IDA Blog

Archive for the ‘Veganism’ Category

It’s never easy to lose someone dear to you. Loss is an unfortunate part of sanctuary life and we cope with it far too often, but our loss January 3, 2010 has really hit us hard. BJ, our precious, endearing Russian Boar came to us nearly 9 years ago. He was orphaned by a hunter, but rescued by someone who couldn’t leave him behind.

A Memphis woman embraced the orphaned and bottle fed him along with pups she was caring for. Because the woman lived in the city she was unable to keep BJ. A couple of calls around and she learned of our sanctuary.
When BJ arrived he was just a couple of months old. We already had several pigs so we knew he’d fit in.

As he grew he endeared himself more and more to us. His bright amber eyes were captivating. He loved belly rubs and wallowing in the mud. He received bananas and apples regularly, but adored watermelon and watching him eat watermelon was like watching a child dismantle wrapping from a present.

BJ shared his space with Mary Grace. He loved her, but she annoy him at times with her high pitched and prolonged demands for food. Sometimes he’d butt her with a strong, ”shut the heck up!” What he didn’t realize was Mary Grace’s disturbances got them fed first every time.

BJ determined which house was his and how it would be kept. As winter approached BJ would begin gathering dried grasses for bedding. Season after season it was me who’d have to clear BJ’s abode of packed hay as he stood by vigorously protesting.

BJ was amazingly gentle with children. Our dear friend, Debbie Young, brought her grandson, Austin, whenever her rescue and adoption efforts allowed free time. Austin and BJ were real pals. BJ willingly cooperated with Austin’s inspections of his ears. Austin and his brother, Ackerly, visited us just a few weekends ago and BJ really enjoyed their visit.

BJ’s appetite started to decline and Dr. Abernathy was called. BJ was now lying down, apparently in discomfort. Doc wasn’t able to determine what was wrong. He planned to come back out, but let us know he didn’t have the equipment to x-ray BJ. BJ began eating again so we believed he might have ingested something he’d expelled. Two nights later BJ died. BJ appeared to have gone peacefully in his sleep. He was in his house, blanketed in his hay, and there were no signs of distress.

We miss him dearly.

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1) Animal Agriculture Causes  51% of Global Warming

A new study called Livestock and Climate Change reveals that animal agriculture releases over half of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. The co-authors, Robert Goodland and Jeff Anhang, discuss how past estimations have been vastly underestimated and that their 51% calculation is even on the conservative side. Goodland, who was the lead environmental adviser for the World Bank for 23 years, and Anhang, also an affiliate of the World Bank as a research officer and environmental specialist, conclude that replacing animal products with plant foods would be the best strategy for reversing climate change. They contend that food producers should mount a major campaign to promote the consumption of plant-based foods, including meat substitutes.

2) Al Gore Breaks his Silence on Animal Agriculture

We’ve been disappointed for years as our King of Green has ignored the top cause of greenhouse gas emissions. But, finally, in his new book, Our Choice, Gore acknowledges that animal agriculture is a significant contributor to global warming with a two-page, full-color spread of a livestock yard with hundreds of cows. He also reveals that he has cut back significantly on eating animal products. Perhaps this accounts for his slim and trim new look? 

3) Read All About It!

New best-selling books from best-selling authors, celebrity chefs, and celebrity chicks, have put the plight of farm animals in the spotlight in 2009 on “Oprah,” “Ellen.” and “Larry King.” Eating Animals is the first work of nonfiction from Jonathan Safran Foer, the much-admired author of the novels Everything is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. In his new book, he explores the dark world of animal farming and exposes the reality of where our food comes from. Chef Tal Ronnen whips up traditional French culinary delights forgoing animal products in The Conscious Cook. And Alicia Silverstone isn’t clueless anymore—she is instead promoting veganism in her book. The Kind Diet.

4) Stanford Biochemist Promotes Veganism

Dr. Patrick O. Brown, a renowned biochemist at Stanford University, has won numerous awards for his scientific works and is one of the first people to pioneer the use of microarray technology. In an article in Forbes , Brown announced that he will take an 18-month hiatus from his research to focus entirely on ending the number one cause of global warming—animal agriculture. Brown, a vegetarian for over 30 years and a vegan for five, explains, “I want to approach this as a solvable problem. Solution: Eliminate animal farming on planet Earth.”

5) Martha Stewart Talks (about saving) Turkey

Martha Stewart, the culinary queen of the mainstream kitchen, dedicated an entire show to a vegetarian Thanksgiving. She whipped up the traditional fare, veggie-style, and said that she would be joining her daughter’s all-vegetarian Thanksgiving.