Horse Rescue: Rhetorical Question?

Liesha and Markie at the horse show

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word, "rhetorical" as a : "of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric, b : employed for rhetorical effect ; c : asked merely for effect with no answer expected <a rhetorical question> "

So I had to wonder  if there are any  good answers to the rhetorical question that Jo Deibel, President, Director and founder of Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue , passed along from an inquiry she received from one of her adoptive families 

"How does a beautiful, intelligent horse who can name Wild Again, Forty Niner, Mr. Prospector, Native Dancer, Nashua, Round Table, Bold Ruler, Neartic, Damascus, Sword Dancer, Flaming Page, Bull Page, Nijinsky and Nasrullah among her ancestors in a five generation pedigree, end up slaughter-bound?"

Jo continued by saying, " Here's a rescued mare, slaughter-bound, a throw away, an off-the-track thoroughbred.  Beautiful, isn't she?"

Jo ended her email writing, "She looks pretty regal for a throw away and she has the best home she could ever have with the absolute best girl to love her. Just ask the mare If only she could talk........"

I don't think that this mare would feel that Jo's  question is at all rhetorical. If this mare could speak, I am sure she would ask for answers that say "yes" to horse rescue and at the same time  thank the many people out there doing a Herculean job to give a new life to these unwanted horses, where they can be loved and find their niche in the sport of horses.

I am sure there are many unforgivable "answers" that  the mare's connections, who so carelessly and thoughtlessly threw her away could give. But I want to know why these young and spirited horses are being thrown away to be disposed of in a horrific manner. It just sets my teeth on edge and makes me so angry that I can hardy speak.

What are your feelings about this "rhetorical" question? Please leave a comment and let us know.

Help End Horse Slaughter: Watch REAL SPORTS/Bryant Gumbel- HBO-May 12 at 10:00 PM

 
What happens to all the "pretty little horses" that have reached the end of their career as race horses or no longer able to compete in other equine sports?

The sad fact is that many of these race horses are are often taken directly from the track  and sent to auction for sale as meat.

Since the three foreign based slaughter houses in the United States have been closed, "killer buyers" who profit from the sale of horseflesh are now shipping these unfortunate horses outside  the United States, to Mexico and Canada where horse slaughter remains legal.

Tonight, May 12 at 10:00 PM,  REAL SPORTS with Bryant Gumbel will present a special report airing some of the dirty little secrets about the plight affecting many of our magnificent Thoroughbred race horses no longer able to compete in the sport of racing during his 134th debut edition of the show.

It is my fervent hope that many people will watch the show this evening and will be touched sufficiently to take action to stop the inhumane and cruel practice of horse slaughter.

Many of these horses remain suitable to find new homes where they can begin a happier and useful life. Many of them can be retired at rescue havens where they may be able to  live their lives out in peace.

We need to work together in support of the pending legislations H.R. 503 and S. 311, to be finally passed to protect our vulnerable horses.

On the other hand, it is heartwarming to see a lovely mare, named Remarkably, a slaughter bound mare that was "thrown away" given the opportunity to have a new life. Just look at her now. She was pulled from the kill pen in September 2006 and has found a career as a show horse.

Ridden by Liesha, trained by Elissa Allen (Evenstride Farm) winning a 2nd and 5th place win at a recent horse show.

Information provided by

Jo Deibel
President/Director

Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, Inc.

If you are a horse lover  and wish to help, I urge you to watch this special segment tonight on REAL SPORTS.  Then follow your heart and take action by visiting: American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

Puppy and Kitten Mills: A Blight on Animal Welfare

EllieMae: A St. Bernard Puppy purchased from a reputable breeder. She is adorable and treasured deeply, by Vicki, her owner.

Several days have passed since I watched the Oprah Winfrey special program airing the frightening facts about Puppy Mills. The program left indelible images on my mind of the suffering and neglect that these baby animals experience and still continue to haunt me.

Oprah's show was deeply touching and informative. It was a vehicle which will hopefully will serve to educate the public about the plight of pet store puppies and kittens. The show focused on several stories, which brought to light the  horrific lives which Puppy Mill dogs and cats, considered only to be livestock by their owners, must endure.

Most of these breeding animals produce at least two litters a year, while at the same time are imprisoned in wire cages, not ever having touched their paws to the ground and are devoid of human compassion, a gentle loving touch, or the proper medical care and nutrition that they need.

