nice to know the first steps have been taken.



Please click the following link to view a full page of posts about dog fighting.

pearl jam - "masters of war"

me so happy:

image source: HomeopathyForKennelCough

michael vick's dog fighting ring - russell simmons comments on:

image source: UnchainYourDog.org

Rap mogul and strong animal rights supporter, Russell Simmons, is urging those around Michael Vick to stop supporting the star quarterback. The embattled quarterback was recently indicted on charges of housing a dog fighting ring on his property.

According to the indictment, dogs that didn't show enough fighting spirit, or that lost matches, were put to death by a variety of methods, including shooting, drowning, hanging and electrocution. Prosecutors allege that on one occasion earlier this year, Vick participated in killing eight dogs. You can click the following link to read more about Mr. Simmons' comments regarding Michael Vick and this link to view a letter from al sharpton regarding michael vick.

And by the way, I don't need to hear anymore facts in the case - Vick owns the property and is tight with the people living on the property. If he actually didn't know what was going on he should be sent to prison for twice as long as he might already be for being so naive. So if I was you I'd really just close my ears when it comes to any commentators looking to make a name for themselves by sticking up for Vick or anyone on his team too - he's great guy, blah, blah, blah and everyone makes mistakes, right? True, everyone does make mistakes but when the mistakes are this pathetic you need to pay dearly for them.....and possibly for the rest of your life.

Please click the following link to support the humane society against animal fighting.

Please click the following link to view a full page of posts about dog fighting.

michael vick - dog fighting - slammed by senator robert byrd of west virginia:

Senator robert byrd of west virginia reacts to the michael vick dog ring accusation. The senator is emotional and speaks slowly but it is a wonderful homage to his love of dogs and to the responsibility humans carry in treating animals with respect.

Please click the following link if you'd like to read more about michael vick and his dog fighting ring accusation.



Please click the following link to view a full page of posts about dog fighting.

a cat riding a dog:

image source:
wikipedia

socially conscious band - pearl jam:

image credit: Time


Pearl Jam is one of my favorite bands and they happen to be very socially conscious and support many charities.

The first clip below is pearl jam performing the song "animal" live on stage.

This next video is a very funny play on the unique delivery of lead singer Eddie Vedder and what he might actually be saying.

a cat and dog resting together:

image source: Pets Company

popular recent blog posts:

Here are a collection of some recent popular blog posts:

* two otters holding hands

* exercise your cat? oh yes!

* is there hope for china's domestic animals?

* ban nyc foie gras

* NFL quarterback, michael vick, indicted of housing dog fighting ring

dog licking a kitten:

image source: Cats Kissing Dogs

socially conscious band - U2:

image credit: Music Heroes


Bono and U2 in general are the first celebrities I think of when it comes to using their social status to bring attention to world issues. The following song and video was performed with "green day" and it was meant to remind people that the victims of hurricane katrina are still and will be hurting for a long time and not to forget about them....as they were initially.

animals in the news:

A crippled dog comes from the desert of kuwait to colorado state university.

Turtles help test a wireless network.

Domestic cats traced back to ancient times.

michael vick indicted on dog fighting ring:

image source: NFL Minute
Fame and fortune did not seem to be enough stimulation for NFL quarterback Michael Vick. No, he needed the added amusement of having one of the most loyal animals in the world, the pit bull, forced into barbaric blood sports to the death, on his property. Vick has been accused of operating a dog fighting ring on his property and if convicted he could face up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines.

According to the indictment, dogs that didn't show enough fighting spirit, or that lost matches, were put to death by a variety of methods, including shooting, drowning, hanging and electrocution. Prosecutors allege that on one occasion earlier this year, Vick participated in killing eight dogs.

Vick of course has denied knowledge of the dogfighting and says he rarely visits the property - the property he owns...uhh, yeah, uh-huh, that's a good one my friend, ahahahahahahhahahah. Luckily both houses and the president took action recently against animal fighting in america, by signing the animal fighting bill. But animal fighting for sport is still ingrained in certain cultures around the world and as with most animal issues it will take more education to stop this cycle.

