Comments on: Tuesdays With Murray (Chapter 90) http://mihow.com/articles/2009/04/14/tuesdays-with-murray-chapter-90/ In Alpha Since 2001 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:12:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Lillet http://mihow.com/articles/2009/04/14/tuesdays-with-murray-chapter-90/comment-page-1/#comment-116753 Lillet Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:48:57 +0000 http://mihow.com/?p=32918#comment-116753 Oops that last line should be "scared of finding other ways in which to eat." Not other ways in which to eat animals! Oops that last line should be “scared of finding other ways in which to eat.” Not other ways in which to eat animals!

]]> By: Lillet http://mihow.com/articles/2009/04/14/tuesdays-with-murray-chapter-90/comment-page-1/#comment-116752 Lillet Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:46:47 +0000 http://mihow.com/?p=32918#comment-116752 I am so sorry about Hazel. That is terrible. Giving even more to Empty Cages is a good way to start. Their TNR efforts as you know are SO valuable. And as Em gets older maybe you can help volunteer to talk about animals in his schools, talk to people you know, etc. But the best way, the easiest way, to stop hurting animals is to stop eating them. It's not just cats and dogs who are "burned alive, tortured, or beaten to death" every single moment of the day, and food animals suffer simply because people like how they taste, or are scared of finding other ways to eat them. It's no surprise that the head of ECC is vegan. www.humanemyth.org I am so sorry about Hazel. That is terrible.

Giving even more to Empty Cages is a good way to start. Their TNR efforts as you know are SO valuable. And as Em gets older maybe you can help volunteer to talk about animals in his schools, talk to people you know, etc.

But the best way, the easiest way, to stop hurting animals is to stop eating them. It’s not just cats and dogs who are “burned alive, tortured, or beaten to death” every single moment of the day, and food animals suffer simply because people like how they taste, or are scared of finding other ways to eat them. It’s no surprise that the head of ECC is vegan.

http://www.humanemyth.org

]]> By: wendyr http://mihow.com/articles/2009/04/14/tuesdays-with-murray-chapter-90/comment-page-1/#comment-116722 wendyr Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:50:11 +0000 http://mihow.com/?p=32918#comment-116722 Firstly I am so sorry about Hazel. That is so tough. Please send on all sympathies to your mother for her loss! Your writing could not be more timely. I was raised with dogs, but always loved cats (my mom is one of those haters you mentioned, though). I have been trying to do something for the feral cats in our neighborhood - I want to spay and neuter them all - but we can't afford it. It keeps me up at night. My neighbors don't see a problem. Cats here in Ireland, from my experience, are neglected. I share your concern. My husband would say I am almost obsessed. But, we took in three feral kittens and within a few months, two of them turned into the softest, sweetest creatures I have ever met (the third is making loads of progress!). It breaks my heart to think that there other cats out there that are just not given a chance. I would donate to the Murray Foundation in honor of our two feral kittens that we lost to feline leukemia. I feel the need to honor them somehow, and my husband has nixed my idea of a tattoo.... Firstly I am so sorry about Hazel. That is so tough. Please send on all sympathies to your mother for her loss!

Your writing could not be more timely. I was raised with dogs, but always loved cats (my mom is one of those haters you mentioned, though). I have been trying to do something for the feral cats in our neighborhood – I want to spay and neuter them all – but we can’t afford it. It keeps me up at night. My neighbors don’t see a problem. Cats here in Ireland, from my experience, are neglected.

I share your concern. My husband would say I am almost obsessed. But, we took in three feral kittens and within a few months, two of them turned into the softest, sweetest creatures I have ever met (the third is making loads of progress!). It breaks my heart to think that there other cats out there that are just not given a chance.

I would donate to the Murray Foundation in honor of our two feral kittens that we lost to feline leukemia. I feel the need to honor them somehow, and my husband has nixed my idea of a tattoo….

]]> By: Nicole http://mihow.com/articles/2009/04/14/tuesdays-with-murray-chapter-90/comment-page-1/#comment-116704 Nicole Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:41:20 +0000 http://mihow.com/?p=32918#comment-116704 I love the idea of "The Murray Fund" and no matter where the funds go, they will be helping! I obtained my cats via an organization called Arizona Rescue--they go to local animal shelters and adopt cats and dogs on "death row" in order to give them a second (or third? fourth?) chance at a happy life. The animals are given medical care, a comfy place to live and play and oodles of love until a proper, permanent home can be found. It's similar to what Beth mentioned--donations are accepted and there's also an opportunity to sponsor a specific cat or dog. Anyway, I don't mean this to be a big push for AZ Rescue but they do great things and the world could only be better with more organizations like them. I love the idea of “The Murray Fund” and no matter where the funds go, they will be helping! I obtained my cats via an organization called Arizona Rescue–they go to local animal shelters and adopt cats and dogs on “death row” in order to give them a second (or third? fourth?) chance at a happy life. The animals are given medical care, a comfy place to live and play and oodles of love until a proper, permanent home can be found. It’s similar to what Beth mentioned–donations are accepted and there’s also an opportunity to sponsor a specific cat or dog. Anyway, I don’t mean this to be a big push for AZ Rescue but they do great things and the world could only be better with more organizations like them.

