Dr. Akhtar is a neurologist and writes from that perspective, exploring the science behind empathy and interactions with animals. But this is far from a scientific thesis. I’m a fan of memoir and biography, and Dr. Akhtar shares her own story as well as those of others who bond with dogs, cats, pigs, and other animals in their lives. I felt invested in the fates of hurricane survivors who didn’t want to leave their companion animals, in prisoners who found purpose in caring for cats. I waited as the doctor’s own tale played out, wondering what would become of her beloved dog Sylvester as she coped with abuse at the hand of her uncle.

And I was stunned by her communication and meeting with The Happy Face Killer, whose innate empathy towards animals was all but extinguished in childhood.

The stories laid out here are rich, sometimes complicated, often painful. I had to pause and put the book down at points, and isn’t that a testament to how important these stories are?

Our Symphony with Animals affirms that all living beings are searching for safety and comfort. We gain so much from animals and when we can show them empathy, we can gain even more.

Thanks to Pegasus Books for a review copy of this book!

The post Our Symphony with Animals by Aysha Akhtar appeared first on Chic Vegan.

We’ve seen a growing movement over the past few months of those who have been harassed or assaulted. The MeToo movement shows us that there are countless stories of men and women being victimized by those in power. I’ve watched with dismay as each new name comes to the forefront, as each story is told.

I was surprised to see MeToo make its way into animal rights when leaders of well-known organizations were accused of sexual harassment. This is nothing new – Carol J. Adams has been writing about the sexual politics of meant for years (and published a book with the same title), so why would it be surprising? I had perhaps naively expected a movement built on not exploiting others to include people who did not exploit others. Unfortunately, exploitation runs deep within our human nature.

In recent weeks, we’ve all watched in horror as another school shooting took the lives of seventeen students and teachers. The difference this time is the young leaders who watched their friends die. They are standing up. They are speaking out. They are, as one of them said at a CNN town hall last week, speaking up for those with no voice. These are the leaders we need in all of our intersecting movements. And they are already making change, as companies end their business relationships with the NRA and supporters donate to their cause as marches and walkouts are planned. Many of them will be able to vote in the next elections. Voting is power.

I know that it’s controversial to compare animal rights to human issues. Slavery, the Holocaust – they are horrible marks on our history. There is a common thread whether we compare them or not. Exploiting another – human or non-human – is a violent act. Harassment and assault, as experienced by those with a MeToo story, is violence. The gun debate pivots on whether guns are necessary and whether they should be easily accessible to people. Guns are by their very nature violent – they exist to do harm. Hunters use guns with one goal in mind – killing their target.

Of course animal rights doesn’t exist in a bubble. It’s just one piece of a prism of violence that exists because we do. But there’s an awakening happening right now, and if the tide will turn for some pieces, then maybe the others will follow.

Feature Photo: Will Montague

Stop Sign Photo: Mikko Kapenan

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Judging Thy Neighbor

I have neighbors who let their dogs off leash. The dogs are sometimes outside without supervision, on a busy street. There have been occasions where the dogs have been returned to their humans from lots or driveways across the street. The neighbors, on these occasions, commented that they hadn’t realized their dogs were missing.

Unsurprisingly, one of the dogs was hit and killed by a car. I was furious as I watched the police put up a cone and redirect traffic. The reaction from my neighbors? Replace him with two more dogs, continue negligent behavior. I judge them every time I see one of their (now three) dogs sniffing the grass. I’m terrified that there will be a repeat rundown of someone.

Judging Thy Acquaintances

Recently, someone I know on social media mentioned their dog had been injured. Several people advised the dog needed to be seen by a vet. His behavior suggested he was in pain; his human’s account implied broken bones.

The dog died with no medical intervention. “He would have been put down anyway.” The human wanted no negative reactions. A new dog is being considered for the family.

I don’t know if it’s my experience with the neighbors, activist burnout, the ASPCA commercial currently on my tv, or a combination of these things, but I am horrified. When my judgment spiral had me wanting to call this person’s local animal shelter to beg them not to let another animal into their care, I stepped away from my feed.

Judging The System

Companion animals are at the mercy of their guardians. If said guardians can’t/won’t speak for or act for these animals, they shouldn’t bring them into their homes. And yet, it happens everyday. There are some great organizations that take care in researching their prospective adopters. But there are millions of homeless animals who need a home, and resources are scarce when waiting for the perfect forever home.

Still, we continue to breed dogs and cats – in puppy mills or in “reputable” breeding businesses – when there’s an overpopulation of them, homeless or in kill shelters, who don’t get a second look.

