ClizBiz's blog http://www.blogher.com/blog/287/atom/feed 2009-03-25T17:22:52-05:00 Keeping Pets Safe and Sane This Weekend ... And All Summer Long http://www.blogher.com/keeping-pets-safe-and-sane-weekend-and-all-summer-long 2009-07-01T20:28:00-05:00 2009-07-01T20:28:00-05:00 ClizBiz Being Americans, we like to celebrate by blowing things up. This weekend, thousands of fireworks will explode in brilliant colors and high pitched squeals, bringing joy and wonder to everyone ... except pets, which is why animal shelters see a huge increase in strays around this holiday. Dogs and cats will panic and bolt through doors, windows - both open and closed - trying to escape the noise.

]]> Being Americans, we like to celebrate by blowing things up. This weekend, thousands of fireworks will explode in brilliant colors and high pitched squeals, bringing joy and wonder to everyone ... except pets, which is why animal shelters see a huge increase in strays around this holiday. Dogs and cats will panic and bolt through doors, windows - both open and closed - trying to escape the noise.

Our family dog, Otis, would go bat shit crazy if any fireworks were set off within a five-mile radius. If he could actually see them, they were under attack and it's truly a wonder that Otis never burned his mouth when trying to eat them.

Beyond fireworks causing stress and anxiety in your pet, also be careful of heat exhaustion this summer. Keep in mind that pets cannot tolerate heat like humans. For instance, dogs don't sweat so they lack a natural way to cool down. Symptoms of animal heat exhaustion include heavy panting, drooling and labored breathing.

"Heat exhaustion is one of the big things that can occur. It happens more with dogs than cats, but it can occur with both. It doesn't take much time for heat exhaustion to develop. A dog can overheat in a hot vehicle in just 10 minutes. Gum color is another indicator. If gums appear red instead of pink, that's a sign of an animal in distress."

--Tracy Chase-Thompson, department chair of the veterinary technology program at Brown Mackie College in Michigan City, Ind.

If heat exhaustion does occur, move Fido to a cool spot immediately and give him or her water to drink. Go ahead and wipe a cool washcloth over the fur but don't just dump water over the animal. It helps to place their paws in cool water too but avoid ice baths - Fido can go into shock.

Some tips from The Humane Society for keeping your pets safe this weekend:

1. Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays. Seriously, just don't do it.

2. Don't leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe, your pet can suffer serious health effects—even death—in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows won't cut it and it provides an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.

3. Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area during the festivities. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you’re attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations. [Also makes sure to close the windows and lower the blinds. You may even consider putting your pet in his or her crate, if it's something that makes them feel safe.]

4. If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.

5. Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.

6. Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners. Get your pet microchipped too.

Also remember that while lit fireworks could obviously harm a curious animal, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals. Keep them out of reach.

A few other safety concerns to ponder:

* Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

* Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. If you are wearing these products, don't let them lick you. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

* Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

* Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals that have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to pets.

* Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.

* Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.

***

Melinda at OneGreenGeneration has rescued more than a few pooches that were rattled by the July 4th festivities:

"Over the years, I have rescued several dogs who were scared out of their minds and running aimlessly through the neighborhoods on July 4th. Fortunately each time, I was able to connect the pooches with their families within a couple of days. The stories varied: from families who were out of town and someone was house sitting (“they just flew by me when I walked into the house”), to families who’d left their dog in the yard only to find they’d dug a hole under the fence (“he’s been left in the yard for years and never dug a hole once”), to families who were just gone for a few moments and the dog jumped out of a window - or in one case, the dog jumped through a closed window."

Liz Marshall, over at LizardMarsh opts out of the July 4th celebrations for all the reasons above:

"I myself have not been to a 4th of July party in more that 20 years since I adopted my first dog, and I spend this holiday at home every year with my dogs locked in the house, with all air conditioners on and all TV's on LOUD to try and drown out of the noise. My reminder was sat night when my neighbors blew off bottle rockets and I had a 70 lb pitbull sitting on my head, panting, shaking and drooling."

Dr. Karen Halligan offers some animal-perspective on fireworks over at the MuchLove blog:

"Certain cats and dogs have full-blown anxiety attacks. Symptoms of anxiety include shaking, trembling, barking, howling, drooling, attempting to hide, refusing to eat, and trying to leap a fence or escape from an enclosure, yard, or home....Unlike humans, animals have an acute sense of hearing, and the unexpected explosion of fireworks in the sky, whether a simple backyard celebration or a huge production, can cause alarm. Even pets that haven’t reacted in the past, or haven’t reacted in years, can suddenly become fearful or anxious. Older pets may be even more sensitive to loud noises."

Happy 4th!

~ClizBiz

(Image Credits: Top - MuchLove; Middle - Mark Wilson, Boston Globe; Bottom - Doggles)

]]> More Kids Going Veggie http://www.blogher.com/more-kids-going-veggie 2009-06-24T19:20:45-05:00 2009-06-24T19:20:45-05:00 ClizBiz 'Kids these days,' as the lament goes, 'don't even know milk comes from a cow.' Well, the jig is up and thanks to our friend, the Internet, kids not only know where milk comes from, but they are discovering where cheeseburgers come from - LOLcats not included. The result? A rise in the number of young vegetarians and vegans. 

]]> 'Kids these days,' as the lament goes, 'don't even know milk comes from a cow.' Well, the jig is up and thanks to our friend, the Internet, kids not only know where milk comes from, but they are discovering where cheeseburgers come from - LOLcats not included. The result? A rise in the number of young vegetarians and vegans. 
"This has been a steadily growing trend over the years. With the environment getting more attention in the media and pop culture, kids are making decisions about their identities and exploring not eating meat or even going completely vegan. The meat culture is less ingrained in kids, so they're more open to this evolution."

--Elizabeth Turner, editor-in-chief, Vegetarian Times

Earlier this year, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a new study on vegetarians under the age of 18. One in 200 kids in America call themselves vegetarians and the numbers are growing. According to new figures from the School Nutrition Association (SHA), more U.S. schools are offering vegetarian options to accommodate.

Mind you, the changes didn't come without some green, leafy foot stomping. In 2008, the US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service received over 10,000 comments demanding increased vegetarian options in schools. Nearly two thirds (63.9 percent) of school nutrition programs now offer vegetarian lunches on a regular basis, up from 22.3 percent in 2003. SHA's 2009 Report also found that 20.5 percent of school nutrition programs als offer vegan meal options (no meat, dairy or animal products).

"Compassion for animals is the major, major reason. When kids find
out the things they are eating are living animals - and if they have a
pet...."

--Richard Schwartz, president of Jewish Vegetarians of North America

Examples of vegetarian school lunches include entree salads and veggie pizza with whole grain crust as well as beans and rice, chef salads with yogurt and sunflower seeds, cheese stuffed shells, vegetable hoagies (with two cheeses, red and green pepper strips, cucumber, lettuce, and tomato) and lentil sauce with pasta. (Dang. I'm getting hungry.)

Many cite the availability of graphic animal slaughter videos on YouTube, usually posted by PETA and other animal rights organizations. Growing up, we certainly knew that the cute cows in the fields eventually became beef for the table but we didn't have Google at our fingertips to illustrate precisely how that happened.

These days, kids are more informed about the food industry and the environment - probably because they are inheriting a mess. Some may call it a 'trend' while others call it a heightened ethical awareness; either way kids are making the vivid connections between live chickens and the resulting McNuggets, for better or worse.

The challenge is now with the parents and school systems, rushing to adapt to these new dietary demands. In light of this country's childhood obesity problem, one could see this as good news.

"A lot more kids are using the Internet. They're curious about stuff and trying to become independent and they're trying to find out who they are."

--Nichole Nightingale, 14, became vegan after being exposed to a YouTube video from PETA showing the graphic details of how chickens are slaughtered for meat

There are already plenty of kids being raised as vegans or vegetarians but this is mostly a House Rules scenario, with the caveat that when the kids get older, they can make their own eating choices. (This is how I was introduced to religion: "ClizBiz, meet God. God, meet ClizBiz. You two make nice until college, then work it out on your own.")

A great example is Dina Aronson, blogger and mother to Ben, over at Vegan RD:

"He understands he is a 'vegetarian' and we don't eat 'real chickens or real cows' or 'milk from a cow.' A small part of me fears that, ironically, he will be somehow damaged by being the odd man out. But fortunately he is a very laid back kid who has a natural love for animals and can't understand why people would want to kill and eat them. He brings up the topic quite a bit, and I tell him that we don't eat animals but that 'when you're a big boy, if you want to eat animals, that is your choice.'"

A former child vegetarian - she's 30 now - speaks to the issue on NitwitOddment:

"My brothers and I were raised on a purely lacto-ova vegetarian diet, and we have remained vegetarians in adulthood. One brother is 6'1" and the other is 6'4". We are all healthy and mentally acute (well most of us anyway!). We did not eat vitamin pills or supplements to get here, and we did not suffer significant social stigma in the lunchroom. Our mother fed us healthy, fresh, planet-based meals with a few dairy products on the side. I have never, in all my blood donating years, failed an iron test."

Finally, Drewry Hanes, "a strict vegetarian since the age of 12", tears into PETA for its "amazing misinformation" regarding kids and vegetarianism. I highly recommend reading this. Drewry dig deep in her post, 'PETA is Here to Save Your Soul':

"Beyond the dubious authors they quote on the site and the questionable sources they take their information from, it also seems like there might actually be someone sitting behind a curtain fabricating anything that might encourage someone to lay off the animal products. Where it really gets me is the section where they spin lies about kids who are vegetarians. Oh let the fun begin..."

Other links:

A terrific 'Vegetarian Kids Checklist' from Delicious Living.

Studies on WebMD on the vegetarian/vegan diet.

~ClizBiz

]]> Florida Cat Killer Arrested, Free on Bond http://www.blogher.com/florida-cat-killer-arrested-free-bond 2009-06-17T15:35:26-05:00 2009-06-17T15:35:26-05:00 ClizBiz The string of 19 (by some counts, 33) cat mutilation killings that have terrorized South Miami-Dade for the past month have hopefully, come to an end. Police have finally arrested a suspect and he's not exactly the angry, freaky loner that many were expecting. Instead, he's a dog-loving class clown, a swim class instructor and a local teenager known by all his neighbors. He was taken into custody while at a party and even flashed a smile for his mug shot.

]]> The string of 19 (by some counts, 33) cat mutilation killings that have terrorized South Miami-Dade for the past month have hopefully, come to an end. Police have finally arrested a suspect and he's not exactly the angry, freaky loner that many were expecting. Instead, he's a dog-loving class clown, a swim class instructor and a local teenager known by all his neighbors. He was taken into custody while at a party and even flashed a smile for his mug shot.

"I will go home and have a super good cry. Part of sadness is she's not here, and part of happiness is he's been caught. But whoever expects their animal to have to endure what they did - how horrific! What a bastard, to humiliate them and mutilate them the way he did."

--Nancy Mayes, whose cat, Sheba, was killed on Mother's Day

Tyler Weinman, 18, has been charged with 19 counts of animal cruelty, four counts of burglary and 19 counts of improper disposing of an animal body. Judge John Thornton has since ruled that Weinman poses no danger to himself or the community and he posted bond at $249,500.