Please click the following link to support the humane society against animal fighting.

Please click the following link to view a full page of posts about dog fighting.

the last 3 dvd's I've rented (a continuing post)

1. hotel rwanda: The African "Shindler's List", this is an excellent film about a
heroic story in the midst of a terrible tragedy. Don Cheadle is in top form playing Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who with unending courage and amazing charisma was able to protect over 1,000 civilians in the midst of the most barbaric human rights atrocity in modern time.



2. 2nd season of extras on hbo: Comic genius ricky gervais (co-creator of the original "office") has hit another comedy home run with the 2nd season of extras on hbo. Highlights include the 8th episode with David Bowie and episode 10 at an awards show but they are all great. Many times I laughed so hard I got worried (:



3. pollock: This ed harris portrayal of famous american artist jackson pollock is a wonderful look at the painful process and life he went through to produce his brilliant paintings. The painting scenes are magical and you feel like you are a fly on the wall of the real pollock sometimes.

first the baby, then the dog, then both:

animal activist - moby

Moby, a strong animal activist and a new york city resident, with Gwen Stefani in "Southside".

thinking about a 2nd pet? now would be a good time!

photo credit: click here


If you've been thinking about getting a 2nd pet this would be a great time to do it. Unfortunately during the spring and summer animals start to get abandoned at a higher rate in the city and this year is no different. Some of the reasons people give away their pets are when they go on vacation (bizarre?) and if the animal goes into heat. The NYCACC (Animal Care and Control) will be forced to start putting down some of these animals if they are not adopted. You can view adoptable animals from the NYCACC by clicking here.

skatman ferret video:

a yellow lab puppy:

cat massages a dog:

Live Earth - Linkin Park performs "bleed it out" in Tokyo:

For information on the Live Earth event please click here.

a bulldog skateboarding:

foie gras, nyc restaurants who serve it:

You can view the following video which details the horrific process used to create foie gras and listed below are links to restaurants in nyc who serve foie gras.



The following links will show you the restaurants in your neighborhood who serve foie gras. I would urge them to stop serving foie gras and if they don't I would stop giving them your business. Please click the following link to read a more detailed post on foie gras.

upper east side, nyc restaurants who serve foie gras

upper west side, nyc restaurants who serve foie gras

midtown west, nyc restaurants who serve foie gras

midtown east, nyc restaurants who serve foie gras

murray hill / gramercy park, nyc restaurants who serve foie gras

chelsea, nyc restaurants who serve foie gras

east village / lower east side, nyc restaurants who serve foie gras

west village, nyc restaurants who serve foie gras

wall street, soho, tribecca, nyc restaurants who serve foie gras

To sign a petition against foie gras click here.

a dog, duck and rabbit living together:

a pitbull and a duck:

is their hope for china's domestic animals?

Western society has a grim view of china's relationship with domestic animals and animal welfare in general, as they should. There are signs of progress though, in particular with domestic animals and dogs are starting to ingratiate themselves into all areas of chinese society. Hopefully this will lead to a better understanding of the positive effects domestic animals have on society at large, improving our happiness and health in general and hopefully it will benefit all animals in china too. The images of china's recent dog cull due to rabies outbreaks were barbaric and infuriating. But what was lost in those pictures were many of the chinese dog owners who wept as their dogs were taken or even beaten to death right in front of them. If one is to believe that america is greater and more passionate than the monster known as the american industrial farming complex, then so must we give china a chance to love furry friends on their laps, the way we do. One would assume that creating a bond with domestic animals would be the foundation for a greater love for animals as a whole.

The following are images of dogs playing a role in different areas of chinese society.




Chinese firemen doing a drill with their helping fire dog.

A chinese soldier trains with a dog (found here)

Dogs in China are increasingly being trained as guide dogs.

A celebration for the "year of the dog".