I am judging us as a society. Please stop looking at animals as “less than” or as things. They deserve better. They deserve safety from busy streets, medical care when hurt, advocacy when treated badly, and homes instead of cages.

They also don’t judge humans for all of the injustices done to them. And so, once again, I’m reminded that I can better serve this cause by being a bit more like those I want to speak for. Less judgment. More love. May 2018 bring us all closer to it.

Love photo: Susanne Nilsson

Dog with leash photo: OCVA

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That a dog changed the author’s life doesn’t surprise me. I know the power in meeting an animal, in realizing he is someone, not something. It’s one of the reasons I’m such a fan of farm animal sanctuaries. Not only did O’Grey change his lifestyle and lose a lot of weight, he bonded completely with the dog he was matched with. This led to changes he never could have imagined, first with his health, then with his home, and the next with his heart.

I could not relate to the author’s faith or desire for a family. I also questioned his desire to make Peety a service dog so he could take him everywhere, wondering whether it’s was a bit self-serving. Towards the end of Walking with Peety, O’Grey poses a question: “Does anyone else ever stop and think that maybe, just maybe, God put all these dogs for a reason?…Somebody up there wants us to know that none of us – no matter how messed up or alone or tired of life we think we are – not one of us ever has to walk alone.”

At first read, I took this quote to mean dogs are here for us, and I don’t subscribe to that notion at all. Reading it again, I think maybe it means dogs are here with us, and that is a thought I am already behind. All animals have their own interests at heart. Living with a dog myself, I know what it can mean to feel love and companionship from someone with four legs. I’m grateful that many people come to understand their own compassion from their relationships with companion animals. Peety led O’Grey to eventually replace all his leather clothing with synthetic versions; a shift from plant-based for health to vegan for the animals.

O’Grey was over fifty when his life changed, a reminder that it is never too late for a shift. I’ve said before that origin stories are so important; we are all walking unique paths and a common thought threads us together. I’m glad Peety was loved. I’m glad his human was, too. Walking with Peety is worth the read, and I hope it opens hearts and minds.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for a review copy of this book!

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20 ways to Love Yourself and Help Animals During the Holidays

1. Keep an abundant supply of healthy vegan snacks available to help avoid temptations to indulge in sugary and other unhealthy snacks. Nuts and seeds in moderation, raw vegetables and fresh fruits are good snack choices.
2. If you attend a holiday potluck, take a healthy vegan dish to eat and share with others. If you are going to a restaurant or attending a holiday function where you know your options will be limited, eat something before you go to satisfy your appetite.
3. Take time to research and select healthy vegan recipes to prepare over the holidays. Try to focus the bulk of meals on vegetables, fruits and legumes. A great source for tested holiday recipes is the Vegan’s Eat What Blog.
4. Get creative with raw recipes. One of my favorite sources for raw holiday recipes is Fully Raw Kristina.

   

5. Eat raw garlic to prevent getting sick. It may seem strange, but raw garlic is one of my best home remedies for staying cold free. I’ve heard that we should eat at least 1 raw clove of garlic a day to prevent illness!
6. Take it easy on the alcohol. Instead of selecting alcoholic beverages at parties and office functions, opt for mocktails, apple cider, kombucha, herbal teas, or fruit/herb infused water.
7. Walk as much as you can to ensure 30 minutes of exercise per day. Walking with family, a friend, or the family dog is a fun way to meet daily exercise goals.
8. Don’t forget the importance of deep breathing and practicing yoga or some sort of daily stretching. Practicing deep breathing techniques helps strengthen our respiratory system which is especially important as we age.
9. Implement your favorite self-care strategies. Meditate, use aromatherapy, or indulge in a massage or other special spa treatment.
10. Get lots of rest. Good sleep is essential to long term good health.
11. Plan your holiday shopping to make it as stress free as possible. Online shopping is a huge timesaver and can help alleviate a great deal of the stress associated with traditional holiday shopping
12. Be social. Spending time with good friends and loved ones is a great way to boost your immune system.
13. Learn to say, “No.” Holidays can seem overwhelming so focus on activities and events that make the best use of your time and bring the most joy to your life.
14. Give the gift of homemade vegan foods. Homemade granola, spiced nuts, prepackaged soup mixes and spice blends are always appreciated and easy on almost any budget.
15. Ask for and give gifts such as healthy cooking classes, vegan cookbooks, or a session with a Vegan Lifestyle Coach. Coaches help many people get healthy and stay healthy and could be just what you need to help you get through something you may be struggling with. In fact, this is a great time to pre-order the delightful Main Street Vegan Cookbook written by my Vegan Lifestyle Coach colleagues to share with your loved ones!
16. Instead of buying or making gifts, donate to vegan advocacy and animal welfare organizations.
17. Save a life by serving a vegan turkey or ham alternative at your holiday meal celebrations. There are several good commercial brands currently available, or make your own animal-free holiday roast. One of the best main dishes I’ve made and served at holiday events is Lynn’s Meatloaf from the Engine 2 Diet.