]]> By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2009/04/14/tuesdays-with-murray-chapter-90/comment-page-1/#comment-116690 mihow Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:15:43 +0000 http://mihow.com/?p=32918#comment-116690 Erica: I am often completely appalled by how some cats are treated right here in Brooklyn. Like I said, I won't give the details, which will haunt me until I'm dead and gone. Torrie: I sleep pretty well when it comes to how I treat cats (animals), but the stories I read about others? Well, they are getting worse and worse (or maybe I'm getting weaker?) I realize I can't control everything, but I don't understand why abuse and torture can't be at the very least stifled either through education or elimination. (heh) Nothing I do will amount to perfection (or anything close to perfection), but donating money to groups like ECC, whose main goal is to lessen the number of feral cats being born, will maybe help lessen the number of cats being abused as well. I have no idea. But I do know that sitting back and just feeling awful about it does me no good and it definitely doesn't do anything for these creatures being burned alive, tortured, or beaten to death. Erica: I am often completely appalled by how some cats are treated right here in Brooklyn. Like I said, I won’t give the details, which will haunt me until I’m dead and gone.

Torrie: I sleep pretty well when it comes to how I treat cats (animals), but the stories I read about others? Well, they are getting worse and worse (or maybe I’m getting weaker?)

I realize I can’t control everything, but I don’t understand why abuse and torture can’t be at the very least stifled either through education or elimination. (heh)

Nothing I do will amount to perfection (or anything close to perfection), but donating money to groups like ECC, whose main goal is to lessen the number of feral cats being born, will maybe help lessen the number of cats being abused as well.

I have no idea. But I do know that sitting back and just feeling awful about it does me no good and it definitely doesn’t do anything for these creatures being burned alive, tortured, or beaten to death.

]]> By: erica http://mihow.com/articles/2009/04/14/tuesdays-with-murray-chapter-90/comment-page-1/#comment-116686 erica Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:50:16 +0000 http://mihow.com/?p=32918#comment-116686 As you know (I think), I have my cat news blog World Wide Whiskers. When I started the blog in sept, I set up a google alert for the word "cat" that I get every day and go through for interesting stories. It is HORRIFYING how many links are about cat abuse. It's really opened my eyes. I've made it a policy not to post about cat abuse unless the story is notable in some other way (like the guy who put his cat in a bong mistakenly thinking it would calm the cat down) because I don't want my blog to upset people the way I get upset. I think the murray fund would be a great idea. whatever you decide to do, make sure you keep us updated because i know i (and lots of other people) would like to be involved. As you know (I think), I have my cat news blog World Wide Whiskers. When I started the blog in sept, I set up a google alert for the word “cat” that I get every day and go through for interesting stories. It is HORRIFYING how many links are about cat abuse. It’s really opened my eyes. I’ve made it a policy not to post about cat abuse unless the story is notable in some other way (like the guy who put his cat in a bong mistakenly thinking it would calm the cat down) because I don’t want my blog to upset people the way I get upset.

I think the murray fund would be a great idea. whatever you decide to do, make sure you keep us updated because i know i (and lots of other people) would like to be involved.

