[NOTE: THIS IS AN OPINION PIECE BY DIANE WEST, ER, I MEAN MISTRESS CHILLI, OKAY? THANKS IN ADVANCE-- DW.]
...or, at least it will hit the media by then.
This is interesting, because they've been sort-of 'building up a buzz' about it for the past week or so, sending out a call for volunteers, and even the National Association of Pet Professionals put out a press release saying they're ready to help.
I tried to ask NSAL directly what's up, where the dogs are coming from, background, etc., but no luck. But I wonder if they're going to come from Pennsylvania. Wouldn't bet my life on it, but thinking they might because the Times just wrote this for pretty much no 'immediate' reason, just kind of reiterating old news (important news, but still old)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/us/18dogs.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y
Almost seems like a 'prep story' so that when the 'big' puppy mill rescue story breaks it will look like they (the Times) are at least on top of the issue. (On top of the the topic?).
In any case, I've put it at the bottom of my extended commentary. They need volunteers, especially those in the pet profession like groomers, vets and vet techs, as well as the usual. All relevant contact information is at the bottom of this post.
I have to say when it comes to the puppy mill thing, and knowing that Lancaster, Pennsylvania is one of the hot spots, I am very saddened. What is not emphasized too much--perhaps for very sensitive reasons--is that a number of these puppy mill purveyors are Amish. Remember, the Amish are one of the fantastic anomalies of this century. They live simply with little to no 'modern' conveniences and in many cases are the last of the true subsidence farmers in the United States. They pay no taxes nor get or receive Social Security. In essence, they are following to the best of their ability their faith which tells them to be 'not in the world.'
But when things like this happen crime and punishment and whether you're subject to the earthly laws can get a little murky. Crime happens in Amish country, both by and against the Amish, just like anywhere else. Don't hear about it as much, obviously. And even amongst themselves they have different versions of being 'in' the world. For example, I happen to love 'Amish Country.' (I'm a city girl who every once in a while needs to be surrounded by nature, and when I do so, I go all the way.) Few years back Bill and I were staying in a farmhouse adjacent to a working Amish farm and low and behold--we see an Amish farmer using an 18th century plow (oxen and all!) talking on a cell phone at the same time! Mind freak, indeed! So we asked our hosts whazzup wit dat? And they told us, well, cell phones are allowed because they are not connected to power lines, which are connected to 'the world', etc. Okay, so they found a loophole. To this day Bill still argues with me about that and how that is 'cheating.' Ehh...
Anyway...what was I talking about again? Oh yes, puppy mills in Amish country (and again, not all puppy mills in Amish country are run by the Amish, just happens to be a lot of open space there and a convenient location a few hours drive from a number of major cities.) But when they are run by the Amish, I get very sad. I'm not shy to say that I'm Christian (a very, VERY liberal, VERY poor excuse for one who cringes everytime I see wackozoid Fundies representing all of us--they don't.) I do identify with the basic tenants of the faith, so perhaps it is not for me to judge. But it would seem that one of our pillars of faith is to be 'Good Shepards' of the earth and all of creation; one of Jesus' most beloved parables is the shepherd who goes out of his way to retrieve the one lost sheep, and in other parables He speaks at length about reaping and sowing. Obviously these are not to be taken literally, but it shows that to the people He was speaking to at the time the good practice of these things was very important to living a prosperous and virtuous life.
So personally--and with respect--I just have to question when people who identify themselves as highly religious and pious, like Amish people who run puppy mills (and again, the vast majority of Amish DO NOT run puppy mills) exhibit such inhumane treatment of the living things we are charged with being 'Good Shepards of. The cell phone loophole, okay, it's a stretch, but I can see how you can reason yourself there. This one, not so much.
Here is the announcement NSAL has been circulating, so be prepared for the media blitz. Like I said, they're really building up the pre-event blitz:
Operation Puppy Mill Rescue -- NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
As the largest rescue and adoption organization in the world, North Shore Animal League America is often called upon to assist or conduct special rescue operations. Sadly, one of our most common rescue efforts is saving dogs from the horrors of puppy mills.Our next mill dog rescue is scheduled for August 24, 2009 and we're expecting MORE THAN 100 ANIMALS to arrive at our Port Washington, NY headquarters.
We are currently seeking qualified individuals who live in the NY, NJ, and CT tri-state area willing to donate their time and energy to the cause of helping these animals.We are looking for:
New York State Licensed Veterinarians
Experienced Veterinary Technicians (New York State license a plus)
Groomers
Foster Care Guardians
We are also in need of several items to help care for these dogs such as:
New or gently used towels
New or gently used washcloths
New appropriate bones and toys;a list of which can be found here:
To volunteer, please e-mail CassandraF@AnimalLeague.org and put "Puppy Mill" in the subject line.