Most of the animals were found gutted on front lawns over the last month and a few had been 'posed' in a macabre fashion. The cats were also beaten, skinned or sliced open - obviously the work of a troubled individual.

"(Weinman is) twisted and depraved, somehow really not right as a human being. Thankfully, for this community, the terror has come to an end."

--Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson

Weinman will wear an electronic monitoring bracelet while he awaits a July 6 arraignment and also attend counseling sessions recommended by a doctor after a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation. Weinman could face a sentence of up to 158 years in jail.

"We are cat owners ourselves. We certainly sympathize with the grief of the other pet owners. We are sympathetic with them, but it is not our son."

--Douglas Weinman, father of suspect, Tyler Weinman

Weinman's parents are divorced, and the teen splits his time between his mother's house in Cutler Bay and his father's house in Palmetto Bay. Evidently, dead cats were found in both towns. The Miami Herald spoke to one Weinman's lawyers, Michael Walsh, who insisted the suspect is innocent and that police rushed to arrest him without evidence because of an intense public outcry over the cat killings.

"He was always so nice to my animals. I have three cats and they loved him.”

--Kathy Hernandez, friend of Tyler Weinman, in an e-mail to The Miami Herald, insisting that the police "have the wrong guy."

At least online, Weinman was appalled by the killings and even joined the Facebook group 'Catch the Cat Killer!' Police were not convinced and in fact, claim that Weinman’s social networking activities led to his arrest. Ironically, there is now a Facebook group titled ‘Justice for Tyler.’ In an open letter, the groups' founder, Sasha, seeks the following:

"In America everyone is innocent until proven guilty and that includes Tyler Weinman ... The group seeks to avoid a 'trial by media/internet' attitude and hopes for a just acquittal or just conviction, which ever outcome is achieved through the rightful due process of law, not through mass hysteria or abridged judicial action. Additionally, Justice for Tyler hopes for an end to inflammatory statements given by community leaders that assume guilt before guilt or innocence is determined in a court of law."

Authorities say that police have issued multiple arrest warrants for suspects and Until all possible suspects are in custody, many residents are keeping their cats safely indoors.

Clearly, the court of public opinion has already convicted Weinman but until the police release more details about what led to his arrest, I remain unconvinced of his guilt. Meantime, I'd keep those Florida kitties locked up inside - no matter how much they whine.

***
Blue Sky Sunshine blog ("You have no right to think for yourself") has been closely following the case, steadily providing details:

"In early May, at least four cats were mutilated down the street from his mother’s home on Ridgeland Drive. The northernmost killings occurred about a half-mile west of his father’s home, where a sticker on a window near the front door said, 'In case of fire, please rescue cat.'"

Gina Spadafori over at Pet Connection isn't terribly comforted by the suspect being released on bail:

"Um … released? Aside from the horror of what this kid has been charged with, the link between crimes against animals and humans has been a fact for decades. If this is the killer, he’s a danger to us all — not, as people often say in such cases — 'just' to cats."

For Melodia over at Tiger Butter (um, how sexy is that blog name?), the whole mess is too close for comfort:

"Not only does this creep live 10 minutes from my parents' home but he also graduated from my high school. People are seemingly pleased to have the suspected killer caught but many folks are still defending him saying he was a good kid. I have realized that I clearly don't believe in justice or innocence before proven guilty. I have already convicted this sicko in my mind and I want him to get the maximum sentence for his Dexter-ish cat crimes. Fortunately slick guy over here just turned 18 so he's nice and legal. He'll be some juicy low hanging fruit in jail. I really like my mother's suggested punishment of locking him in a cage with a really hungry man eating lion."


 (Image Credits: Top - Miami-Dade Corrections; Middle - Google Maps; Bottom - Tanakawho)

]]> USDA'S Livestock Tagging Plan for Food Safety Meets Fierce Resistance http://www.blogher.com/usdas-livestock-tagging-plan-food-safety-meets-fierce-resistance 2009-06-10T18:58:28-05:00 2009-06-10T18:58:28-05:00 ClizBiz In 2004, faced with threats of mad cow disease and outbreaks of E. coli, the USDA launched the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) with the goal of ensuring food safety. The plan is to tag every single livestock animal and keep their information and location in a searchable database, thus quickly tracing the animal's trail during an outbreak. A noble plan if not for the scads of farmers and ranchers who are vehemently against it.

]]> In 2004, faced with threats of mad cow disease and outbreaks of E. coli, the USDA launched the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) with the goal of ensuring food safety. The plan is to tag every single livestock animal and keep their information and location in a searchable database, thus quickly tracing the animal's trail during an outbreak. A noble plan if not for the scads of farmers and ranchers who are vehemently against it.

Those in the livestock industry claim that no issue has triggered as much controversy as the NAIS and implementing it could be a "costly mistake" given the strong opposition.

Yesterday in Jefferson City, MO, a "listening meeting" (one of several sponsored by the USDA) was held to discuss the program and it drew livestock farmers from Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Wisconsin. In the often-raucous event, hundreds of farmers and ranchers demanded that the feds scrap the ambitious plan while insisting that it would fail in food safety and impinge on private business. Protesters gathered outside the hotel, while inside, critics of the USDA's program were supported with loud cheers, standing ovations and shouts of approval.

"You guys don't know what the heck you're doing,"

--David Hannes, a farmer from Mountain Grove near the Arkansas border, to U.S. Department of Agriculture employees at Tuesday's meeting

Of the 55 people who spoke in nearly four hours, only one pork producer, Brent Sandidge, endorsed NAIS. Sandidge noted that pork sales plummeted during the recent swine flu outbreak, even though pigs weren't spreading the disease. He warned attendees that one infection not quickly contained could effectively ruin their industries. "I watched swine flu destroy our markets," Sandidge said before hecklers booed him off the microphone and he stormed out.

At this point, it's actually up to Individual states to decide whether to participate in the animal tracking program and whether to make farmers' participation voluntary or not. In some states, it's a done deal while in others, the issue is divisive.

"We need a good system in place to keep our U.S. livestock healthy,"

--USDA veterinarian David Hopson

Michigan became the first state in 2007 to make parts of the program mandatory by requiring radio frequency identification ear tags to be attached to cattle and dairy cows. The following year in Missouri, the state barred the state Department of Agriculture from participating in the program without the explicit approval of the Legislature. In fact, the Missouri Farmers Union has split from the National Farmers Union in its opposition to any kind of animal traceability system.

"The country was built on a free enterprise system and that should not be interrupted,"

--Steve Willard, president of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association

Much like California's egg initiative, Proposition 2, the main issue is money. At Tuesday's meeting, Missouri State Senator Wes Shoemyer, a farmer from Monroe County, spoke about the cost of a mandatory system citing a study by Kansas State University that suggested the average price of the system to a Missouri farmer would be $16 per head. An April cost-benefit analysis of NAIS estimated first-year implementation costs between $145 million and $228 million, to be paid by farmers already financially strapped. Still unknown, too, is how NAIS would be enforced and what the penalties for non-compliance might be.

"While mandatory animal identification is endlessly sold to lawmakers and consumers as a key element in new food safety regulations, producers have repeatedly pointed out that NAIS only tracks trouble after it occurs; it doesn’t prevent it. As such, it is not a food safety tool as much as a liability-assigning tool and no farmer wants a new expressway built between him and the federal courthouse."

--The Daily Republic (South Dakota) editorial

Still, one has to assume that if there is a deadly outbreak of some meat-sourced brain-eating disease, such concerns will seem weak and shortsighted. Either way, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has a fight on his hands.

****
Darol Dickinson, an Ohio rancher, recently attended a USDA-sponsored meeting and patiently "listened until his whole load of hay was forked to the herd" and then blogged about it on Proud Political Junkies Gazette:

"We were told, NAIS would not be a choice. It was going to happen. NAIS would create increased livestock profit for those who promptly enrolled. Those who did not enroll would suffer losses–not the fault of USDA. We were duly warned! Without NAIS the export markets would promptly dry up for US livestock producers. If anthrax disease was introduced to the US livestock industry by terrorist, it would destroy all US agriculture. If foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was introduced by terrorist it would engulf whole states overnight and wipe out the livestock industry. Then he said the Mad Cow media event in Washington state was the explosive reason NAIS was created by USDA — to protect all concerned."

Kimberly Hartke wonders about the economic timing of such an initiative over at Hartke Is Online:

"USDA Listening Sessions on their attempts at a National Animal ID and Tracking System have been packed with vocal opponents to this Orwellian plan. In city after city, the NAIS has been roundly condemned by those farmers and ranchers and even consumers who will ultimately pay the price for an ill-conceived boondoggle. With America struggling for economic recovery, why does our government try to implement an expensive plan that will hurt our domestic economy and drive meat prices up?"

Sharon Croghan blogged her take on a June 1 USDA listening session about NAIS over at Good Neighbor Law:

"A few self sustainers, ie raised their own for themselves, spoke against, but there was no one there specifically representing horses, goats, fowl...i was a bit disappointed by this ....To me the whole session felt more like an 'okay, we listened, now go home and shut up' session."

(Image Credits: Top - Biomark; Middle - Richard Oswald; Bottom- RFIDTagsTCC)

]]> A Pet-Only Airline Prepares for Lift-Off http://www.blogher.com/pet-only-airline-prepares-lift 2009-06-03T17:15:40-05:00 2009-06-03T17:15:40-05:00 ClizBiz Ever had to ship your pet on a plane? While statistically safe, it's still scary for both of you. So, after years of loyalty and love, pets have won their very own airline. Starting on July 14, PetAirways will provide animal-only flight service to five cities – Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. Us control freaks can even obtain 15-minute status updates on our airborne pets online.

]]> Ever had to ship your pet on a plane? While statistically safe, it's still scary for both of you. So, after years of loyalty and love, pets have won their very own airline. Starting on July 14, PetAirways will provide animal-only flight service to five cities – Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. Us control freaks can even obtain 15-minute status updates on our airborne pets online.

Thanks to two enterprising pet lovers, Alysa Binder and husband, Dan Wiesel, the "pawsengers" won't have to ride in cargo hold but instead get their own secured crate in coach. Prior to departure, pets can hang out in the lounge or be walked by an attendant. For multiple city flights, PetAirways will stop and allow the animals to deplane for some fresh air and a potty break. (See the PetAirways ad here.)

Pets will be allowed personal items, such as toys, medication and food, as long as it fits in the carrier. PetAirways does plan to feed animals while in the lounges but not on the plane just in case the animals have a bad reaction. The inaugural flight is $149 one way but general fares will be $250 one way though actual fares will be based on pet size and distance.

"There is a huge need for safe air travel for pets,"

--PetAirways founder Alysa Binder

Based out of Florida, (via the Omaha-based Suburban Air), PetAirways took 19-passenger turbo prop planes and removed seats and overhead compartments. Then, they installed 50 pet carriers secured with special strapping mechanisms, much like passenger seatbelts. Pets fly in the well-lit, climate-controlled cabin that is circulated with fresh air. Fido and Fluffy even get their own flight attendant plus a trained veterinarian technician who monitors the pets throughout the flight for any signs of duress.