]]> By: Torrie http://mihow.com/articles/2009/04/14/tuesdays-with-murray-chapter-90/comment-page-1/#comment-116685 Torrie Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:56:05 +0000 http://mihow.com/?p=32918#comment-116685 Michelle, you know I'm not usually preachy about this, but the #1 easiest way to have a positive impact on animals is to be vegetarian and not use products that contain animal ingredients, or ingredients that were tested on animals. I have the same "I wish I could save them all" feeling, but being vegetarian at least makes me feel like I'm doing SOMETHING. I sleep well at night -well, except for the cats and the toddler waking me up ;)- knowing that I'm doing my part to prevent animal suffering. Not to mention the health benefits. Here's another idea for you- you are a great photographer- you could volunteer your services to local shelters and rescue organizations- sometimes a great picture is what captures people's attention and results in a donation. I have donated several of my pictures to animal shelters for use on their web sites. Either way, the fact that you are even thinking about this is awesome. Most people develop a relationship with their pets and never think about all of the other animals out there. Michelle, you know I’m not usually preachy about this, but the #1 easiest way to have a positive impact on animals is to be vegetarian and not use products that contain animal ingredients, or ingredients that were tested on animals.
I have the same “I wish I could save them all” feeling, but being vegetarian at least makes me feel like I’m doing SOMETHING.
I sleep well at night -well, except for the cats and the toddler waking me up ;)- knowing that I’m doing my part to prevent animal suffering. Not to mention the health benefits.
Here’s another idea for you- you are a great photographer- you could volunteer your services to local shelters and rescue organizations- sometimes a great picture is what captures people’s attention and results in a donation. I have donated several of my pictures to animal shelters for use on their web sites.
Either way, the fact that you are even thinking about this is awesome. Most people develop a relationship with their pets and never think about all of the other animals out there.

]]> By: mihow http://mihow.com/articles/2009/04/14/tuesdays-with-murray-chapter-90/comment-page-1/#comment-116684 mihow Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:30:47 +0000 http://mihow.com/?p=32918#comment-116684 I am very, very serious. There are few things I am consistently passionate about, this is one of those things. Also, I love this organization you speak of! Plug away. I learn from it. (So do others.) I think my next step is researching non profits, etc. I don't want to benefit from this at all (except for being able to rest my head easier). I can't stress that enough. I think I finally understand what it's like to be overcome by something. And I hear you when you say you turn the channel. I can barely bring myself to visit a favorite Web site called Gothamist because of the number of horrific stories they cover surrounding animal (specifically cats) abuse. I am glad they are covering such stories, because I think it sheds light on how common and horrible it is, but I can't shake them from my head. Anyway... rambling. Truly emotional about it. I am very, very serious. There are few things I am consistently passionate about, this is one of those things. Also, I love this organization you speak of! Plug away. I learn from it. (So do others.)

I think my next step is researching non profits, etc. I don’t want to benefit from this at all (except for being able to rest my head easier). I can’t stress that enough. I think I finally understand what it’s like to be overcome by something.

And I hear you when you say you turn the channel. I can barely bring myself to visit a favorite Web site called Gothamist because of the number of horrific stories they cover surrounding animal (specifically cats) abuse. I am glad they are covering such stories, because I think it sheds light on how common and horrible it is, but I can’t shake them from my head.

Anyway… rambling. Truly emotional about it.

]]> By: Beth http://mihow.com/articles/2009/04/14/tuesdays-with-murray-chapter-90/comment-page-1/#comment-116683 Beth Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:25:47 +0000 http://mihow.com/?p=32918#comment-116683 I can't even deal with all the hate and abuse out in the world anymore -- I lunge for the remote when even a hint of an animal abuse story comes across the screen and I change the channel on commercials for animal rights groups (even those I support and contribute to!) because I can't take any more. I contribute to Women for Women International. This isn't a plug for them, although it is an awesome organization. I think you could organize The Murray Fund in a similar way. I contribute monthly and sponsor a woman for a year. When she graduates from their program, I am assigned to a new woman, sometimes in the same area, sometimes in an entirely different country of need. If you could organize sponsors who were willing to contribute regularly, whatever the sum of money, you could rotate the shelters and animal rescue organizations who benefitted from your funds. I don't know if you were really serious about a fund or not, but the minute I read it I loved it. My cats are rescues, too, and every day I am amazed that anyone could have given them up and treated them the way they were treated -- but I also know it's their loss. I get all the love and kneading and hilarity, just like you do with Murray. Good luck figuring it all out! I can’t even deal with all the hate and abuse out in the world anymore — I lunge for the remote when even a hint of an animal abuse story comes across the screen and I change the channel on commercials for animal rights groups (even those I support and contribute to!) because I can’t take any more. I contribute to Women for Women International. This isn’t a plug for them, although it is an awesome organization. I think you could organize The Murray Fund in a similar way. I contribute monthly and sponsor a woman for a year. When she graduates from their program, I am assigned to a new woman, sometimes in the same area, sometimes in an entirely different country of need. If you could organize sponsors who were willing to contribute regularly, whatever the sum of money, you could rotate the shelters and animal rescue organizations who benefitted from your funds. I don’t know if you were really serious about a fund or not, but the minute I read it I loved it. My cats are rescues, too, and every day I am amazed that anyone could have given them up and treated them the way they were treated — but I also know it’s their loss. I get all the love and kneading and hilarity, just like you do with Murray. Good luck figuring it all out!

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