![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/s_image1255959927-75429.jpg\")
We wondered how Dr. Schubel felt about a perceived contradiction of being an advocate for animals and their environment and while recommending eating certain of them. His response to Tracy Reiman referred to the \u201cdaunting task\u201d of changing a population\u2019s behavior. His response focused mainly on the environment and the health of people who consume seafood, but not on the creatures themselves.<\/p>\n
We have two disclaimers: Kate\u2019s a member of the Aquarium, and both of us support PETA\u2019s mission, which addresses the relief and prevention of animal cruelty in any way possible through education, legislation, investigation and protest, among other things. Their acronym spelled out is People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; veganism isn\u2019t underscored on the Web site, but members definitely consider the philosophy an ethical one.<\/p>\n
Veganism is vegetarianism\u2019s more evolved relative. The word vegan was coined in 1944 from the first two syllables of vegetarian\u2014or \u201cthe beginning and end of vegetarian,\u201d as defined by the founders of the Vegan Society . Vegans neither eat flesh nor use or eat any animal products\u2014no honey, dairy, eggs or gelatin, and no leather, wool, fur, skin or scale.<\/p>\n
A friend was recently trying to place a quote that went something like \u201cWhen you make the decision to eat, you will kill something.\u201d She thought it was by Alan Watts, but wasn\u2019t certain. Something that Watts did say, however, was, \u201cNever pretend to a love which you do not actually feel,\u201d and that\u2019s unarguable. Both these sayings are food for thought for us\u2014pun intended\u2014after reading about the exchange between PETA and the Aquarium. You wash bacteria from food, you consume them when you eat yogurt, you absently swat at an annoying insect. And it\u2019s good and educational to ask people to change their diet to avoid killing animals, but not to demand it. That turns people away. And a big question: No matter how many pets you rescue, no matter how many circuses or Eagles football games you boycott, are you an animal advocate if you eat seafood, or any other animal?<\/p>\n
Compassionate Cuisine<\/a> is an annual Long Beach event, held this year in the lovely setting of the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens as a celebration of World Vegetarian Day. It featured special guests, music by Makena and the Irvine Young Concert Artists, a raffle featuring ecofriendly items and services and all the vegan food samples you could consume. The prizes and food were donated by local vendors, and all the funding went to Animal Acres<\/a>, a wonderful farm animal sanctuary in Acton.<\/p>\n We figured that it would be an interesting place to ask our questions at Compassionate Cuisine because it\u2019s attended by those who eschew meat and those who chew it. And if we didn\u2019t get any answers or interesting opinions, we could at least eat real good (vegan cuisine is tasty and you won\u2019t miss meat; with no blood dripping off the product, it\u2019s much nicer, indeed). And we did\u2014we had seconds on the nondogs at the Frankenstand<\/a> and had to restrain ourselves after gulping down an avocado-based Chocolate Fudge Bite from Good to Go<\/a> restaurant.<\/p>\n We spoke with Linda Treffry, a solid and active Long Beach advocate for spay\/neuter and adopting shelter dogs. Her own sweet dog is an abandoned one that she stopped in the middle of the street to pick up and take home with her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be vegan or vegetarian to be an advocate for animals,\u201d Treffry said. \u201cI buy meat and eggs, but I refuse to eat meat from factory farms. They\u2019re unsanitary and brutal.\u201d<\/p>\n Kimberly Zimmerman, an employee of Good to Go and dispenser of the irresistible Chocolate Fudge Bites, knows, as a foodie and developing vegan, the difficulty of changing eating habits, even as an animal advocate. \u201cIt\u2019s a little challenging,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you\u2019re supporting the rights of animals, it\u2019s contradictory to eat them. But there are ways you can consume animals that won\u2019t affect a lifestyle as an activist.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to be more like Gandi about it,\u201d agreed vegan Susan Helms, who traveled extensively in the Buddhist country of Thailand and still found meat products sold and served there. \u201cYou want to live by example. My fianc\u00e9 is involved in rescue and eats meat. He gets really defensive if people get in his face about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Long Beach resident Peter Rosenwald said he sympathizes with PETA\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like people getting in my face, but I understand why they have their beliefs,\u201d he said. \u201cI think that we can do a better job of being animal advocates by becoming vegan. A little excess in the spirit of animals is good.\u201d<\/p>\n There are few people with greater proactive love for all animals than Lorri Houston, Animal Acres\u2019s founder. Lorri\u2019s been rescuing farm animals for about 18 years. She founded Animal Acres six years ago, and she and the volunteers have saved hundreds of animals from the slaughterhouse and went to New Orleans to help rescue animals during Hurricane Katrina. Houston also came to veganism gradually through a series of epiphanies.<\/p>\n \u201cAnimal advocacy comes in all shapes and sizes,\u201d she said. \u201cand there comes a day when someone will want to save a chicken or pig as well as a dog or cat. Opening your hearts and minds will bring people in, not criticism or judgment.\u201d<\/p>\n (More disclaimers: Judy is a confirmed vegan, who weeps at the thought of the lowliest barnacle ripped from a reef. Kate still eats most seafood, but until she succumbs to the salmon fighting upstream in the currents of her resisting mind, plans to be more conscious of consuming only sustainable seafood.)<\/p>\n If you\u2019re vegecurious, check out Zephyr Vegetarian Caf\u00e9, 340 E. 4th St., Long Beach, 90802, (562) 435-7113.