Last November, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution conducted a review of the Department of Transportation's pet travel records over a 12-month stretch in 2007 and 2008. The AJC revealed that commercial airlines reported 29 animal deaths, 13 injuries and seven lost pets. (Causes of death ranged from heat prostration, lack of oxygen and injuries suffered while trying to escape from shoddy crates.) Keep in mind that an estimated half-million companion animals fly each year in this country, though statistics do not include animals transported by commercial breeders.

So, statistically speaking, air travel for pets is relatively safe but if you are one of those 29 pet owners who lost their best friend last year, you may disagree.

PetAirways Founder Alysa Binder, in an interview with MSNBC, explained her inspiration for the new venture:

"In 2001, my husband, Dan, and I were high-tech start-up consultants moving from Silicon Valley to Florida and we had had to fly our dog, Zoe, in cargo. It was very stressful for her – cargo holds are dark, loud, fresh air might not be circulating. You’re basically relegating your pet to luggage and she’s part of our family. When we arrived she was out of sorts, but many animals get injured, experience heat prostration and psychological problems after flying."

The concept is actually not new. The pet airline has been attempted before in 2004 with the now-defunct Companion Air. I'm not sure how far that got off the ground, literally, but their site is dead.

Additionally, PetAirways is working with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary by donating flights for pet adoptions and rescue. The PetAirways blog also provides some travel tips for your beloved furry friend.

Buckle up, Barney!

***

The folks over at FlightSchedulePro have some insight on the carrier:

"Think this is funny?  PetAirways is partnered with some of the biggest names in the pet care industry. To name a few: PetMeds, America's Largest Pet Pharmacy. Suburban Air has been selected as Air Operations Partner.  Suburban is based in Omaha, NE and flies mainly contracted aircraft for the US Dept. of the Interior, Alaska Fire Service, US Postal Service, DHL, UPS, Airborne and is one of only five carriers worldwide licensed to carry certain radioactive medical materials."

Stubby the Pug blogs over at Life of Stubby and he is getting impatient:

"What I failed to check on their website in my mad rush to get the heck out of Dodge was that they don't start flying until July. July? I need to go to Denver now! The party will be over by July! The meatloaf will be gone! I will die of starvation!"

Meanwhile, Erin, over at the What a Trip, is contemplating the idea: 

"Would I send my pet on PetAirways?  Well, considering that my pet is a 14-year old tortoiseshell cat known for her mood swings and propensity to vomit the instant she is loaded into a car, I’d just prefer to leave her at home.  If I had a larger animal who needed to travel with me and $300 to spare, I’d probably consider it, however.  Any human who loves an animal knows that shipping Fido with cargo is not the most appealing option."

 

(Image Credits: Top and Middle - PetAirways; Bottom - Randy Son of Robert via Flickr)

 

]]> The Heart of the Matter http://www.blogher.com/heart-matter-0 2009-05-27T16:01:58-05:00 2009-05-27T16:01:58-05:00 ClizBiz Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean was in Kugluktuk, Nunavut (Canada’s arctic region) yesterday and while there, took in a controversial snack.  Jean took a traditional ulu blade, co-skinned a seal and then ate a raw piece of its heart. It was meant to show solidarity with Inuit traditions in contrast to the European Parliament's recent vote to ban seal hunting.

]]> Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean was in Kugluktuk, Nunavut (Canada’s arctic region) yesterday and while there, took in a controversial snack.  Jean took a traditional ulu blade, co-skinned a seal and then ate a raw piece of its heart. It was meant to show solidarity with Inuit traditions in contrast to the European Parliament's recent vote to ban seal hunting.

Turns out, GG Jean picked the wrong geography to make her bloody point and Gawker is calling Jean "the Sarah Palin of Canada."  

Indeed, the EU voted earlier this month to impose a ban on seal products on grounds that the seal hunt is cruel. However, the ruling provides exemptions so Inuit communities from Canada (such as those in Nunavut), Greenland and elsewhere can continue traditional seal hunts as they have for centuries. (The ruling does bar these same communities from large-scale pelt trading and other seal goods in Europe.) On June 25th, EU governments are set to sign the ban officially into law.

"Could I try the heart? ... It's like sushi. And it's very rich in protein."

--Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean, dining upon seal

As the Governor General (the Queen's rep, a largely ceremonial post) no doubt intended, her curious gesture at a media-staged event touched off a firestorm of reactions on both sides of the issue. Animal rights groups have long argued that Canada's annual seal hunt is cruel, poorly monitored and provides little economic benefit. Meanwhile, sealers and Canadian authorities say it is sustainable, humane and provides income for isolated communities, such as the Nunavut region
where Governor Jean did the deed.

"Nunavut - meaning 'our land' in Inuktitut - is both the least populated and the geographically largest of the provinces and territories of Canada. It has a population of 29,474 spread over an area the size of Western Europe. Nunavut is also home to the northernmost permanently inhabited place in the world."

--Wikipedia entry on the Nunavut province

The exemptions to indigenous communities mean that the seal hunts will likely go on in the Nunavut province, making Jean's grand gesture misleading, not to mention, totally inconsequential. Rebecca Aldworth, director of Humane Society International Canada, commented, "Inuit people are protected in the legislation. To suggest otherwise is deceptive on the part of the Canadian government."

To be fair, I watched the entire video of the seal-snacking event and it didn't seem any more bloodthirsty than my brother's garage after a deer hunt or the backroom of any butcher shop in America. There were children all around (this is a day of celebration in the community) and the Governor - while misinformed on the geographical applications of the hunting ban - still managed a valid point.

The seal hunt for these far north communities is a tradition but it's also an economic and nutritional necessity; there's just not a ton of chickens and cows running around in snow. The fact is, cultural differences are often lost in translation when it comes to legislation half a planet away. It's also worth noting that Michaelle Jean came to Canada in 1968, as a Haitian refugee - a culture which could not be more different from Canada's. (A favorite dish in Haiti is griot - deep-fried goat. Try some?)

"No comment; it's too bizarre to acknowledge."

--Barbara Helfferich, spokeswoman for EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas

This entire episode did jar a memory in an African market many years ago. It was during my three-month safari and it was my turn to buy food for the group. I noted baskets and baskets of, what appeared to be, shiny yellow snack foods.  I was told that they were grasshoppers - oiled, salted and dried in the sun - a tasty snack, high in protein. Dared by the local women looking for entertainment, I ate one and made a few scrunched-up faces, much to the hooting laughter of the native women.

Then there was that time in Australia that I ate the very tangy, tasty butts of green ants. Talk about barbaric - they were still alive! I only swallowed four or five of the little buggers but it still weighs heavily on my conscious. I also think about my country's insatiable love of the hamburger while India's Hindus deems the cow sacred ...what must they think of us?

My point is, despite the GG's clueless and unnecessary act of defiant heart-eating, sometimes you just have to say, "When in Rome ..." even if you're in Canada.

***

A thought-provoking post from Wideye ("a person who loves to cook and hopes to establish a business serving indigenous foods") at Crazy Bitches R Us:

"There is a food security issue in many of our Inuit and First Nation communities. Young Inuit children are choosing food produced and regulated by the southern economies rather than local foods and it's impacting their health....Frankly I'd like to see seal meat on the menu at McDonalds. I'd like for our Indigenous food products to be visible and compete in the larger southern markets. I'd like it so I could go into the Great Canadian Super Store and see White Corn for corn soup in cans, dried, and milled for my bannock. I'd like to purchase my Buffalo and Caribou knowing that I was supporting the original peoples and their economies."

Some geographical guidance from Kestrel on Tipping Point Blog:

"I guess Michaelle Jean needs to brush up on her facts.. and her geography. For one thing, she wasn’t in Newfoundland talking to white men. She was in the arctic talking to Inuit kids in Nunavit whose cultural tradition of using seals for subsistence living has never been in question with the seal protests and EU ban."

Some snacky points over at Eideard regarding cultural culinary differences: 

"It’s always the eyes which gets the vegetarian left. I think. But, I’ve always been able to look a cow in the eye and still eat the occasional hamburger. If I grew up in a seal-hunting-and-eating tradition, I’m certain I’d find it as tasty as some of the other sea critters I consume regularly in chowders or frutti de mare."

~ClizBiz

(Image Credits: Top and Middle - Sean Kilpatrick, The Canadian Press; Bottom - Woof.)

]]> When Dead Things Go Hollywood: Ida's Big Debut http://www.blogher.com/when-dead-things-go-hollywood-idas-big-debut 2009-05-20T16:56:43-05:00 2009-05-20T16:56:43-05:00 ClizBiz With great fanfare, Great Aunt Ida has finally come to visit and we're still not sure which side of the family she's from. Yesterday, in a media event at New York's American Museum of Natural History, researchers announced the discovery of Darwinius masillae, a 47-million-year-old fossil - a nearly complete skeleton - that may provide numerous clues about mankind's earliest ancestors. Already, the phrase "missing link" is flying around, making me wonder: Just how many links are we missing here?

]]> With great fanfare, Great Aunt Ida has finally come to visit and we're still not sure which side of the family she's from. Yesterday, in a media event at New York's American Museum of Natural History, researchers announced the discovery of Darwinius masillae, a 47-million-year-old fossil - a nearly complete skeleton - that may provide numerous clues about mankind's earliest ancestors. Already, the phrase "missing link" is flying around, making me wonder: Just how many links are we missing here?

About the size of an ordinary housecat, the fossil - nicknamed 'Ida'- lived for about nine or 10 months before it perished in what is now Germany. At first glance, the skeleton looks like yet another dinosaur with its long tail and small-ish arms. But the research team, led by Dr. Jorn Hurum of the Natural History Museum in Oslo, says that several of Ida's features are shared with modern-day primates like you and me - baby teeth, opposable big toes and fingertips with nails, instead of claws.

"(Ida) is a representative of an ancestor group that gave rise to higher primates. She's not our great-great-great grandmother, but our great-great-great-aunt."

--Jens Franzen, Senckenberg Research Institute, Frankfurt, Germany

Ida's life was short but her journey to become 2009's fossilized media darling was a long one. Soon after eating her final meal of seeds and leaves, the "agile, independent-feeding female that lived in trees above the forest floor" died young for her species. (She could have become an adult in three to four years and may have lived as long as 20 years.)

In 1983, she was dug up at the Messel Shale pit near Frankfurt by a private collector. (The quarry pit is a paleontologist's dream due to a volcanic explosion millions of years ago that created a crater lake that buried thousands of insects, birds, fish and mammals.) For reasons no one recalls, Ida was split in two pieces and one was purchased by a private museum in Wyoming. The other piece was hidden away by a private collector and eventually resurfaced at a 2006 fossil fair in Hamburg, Germany where it was purchased by the Oslo Museum. Later, the pieces were reunited at Oslo and studied for two years.

But Ida's coming out is being treated much differently than, say, Lucy or Otzi the Iceman. Thanks to a carefully orchestrated media campaign, Ida is all over the news and has even taken over the Google logo for the day. Gautam Naik, reporting for The Wall Street Journal, described it as "an event hyped to an unusual degree for a scientific unveiling ... While many scientific discoveries tend to be disclosed in sober fashion, the one was heavily promoted."

