It's that time of year where the Circus comes to town. It always makes me so very, very sad. Who even thought of such a barbaric event anyway?  All those animals locked away in cramped cages for days while traveling in their own filth and then released only to stretch a little or be brutally trained and exposed to the elements of severe temperature changes, wind, rain, sleet, etc. I boycott every year!!!

I realize many of you think going to the Circus is a essential experience for children to have while growing up. It's not. Kids want to spend time with their parents and/or loved ones doing anything, they don't care, they just want your time and attention. If you want them to have the Circus experience, wait for Cirque du Soliel. Now there is a spectacular. show. It's like the Circus only 10x better and there are no animals involved.

Contrarty to popular belief, the Circus life is horrid for animals. They are treated poorly. They are neglected. Their freedoms are deprived. They pace and sway to lull themselves into a trance to escape from the abuse and distress. They are poked and rammed with electric prods and sometimes even blow torches during training. Trainers often have difficulty controlling the animals because the animals are so miserable. It an animal does not submit even after being beaten it is terminated ... killed ... murdered simply for rebelling against unecessary abuse.  It is  ... deplorable and hideous. Do you really want to pay to watch animals entertain you when they were beaten into submission until they mastered the very acts you find so entertaining? I don't think so.

BE AN ADVOCATE FOR ANIMALS FOR A CRUELTY FREE LIFE.

BOYCOTT THE CIRCUS WHEN THEY COME TO TOWN.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. ;-)

For more information go to: http://circuses.com/

To view footage of animal treatment go to : http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/video.asp?video=carson_barnes_long&Player=wm

and

http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/video.asp?video=rb_unsafe_handling_elephant&Player=wm

I have done some research lately and spoken with many people concerning animal sanctuaries. There are some really outstanding places where animals are rescued from Circuses, carnivals,etc. and brought to a safe refuge for proper care and healing to either spend the rest of their days in freedom and with proper treatment or to be released back into the wild.

Pick your favorite animal and their refuge and get involved ... spread the word ... donate money ... do what you can.

My favorite is The Elephant Sanctuary (sine I love elephants) which, if I am really lucky and things fall into place, a friend of a friend is trying to arrange an opportunity for me to go and visit for a few days this summer. Crossing my fingers.

I have only included a VERY small list here. There are many, many, MANY sanctuaries all over in desperate need of help. Search on the internet. Just be sure that before you donate anything, you research the sanctuary through the Better Business Bureau,

Of course, do not forget you can always volunteer or donate to the numerous domestic animal shelters all over to help care for all the doggies and kitties in need. Even better ... check out your local Humane Society (and always remember to spay and neuter your animals and to adopt a pet from a shelter ... NOT a breeder or store).

Best Friends Animal Society : http://www.bestfriends.org/

Humane Society : http://www.hsus.org/

Anyway, choose your own and show your support.  ;-)

Wild Animal Sanctuary : http://wildanimalsanctuary.org/

The Elephant Sanctuary : http://www.elephants.com/ (checkout the live feed during the day and the profiles on the elephants who reside there)

Farm Sanctuary : http://www.farmsanctuary.org/adopt/sponsor.htm (you can sponser your own farm animal AND visit whenever you like)

Cooper's Rock Mountain Lion Sanctuary : http://www.cougarsanctuary.org/

Tiger Haven : http://www.tigerhaven.org/ (you can adopt a tiger, cougar, liger, leopard, jaguar or lion)

Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge : http://www.tigercreek.org/

The American Bear Vince Shute Wildlike Sanctuary : http://www.americanbear.org/

Panda Paws Sanctuary : http://www.pandapaws.org/ (support bears everywhere)

Global Warming .... we keep hearing about it .... over and over ..... and yet there are still some who actually feel this is not an important issue. WAKE UP!!!

"All unhappiness and stagnation result from feeling that you are at the mercy of the world and the people in it. But what a joy it is, what a major shift to strength and power, when you no longer wait around for others to favor and love you, for others to flatter and reward you. Reward and flatter yourself. Favor and love yourself."
- Kira Salak / Writer for National Geographic