Puppies Behind Bars

I know, I know. It has been awhile since I blogged. Blame work, blame my class, blame my lack of motivation. However. This morning, in the process of working (yes I realize it's Saturday), I came across the organization Puppies Behind Bars, and was so moved, I cried. Yes, tears fell on my work laptop.

Why all the emotion? Because of this video.

I believe that US prisons have long been broken. The primary goal of prisons is to punish people for their illegal acts, which the system does a fairly good job of. The second goal, however, is to rehabilitate them for their re-entry into society. And that is where the prison system is flawed. Counseling sessions and job training classes only go so far - many prisoners can't be reached. Puppies, however --- puppies can get in.

Puppies Behind Bars accomplishes two things: Training service dogs for disabled people, and rehabilitating prisoners. The dogs stay with the prisoners 24 hours a day, and the prisoners are responsible for training them and taking care of them. In return, they get love and loyalty from their dog, and the knowledge that the dog is going to help someone who really needs it - a disabled veteran or other disabled person.

The experience really seems to transform the prisoners, not to mention the person who receives the trained dog. The prisoners reconnect with the part of them that has empathy - a part lost long ago, and which probably led to them committing crime. I believe that participation in the program will lead to lower rates of recidivism, but Puppies Behind Bars does not have statistics available.

There are a lot of non-profits out there, but this one may now be my favorite (aside from OYFP of course). The win-win situation really inspires me, and moves me.

What do you think of the program?

Vegan Diets for your Pet?

I watched this story about feeding your cat or dog a vegan diet a couple of mornings ago. I am not quite sure what to think about it. Essentially you are turning a carnivorous animal into a herbivore.

I have a dog and I know if my dog had a choice between chicken or Broccoli I know she would choose chicken. I have tried to feed my dog more vegetables (lettuce, peas, spinach), but nope not happening. A point to consider dogs have evolved from wolfs, wolfs hunt meat. I have never heard of a wolf in the wild who doesn't eat meat.

Additionally, many of the ways we play with dogs nowadays mimic the dogs natural instinct to hunt. If I throw a squeaky toy the first thing my dog does when she grabs a hold of the squeaky toy is to shake it violently. This action of shaking the toy is exactly what dogs do when they get a hold of their prey. They shake their catch violently because this is how they know to kill their catch (by breaking their neck). The squeak of the toy also mimics a sound that dying vermin make. When dogs bring the ball back (or prey) they do so as an offer to their dominant master.

My point is that dogs, just like cats have a natural instinct to hunt other animals in order to hopefully eat them. Can a philosophical approach to life from a human perspective be then applied to an animal? Typically your pet has to eat whatever food you provide it, but is it ethical to deny a type of food because of your dietary beliefs?

What are your thoughts?

Related Posts: Don't Forget About Your Pet, Guide Horse? Not Wasting Food - Spaghetti Salad to the Rescue!

Picture Courtesy of: My dog, Chai.

Guide Horse?

Traditionally when you think of "service animals" you think of dogs. That's not a suprise really, dogs are loyal, loveable and easy to train. Dogs can easily be trained to suit the needs of the disabled or elderly person who requires help for everyday life.

Just when you got used to the idea of seeing dogs in restaurants, here comes around an article that presents the idea of service horses. According to the article, horses are just as loyal, and trainable as dogs. Another plus is horses live longer, 25-35 years where as the average dog is 10-15 years. Apparently these horses are very small and are about the size of golden retriever. These mini horses are even better for disabled adults who have allergies and can't not have a service dog because of their allergies.

Seems reasonable, but I don't know what I would do if I saw a guide horse walking down the street. Would it even be allowed in a restaurant? I believe legally it should be, but would you want to sit next to a minature horse at a restaurant? I don't know, it certain would provide interesting conversation if I did see one.

What are your thoughts?

Related Posts: Recycling Dog, Sock Monkeys for Charity, TGIF from OYFP: Talking to Animals

Picture Courtesy of: http://www.guidehorse.com/

TGIF: Streaming video feed of puppies

Thank Goodness It's Friday, folks. The week has been chock full of excitement, from the election to OYFP's preparation for our upcoming charity fashion show.

To take a little of the edge off, check out this streaming puppy feed:



Related Posts: Talking to Animals; TGIF from OYFP: Cats on a treadmill; Moose Plays Dead;Recycling Dog; Sock monkeys for charity; Don't forget about your pet

TGIF from OYFP: Talking to Animals

Though this has nothing to do with volunteering, or community, or making the world a better place, it's Friday. And that's reason enough:



Related Posts: TGIF from OYFP: Cats on a treadmill; Moose Plays Dead;Recycling Dog; Sock monkeys for charity; Don't forget about your pet

I Am the Walrus

I’m on the fourth day of my staycation. Today, I’m heading to the New England Aquarium (NEAQ). Oh, yeah!