 

"(Ida) is a representative of an ancestor group that gave rise to higher primates. She's not our great-great-great grandmother, but our great-great-great-aunt."

--Jens Franzen, Senckenberg Research Institute, Frankfurt, Germany

Ida's life was short but her journey to become 2009's fossilized media darling was a long one. Soon after eating her final meal of seeds and leaves, the "agile, independent-feeding female that lived in trees above the forest floor" died young for her species. (She could have become an adult in three to four years and may have lived as long as 20 years.)

In 1983, she was dug up at the Messel Shale pit near Frankfurt by a private collector. (The quarry pit is a paleontologist's dream due to a volcanic explosion millions of years ago that created a crater lake that buried thousands of insects, birds, fish and mammals.) For reasons no one recalls, Ida was split in two pieces and one was purchased by a private museum in Wyoming. The other piece was hidden away by a private collector and eventually resurfaced at a 2006 fossil fair in Hamburg, Germany where it was purchased by the Oslo Museum. Later, the pieces were reunited at Oslo and studied for two years.

But Ida's coming out is being treated much differently than, say, Lucy or Otzi the Iceman. Thanks to a carefully orchestrated media campaign, Ida is all over the news and has even taken over the Google logo for the day. Gautam Naik, reporting for The Wall Street Journal, described it as "an event hyped to an unusual degree for a scientific unveiling ... While many scientific discoveries tend to be disclosed in sober fashion, the one was heavily promoted."

Evidently, the media blitz has many orchestral players and parts, including the research team itself, the History Channel (which will air an Ida film later this month using a teaser slogan: "This changes everything"), a quickly-written book called "The Link" and an exclusive arrangement with ABC News and fancy web site. It may be only a matter of time that Ida has her own Facebook page ...

“Any pop band is doing the same thing. Any athlete is doing the same thing. We have to start thinking the same way in science.”

--Dr. Jorn H. Hurum, leading scientist at the University of Oslo who acquired the fossil and assembled Ida's research team, as told to The New York Times

Also unusual was the absence of the study's publication in respected science journals such as Science or Nature, a traditional move for a significant announcement. (Though it was published in the online journal, PLuS One, "Accelerating the publication of peer-reviewed science.") The media strategy behind Ida's debut have caused some to question if packaging the discovery as entertainment has come at the risk of science.

"There was a TV company involved and time pressure. We've been pushed to finish the study; it's not how I like to do science."

--Phillip Gingerich, paleontologist, University of Michigan, member of the Ida research team, as told to The Wall Street Journal

Talk about life after death, Ida may have just arrived but we're going to see a lot more of her in the days and months ahead.

****

Meanwhile, in the blogosphere:

Loren Coleman over at Cryptomundo thinks there's much ado about nothing here and the media is playing too large of a role in this:

"Would Darwin have cared? Is this more hype than reality? Unfortunately, I think it may be a moment of mere media madness, drummed up by a bit of scientific marketing driven along by the use, once again, of the word 'missing link.'"

Unrepentant Old Hippie, true to form, thinks it all good:

"Although the hype around it ("the missing link!") is a little overdone, Ida is still an amazingly cool and awesome fossil. And in a world of $28,000 toast and Cheeto Jebuses, it’s good to see people getting excited about science."

Johnny, over at Ecographica, holds a debate with himself ... and wins!:

"As I’m sure Paris Hilton would agree, even bad media can be good media. And like a theatrical movie that is woefully inaccurate but still has the power to thrill an audience or capture the imagination, Ida’s coverage is a two sided sword. The “Jurassic Park Effect” may initially result in misunderstanding, but ultimately it leads the masses to a world they may have never known otherwise. I just hope that the majority are bright enough to seek “truth” and not to accept popular media as fact."

And, for your moment of Zen, Henry Rollins, resident straight talker of Vanity Fair, has some calming words for those engaged in the Creationism v. Darwinism debate:

"The passionate and alarmingly intense letters I have gotten over the years that beat up on Darwinian Theory and my belief in it have been many. I don’t waste much time trying to turn any of them to my way of thinking. I realize we both suspect the other one is a few short of a full deck."

(Image Credits: Top - PLuS One, Creative Commons; Middle - Google; Bottom - ESRI, Los Angeles Times)
 

 

]]> Contemplating Fame and Celebrity from the Kentucky Derby http://www.blogher.com/contemplating-fame-and-celebrity-kentucky-derby 2009-05-06T17:44:46-05:00 2009-05-06T17:44:46-05:00 ClizBiz If ever the word 'hoopla' applied to an event, this would be it. Beyond the race, hats and fashions, the Kentucky Derby includes parties and red carpet celebrities. I did my best to absorb both and ended up pondering the weirdness of fame and how the velvet ropes and steel barricades so clearly divide dimensions of reality. The humans-on-parade scene would make an ideal study for a Masters in sociology. I know, I know - I should have drunk more. (My Derby Red Carpet photos here.)

]]> If ever the word 'hoopla' applied to an event, this would be it. Beyond the race, hats and fashions, the Kentucky Derby includes parties and red carpet celebrities. I did my best to absorb both and ended up pondering the weirdness of fame and how the velvet ropes and steel barricades so clearly divide dimensions of reality. The humans-on-parade scene would make an ideal study for a Masters in sociology. I know, I know - I should have drunk more. (My Derby Red Carpet photos here.)

After growing up in LA, I am rarely star struck. (Although I did get flustered interviewing the guy who'd invented the birth control pill.) There were a number of celebs that I had never heard of, reminding me of what Phyllis Diller once said to me: "They are making celebrities at an alarming rate these days!" Nevertheless, I played along, snapped away and had a few favorites.

Brooke Shields and her family were just gorgeous - that girl's got legs for days and I respect the hell out of her comedic skills. There are a couple celebs that are about the same age as me and serve as a sort of life measurement tool. My celeb life trackers are Brooke Shields and Sandra Bullock - two brunettes who don't appear to be aging. Hmmm. I might need to fire them and get new ones ...

Seeing the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, up close in person was surreal. "Ever since the inauguration, people have been asking about my hats so I'm thinking of starting my own line," she said. She was sporting a white overturned wok-shaped hat with rhinestone trim on Derby Day. With a handsome gent in pinstripe at her side and serious ice on her fingers, she looked every bit the Queen.

Joe Piscopo (yes, he's still around) was by far the most animated. My lens caught about 20 different facial expressions and gestures, including one sticking his finger straight into the camera next to me. "What kind of camera is that? Is that a Panasonic?"

His date was a shy brunette, much younger of course. I asked to take her picture and she nervously agreed: "I'm not very good at this. I don't really know what I'm doing." She was visibly overwhelmed by the scene and was genuinely sweet, making me feel kind of protective of her.

Being a celeb's date on the carpet looks awkward, actually. The girls smile, pose or stand off to the side and the men silently crook their arm up, hold purses or wrangle children. I guess they knew this little circus would be part of public life when they joined up with these folks. It makes me understand why celebs date each other, probably just easier than trying to explain the weirdness. (Country singer Travis Tritt and wife, Theresa, below.)  

Before each celeb arrived, a woman wearing audio gear and headset ran down the red carpet announcing them at full volume with a brief explanation of why they are supposedly famous. I noted that if they are true celebrities, no description was necessary. For example, "Bethany Frankel! Real Housewives of New York!" versus "Aretha Franklin!" The levels of fame and talent between these two women is vast.

Then, the arriving celeb entourage works their way down to be interviewed and photographed by each media cluster while fans ogled them from behind barricades. Since I was close to Nancy O'Dell's crew, I watched her work and was impressed. She's got the celebrity interview thing down pat and made more than one laugh. I was terribly envious she kicked off her shoes. After all, they are only filming from the waist up, right?

Being a celebrity who agrees to stroll the red carpet (as opposed to Kid Rock who nearly sprinted, speaking to no one but some fans at the end), is a tricky thing. You have to accept, and subsequently agree, that you are indeed special. When that microphone comes at you or that lens takes aim, you had better be charming and witty or very, very good looking. Some, like Ms. Shields, can manage all three.

I was especially impressed with two gals: Emmy-award-winning actress Lynn Whitfield who was not only stunning in blue and green but exuberant - simply glowing. Whatever Lynn eats for breakfast, I need me some.

Then, Valerie Bertinelli showed up looking AWESOME. Truly. She was dressed in shades of brown to honor Chocolate Candy, the horse she'd bet to win. (Too bad for Val, he came in 5th.) Girl has dealt with being married to a rock star (Eddie Van Halen), a public divorce and weight problems but she looked fantastic with a smiling, handsome date on her arm. A fan from the crowd asked about her son:

"How's Wolfie?"

"He's great! Getting ready to graduate from high school!" she yelled back.

Under my breath, I said, "Huh? Already?" I mean, I remember when that kid was born and ...

She turned to me, "I know, right?"

Naturally, Kris and Kim Kardashian (mother and daughter) showed up and it wasn't until I shot a picture of Kim's ample backside (I'm so envious - mine is flat and square) that I felt like paparazzi - a weird, icky feeling. And how Kim balances all those fabulous curves on eensy spike heels, I have no idea.

The media then hung out for awhile, waiting for Paris Hilton but we finally learned that she hadn't even left her hotel. Red carpet stuff is basically Paris' job and she was just late for work that day. I was relieved as I'd already felt dirty enough.

The night before, after the Kentucky Oaks, I made my way through darkness and downpour, to a country estate in Shelbyville for the Briar Rose Party. (My party photos, which say more than I ever could, are here.) After passing a few cows, deciding I was lost and mentally picturing the following day's headline - "Girl in Hot Pink Dress Found in Kentucky Ditch - Map Upside Down" - I finally came upon a glorious home on a hill - lit up like crazy.  Hosted by Gabe and Tracy Giordano, who graciously opened up their restored mansion (built in 1841, six years before the Derby began) for an evening of Derby fun.

Starving, I made my way down a muddy trail - though tenderly covered in sheets - to a humongous backyard tent. Really, it was more of a ballroom. There I feasted on, among other things, bourbon-glazed shrimp, warm seafood crepes, lamb lollipops, gazpacho, cheese grits and the most delicious goat cheese salad I've ever had. In the dimly-lit romantic setting, I parked myself in a high-backed sofa chair and sated my appetite. I washed it all down with a yummy Chardonnay, picked up my trusty camera and then ran around like a kid hyped up on sugar.

The band was fantastic with an astounding lady singer and enthusiastic bandleader, plus five or skilled musicians that delivered classic dance tunes - from swing to funk. People flooded the dance floor and whooped it up amongst the candles, chandeliers and roses. Open bar, naturally.

Back in the main house, I came across a number of interesting characters in the library. A few guys from Saturday Night Live were around and I was especially charmed by Andy Samberg and his delightful girlfriend, harpist Joanna Newsom. They looked fantastic and seemed smitten: "She dresses me" said Andy, when I complimented him on his suit and crazy orange socks. Meanwhile, Seth Meyers, and his brother, Josh, soaked up Mint Juleps and significant attention from the ladies.