18. 

    Adopt an animal in need and encourage others to do the same. Animal are great for improving your overall mood and well-being, and please remember always adopt and never shop for a companion or other animal.

19. Sponsor a farm animal at a local farm sanctuary . One of my favorite new sanctuaries is the Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary in Colorado where the amazing Andrea Davis rescues and cares for numerous neglected and abandoned animals. You can sponsor a farm animal at Broken Shovels and at most farm sanctuaries throughout the United States and abroad.
20. And above all; stay positive, happy, and have fun at all your events. As happy, healthy, vegans we must lead by example and show people the great things being a vegan can do for them too!

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On October 17, yet another cow – a bull, actually – ran for his life from a slaughterhouse in New York City, injuring a child in his bid to live. The #BrooklynCow, so dubbed on social media, was eventually tranquilized by police and rescued by Skylands Animal Sanctuary in New Jersey.

This is not the first rescue of a runaway animal in New York – in fact, those of us with knowledge of his background are unsurprised when it winds up being Mike Stura, the founder of Skylands, who saves the day. I always watch with a mixture of anxiety for the animals and exasperation towards those who root for them, even as they plan their steak dinner. It’s easy to feel for an individual, easier still to ignore the nameless billions who die in the system those individuals escape from. But does an individual who, by some stroke of luck, escaped his fate deserve to live any more than the others who weren’t so lucky?

Animal sanctuaries are forever homes to others like the #BrooklynCow, since named Shankar – cows and pigs and goats and chickens and turkeys who, by a stroke of luck, do not suffer the fate of their brothers and sisters. They often need medical care when rescued, and when they outlive the age span they are bred for. They are ambassadors for their kind, and they change hearts and minds; I’ve seen it happen. 

What sanctuaries and news stories about escaped animals do is important to the goal of stopping the use of animals. The morning after Shankar’s rescue, I discussed what had happened with some co-workers before a meeting. One person asked, “Do you think they know [they’re going to die]?” I didn’t hesitate when I answered, “Yes. They absolutely know.” I saw a video many years ago of two cows, waiting outside the kill floor. As the door closed in front of them and they heard the bellowing on the other side, they backed up in fear. Though the video wasn’t violent, it was difficult to watch.

If you’ve ever heard your dog or cat yelp after accidentally getting a tail or paw stepped on, you know that they feel? And yet, it continues to be harder for people to accept that animals they don’t see as companions also feel. There is a reason the cellophane-wrapped slabs of meat at the supermarket are presented they way they are: they don’t suggest the living being that died that meat case to be filled in the slightest.

I’m relieved that Shankar will live out his days in safety with others like him. I only hope that the next time a bull makes the evening news, or, as was the case this time, Jimmy Kimmel Live, someone watching  makes the connection and stops eating others like him.

For updates on Shankar, visit Skylands Animal Sanctuary on Facebook.

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I’ve read thousands of books over the past thirty-five years: memoirs and biographies, how-to’s and self-help books, fiction and non-fiction. Late last year, I discovered Litsy, a social media app for booklovers. It’s been great meeting others who share my love of words. My “to be read” shelf has doubled, and I’ve been introduced to great people, topics, and writers.

This network has also given me the opportunity to share my own reads, including those on veganism and animal rights. When the opportunity to host a traveling book arose this summer, it sounded like a great way to start a discussion. I chose non-fiction, pulled my copy of Melanie Joy’s Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows off the shelf, and put out the call for six readers.

I suspected that it might be difficult to find six people willing to read a book about carnism. As the days passed and other traveling book groups formed, I got nervous. But eventually, the slots filled, and the book will be traveling through February 2018, along with a notebook for thoughts on the book from each reader. I had no idea when I selected this book that Joy had a new one coming out this year, but I’ll take it as a sign of great timing.

Traveling books and online bookclubs are great options for introverted activists. Each gives you a chance to collect your thoughts and the time to express them clearly. For me, the prospect of an in-person bookclub has always been daunting; I’m not great with groups of people and I am much more comfortable in writing than in spoken word.

I also look at this as an opportunity to try to improve my reading retention. According to Goodreads, I’ve read 144 books so far this year. I’m currently in the middle of five more, and there are plenty waiting after that. Unfortunately, I’ve already forgotten the names of characters and the threads of plots on books I’ve rated with four stars. Writing my thoughts down during or after a read should help me to remember key points in books I’ve loved. While I’ve managed to retain a lot of fascinating, horrifying, and important information about the topics of animal exploitation and veganism, I want to make sure I’m always learning about these topics so I can be a strong advocate for animals.