The NEAQ was founded in 1969 and has over 1.3 million visitors every year. The NEAQ combines “education, entertainment and action to address the most challenging problems facing the ocean. Through a wide variety of educational programs and conservation initiatives, they make a lasting impact globally.”

Some of the animals I’m excited to see include:

* African Penguin
* American Lobster
* Atlantic Harbor Seal
* Cownose Ray
* Giant Pacific Octopus
* Green Anaconda
* Green Sea Turtle
* Leafy Seadragon
* Lionfish
* Moon Jelly
* North Atlantic Right Whale
* Sand Tiger Shark

Some of the exhibits I’m looking forward to are:

* Amazing Jellies
* Amazon Rainforest
* Atlantic Harbor Seals
* Giant Ocean Tank
* Gulf of Maine
* Hands-On Areas
* Pacific Reef Community
* Penguins
* Seadragons
* Behind the Scenes
* What's New
* Presentations and Shows
* IMAX Theatre
* Whale Watch

The NEAQ is open from 9AM-5PM Monday to Friday and 9AM-6PM Saturday and Sunday. Check out the Tickets Page for costs and a list of discounts.

I wonder if they have any walrus… goo goo g'joob g'goo goo g'joob.

Pictures from our very own Casey W., Boston Attractions Group www.bostonattractionsgroup.com and from the interwebs: http://www.photos-screensaver-maker.com/screen/images/scr-fish.jpg.

Bee-ware: Where have all the bees gone?

Heard of something called "colony collapse"? No, it's not in reference to the recent bank issues. It's something almost as serious: Bees! They're dying off in unprecedented numbers, and scientists don't know why.

Sure, bees are annoying when they sting (and sometimes deadly, if you're one of those allergic people). But right now, most of our crops are pollinated by bees... and what does pollination do, boys and girls? It makes sure the fruit/vegetable plant has both halves of the genetic information it needs to create more of itself.

Without bees we would have to walk around to all the flowering plants and use Q-tips to do the pollination for over 1/3 of all the crops that we eat... not to mention that without bees, we wouldn't have that delicious and au-natural sweetener - honey!

To learn more about the problem (and play a little with their Flash interface), visit the Help the Honey Bees site from Hagen Daaz. For more scholarly information, read this article from a Penn State researcher about what's killing the honey bees, or explore the UC Davis Honey Bee Research facility's website.

Related Posts: A Creeping Problem; Farm Aid; Find local food locally; CSAs Rock; Harvest Calendar for MA; Staycation in Boston; Fruit in the City; Jamming the Local Way
Bee avatar created on the Hagen Daaz site.

Cats on a Treadmill: TGIF from OYFP

In homage to the fact that it's almost 5 PM on a Friday, let us make you laugh:

Courtesy of Monkey See.

Related Posts: TGIF from OYFP: Talking to Animals; Moose Plays Dead;Recycling Dog; Sock monkeys for charity; Don't forget about your pet

These are the people in my neighborhood

We here at OYFP are always trying to provide opportunities to get involved and meet other people within your community. I have met many wonderful people and it is in part why I love being a part of OYFP, meeting new people who like me, care for their community.

So how do you meet the people of your community inbetween our fabulous events? My suggestion get a dog!

You may have read some of my dog adventures already and may think that this is another post to point out how awesome my dog is (you're probably right). However I never expected by adopting a dog, how well connected I would become with the people in my neighborhood.

Because I walk Chai everyday it provides countless opportunities to meet new neighbors, especially if they have dogs. I have lived in the 'Ville for over three years and could only name my next door neighbors until I adopted her.

Now as I walk Chai I see many others I know and we chat about what's going on with our lifes, etc. It's nice to see familiar faces when you walk around.

If you do not have the time to own a dog right now or it isn't your thing then you can always meet your neighbors at OYFP events!

Photo Courtesy of moi!

Related Posts: Don't Forget About Your Pet , Unexpected Volunteering, How to be Happier

A Gift to Remember

Years ago my grandmother gave me a rather odd birthday present. Instead of opening a big box and getting a new shirt or even better, money, I got handed a large envelope. Inside was a picture of a water buffalo and several other pages filled with pictures and long descriptions.

Just imagine what was going through my mind.

She explained that she had donated money in my name toward the purchase of a water buffalo for a family far away that needed it badly. I smiled of course, and said thank you, but I had no idea how great that present really was.