At one point, Andy and Seth were discussing the endless talents of Justin Timberlake. "We should do something with him again," said Andy, "The guy is ridiculously talented."

"And it's so easy for him," agreed Seth. "And, if it sucks, he would not get blamed for it. It would just look like we fucked up." They both had a serious boy-crush going on - pretty cute.

Meanwhile, I was making small talk with a big dude I'd seen earlier when he realized I had no idea who he was, despite his self-perception as some kind of celebrity. (He was a big African-American guy with an acronym name, like GMS or something and no, not DMC.) "Seriously? You don't know who I am?" He was incredulous although his buddies thought it was high comedy.

"Well, do you know who I am???" I shot back. Clearly, he didn't know who he was dealing with.

"Wow. I'm ... I'm kind of insulted," said Famous Guy.

"Man, she's got you in her back pocket!" said one of the buddies.

"Makes it hard to sit down," I said.

This ended up being my favorite conversation from the weekend. The fame thing - it's such a two-way street. Unless a person has been out in the world actively absorbing media and marinating in culture, there are some faces and personalities that will be overlooked in one's database of recognizable humans. When this happens, a person's fame dissolves, leaving them momentarily stripped of their identity - like Big Dude, who looked like I'd just spit on his shoes.

I recall the story of my sister-in-law, who never knows the names of any famous people, who once helped Johnny Mathis pick out a hat one afternoon, just knowing him as 'some guy shopping for a hat.' She only found out after he'd left the store when a sales clerk told her. Instead of being threatened like Big Dude, Mathis was evidently charmed.

I once told my hero, Harry Shearer, that he had the type of fame I would like. "You got your creative paws in all kinds of projects - Spinal Tap, Mighty Wind, The Simpsons, movies, stand-up act, your radio show, blogs, books, newspaper columns, plays and you own a recording company in New Orleans! And yet, I'm sure you can do your own grocery shopping."

"Yes! Thank you for noticing my sneaky ways," said Harry. "Actually, I was just discussing this with Jim Carrey the other day. He was moping that if he felt like shooting pool, he could arrange to have a table delivered to his house at 4:00 a.m. but he couldn't just go out to a bar. Fame provides a lot of opportunities but it takes away a lot too."

Celebrityville: A fun place to visit but I think I'm happy with my spot behind the velvet ropes where the shoes are closer to the ground.

~ClizBiz

]]> Hats and Fashions of the Kentucky Derby http://www.blogher.com/hats-and-fashions-kentucky-derby 2009-05-05T19:46:30-05:00 2009-05-05T19:46:30-05:00 ClizBiz When it comes to fashion at the Kentucky Derby, there is no such thing as 'over the top' although classic styles usually lead. Elaborate chapeaus, bright spring silks, seersuckers suits, pastel linens, classic bow ties (no clip-ons), race-themed accessories, feathers, flowers and fancy shoes. It's all part of the panoramic people display unique to the Derby. As for the hats?

]]> When it comes to fashion at the Kentucky Derby, there is no such thing as 'over the top' although classic styles usually lead. Elaborate chapeaus, bright spring silks, seersuckers suits, pastel linens, classic bow ties (no clip-ons), race-themed accessories, feathers, flowers and fancy shoes. It's all part of the panoramic people display unique to the Derby. As for the hats? Women don't merely wear them, they flaunt them ...and with good reason. (See my Derby hat and fashion photos here.)

The Derby's founding father, Colonel M. Lewis Clark, Jr., wanted to recreate an elegant atmosphere, a semblance of refined European horse racing right here on American soil. Col. Clark set a sartorial tone that was luxurious but relaxed, classy but not stuffy. In the late 19th and early 20th century, ladies and gents of means wore the latest spring fashions on Derby Day and the tradition continues. NASCAR it isn't.

"The seats in the grandstand were filled with gaily dressed women and men. The mass of green, pink, red, yellow, blue, all the colors of the rainbow, blending into one harmonious whole was as beautiful a sight as His Eminence in the lead."

--from a 1901 article in the Louisville Courier-Journal covering the Kentucky Derby

While Derby fashions have evolved throughout the years - from bustles to parasols to gloves - hats have become a mainstay. In the 30s and 40s, formal dress suits for women seemed to surpass dresses. In the 50s, Derby fashions matched the rest of the country - fitted bodice dresses with billowing petticoats along with gloves and hat. The turbulent 60s fittingly brought more outlandish fashion choices to the Derby; the hats got bigger and louder - high society was loosening up a bit. From there, the hats stayed on ... and grew.

"From the 1990s to today, the dress at the Derby is slowly replacing the suit, especially with younger women. While gloves are out of fashion, a hat never is, and they tend to get wilder and more expensive every year."

--Katherine Veitschegger, Curator of Collections, Kentucky Derby Museum

I can personally attest to the sheer size of these hats. There were a few awkward elevator moments that involved some careful maneuvering of lady lids. Social greetings - air kisses and hugs - presented more than a few spatial challenges and some settled for polite handshakes. Nobody got sunburned, that's for sure.

I asked the ladies where they acquired their hats and many had been purchased from a specific designer, often custom made to match their ensemble. I met two young women on the plane home that had purchased two quintessential Derby hats (too big for hat boxes) in Louisville for $300 each - most likely, never to be worn again.

Some hats were purchased at auctions or boutiques, some on Craigslist but I met several women who had made their own. One Derby regular simply got tired of telling designers what she wanted and finally went ahead and did it herself. Her black straw hat with bright pink feathers and flowers turned out beautifully.

In fact, the most common color combos I saw this year were pink/green and pink/black though I saw lots of blue and aqua too. Still, the amount of black was unexpected and I didn't really care for it in this unique springtime context.

There were also elaborate headpieces called fascinators, I kid you not, and they are definitely fascinating to behold. Most sprout colorful feathers and hover over a lady's head without the weight of a full brim. There were also a number of feathered headbands and flowered headpieces - so delicate and feminine. I spotted butterfly accents, peacock and ostrich feathers and a few veils too.

I'd faced my own quandary in this department pre-Derby. Me being of the no-day-job status, I couldn't afford to go all out in the hat department. Also, a wide brim would get in the way of my camera lens, which was more important than anything else.

In the end, I had my mother ship one of my old bridesmaid hats that had been decorating her living room for a decade. I took it to a local milliner, Erin Saboe of Go-Go Chapeaux here in Denver, and she gave it a much-needed makeover for just $25. I then dug up an old hat box out of storage and was good to go. I wasn't there to make any fashion statements, just to blend in a bit while documenting.

Oh, and the shoes! There were so many ladies balanced on spike heels, my feet hurt just looking at them. Heels in every color and a lot of metallic too. The highest heels I saw were on Kim Kardashian - a true foot soldier of fashion, that's for sure. Knowing I would be running around all over the place, I opted for an old pair of simple beige heels. In an elevator, a woman said to me, "Oh yeah, I remember when we all wore those shoes in the 70s." I'm still trying to figure out if I'd been insulted or if I'd simply made her nostalgic. Probably both.

Other than maybe Burning Man, I have never seen so much group participation in a single event. Of the over 153,000 in attendance, there were maybe 10,000 or less who did not dress up for the occasion. (Mind you, I never made it to the infield - more a drunken frat party there, I'm told.) Nearly everyone I saw had put considerable thought and effort into their outfit and the compliments were flying everywhere:

"Darling, you look gorgeous!"

"I had no idea you looked so good in pink!"

"Where on Earth did you get those shoes? They are divine!"

Who would've guessed that a horse race would bring out so much celebration of Us?

To intensify the already colorful scene, attendees of the Kentucky Oaks - the Friday race known as the "Lilies for the Fillies", more of a local affair than the Derby - had been asked to 'Pink Out' in honor of breast cancer awareness and research. (Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Kentucky Cancer Center's Horse & Hope had partnered to make this happen.) As a result, two out of three people were wearing some shade of pink on Friday - gorgeous.

"As part of our Pink Out, we are encouraging everyone who attends the Oaks to incorporate pink into their apparel to demonstrate solidarity and support for the fight against breast cancer... For every Oaks attendee, Churchill Downs will be donating $1 to research for a minimum donation of $100,000."

--Kentucky Oaks flyer accommodating the ticket

Now, I expected high fashion on the women but the men? ZZ Top was dead right and I'm especially crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man. They were EVERYWHERE, many of them in seersucker, linen, pinstripe or crazy-ass plaids. The suits, the hats, the racing-themed ties and the stylin' shoes - I thought my eyeballs would explode from sensory joy. And the number one male accessory? Cigars. Big, fat phallic ones. As the daughter of a cigar smoker, I adore the smell ... and mixed with all the mint from the juleps, it made for an intoxicating aroma.

"It's the only day of the year when my wife encourages me to smoke cigars, drink and gamble. The rest of the year - cigars are definitely not allowed. This morning I got dressed and she said, 'You've got your cigars for the day, right?' It's just bizarre."

--Sharp-Dressed Man at the Derby

 

Due to the state of the nation and current economic climate, I half-expected a more downplayed, somber Derby. Maybe folks - their life savings shrunk, house de-valued, job gone - might stay home or at least dress down. This was not the case. Race fans celebrated in style and exuberance as if recent headlines were pure fiction. (I never heard the term 'Swine Flu' even once.)

It's comforting to know that no matter what is going on out there, the first Saturday in May will forever be reserved for race party and community fashion parade that is the Kentucky Derby ... 135 years and counting.  

***

Many, many blogs showing off the hats and such at the Derby. A sampling:

Delaney Gates

Equine Ink

Postcards and Coasters: Mementos and Tales of a Flight Attendant - such a great little blog!

]]> Kentucky Derby: Race Wrap-Up and Photos Galore http://www.blogher.com/kentucky-derby-race-wrap-and-photos-galore 2009-05-04T12:01:15-05:00 2009-05-06T00:05:36-05:00 ClizBiz It's been a whirlwind 48 hours attending the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby horse races in Louisville – both unforgettable American spectacles celebrating their 135th year. There's nothing quite like carousing with 153,000 festive people dressed in either their most elaborate finery ... or the craziest thing they could find. Sure, it’s all about the hats, parties and the Mint Juleps but most of all, it’s about the horses. And, let's face it, who doesn't love a long shot win?

]]> It's been a whirlwind 48 hours attending the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby horse races in Louisville – both unforgettable American spectacles celebrating their 135th year. There's nothing quite like carousing with 153,000 festive people dressed in either their most elaborate finery ... or the craziest thing they could find. Sure, it’s all about the hats, parties and the Mint Juleps but most of all, it’s about the horses. And, let's face it, who doesn't love a long shot win?

(Trying to wrap up the experience in one post is futile so today's post will be about the race itself. Tuesday – the hats, fashion and traditions. Wednesday, the celebs, parties and whatever else I forgot. I am posting numerous photo highlights on my Flickr stream - will be adding more throughout the day.)

The first Kentucky Derby was held in 1874 which makes horse racing is the oldest sport in America. POTUS #2, Andrew Jackson, had stables added to the White House for this reason.) It is known as the “most exciting two minutes in sports” and having witnessed it, I concur. Even during World War II, when so many recreational events were put on hold, the Oaks and the Derby continued. Another fun factoid: A horse can run the Derby only once, no more. Jockeys do not have such rules.

