During the holiday season I’m presenting a series of short articles on self-care.  While this may seem like a departure from animal welfare issues the two are related.  The more love and compassion we hold for ourselves, the more we can share compassion with all forms of life.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Give gifts that bless the universe and don’t drain your wallet.  Financial pressure often accompanies the holidays.  Many people use Christmas gifts as a chance to “prove their love” or “redeem a relationship”.  However, many gifts are free, or inexpensive and very thoughtful.  Maybe instead of by gifts for friends you can have a pot luck and a “white elephant” gift exchange.  Perhaps your family will start a new tradition-no store bought gifts.  Maybe you and your partner can give each other a message or plan a romantic get away.  If money’s tight, bundle up and take a romantic walk in the woods.  No matter how much you have to give, the greatest present you can every give is your love, acceptance and compassion.

During the holiday season I’m presenting a series of short articles on self-care.  While this may seem like a departure from animal welfare issues the two are related.  The more love and compassion we hold for ourselves, the more we can share compassion with all forms of life.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Eat Organic.  When you feed your body food free of chemicals and antibiotics you are blessing your body, and blessing the earth.  Our bodies are the greatest machines we will ever own and yet many people balk at the cost of healthy food.  When your body is healthy your have greater endurance, your brain functions better and you learn quicker.  And, because your functioning at a higher level, it will probably be easier for you to seek better employment opportunities or make wiser decisions regarding business opportunities.

During the holiday season I’m presenting a series of short articles on self-care.  While this may seem like a departure from animal welfare issues the two are related.  The more love and compassion we hold for ourselves, the more we can share compassion with all forms of life.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Let peace begin with me.  Too often we think we need to fix others to change the world when in fact the only thing we truly have power over is ourselves.  Today, when you feel the urge to help someone else stop to consider if you might be trying to avoid your own feelings, some unfinished work, or some anxiety.  There is nothing wrong with helping others, in fact, it’s extending your compassion to others is to be admired.  However, if you help others so that you can avoid our own life, you are missing out on the greatest part of your own journey.

During the changing seasons it’s very important to brush your dog’s coat.  As winter approaches Mother Nature takes over and many dogs will grow a think undercoat or the hair of their top coat will  thicken. 

Unfortunately, it may cause more of a mess with fur ball throughout the house.  So brush your dog regularly and consider purchasing a Furminator.  It’s the best brush/comb I know of for reducing excess pet hair.

Even if your cat is strickly an indoor cat, its fur may thicken as winter sets in.  This is normal but can be aggravating as you clog your vaccume cleaner and find more and more fur balls scattered throughout the house. 

Thick undercoats can lead to tangled hair and mats.  When the seasons are changing, it’s good to brush your cat on a regular basis.  One of the best products I know of is the Fuminator.  My cats love it and it helps reduce the mess left from loose hair.

It’s wonderful to give money to charities.  We all like helping people.  However, when you give money away there are two things to consider; how much of your money will actually be used to help people and will any of your money cause the suffering of others.

Unfortunately, numerous “good” organizations refuse to pay attention to scientific break throughs.  With technical advancements, animal models for research has become one of the least predicatable and remains one of the most expensive forms of research being used.  It also inflicts dreadful suffering on animals as they indure a life of solitary confinment and painful medical experimentation.  Some animals have it worse than others.  For example “Sparky” a primate lived 46 agonizing years in confinment without socialization.  Other animals, the lucky ones only have to live a few months before the disease inflicted on them causes their premature death and or they are euthanized.  

So what you can  you do?  Find out which organizations fund animal model research and do not support them.  There are two ways to do this.  You can routinely check the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) website, or you can write the organizations and ask them directly.  After that you can send a letter to the board of directors telling them why you do not support their organization.  You can also form protest against fund raisers, and inform friends, family and co-workers.