<\/p>\n If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian<\/em>. In a recent posting, we featured a photo of a 13-year-old (we think, but it\u2019s debatable) longhair Chihuahua named Missy who was left in the shelter by her terminally ill owner. We all bonded with her, especially Judy and ACS public health associate Debra Brubaker, and there was a huge effort to get her a home before her time ran out. Two Pet Post readers from Oregon, Barbara and Keith Cordes, used to live in Long Beach (note Keith\u2019s shirtsleeve in the photo!) and had adopted a lab, also 13, at the shelter when it was still located on Willow Street. They saw Missy on the Pet Post, and Keith got into his car and drove down here to spring Missy, \u201cwith only minutes to spare,\u201d as Brubaker described Missy\u2019s reprieve. As we\u2019re writing, Missy and Keith are heading back home, where Barb is no doubt making up a little Chihuahua bed and baking homemade bone biscuits.<\/p>\n \u201cI am so happy for her!\u201d Brubaker said. Judy\u2019s still speechless. If any of you have been considering saving Missy, there\u2019s plenty more where she came from. Cats, too. And bunnies\u2026.<\/p>\n (Incidentally, the two fat cats we featured twice who were staying at Chewsy Dogs have gone home\u2014both of them with the same person! Hope she has plenty of kibble on hand and lots of exercise toys!)<\/p>\n Virtually Pets: Adoption<\/span><\/p>\n If you love Chihuahuas and missed out on Missy, this little guy is available. This 2-year-old male is shy at first, but once he knows you, he\u2019s all-over hugs and kisses. He loves to go for walks. He\u2019s living temporarily in kennel 718 at ACS, 7700 East Spring St., Long Beach (562) 570-PETS. His name? He\u2019ll tell you!<\/p>\n This little fellow is one of five male Dumbo rats (need we describe the genesis of the breed name?) who was abandoned at a rented home. All of them just squeaked by getting poisoned by the new tenant when our very own rodent lady picked them all up. They\u2019re ready for a loving home. If you can provide one, contact rodentlady44@yahoo.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n This gorgeous creature was found by the Nature Center staff at El Dorado Park, where folks dump their bunnies after Easter. Make her yours forever\u2014contact rodentlady44@yahoo.com<\/a>. Judy and Kate weigh in on PETA’s comments about the Aquarium of the Pacific’s “Seafood for the Future” program, and gauge response from the community. Also, upcoming events and adoptions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":70232,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_":"","_author_alias":"","cap-aim":"","cap-description":"","cap-display_name":"","cap-first_name":"","cap-jabber":"","cap-last_name":"","cap-linked_account":"","cap-newspack_employer":"","cap-newspack_job_title":"","cap-newspack_phone_number":"","cap-newspack_role":"","cap-user_email":"","cap-user_login":"","cap-website":"","cap-yahooim":"","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_email_html":"","newspack_email_type":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_hide_page_title":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_show_share_buttons":"","newspack_sponsor_byline_prefix":"","newspack_sponsor_disclaimer_override":"","newspack_sponsor_flag_override":"","newspack_sponsor_only_direct":"","newspack_sponsor_url":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-5702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pets","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5702"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5702\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5702"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=5702"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=5702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
-Linda McCartney
Paths cannot be taught; they can only be taken<\/em>.
-Zen Saying
Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant? I’m halfway through my fishburger and I realize, Oh my God. I could be eating a slow learner<\/em>.
-Long Beach comedian Lynda Montgomery (sorry, we couldn\u2019t resist including it).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/s_image1255959966-62610.jpg\")
Lucky 13 for Missy!<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/s_image1255960032-68809.jpg\")
Bye! And thanks!<\/em>
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/s_image1255960070-3864.jpg\")
Here\u2019s my headshot. Do I get the part?<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/s_image1255960104-41051.jpg\")
Wholesome food, love and a safe place to sleep. Namaste.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/s_image1255960152-23650.jpg\")
She\u2019s a pet, not a wild animal.<\/em><\/p>\n
Boxer Briefs: Animal Legislation<\/span>
City Council Meeting, Oct. 20<\/em>
The Long Beach City Council will discuss several recommendations and changes to the city code that relate to reducing euthanasia and the number of unwanted animals through spay\/neuter and microchipping, reducing animal impounds through licensing (cat licensing included), and expanding educational and volunteer programs to support Animal Care Services\u2019 mission. The recommendations were introduced by Councilmembers Lowenthal, DeLong and O\u2019Donnell. Meeting opens at 5 p.m. at the Council Chamber at 333 Ocean Blvd. To see Item 25 on the agenda, click here<\/a>.
Guv terminates anti-puppy mill bill<\/em>
Sadly, Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 241 (Responsible Breeder Act<\/a>), a desperately needed bill to curtail the overbreeding of animals in horrific living conditions at puppy mills. The governor\u2019s veto statement is a smack in the face to his fellow legislators. The assembly passed the bill 59\u201317, and the senate passed it 25\u20139. The Long Beach City Council came out in unanimous support for the bill. Two things remain the same about Mr. Schwarzenegger: He\u2019s still a bad actor and apparently cannot give up being the Terminator. One of the governor\u2019s statements reads, “This measure simply goes too far in an attempt to address the serious problem of puppy mills. An arbitrary cap on the number of animals an entity can possess throughout the state will not end unlawful, inhumane breeding practices.” AB 241 would have reduced the number of breeding animals at puppy mills, greatly reducing the suffering at facilities that have upward of 500 breeding animals. We can only hope that our next governor will understand the significant value a bill such as AB 241 carries for the fiscal and moral responsibility our legislators hold.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"