As a Derby virgin, I met numerous fellow first-timers and they all said the same thing: “I don’t think I can ever watch the Derby on TV ever again.” When you finally grasp the expanse of the event and realize it stretches far beyond what you'd imagined, it is seemingly hard to settle for a distant view ever again - which is why so many people return year after year. 

Watching Calvin Borel (nicknamed “Bo-rail” for his penchant for riding the rail) take the 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird across the finish line on Saturday, my horse racing experience peaked right then and there. (It was only the second biggest long shot win in Derby history.) This horse was in last place for much of the race before Borel spotted a hole in the thumping herd and quickly filled it. We were witnessing Mind That Bird's Susan Boyle-moment and it was electrifying.

While folks were busy screaming and mentally spending the winnings that seemed within grasp, Borel put the stirrups to the mud and he and his equine partner spent the last 20 seconds of the race breezing past the other riders as if they were standing still. The horse had a rough start having been squeezed back from his No. 8 post to a full six lengths behind everyone else for the first quarter mile. When Borel maneuvered up to the rail to get his shot, it was a done deal and he cruised to victory 6 3/4 lengths ahead of second place, Pioneerof the Nile. As Borel told the Courier-Journal post-race: "You got a hole, you got a shot ...I had enough room, he's a small horse."

To intensify matters, there was the gradual realization that Calvin had ridden the favored filly, Rachel Alexandra, to victory in the Oaks just 24 hours earlier, making him only the seventh jockey to win both the Kentucky Oaks and the Derby in the same year. It was day for history-making.

Being amongst the crowd and watching the bizarre finish was surreal. I expected a lot of cheers and whoops of financial success but after Borel crossed the line with his whip in the air (to honor his late parents), everyone turned to one another. “Who is that? Which horse was that? What happened?  Who was that? WHAT’S GOING ON???”

Watching the Derby veterans in their confusion, I realized things were especially surprising this year. The crowd went from speechless to incredulous to genuinely annoyed at themselves for not betting the longshot. I met one Denver-based couple, William and Deborah Paini, who had changed their strategy at the last minute based on the advice of an old-timer and ended up winners; it was their first Derby too and they were as shocked as anyone.

Turns out, the owners of Mine That Bird had only decided a month ago, on a whim, to put up the $25,000 and enter him in the Derby. He'd never even run on a muddy track and, while successful in Canada, had not won any titles in major league racing. His trainer, Bennie "Chip" Woolley (a former rodeo rider and current biker dude), had driven him from New Mexico with a broken leg just for the experience of running him in the Derby. Neither Woolley nor the owners, had expectations of winning the damn thing. As co-owner Mark Allen said: "I would have been happy just to have lit
the board." (Meaning just to place at all.) Watching a group of stetson-wearing cowboys saunter in and take over this well-heeled insider sport left insiders flummoxed.

Between Barbaro’s sad passing and the tragic death of Eight Belles on the Derby track last year, there’s been heightened awareness and scrutiny on the industry. To say there was a feeling of apprehension around the race is putting it lightly. “I just hope nothing happens”, “As long as the horses are okay” and “Everyone will be holding their breath during the race” are some comments I heard.  As a result of recent events, the is the very first Kentucky Derby to ban the use of all steroids as the racing industry tries to re-commit to the animals instead of the glory (and money) of winning, above all else.

Leading up to the race, it was I Want Revenge this and I Want Revenge that. It was the favorite horse and all eyes were on IWR’s team, led by trainer Jeff Mullins. Come Derby morning, the briefest press release I’ve ever read was thrust in my face at 8:45 a.m. announcing that the horse had been scratched. Disappointment was in store for many. Truly, I have never witnessed a sadder press conference in my life.  

Under an enlarged version of the U.S. stamp honoring Secretariat, they (Veterinarians Dr. Foster Northrop and Dr. Larry Bramlege, jockey Joe Talamo, trainer Jeff Mullins and co-owner David Lanzman) all lined up at the table and announced that they’d come to IWR’s stable early that morning to prepare for the race. Checking the horse, they found the right front ankle had some “heat”, indicating soreness within soft tissue. “Looking at him, you wouldn’t know it,” said Dr. Northrop. “The horse doesn’t know he’s hurt.”

Facing a sloppy track from morning's downpour, Mullins made the excruciating decision to pull the horse from the race. “Once we realized that he was sore, we made the decision. There was no debate. This was in the best interest of the horse.”  For this decision and the reasoning behind it, they were given tremendous credit. (However, as Cindy Pierson Duly of Horse-Races.net explained to me: “Sure but there are going to be a lot of people in the horse world upset by this decision. A lot of money has been put into getting this horse here today.”)

The mood in the room was somber, at best. When they opened it up for questions from the media, there was maybe one or two, inquiring about medical follow up but mostly, everyone just sat quietly. Jeff Mullins sat stone-faced clearly bawling his head off on the inside, as only men can do. As he said, “The biggest dream is to get here, but the biggest nightmare is to get to race day and have to scratch.”

However, I would venture to guess that an even bigger nightmare is putting your horse down due to an irreversible injury, which was the scenario that the team was trying to avoid. Larry Jones, the trainer of Eight Belles and this year’s ultimate favorite, Fresian Fire, would know more about that. I'd encountered him earlier that morning, along with a group of others, in the barns earlier that day.

After 20+ years of training, Larry was retiring and this would be the final Derby for one of the industry's best known professionals. Incredibly, the man has had 10 days of vacation since 1980. "My son told me about this word and - I may not pronounce it correctly - it's called 'weekends,'" he said. "So, I'm going to look into that."

This sport takes a lot out of you, physically and emotionally, and the more time I spent around these people, the more I became convinced - it's not for the money. Sure, it's a sport but it is also a demanding lifestyle mix of passion, guts and very little sleep. There are certainly easier paths to fame and glory - reality TV, for example.

Walking around the barns before dawn, I watched the horses get bathed and groomed. The anticipaation in the air was like nothing I'd ever felt. I wandered into one barn after one
handsome horse gave me a flirty eye from his warm stall. I was hoping to determine just one thing just couldn’t help myself.  Of course, I was yelled at by some all-business horsewoman. (Horsewomen are the most fearsome creatures of all. Trust me on this.)

"CAN I HELP YOU?" she yelled, her voice containing not one ounce of helpful intention.
 
"Um, yeah, I’m with-"

"I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED IN HERE!" She continued to speak in all capitals, even though she was standing next to me.

"Alrighty then," I said, not wanting to have my ass kicked so early on Derby Day. I turned to leave just as a horse was being led into the barn so I stood off to the side.
 
“SEE? THIS IS WHY I DON’T WANT YOU IN HERE. THIS IS HOW ACCIDENTS HAPPEN!” She barked at me though I may have detected a small bit of apology in her voice though it could have been wishful thinking.

Anyway, I'd gotten what I came for so I was happy to exit. I wanted to determine if wildly expensive racing horses like their high-priced noses tickled as much as the cheap, common ones. I’m very happy to report that they do. Mission accomplished.

Pondering the day's events, I recalled my visit with Julian 'Buck' Wheat earlier that morning. Wheat, 71, is known as the 'Mayor of the Backside' but his official title is Director of Horsemen Relations at Churchill Downs. He is the liason to owners, trainers, jockeys and stable workers. He's been working at the famed track - in one job or another - since 1949.

I picked his brain for a possible winner and he gave me a few names but it came with a bit of insight: "Remember, it's not always the best horse that wins the Derby, it's the best horse that day."

Prophetic words.

(Top Photo: The Courier-Journal; bottom two shot by yours truly.)  

]]> New Florida Law Sheds Light on Sexual Animal Abuse http://www.blogher.com/new-florida-law-sheds-light-sexual-animal-abuse 2009-04-29T20:29:36-05:00 2009-04-29T20:29:36-05:00 ClizBiz Between all the Swine Flu coverage, I caught the welcome news that Florida has officially outlawed beastiality. Despite facing a $3 billion budget deficit, the Florida Senate united yesterday to tackle the issue head-on to vote Senator Nan Rich's bill (SB 448) into unanimous reality. It is now a third degree felony in the Sunshine State to have sex with an animal, punishable by up to five years in prison. Looks like the alligators and otters can rest a bit easier.

]]> Between all the Swine Flu coverage, I caught the welcome news that Florida has officially outlawed beastiality. Despite facing a $3 billion budget deficit, the Florida Senate united yesterday to tackle the issue head-on to vote Senator Nan Rich's bill (SB 448) into unanimous reality. It is now a third degree felony in the Sunshine State to have sex with an animal, punishable by up to five years in prison. Looks like the alligators and otters can rest a bit easier.
“People mostly don’t want to discuss it. I watch my colleagues. They kind of look down when the bill is being presented. We should be adults here. It’s something that happens and it needs to be discussed and we need to fix the problem. It makes people uncomfortable, but that’s never stopped me.”

--Florida Senator Nan Rich, D-Weston

Rich, a child's rights advocate, said that those who abuse animals (sexually and otherwise) are likely to do the same to kids and the National Humane Society vehemently backs that up. Fact is, sexual abuse of animals often happens concurrently with sexual assaults on people. The NHS website cites numerous studies and statistics illustrating this disturbing connection, including this one:

"Of juveniles who engage in sex with animals, 96 percent also admit to sex offenses against humans and reported more offenses against humans than other sex offenders their same age and race."

--Fleming, William M., Jory, Brian and Burton, David L. (2002). Characteristics of Juvenile Offenders Admitting to Sexual Activity with Nonhuman Animals. Society and Animals

Florida's bill was precipitated by the sex assault-related strangulation of a goat in Mossy Head. (The incident became such a circus, T-shirts began appearing with slogans like "Baa Means No!") Other disgusting examples have recently surfaced, including one involving an un-lucky seeing-eye dog named Lucky. Evidently, a similar bill in the House "has not been debated on the floor." I'm trying to picture how a 'debate' would even go down ... and I got nothing.

All this crazy business got me curious about where and when humans have drawn legal boundaries around zoophilia. (Zoophilia can refer to sexual activity with animals [bestiality], the desire to do so, or to the paraphilia of the same name which requires a definite preference for animals over humans as sexual partners.)

Turns out, it is perfectly legal in Sweden and Denmark though not in Canada, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. In Great Britain, only certain acts are illegal. Other countries, such as Belgium, Germany, and Russia, fall somewhere in between, allowing sexual activity with animals while prohibiting the promotion of animal-oriented pornography.

Meanwhile, in Lebanon, men are legally allowed to have sex with animals, but the animals must be female; having sexual relations with a male animal is punishable by death.

As for the U.S., Florida was one of 16 states without a law banning beastiality. One of those states, Alaska, is now considering following Florida in suit. State Representative Bob Lynn, an Anchorage Republican, wants to ban bestiality by expanding the state's animal cruelty law to include sexual conduct. His bill would make the offence a class A misdemeanor that's punishable by up to a year in jail and a US$10,000 fine.

