Kind Thanksgiving

Farm Sanctuary is an animal rights association with shelters in New York and California. I was introduced to this organization last year, and that is when I heard of their adopt-a-turkey project. Even if you do not join this cause, it is a nice way of showing compassion towards the turkey instead of roasting one this year. Click for more info. here. 

Let's Talk Turkey

With the 2013 holiday season approaching, and with Thanksgiving right around the corner, there is a lot of excitement in the air--people are shopping, spending, and, most importantly, eating. And what is the number one thing most of us think of eating on Thanksgiving? That's right--the turkey. I am not going to be eating turkey this year, and with more and more people nixing meat from their diet, I will not be alone.
 I am really excited about this rise and awareness of vegetarianism, so, not surprisingly, I was elated to see that there is a movie currently in theaters called "Free Birds." Have you heard of it? It is an animated picture featuring turkeys trying to prevent the tradition of Thanksgiving altogether. I have not seen the film yet, but the premise sounds fun and I am happy there is a movie like this out there right now. You can watch the trailer here.

LL Bean Controversy: Cruel treatment of Lobsters

I just read an article on PETA's website that is pretty shocking and leaves me really confused about the inhumane ways people choose to kill animals. One of LL Bean's plants in Maine literally tears lobsters apart, as proved in a video taken by a PETA investigator. There are lesser cruel ways to kills animals, but for some reason, this plant is not taking that road. This is certainly not the only place that is resorting to cruel and unnecessary ways of killing animals. This just leaves me asking--If we must kill animals, why not in the most humane way possible?

A few months ago, I watched a video on Youtube via TheKindLife, a blog I frequently check out. The video speaks for itself, so I do not have much to say about it other than it beautifully encapsulates the childlike questioning of why humans eat meat in the first place. Please check it out below if you haven't already:

Dogs: A Man's Best--and not all that different--Friend

Image Source: New York Times

New research on the brains of dogs has recently sprung up on various news stations and newspapers. I just read an article in the New York Times called "Dogs Are People Too," and I recommend you read it. It's author is Gregory Berns, a professor of neuroscience. He makes the case that dogs are not unlike a human child, in terms of brain function. Berns certainly has done his research--he has even built an MRI machine in his house to scan dogs' brains!
I feel no apprehension to say that dogs are like humans. They have the same emotions, and now scientific evidence is emerging that supports this idea. Even if people are not all that keen on saying dogs are pretty much just like us, this topic is definitely worth exploring. Click on the article below and give it a good read:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/opinion/sunday/dogs-are-people-too.html?pagewanted=all

Speciesism? Come again??

Have you ever heard of Speciesism? I haven't either, until I saw a portion of the film "Earthlings." Not surprisingly, this form of eradication is prominent in our society, and it is revolting. Click the above video to see an interview with Shaun Monson, the director of this highly moving documentary.