...or, at least it will hit the media by then.
This is interesting, because they've been sort-of 'building up a buzz' about it for the past week or so, sending out a call for volunteers, and even the National Association of Pet Professionals put out a press release saying they're ready to help.
I tried to ask NSAL directly what's up, where the dogs are coming from, background, etc., but no luck. But I wonder if they're going to come from Pennsylvania. Wouldn't bet my life on it, but thinking they might because the Times just wrote this for pretty much no 'immediate' reason, just kind of reiterating old news (important news, but still old)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/us/18dogs.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y
Almost seems like a 'prep story' so that when the 'big' puppy mill rescue story breaks it will look like they (the Times) are at least on top of the issue. (On top of the the topic?).
In any case, I've put it at the bottom of my extended commentary. They need volunteers, especially those in the pet profession like groomers, vets and vet techs, as well as the usual. All relevant contact information is at the bottom of this post.
I have to say when it comes to the puppy mill thing, and knowing that Lancaster, Pennsylvania is one of the hot spots, I am very saddened. What is not emphasized too much--perhaps for very sensitive reasons--is that a number of these puppy mill purveyors are Amish. Remember, the Amish are one of the fantastic anomalies of this century. They live simply with little to no 'modern' conveniences and in many cases are the last of the true subsidence farmers in the United States. They pay no taxes nor get or receive Social Security. In essence, they are following to the best of their ability their faith which tells them to be 'not in the world.'
But when things like this happen crime and punishment and whether you're subject to the earthly laws can get a little murky. Crime happens in Amish country, both by and against the Amish, just like anywhere else. Don't hear about it as much, obviously. And even amongst themselves they have different versions of being 'in' the world. For example, I happen to love 'Amish Country.' (I'm a city girl who every once in a while needs to be surrounded by nature, and when I do so, I go all the way.) Few years back Bill and I were staying in a farmhouse adjacent to a working Amish farm and low and behold--we see an Amish farmer using an 18th century plow (oxen and all!) talking on a cell phone at the same time! Mind freak, indeed! So we asked our hosts whazzup wit dat? And they told us, well, cell phones are allowed because they are not connected to power lines, which are connected to 'the world', etc. Okay, so they found a loophole. To this day Bill still argues with me about that and how that is 'cheating.' Ehh...
Anyway...what was I talking about again? Oh yes, puppy mills in Amish country (and again, not all puppy mills in Amish country are run by the Amish, just happens to be a lot of open space there and a convenient location a few hours drive from a number of major cities.) But when they are run by the Amish, I get very sad. I'm not shy to say that I'm Christian (a very, VERY liberal, VERY poor excuse for one who cringes everytime I see wackozoid Fundies representing all of us--they don't.) I do identify with the basic tenants of the faith, so perhaps it is not for me to judge. But it would seem that one of our pillars of faith is to be 'Good Shepards' of the earth and all of creation; one of Jesus' most beloved parables is the shepherd who goes out of his way to retrieve the one lost sheep, and in other parables He speaks at length about reaping and sowing. Obviously these are not to be taken literally, but it shows that to the people He was speaking to at the time the good practice of these things was very important to living a prosperous and virtuous life.
So personally--and with respect--I just have to question when people who identify themselves as highly religious and pious, like Amish people who run puppy mills (and again, the vast majority of Amish DO NOT run puppy mills) exhibit such inhumane treatment of the living things we are charged with being 'Good Shepards of. The cell phone loophole, okay, it's a stretch, but I can see how you can reason yourself there. This one, not so much.
Here is the announcement NSAL has been circulating, so be prepared for the media blitz. Like I said, they're really building up the pre-event blitz:
Operation Puppy Mill Rescue -- NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
As the largest rescue and adoption organization in the world, North Shore Animal League America is often called upon to assist or conduct special rescue operations. Sadly, one of our most common rescue efforts is saving dogs from the horrors of puppy mills.Our next mill dog rescue is scheduled for August 24, 2009 and we're expecting MORE THAN 100 ANIMALS to arrive at our Port Washington, NY headquarters.
We are currently seeking qualified individuals who live in the NY, NJ, and CT tri-state area willing to donate their time and energy to the cause of helping these animals.We are looking for:
New York State Licensed Veterinarians
Experienced Veterinary Technicians (New York State license a plus)
Groomers
Foster Care Guardians
We are also in need of several items to help care for these dogs such as:
New or gently used towels
New or gently used washcloths
New appropriate bones and toys;a list of which can be found here:
To volunteer, please e-mail CassandraF@AnimalLeague.org and put "Puppy Mill" in the subject line.
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