Wow. Kind of an eye opener, eh? Somewhere rifling around in all this muck, I also re-learned the factoid that humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure. (Trying to picture dolphins getting down, I just keep hearing Disney music.) I also clicked on a few YouTube links that I wish I hadn't - gone for good are the last remaining shreds of my innocence.  

Reader comments on the new Florida law touch on every topic from sexual and religious freedoms to taking on the POV of the animals. Some choice reader comments from the Miami Herald:

"I always thought it strange that it was ok to murder a sheep and eat it but if you made love to it they put (you) in jail."

"What do you expect in a state where it is illegal to let your dog ride in the back of a pick up? But perfectly legal to let your day laborers ride back there."

"If this passes, my ex-wife will never get laid again."

"How does anyone know this is animal 'abuse'? Have they complained?"

"This is an issue that should have been law long ago. Yes, the legislature has plenty to do, but this is way past due. This is a no brainer and should take them no time (or money) and next time some creep violates the rights of any dog, horse, goat, whatever for goodness sake - they will pay a penalty. You all don't care because these animals cannot speak for themselves. Thank goodness people like in this article can speak for them!!"

Meanwhile, in the blogosphere ...

Half Ninja states the obvious in her hilariously-titled post, "In 2009, Florida finally does something about pig fucking":

"I don’t disagree with the law, I think it’s a good one. I disagree with the timing. How could it take the Florida Senate THIS LONG to figure out that sex with animals was a bad idea? Were there people in the streets pounding away on porcupines and walruses unable to be stopped?"

Moments in Time has some great media excerpts on this issue and a heap o'stats:

"The FBI has records saying the same thing. Their research shows that serial sexual homicide perpetrators that uncovered high rates of sexual assault of animals. It gets worse, twenty percent of children who sexually abuse other children also have histories of sexually abusing animals according to a report in the Journal of Forensic Psychiatry."

Over at the Sex Crimes blog ("a blog devoted to the criminal laws regulating and punishing sexual violence") there is an aspect of this issue up for debate:

"I have to admit I was surprised to learn the number of states that had not already criminalized bestiality. I fully support these proposed laws. However, I'm baffled by the assertion of the district attorney that had a small child have been available, the perpetrator would have raped the child instead. Is there any evidence that those that commit acts of bestiality are more likely to molest children? And if so, is there really any reason to think the populations are substitutable? Clearly, both acts are wrong, but I think bestiality should be made illegal solely on the basis of the harm caused to animals. Adding unproven fears of child molestation to the equation is unnecessary alarmism."

Report Animal Abuse.

 

]]> Polo Tragedy Brings Focus to Animal Athletes http://www.blogher.com/polo-tragedy-brings-focus-animal-athletes 2009-04-22T16:40:02-05:00 2009-04-22T18:40:35-05:00 ClizBiz As champagne-sipping spectators gathered on Sunday for the US Open Polo Championships in West Palm Beach, Florida, tragedy struck hard. Suddenly, two horses being unloaded from their trailer collapsed on the field and a deadly chain reaction went into effect. Almost immediately, five other horses became dizzy and they toppled like dominoes, one after another. Additional horses died overnight or early Monday morning while receiving medical treatment. Final toll: 21 horses.

]]> As champagne-sipping spectators gathered on Sunday for the US Open Polo Championships in West Palm Beach, Florida, tragedy struck hard. Suddenly, two horses being unloaded from their trailer collapsed on the field and a deadly chain reaction went into effect. Almost immediately, five other horses became dizzy and they toppled like dominoes, one after another. Additional horses died overnight or early Monday morning while receiving medical treatment. Final toll: 21 horses.

The question on everyone's mind: What would cause these horses to mysteriously drop dead simultaneously? The Palm Beach Post is now reporting that the Florida Department of Agriculture confirmed today that the horses suffered from hemorrhaging of the lungs.

"The thing that is consistent with all the horses is hemorrhaging and pulmonary edema. That's consistent through all the necropsies so far, and we certainly expect that with the remaining few necropsies."

--Mark Fagan, Florida Department of Agriculture

The deaths were likely caused by toxic poisoning and state and local veterinary teams are still trying to determine the exact source. Vets have theorized that the horses died from heart failure possibly brought on by some sort of toxic reaction due to tainted feed, vitamins or supplements, or a combination of the three.

 

All the dead horses (each valued at $100-200K) belonged to the Venezuelan-owned team Lechuza Caracas, which was favored to win the title at what's described as the World Series of this sport. The team included about 40 thoroughbreds in all, maybe more. (Each team brings 40 to 60 horses per match, as the horses are swapped out during the match to keep them from becoming over exhausted.) The team, owned by Venezuelan businessman Victor Vargas, has not made any public comments since the deaths but we can assume that they are in shock and overcome with grief.

When the games resume, players on the remaining teams - Audi, Las Monjitas, Orchard Hill and White Birch - plan to wear black armbands and grooms will put black ribbons on the tournament polo ponies' tails. A moment of silence will be observed before the opening game. The devastated team, Lechuza Caracas, officially withdrew from the tournament on Monday even though many rival teams, including Wellington-based Audi, offered the team their extra horses. Victor Vargas, though reportedly touched by the gesture, declined.

Meanwhile, authorities in Florida have opened a criminal investigation into the matter to determine if the deaths were accidental or intentional. The Associated Press has just reported that Juan Martin Nero, of Lechuza Polo, told the Argentine newspaper La Nacion that the horses were given a commonly used supplement known as Biodyl that contains a combination of vitamins and minerals. Nero claims the drug is often given to horses, but was likely tainted at a lab.

"The players, the owners of the horses were in tears. Bystanders and volunteers were in tears. This was a very tragic thing. It's just incredible. So unbelievable. The reaction throughout the polo community worldwide is one of disbelief. Disbelief and grief."

--Tony Coppola, announcer for the International Polo Club Palm Beach

When tragic events occur, the question naturally arises: Should animals be used for sport and entertainment? Some of the same questions have popped up around elephant polo, a high-society sport popular in Thailand and Europe.

Some argue that it is cruel to use animals in a manner that forces them to perform and entertain us, calling it  unnatural. I certainly cannot speak for elephants (and find the use of circus animals wrong and creepy) but I can say that I've met and ridden many horses that love a good competition. Like a few human Olympians I know of, these animals seem to thrive on being tested in sport. I truly believe that animals welcome hearty play and those that are the best at what they do - human or animal - also happen to love it. Ever seen the dogs at the start of the Iditarod? Those pups are nearly busting out of their fur - they cannot wait to get started.

What's your take on this? Was this just a terrible fluke or proof that animals should not be used in sporting and entertainment?

Related reading:

Some additional speculations on causes of death over at Nothing to Do With Arboath:

"Speculation focused on the possibility of toxic shock, which would explain the symptoms displayed by the horses of dizziness, water in the lungs and cardiac arrest. If so, that would lead investigators to ask what caused the reaction. It could be explained by contaminated food or water, which would raise the issue of whether the toxin was mistakenly or consciously given to the animals."

More theories on Calvin Palmer's Weblog:

"It is not unknown for horses at this level of competition to be given performance-enhancing drugs before a match.  The steroid-like chemicals are given to horses mixed with their water or can be administered by injection. Some media reports suggest that the horses had a reaction to a steroid derivative tainted with cleaning solution from shots administered by an Argentine vet not licensed in the U.S."

Meanwhile, Guadalupe Storm-Petrel goes into significant detail on her blog to explain the why's and what-for's of polo and related horse care:

"Why is polo such an expensive sport, with international-level competition accessible only to the extremely wealthy? Obviously, the horses and their maintenance - feed, board, shoes, veterinary care, training- require a substantial amount of money. Unlike the related sport of polocrosse, which can be played competitively with just one horse, polo requires several horses for each player."


(Image credits: Top - Brandon Kruse, The Palm Beach Post/Zuma Press; Bottom - Eventation)

]]> Pro-Peeps: Keep Those Bunnies Made of Chocolate This Easter http://www.blogher.com/pro-peeps-keep-those-bunnies-made-chocolate-easter 2009-04-08T20:29:50-05:00 2009-04-08T20:29:50-05:00 ClizBiz Come Easter, children across the land are given adorable baby bunnies and fuzzy baby chicks and ducklings. Cute, right? Wrong. This is a bad idea on several fronts. Despite their intense cuteness, chicks and ducklings can pose health risks to young humans. Alternately, young humans - despite their obvious lovability - also pose a risk to baby animals. Minus the day-of squeals of excitement, it tends to be a no-win situation.

]]> Come Easter, children across the land are given adorable baby bunnies and fuzzy baby chicks and ducklings. Cute, right? Wrong. This is a bad idea on several fronts. Despite their intense cuteness, chicks and ducklings can pose health risks to young humans. Alternately, young humans - despite their obvious lovability - also pose a risk to baby animals. Minus the day-of squeals of excitement, it tends to be a no-win situation.

Young birds often carry Salmonella and each spring some children become infected after receiving a baby chick or duckling for Easter. The Center for Disease Control has more info but hopefully, you don't need more convincing.

Of course, then there is the problem of young children mishandling those delicate little bodies. Kids don't always grasp how fragile the fluffy babies can be and then ...well, there's really nothing sadder than a dead baby animal on Easter. Who wants to explain death when the family should really be out looking for colored eggs under the couch?

Okay, so let's say that no diseases are exchanged and no animals get loved to death, there's still the little matter of the future. If all goes according to schedule, the cute baby animals grow up to be very real adult animals that need specific care. Has thought been given to who will take care of it? What the animal will need with regards to space? Food? Medical care?

I can't help but compare the situation the Disney-Dalmatian situation. Every time Disney re-releases that film, the Dalmatian community panics. An excerpt from Save the Dals website:

"For the 1996 release of the '101 Dalmatians' movie, the Dalmatian-owning community in conjunction with a very cooperative press, made a heroic effort to disseminate information to the public about Dalmatians in an effort to reduce impulse buying and indiscriminate breeding of Dalmatians. Despite these efforts, the news from rescue groups and humane societies has been that large numbers of Dalmatians are coming in to them ... Tragic for the Dalmatians, that is, who have been abandoned or euthanized once they grew up and were no longer cute little puppies."

Basically, if you want to go gung-ho this Sunday, stick to chocolate bunnies, marshmallow peeps and jelly beans. And be sure to find all the eggs. (Take it from me, they don't age well.) If you still have the baby animal urge, consider donating to a child or family that could surely use a duck or chicken in their day-to-day life. Heifer International and World Vision are both pros at this.

 

 

***

Karen Nichols over at The Cat's Meow offers some holiday advice in the post 'Top 5 Easter Dangers', among them:

"DO NOT purchase baby animals (chicks, bunnies, ducks) as Easter gifts. 99% of the time it is an act of cruelty (most Easter animals die of neglect or improper care; most of the rest are discarded), and they can carry Salmonella which can be transmitted to your pets and children. If you feel you absolutely, pawsitively have to get your child an animal as a gift, please do so AFTER Easter–then visit your local animal shelter where there will be a wide array of abandoned buns (or chickens or ducks) from which to choose. You can get your children a great pet and teach them the value of adopting abandoned animals–a real-life example of Easter rebirth."

