Boo on Chicago!! City lifts ban on Foie Gras

Mayor Richard Daley and his City Council allies repealed the city’s foie gras ban this week before animal rights activists could mobilize and make a peep in protest.

But foie gras foes are determined not to let the mayor clip their wings, planning a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Friday at City Hall as a demonstration against the reversal of the ban.

According to a statement from leaders of the Chicago-based Mercy for Animals, the purpose of the vigil is "to mourn the loss of the humane measure and pay tribute to horrific suffering endured by ducks."

Around 80 people showed up to protest

In front of city hall, downtown Chicago

My First Black Eye! (Yes, this is animal related...)

So pretty much every weekend, I have been at Chicago Animal Control, walking and "getting rid of dogs" as Steve says (meaning, finding them new homes). It's been great! We have gotten so many dogs adopted over the past couple months, including at a Wolves Hockey Game "adopt-a-dog" night where I found Jude a new home.

Jude, a 6 month old pit-bull mix

The dogs are transported in the supercool Animobile:

Huge crowds at the Chicago Wolves game. Dogs were featured on the large screen and got to take a ride on the Zamboni around the rink!

Oh yes, on to the black eye!!

So on Sunday I was at the shelter, and a young couple asked to see a cute black & tan doggie named "Tara". The dog cages are secured by a metal pole that you swing up to unlock. Usually the dogs are chomping at the bit to get out and pushing on the cage door, so it can be tricky trying to hold the door so the dog doesn't escape while bending down to try and get the leash around their neck. I don't know what I did, but apparently I had the metal pole in an upward position as I was down struggling to get the leash on Tara and while she was pushing on the cage door, the metal pole came swinging down and hit me....HARD...right above my left eye. The couple gasped, "Oh my God, are you ok ??" I said, "Oh yeah...fine", although I saw stars and birds chirping around my head. But I shook it off like it was no big deal and finally got Tara out for a walk.

By the time I got home later that day, my eye was somewhat swollen and getting darker. Steve had me put ice on it immediately and it brought the swelling down. It really was not all that bad considering, and not that noticeable.

That is, until today....four days later. It's getting blacker by the minute and extending outwards. It's getting harder and harder to conceal. There's a huge purple and black mass with yellow and green colors radiating upwards. Looks like a blind person was trying to put eyeshadow on me.

My Shelter war wound:

Of course, now when Steve and I are in public, I make sure to stand a few steps behind him and say, "Yes dear, whatever you say...just don't get mad at me again." heheheh. Poor Steve.

Anyway, my first real black eye - my very own badge of honor at the shelter! Thanks doggies!

MAY DAY for Downed Animals. Stop the abuse!

Today is National Call-In Day for Downed Farm Animals! The Humane
Society's recent undercover investigation of the cruel treatment of cows
at a California slaughter plant has sparked renewed attention to
the downer issue, with several Congressional hearings and bills
introduced. Now it's essential that we keep Congress focused on
the issue and ensure they take action.

At the California slaughter plant, "downed" animals -- those too
sick or injured to stand and walk on their own -- were prodded
with electric shocks, dragged with chains, rammed with
forklifts, and subjected to other egregious abuse in efforts to
forcibly move them to slaughter. Downed animals may also be left
to languish without food, water, or veterinary care, and they
are at a higher risk of carrying harmful diseases.

The following bills have already been introduced and others are
in the works:

Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act (H.R. 661/S. 394)
to ban slaughter of downed livestock and require their immediate
humane euthanasia.

Downed Animal Enforcement Act (S. 2770) to ban slaughter of
downed livestock and establish stricter penalties for violations
of the downer ban and humane slaughter law.

Food Safety Recall Information Act (H.R. 5762) to require
release of names of retailers and school districts that
purchased meat, poultry, or egg products subject to recall, and
ban slaughter of downed livestock.

TAKE ACTION!

It is critical that Congress take action on this issue quickly,
to reduce animal suffering and protect public health. When you
call, you will speak to a staff member who will pass your
message along to your legislator. Remember to be polite and
professional, and leave your name and address so it is clear
that you are a constituent.

1. Please call your U.S. Representative, Jan
Schakowsky, at (202) 225-2111. You can say:

"Hello, my name is [your name] and I'm calling from [your town]
to urge Representative Schakowsky to do everything
possible to enact legislation to protect downed animals --
including H.R. 661, the Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection
Act, and H.R. 5762, the Food Safety Recall Information Act. It's
time to ensure that animals unable to stand are humanely
euthanized and do not enter the food supply. Thank you."

In Illinois:

2. Please call Senator Dick
Durbin at (202) 224-2152 and
Senator Barack Obama at
(202) 224-2854. You can say:

"Hello, my name is [your name] and I'm calling from [your town]
to urge [senator's name] to do everything possible to enact
legislation to protect downed animals -- including S. 394, the
Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act, and S. 2770, the
Downed Animal Enforcement Act. It's time to ensure that animals
unable to stand are humanely euthanized and do not enter the
food supply. Thank you."

or click here to look up your federal legislators and their Capitol office phone numbers.