If you like to read and know others who share the feeling, consider a traveling book as part of your animal activism. There are so many new books out this year – some of which we’ve reviewed here at Chic Vegan – but older standbys like Animal Liberation or Eating Animals would be great choices. And if you’d like to join us on Litsy, round two of my traveling book is open for readers starting in March!

You can find Daria on Litsy @dariazeoli, and on Goodreads.

Feature image: ginnerobot

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I thought about this as I looked at the photos in Jo-Anne McArthur’s new book, Captive.

Captive shows the every day realities of animals who have no choice but to live and die in zoos, aquariums and sea parks around the world. McArthur chooses to photograph these beings as they are, without the distractions exhibits commonly use to great effect on thousands of visitors each year.

As she points out, most zoo visits last 1-3 hours. This is not enough time to see all there is behind the walls, bars, and acrylic windows keeping animals inside their enclosures. We can leave. They can’t. They pace and exhibit signs of zoochosis that would be apparent to anyone if they spent more than a few minutes gawking. 

It’s evident that when faced with individual stories, people are receptive to learning and to demanding change. We need only look at the effects that Blackfish and the story of Tilikum had on SeaWorld, or how much media coverage Harambe’s tragic death last year at the Cincinnati Zoo received. Every photo subject in McArthur’s book has his or her own story, a part of which is captured within the pages.

I used to go to zoos. I vividly remember my last visit to the Bronx Zoo, where I took photos of tigers and gorillas behind glass. I watched George & Gracie the lions try to sun themselves on a rock. I paid the extra charge to see the gorillas, never questioning the conservation work used in the name of the New York gorillas who would certainly never wind up in the African wild. I look back at that visit, and I wonder how it was possible for me not to stop and question how things were. I look at this book, at the humans who are incidentally captured in some of the snapshots, and I wonder if they will wonder about themselves that way.

McArthur’s talent is in her ability to capture a moment that repeats for each of her subjects, day in and day out… a moment most of us never see. In blocks of text between photos, she gives her account of what this project entailed, of zoo employees and of having to fit in as just another tourist with a camera.

Thank you to Lantern Books for a review copy of this book and for the photographs accompanying this post.

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Recently, my husband and I had the misfortune of learning all about pet emergencies when our oldest cat, Dot started to have some problems.  You can read more about her story over on my blog, but let me just say, having a sick pet is one of the worst feelings.  Since they can’t let you know exactly what’s wrong you feel helpless.  They’re clearly miserable but you have no idea what to do.

I thought I would share some of the wisdom I learned from this whole experience in hopes that it can help you or perhaps it can help prepare you in case you ever have to deal with a pet emergency.

Know & Trust Your Vet

I have to give a major shoutout to our vet clinic, Pets First in Chicago.  Everyone there was phenomenal from the receptionists to the vet techs to the vet who saw Dot.  I’ve always loved our vet, but in this situation especially they were amazing.  When I had to pick up appetite stimulants because Dot still wouldn’t eat, the receptionist there talked with me for about 15 minutes and gave me some tips and advice on how to help Dot eat.  That same receptionist saw I had scheduled Dot the next day when she STILL wouldn’t eat and told me to not even bother coming in and go straight to the animal ER.

I urge you to find a vet that you feel comfortable with and will treat you and your pet with the respect and care you deserve.  A good vet will listen to you, do their best to make your pet feel at ease in their office, answer all your questions, and will put the needs of your pet first.  This is crucial when there is an emergency.  Your vet will be the first person you go to and will ultimately help you decide what steps to take next.

Know Where Your Animal ER Is Located 

Last year, our cat, Olaf, decided he was going to start peeing blood, so we learned really fast where the closest animal ER was.  Up until that point, animal emergency rooms really weren’t on my radar.  I knew they probably existed, I just didn’t know where they were.  Find out where the closest ER is in your neighborhood BEFORE you have a pet emergency.  When you’re dealing with a sick or hurt pet, you might not have a lot of time to figure out where to go. You can also talk with your vet and find out if they have any partnerships with local ERs.  Our vet and our emergency room work closely together so it’s really easy for information about our pet to be passed back and forth.  That makes it easier to keep everyone on the same page.