Some historical perspective over at Club Femina:

"Waking up Easter morning to find a basket filled with chocolates and live chicks is a springtime tradition that dates back to ancient Persian and Egyptian cultures. Chicks - and their counterparts, the egg - symbolize fertility and new life, a message today’s Christians celebrate at Easter time. But this old tradition sometimes has fatal consequences. The American Humane Association warns that most chicks die within a few weeks due to rough handling or infection. And playing with live chicks or bunnies can be dangerous for children as well; young birds often carry salmonella, which can cause potentially life-threatening illness in humans."

Bill, who mans the watch over at Disapproving Rabbits, had this to say in the post 'Easter, Rabbits and Bunnycam':

"There is always a problem this time of year of people who buy rabbits as pets as Easter gifts, then decide later they don't want them. Then they either give them to shelters, which are already under a strain, or release them into the wild, which is such a sucky thing to do that you're lucky I'm not allowed to use profanity here on DR ...So this Easter, don't suck. Think long and hard before you get any pet, think extra long and hard before you get a rabbit for Easter (and read up about their needs), and if you do decide to commit to a rabbit, get one from your local shelter, rather than a pet store."

~ClizBiz

(Image credits: Top - Kecute; Middle - Photobucket; Bottom -Forward Funnies)

]]> Kentucky Derby: Send Questions! http://www.blogher.com/kentucky-derby-send-questions 2009-04-01T13:38:13-05:00 2009-04-01T13:38:13-05:00 ClizBiz The Kentucky Derby, one of the world's most famous races, is celebrating its 135th year come May 2nd. Amazingly, the Goddess BlogHer has worked Her magic so that I may attend as your very own Derby Correspondent. My horse teacher is throwing gobs of racing resources at me while the helpful Derby folks have sent details on elaborate Derby parties. In the middle of it all, I'm struck with a deep awareness that I am definitely going to need a big ass fancy hat. Possibly two.

]]> The Kentucky Derby, one of the world's most famous races, is celebrating its 135th year come May 2nd. Amazingly, the Goddess BlogHer has worked Her magic so that I may attend as your very own Derby Correspondent. My horse teacher is throwing gobs of racing resources at me while the helpful Derby folks have sent details on elaborate Derby parties. In the middle of it all, I'm struck with a deep awareness that I am definitely going to need a big ass fancy hat. Possibly two.

In an effort to enhance my Derby knowledge, I sought out the most poetic sportswriter and commentator I know of, NPR's Frank Deford, who merrily chimes in every Wednesday on "Morning Edition." Sadly, he confessed that "For all that's been written about the Derby, I don't know of any definitive books." (Though he recommended equine authors William Nack and Billy Reed.) Ultimately, he advised me to: "Enjoy the juleps."

Educating yourself on the Kentucky Derby is like learning about horses themselves - one step into it and you're immediately in over your head. Neither my brain nor my hard drive can possibly grasp the endless aspects of this venerable American tradition though I do intend to try my damndest.

But what I really want to know is: What do YOU want to know? Ladies and gentleman, think of me as a ClizBiz-Cam in Kentucky. Send me your questions, no matter how strange, and I will personally track down the answer for you. I'm dead serious about this.

While you are thinking about your questions, some background on your humble spy:

Though I ride horses often, the few times I have been called a "horsewoman" I bristled, feeling highly complimented but also like a phony - as if some very nice nearsighted fellow had mistaken me for Scarlett Johansson. Frankly, I came to the horse party quite late in life. The first hard reality I learned: I'll never know as much as any 9-year-old girl that rides.

My equine love was born spontaneously from the ashes of September 11. Like so many of us, my soul felt sick during that time. To my great surprise, horses were the only thing that made me feel better and my very tardy adolescent pony phase was suddenly, and permanently, rocket launched.

This life development led to a deeper respect and appreciation for all animals, not just the nickering kind. For this I thank an unflappable Appaloosa named Teddy, who carried me through the Marin Headlands as I sobbed my way through grief. He was the first of many horses I would love and they are all responsible for my 'Animal Concerns' beat here at BlogHer. I am forever indebted to them.

This is why one of my first priorities will be to Eight Belles, the beautiful filly that collapsed and died at last year's Derby. There are fierce debates in the horse world about the cause and her death shed light on what some say are harmful breeding and training policies in horse racing. I know her tragic end was heartbreaking for all but especially for her owners and trainers so I'm going in with an open mind here. I'm quite sure no one wants to see this happen again.

I'll be attending two legendary KD events - the Barnstable Brown party on Derby Eve and the Grand Gala on Derby night. The Barnstable event has a guest list of 1200 and it's at somebody's house. Previous parties have included Fleetwood Mac reluctantly reuniting for an impromptu song, Gen. Schwarzkopf showing up in full dress metals two days after the Gulf War, ZZ Top falling off the stage and my favorite - Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning playing football in the house and breaking a chandelier.

Evidently, spectators line the street - some get their spots at 7:00 a.m. that morning - to watch all the celebs arrive to this one party. CRAZY. I'll be in there somewhere, possibly having a Twitter stroke. (A twoke?)

I will also be attending the Kentucky Oaks horse race on Derby Eve, which includes a Ladies First event honoring Nancy Brinker, the founder of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation. (Susan is Nancy's late sister.) There's going to be a Survivor Parade and all attendees are encouraged to wear pink so that should be one colorful sight. (I'll try very hard not to make any "looks-like-a-fire-house-full-of-Pepto-Bismol-let-loose" jokes but really can't commit to anything.)

So in addition to three posts, I'll be taking a barnful of photos, doing video interviews and feverishly trying to look stylish. Oh, and sipping Mint Juleps - wouldn't want to disappoint Frank.

Hit me up with questions! I'm at your service.

(Photo Credits: Top - Stadium Events; Middle - Kentucky Derby Betting; Bottom - Red Hat Society) 

]]> Fish Pedicures: Icky Weirdness or Natural Solution? http://www.blogher.com/fish-pedicures-icky-weirdness-or-natural-solution 2009-03-25T16:18:02-05:00 2009-03-25T17:22:52-05:00 ClizBiz Yup, that's right. We're talking unpaid, non-union citizens of the sea doing what comes natural while you read People magazine: Eating the dead skin off yer tootsies. What began in Turkey and flourished in Japan is finally getting a foothold in the U.S. but not without some skeeved-out state governments - most recently, Florida - stepping in to say, in so many words: "That's gross! Knock it off!"

]]> Yup, that's right. We're talking unpaid, non-union citizens of the sea doing what comes natural while you read People magazine: Eating the dead skin off yer tootsies. What began in Turkey and flourished in Japan is finally getting a foothold in the U.S. but not without some skeeved-out state governments - most recently, Florida - stepping in to say, in so many words: "That's gross! Knock it off!"

The practice began with an old Turkish legend about a shepherd who injured his foot and stuck it into a hot spring full of small fish. When the shepherd's foot magically healed, an idea was born. Soon, a skin treatment center grew around the springs near Kangal, Turkey. From there, employment of small carp called garra rufa ("doctor fish") to treat skin ailments expanded across Asia. Garra rufa live in warm water, have no teeth and prefer to dine on the skin you no longer need. (Chin chin, another fish sometimes used in this practice, are bigger and grow tiny teeth.)

Basically, you pay your $35 or so, stick your naked feet and/or hands into an individual tank and let the little buggers go to work for about 15 minutes. There is no pain involved and the feeling has been described as, "tiny little delicate kisses" or "like a bunch of ants running across your feet." Though I've never done it (my only fear is I'm highly ticklish), I'd welcome the opportunity to try. Those with foot issues who get easily squeamed out, this would constitute a full-blown nightmare.

The fish pedicure has become a contentious issue in the salon biz. While customers love it, state regulators are skeptical and they worry that salons cannot disinfect the bowl between uses. The reality is, you can't sanitize a fish and you can't look upon them as disposable either. Called "Sivas Fish", the little buggers are pricey. A typical investment for a salon owner entails about $40,000 for 10,000 fish plus the cost of tanks and care.

"It seemed to me it was very sanitary, not sterile of course. Sanitation is what we've got to live with in this world, not sterility." --Ophthalmologist Marilyn Huheey, member of Ohio's State Board of Cosmetology, who recommended approval of fish pedicures

Fish pedicures are seen by many salon professionals as an alternative to pedicure razors, which are banned in many states because they are prone to dangerous cuts. certain chemicals, while effective for softening tough skin, can also be harmful over time. So where the risk? (Let's not forget that for years and years, maggots were used to heal wounds with a lot of necrotic flesh. Feel better?)

John Ho in Virginia was the first to import the practice to the U.S. when he bought his first batch of fish last year. Although still legal in Virginia (and recently, Ohio), 14 states have banned the practice, including: Georgia, Florida, Washington, Texas, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. (The issue has recently come up in Arizona, which is considering fining salon owners who practice it even though there is no official law on the books.)

As reported by the Wall Street Journal recently:

"Nevada state Assemblyman Tick Segerblom introduced a bill last month that would allow fish pedicures. Segerblom, who represents downtown Las Vegas, says he is acting upon the request of a Chinese constituent with a foot-massage business. He made no prediction about the bill's chances. But with everyone in the legislature obsessed with depressing things like deficits and the recession, Mr. Segerblom says, "It's the most popular bill in the building."'

What about your state? Anyone experienced the fishie nibbly treatment? Do tell!

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Meanwhile in the blogosphere, Josh & Becky aren't so sure about this:

"There's just something incredibly icky about fish gnawing (though without teeth) on my feet. Forget the fact that I'm incredibly ticklish. These fish are FEEDING on human skin. Dead skin, but skin, nevertheless. Skin that is still attached to my body. Now, I'm not one for extreme beauty methods anyway, but this just seems lazy. This coming from someone who has never had a pedicure of course. But I'm not going to pay $50.00/half hour for fish."

Darren Garnick's Culture Schlock gave me a chuckle with his fish-pedi observations, "For the record, my toes have never been prettier.":

"Using fish to nibble dead skin off toes reminds me of the primitive technology of The Flintstones. Like their bird beak phonograph needle or elephant trunk vacuum cleaner. Salon owner Kim Ong owns 500 chin chins, native Chinese guppy-like fish with a ravenous appetite. These toothless creatures relentlessly scrape and soften rough feet before the pumice stone even gets a chance. But so far, they are incapable of steadily controlling a nail polish brush – and thus, pose no serious threat to American jobs."

J.R. Absher over at FishHead has come up with a tidy solution to two fish problems:

"In what can only be viewed as delicious Fish Head blog irony, the news from Florida (banning fish pedicures) came out the same week as the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced its decision to back away from a proposed carp-feeding ban at Pymatuning State Park Spillway ....Here at Fish Head, we’d like to suggest to those women displaced from states now prohibiting fish pedicures to simply make plans to visit western Pennsylvania this summer, where they can dangle their tootsies in the water at Pymatuning Spillway.

The way we see it, the only thing better than a fish pedicure is a free fish pedicure."

Amen! 

(Photo Credits - Top: Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press; Bottom:  Beaut.ie - The Irish Beauty Blog.)

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