The shocking fact that Oprah disclosed on the show is  that 95-98 percent of puppies and kittens for sale in pet stores have been obtained from these mills. Is it any wonder that these puppies and kittens often are very often sickly and unsocialized?

The follow up message that Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States made, is compelling. He said,"The puppy mill industry will thrive as long as consumers are kept in the dark about the “mass production” of purebred and designer dogs. With your help, we'll shed light on the cruelty of puppy mills and put them out of business for good. We can't do it without your help!"  He urged animal lovers to remain committed to stopping the business of Puppy Mills.

You can view clips of the show by visiting  Oprah's Past Shows.

What steps can you take as a concerned animal lover to help put an end to Puppy Mills?

• You can adopt dogs and cats from shelters instead of purchasing them from a pet store.
  
• You can contact  a purebred rescue group to find the breed of dog or cat of your choice.
• You can purchase a pet through a recognized breeder who is committed to the safety and protection of their sale animals and will be supportive to you for the life of your pet.
  
• You can educate your friends about how pet stores obtain their puppies and kittens and about the miserable lives that their mothers must endure.

Please take a moment to watch the video,When Dogs Bite, The Story of Penelope, A Puppy Mill Dog, uploaded to You Tube by reckless1962  and visit The Dog Liberator

Elephant Art: Saving the Species

A friend sent a link to me yesterday to a You Tube video featuring artistic elephants. I was enthralled as I watched these gentle giants creating  fascinating "self portraits", yet part of me remained skeptical. After visiting snopes. com, I was thrilled to learn that the fascinating video was legitimate.

Artistic elephants are creating art for sale in both Asia and the United States These paintings are for sale to raise funds for a variety of elephant rescue organizations.

The number of Asian elephants are also diminishing. Groups such as the Asian Elephant Arts and Conservation project, is dedicated to help preserve the species and is one of the largest groups to promote elephant art as a fund raising project.

AEACP is a non-profit organization working with domesticated Asian elephants. It raises funds through both donations and the sale of the elephant's amazing artwork.

So touched by their horrific backgrounds and loving personalities, ExoticWorldGifts.com now supports, "Starving Elephant Artisans" by selling their paintings so they can continue to have a new life in Thailand.

Watch this elephant, rescued from abusive treatment in Burma, now paints an amazing self portrait. You'll be amazed at how his talent unfolds.

Were you fascinated by this "talent" and enthusiasm which was demonstrated by the artist? Leave a comment and talk about your reaction.

Pets Campaign for Obama:The Silent Speak.

While this blog is not political in nature, as I watched Senator Obama's incredibly moving speech yesterday morning, I was deeply moved by his words.

Not only a champion fighting to heal the racial and economic wounds that linger in our country, Senator Obama is also dedicated to helping animals in need. In one of his earlier statements,  "I think how we treat our animals reflects how we treat each other, and it's very important that we have a President who is mindful of the cruelty that is perpetrated on animals.", demonstrates his awareness of the plight of unprotected and unwanted animals.

Senator Obama sponsored a bill in the Illinois State Senate to protect horses, and according to The Humane Society Legislative Fund, he has been involved in other pro-animal efforts and has "joined the fight against puppy mills." He has promised his daughters that if he is elected President, he will be presenting them with a dog.

blessthedogs created a cute pets' campaign for Obama video which I thoroughly enjoyed. It also is a vehicle which permits me to express my personal support for Senator Obama while at the same time keeping the focus on pets and animals, which is of course, my mission.

I would like to thank my friend Pamie for sharing the video, and to also thank blessthedogs for her creative touch. All of the dogs and the cat appearing in this video were rescued, or adopted from a shelter.

Help Protect Canadian Seals: Fun Contest!

Even though this blog is devoted to domestic pets, I am aware that the readers who visit Frequently Feline are animal lovers. This is why I have included this entry about the Canadian Seal, and the need for us to protect them.

Lolcat/LolSpeak is a funny language that someone who really is into furry critters invented. This imaginative and fun "pretend" language is spoken by fluffy animals and we should really learn how to communicate with them.

This language is so delightful and popular that the Humane Society of the United States chose to launch a LOLseals Photo Caption Contest.

The contest is designed for fun and enjoyment, and at the same time its mission  is to educate people about the status of Canadian Seals and the need for their protection. Our wildlife is a precious resource which needs to be carefully tended. If we are not careful, between the effects of Global warming and the devastating cruel  hunting of these seals, the species may well become endangered. Read more about protecting seals

Take part in this delightful LOLseals Photo Caption Contest. Rules are posted at this site. Contest ends on March 21, 2008. Win a prize, be recognized and help abolish this torture at the same time. You will be happy that you did!

