Flickr Loves Me; I Love Flickr

Do you love Flickr? Check out my photo stream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/aimeedars and please leave lots of comments!

BOOK: A Rare Breed of Love by Jana Kohl

I can't wait to get a copy of A Rare Breed of Love: The True Story of Baby and the Mission She Inspired to Help Dogs Everywhere by Jana Kohl. Kohl was planning to purchase a toy poodle, but she learned about the horrible conditions in puppy mills, where animals were stuck in cramped cages and forced to reproduce until they were too old at which time they were killed. Instead, Kohl adopted Baby, an almost ten year old puppy mill breeder whose vocal cords had been removed so her owners wouldn't hear her barking and who had to have a leg amputated due to an untreated injury. All her life, Baby had been confined to a cage and had been known only by the number "94." Working with the Humane Society of the United States, Kohl and Baby began speaking out about the atrocious conditions dogs face in puppy mills.

In this book, Kohl chronicles her and Baby's efforts to raise awareness regarding puppy mills. It includes over sixty photographs of Baby with celebrities and public figures, like Barack Obama above. In addition, it features essays about bond between companion animals and their people.

Walter Is Very Serious

Walter was nonplussed I was paying attention to taking photos of jewelry instead of giving him love.

New Jewelry in My Shop!

Check out the new pieces. I listed like crazy last night.

"Aimee" Necklace

Gina, aka Chasing Beads, created a beautiful necklace she named after me! It is a lovely piece of jewelry and I'm so touched and honored to be its namesake. Please visit Gina's shop and show the necklace some love!

While you are visiting Gina's shop, check out her other great jewelry. She designs beautiful necklaces and earrings. She also runs the shop Chasing Part II, featuring designs under $35, destash, and promotional bookmarks (by special order only).

Animal Place Fundraiser

Animal Place, a farm animal sanctuary in Vacaville, CA, urgently needs to move in order to upgrade its facilities for the health and safety of its animals and to have more space to accommodate a larger number of rescues. Information about the move is available on their website here.

Roni (at left with one of the cows at Animal Place), one of the great people I've met on Etsy, runs Daisy Wares, and is a member of Vegan Etsy and Etsy for Animals. She donates a portion of her sales to Animal Place and is an untiring advocate for animals. This month, she, along with the Bay Area Vegetarians Group, is hosting a fundraiser to help raise money for the down payment on new land for Animal Place. (I wish I could go--it sounds like so much fun!)

For those of us, like myself, who are too far to attend the fundraiser, we can still help by donating vegan items to sell at the fundraiser or by donating money directly to Animal Place. If you are interested in donating an item, please let me know, and I will get you in touch with Roni.

This is a great organization that does so much good for the animals. Please help!

Obama Clinches Nomination

According to CNN.com, Barack Obama has earned enough delegates to secure the democratic nomination. I am thrilled with this development!

Weather

Buddhist Prayer

From Awakening the Buddha Within:

May all beings be happy, content, and fulfilled.
May all beings be healed and whole.
May all have whatever they want and need.
May all be protected from harm and free from fear.
May all beings enjoy inner peace and ease.
May all be awakened, liberated, and free.
May there be peace in this world and throughout the entire universe.

One More Month

It seems like I should be busy going to museums, eating at restaurants I love, and so on, but I am totally broke, so I am just hanging out at home with George and the dogs. Also, it is so hot, it's not even fun to venture outside during the day.