Today, I am thankful for that gift. There have been many times that I do not really know what to get someone for their birthday, and the present most likely ends up unused and a waste of money. This was one of the best uses of money I could have asked for. Of course, it can be hard to resist buying someone a new sweater or that DVD that they wanted, but in the long run, this type of present means the most.

My suggestion to you now, is to search around. Look for charities and non-profits which conveniently offer this type of service online, and take advantage of it! My grandmother donated money through an organization called the Heifer Project, and I am sure that there are many other organizations which offer this very same opportunity to make such a big difference.

Related Posts: DesignGive - Creativity is a Gift; 'Tis the Season to Change the Gift; Conscious Giving

Don't Forget About Your Pet

Some would say that our economy is currently in recession. Whether you agree with it or not, you will have heard that the economy outlook is not so good for 2008. With people concentrating on making payments to their adjustable rate loan rate they may not have money to pay for food for their beloved pets.

Some pets even become abandoned, according to Brian Adams, Spokesman for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mr. Adams continues to say, "We've seen dogs that have either been chained up outside or left in the yard when the people have left, we've seen cats who are just set free''.

If you own a pet and can no longer pay for their food or shelter here are some places you can take your pet so they can find a new loving home.

• MSPCA
  
• Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center (617) 522-5055
• Metro South Animal Care and Adoption Center (508) 586-2053
• Nevins Farm (978) 687-7453
• The Animal Rescue League of Boston (617) 426-9170
  

• Dedham branch: (781) 326-0729
• Lower Cape Cod branch: (508) 255-1030

To find other shelters in your area, go to petfinder.com. Out in your zipcode on the left hand side to search for Animal Welfare Groups.

If you also have the time and resources available may I also suggest to use petfinder.com to find the pet you are looking for. That's how I found my rescue dog, and couldn't be more happier with her. I mean, who is going to say no to that face!

Related Posts: Moose Plays Dead; Recycling Dog; Sock monkeys for charity;It's the economy, stupid; What is this credit crisis you speak of, and why do I care?; An economic recovery plan, in a cup; The R-Word; Penny Pinchin' Times

Photo Coutesy of: Moi

Unexpected Volunteering

It was a usual walk home from the T after work on Monday. My iPOD was on shuffle, it was a nice evening, and I was thinking about all the housework I was going to catch up on because I had to work this past weekend.

That's when three children caught my attention, they had a stray dog and were trying to corral it and keep it occupied so that it didn't get hit by any of the cars passing by on the busy road in front of us. I approached the dog, it didn't seem unfriendly, and promptly held on to its collar while petting it. I should mention there were no tags on the collar.

I look down the street and see a police cruiser coming down the street, I flagged him down thinking, "Hey, he can take this dog". So Mr. Police Officer came and looked at the dog and told me where I have to bring the dog (5min drive) . At this spot, someone else would meet me and they would put the dog up overnight in a kennel until the animal control officer will look at it in the morning.

I didn't think this was the best solution. If I lost my dog I would be frantic with worry and would have been thrilled if someone took a more active approach to watching over my dog. So I told the police my phone number and told them if anyone contacted them to have them contact me. Meanwhile I took him to the doggie play group I usually take my dog in hopes that someone would recognize this dog.

Unfortunately no one recognized this dog, so I was forced to bring him back home. I fed him and gave him some water. I corralled the dog in the kitchen because I was unsure if he was potty trained.

Meanwhile, my current dog, Chai, did not know what to do with him. She was not used to having other dogs in the house and she took to playing with this dog more aggressively then this dog likes. For a good hour I tried to keep them apart, but they were both so needy for attention it left me exhausted!

I made the decision then that despite my good intentions I could not watch over this dog until its owner was found. So I was forced to bring the other dog to Somerville Department of Public Works, and there it joined another dog who was currently held captive.

So, if you know of anyone who is missing a small black fur, Lhasa Apso mix of some sort, please contact the Somerville Animal Control at 617-666-3311 .

Needless to say I didn't get to accomplish what I wanted to that night (i.e. cleaning my house), but that's okay because I helped a stray dog - probably someone's dear pet.

You may think you are too busy to take time out of your busy life to help someone out, but then you realize how important it is. If I kept on walking like the other people I saw walk by me when I was holding on to the dog then, yes, I could have done many of errands I wanted to have completed, but then something awful could have happened to the dog and that wouldn't sit right with me. Get on your feet and help those around you - you'll feel better in the end.

Related Posts: The Recycling Dog, Spring Cleaning part deux, Who is Happier?, How to be Happier, and Cleaning out your closet for a good cause.

Don't forget to vote daily for the Volunteer Boston Blog as the "Best Hobby Blog"!

Photo courtesy of dogbreedinfo.com. I didn't actually take a picture of the dog, but it did look similar to this dog with black fur instead of grey.