I am!!!

Americans Against Horse Slaughter: Final Cut

 

Press Release

For immediate release: February 21, 2008

For more information contact:                                  
Julie Caramante     
Americans Against Horse Slaughter
Email: jcaramante@gmail.com

Horse Owners and Advocates to Converge on Congress

Proponents of federal legislation to ban horse slaughter in the United States are gathering in Washington, D.C. on March 4th and 5th to lobby for the passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (HR.503/S.311).

Calling the event “Americans Against Horse Slaughter Week,” hundreds of people from all parts of the country will press for passage of pending legislation that would place a federal ban on the transport and slaughter of horses for human consumption.

In 2007, the last three foreign-owned horse slaughter plants operating in the U.S. were closed by state laws.  However, horse slaughter plants could open in other states where such laws do not exist.  The closure of the American plants has also resulted in the increased transport of American horses for slaughter to Mexico and Canada.  Recent investigations into the slaughter practices in Mexico have alarmed many.

“Texas and Illinois took action to shut down the plants,” pointed out one of the event organizers, Julie Caramante, “but as a consequence of the failure to pass a federal bill, there has been an increase in horses going to Mexico where slaughter cruelty is much worse.”

The barbarity faced by horses inside Mexican slaughter plants has been documented by a report in the Houston Chronicle and by an undercover video released by the Humane Society of the United States. Horses are repeatedly stabbed in the neck until their spinal cords are severed leaving them quadriplegic. They are then slaughtered while fully conscious.

“It is urgent that we get the federal legislation enacted into law,” said Caramante.  “Every week Congress delays, a thousand more horses face this horrible fate in Mexico and Canada.”

A similar bill, introduced in the Republican controlled 109th Congress, was almost passed in 2006 when the House voted for passage by a wide bipartisan margin of 263-146.  However, the session ended without a Senate vote.

The 110th Congress voted unanimously to let the bill out of committee in the Senate, but it is currently being blocked by Senator Larry Craig of Idaho. Craig was recently admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee for improperly using $213,000 of his campaign funds to pay legal expenses related to his arrest for soliciting an undercover officer in a Minneapolis airport
men’s restroom.

Recent actions by the Texas, Illinois and South Dakota legislatures blocked horse slaughter in those states.  “In every case, they heard from tens of thousands of Americans,” said Caramante. She went on to cite a Public Opinion Strategies poll, funded by billionaire philanthropist T. Boone Pickens, which showed that a large majority of Americans want horse slaughter banned.

“Americans don’t want horse slaughter,” Caramante summed up. “Our numbers are growing and more people are joining each day. And those who can’t go to Washington will be calling Congress to finish what the states started. We are not going away.”

For more information on Americans Against Horse Slaughter, please visit:

Kaufman Zoning.net

alexbrownracing.com/wiki/

Watch the HSUS Video: Warning- Disturbing Images

Michael Vick's Dogs: Happy Endings Foretold!

The expression,"There are no bad dogs, just problem owners" is one that easily can be attributed to any canine breed, but is particularly germane to the Pit Bull.

With a reputation hyped by the media for being vicious and dangerous, many people believe the myths surrounding this highly misunderstood and maligned breed.

Dispelling these myths, in reality with proper training, Pit Bulls are famous for their intelligence, affectionate disposition and protective nature toward their human family. They make excellent and charming companions which is clearly illustrated by this fetching photograph taken by Laurentha of Butch, one of her Pit Bulls, as he relaxes in "his" recliner.

On December 10, 2007, Michael Vick, the former NFL quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons was sentenced to 23 months in prison for his participation in Pit Bull dog fighting. The sentence, in my opinion was not sufficiently harsh, yet it served to raise public awareness about animal cruelty, a serious crime which can no longer be tolerated.

According to the Dogtime Media's article published today, we can, for the first time meet some of the dogs taken from the fighting ring. Only one of the 49 dogs evaluated by the ASPCA led team was euthanized due to its highly aggressive behavior toward humans.

With the patient, compassionate evaluation, re-training and human affection the dogs are finally receiving, these former "fighters" are well on their way to becoming family pets in their new forever loving homes which they so richly deserve.

I was deeply touched and heartened by the poignant, informative video,"Michael Vick's Dogs: From Fighters to Family Pets" created by the Dog Time team. I know that you will be too.