Ask A Ton Of Questions 

This may seem like an obvious tip, but so often we don’t really use it.  Chances are, you’re going to get a lot of information in a short amount of time and it can feel overwhelming.  You might just sit there and nod your head without asking any questions and then five hours later be pacing the floor worrying about everything.  At least that’s what I did.  After the initial diagnosis, my husband and I just felt awful and walked home without talking much to the doctor.  We spent the entire night worrying and wondering what was going on.  Finally, we made a list of all our questions and brought that the next time we met with the doctor and felt SO much better.  If you’re like me and don’t think quickly and need some time to formulate questions, write everything down.  You can also call and talk over the phone if that is easier for you.  No matter what you do, don’t be afraid to ask any and every question you have.  Even if it seems silly or trite, it feels better to talk it out than keep it bottled up.

Have A Pet Savings Account or Pet Insurance 

Oh, my friends, this is an important one.  Medical expenses for pets are JUST as expensive as human medical expenses but many of us don’t prepare for them.  Luckily, my husband is a saver and we have a savings account just for our pets and thankfully we didn’t have to dip too much into our other accounts to cover this last trip.  We have since gotten pet insurance for our other two healthy cats (it doesn’t make much sense for Dot at this point because she now has a pre-existing condition that won’t be covered) and I’m surprised at how cheap it is.  For $50 a month, we get a $10,000 limit with a deductible of $500 and then it covers about 80% after that deductible is met.  You can customize your plan through the ASPCA and make one that works for your pet.  Pet insurance might not cover every medical expense, but it will help cut down the cost immensely.  You should still save a little money each month for pet emergency so you don’t have to worry about finances while you’re also worrying about your pet’s health.

Be There For Your Pet 

As much as you’re worrying and scared and nervous for your pet, your pet is probably 10 times more stressed.  They don’t understand what’s going on, all they know is they don’t feel well and now they’re in a strange new environment with people constantly poking and prodding them.  The ER where Dot stayed was great about letting us come and visit her and spend some time trying to comfort her each day.  It also did our hearts good to get little kitty nudges and hear her purrs.  If at all possible, do your best to comfort your pet.  Speak kind words, scratch their ears, bring them their favorite toy, let them know that you’re there.  While it might not be proven scientifically, I think that comforting your pet and just being there helps them heal too.

There are probably a thousand more words I can write about the roller coaster of emotions you might experience if your pet suddenly gets ill or has an accident.  While it’s not the best situation, you can do a few things to prepare yourself now.  The most important thing to keep in mind is to do what YOU feel is best for your pet because you know them best. Certainly, listen to your vet and other doctors because their advice is important but you have the final say.  I hope this has helped and I honestly hope you never have to experience anything traumatic with your pet.  But in case you do, these tips should help you get through. 

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I wonder what will become of the animals who have been forced to perform tricks for crowds. Feld Entertainment claims they will go to “suitable homes,” but if they’re anything like the place where the elephants who were retired last year live, that’s questionable. Is it too late to save the lions, tigers, camels, dogs, and others who have been exploited for much of their lives?

It’s reminiscent of the fate of Tilikum the whale, who died earlier this month after spending over thirty years in captivity. Sadly, this orca suffered for too many years. While he’ll never experience what it’s like to live in the ocean, his story, told in the documentary Blackfish, resonated with people. Seaworld is phasing orca shows out, and if Ringling is any evidence, perhaps they too will be shuttering their doors.

As a vegan, I eat, sleep, and breathe the philosophy that animals are not here for us to use and exploit. And yet, even someone like me can all too easily forget.

Today news broke that a dog used in the filming of A Dog’s Purpose, out later this month, was forced into rushing waters while clearly terrified. When I saw the video, I immediately thought of my rescue beagle, Millie, who is terrified by loud noises and car rides. I could imagine how frightened she would be in the same circumstances of the German Shepherd in this movie, and I felt sick.

It immediately occurred to me that I’d forgotten. You see, the first time I saw the trailer for this movie, some time last year, I ugly cried. The thought of a dog living several lives with several humans got me right in the feels. I felt the same each time the trailer aired on television. It never even crossed my mind that a dog – actually, many different dogs – were being used as performers in this film. I don’t eat animals. I don’t go to zoos, circuses, rodeos or aquariums. But animals in film still seem normal to me.

It takes time for people to wake up from the daze they’ve always lived in. This same normalization is why there are people who are heartbroken about Ringling closing; who are boycotting A Dog’s Purpose even though they’re eating steak for dinner. The disconnect is real, and it’s important that none of us forget that we are all part of it, no matter how many years we’ve been vegan.

Celebrate the victories; this world is definitely changing. But never forget that we’ve still got a long way to go, and never forget to put yourself in the shoes of others, who may not know, or who may have forgotten.

Feature Photo by Dave Sandford
Big Top Photo by Tim Dewey

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