"WHERE THE ANIMALS ARE SERVED FIRST...AND AREN'T ON THE MENU!"

Friday, May 16, 2008

A Visit from the Vet, Napping Donkeys & Name Contest Winner on a Hot Friday at the Lazy Vegan

Today the donkeys got their annual vaccinations in the morning before it got too hot. Paco was in his usual form, bucking and rearing up as Dr. Szabo gave him his shots. At one point he had the syringe stuck in his side while he reared up out of reach. The vet said that she had a lot of "air time" with Paco (referring, of course, to the time HE spent in the air!). I wish I had taken photos of it, but it seemed like a rude thing to do when they were struggling to get control of him. She's told me stories of being dragged across a muddy field by a miniature donkey! Luigi was VERY well-mannered and barely flinched when he got his shots. For the rest of the day the boys seemed a bit tired- perhaps a side-effect of the West Nile and other vaccines...lots of napping today!
***PATRICIA TOMASHEFSKY IS THE WINNER OF THE RANCH NAME CONTEST!***
***CONGRATULATIONS FOR COMING UP WITH "THE LAZY VEGAN"***
***DETAILS OF PRIZE TO FOLLOW!***
Thanks for all the great name suggestions from everyone!!!
Boulder is pleased with himself.

Dr. Szabo & her assistant, Megan, give Paco his first shot!
Dr. Szabo makes friends with Paco with a treat and some scratches afterwards.
Weegie's turn!

The boys before the vet arrived. They knew something was up.

Time to play, since the vet was late.

Papa checks in with his boys. He missed the vet excitement of the morning.




The boys really love Randy. (And, of course, their MAMA DIANA!)

Boulder is getting a bit tired of the dogs peeing near him!



Very round bellies- but the vet said the donkeys look great!

Napping again.







Paco shows off his teeth. I read in "Brayer Magazine" that donkeys take up to three years to get their full set of teeth.

I don't know how they relax in the hot sun!





Weegie is all smiles.

It is awkward getting on the ground when you're a donkey.
CHECK OUT THE PACO & LUIGI VIDEO AT THE BOTTOM!
Landmark Farm Animal Welfare Bill Approved in Colorado
May 15, 2008


Colo. Governor Bill Ritter signed into law a ban on veal and gestation crates, with HSUS's Colorado state director Holly Tarry, Colo. State University Professor Bernard Rollin and state agricultural leaders standing by.With a stroke of his pen, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter passed landmark legislation that will improve the lives of nearly 150,000 farm animals crammed into crates in factory farms. His signature further validates the movement away from some of the most cruel and inhumane factory farm abuses.
The bill,
SB 201, phases out gestation crates and veal crates—individual cages that confine breeding sows and veal calves. Colorado is now the first state in the country to ban the use of gestation crates and veal crates by action of a state legislature, joining states such as Florida, Arizona and Oregon that have taken action on similar issues.
Movement Away From Cages and Crates Gains Momentum
The bill's passage came just a few weeks after a landmark California
measure to prohibit veal crates, gestation crates and battery cages officially qualified for November's ballot. When passed this Election Day, the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act will provide farm animals with the most basic protection: that they merely have enough room to turn around and extend their limbs.
"Americans demand humane treatment of animals, including animals raised for food. With this measure, adversaries turned into allies to advance animal welfare concerns," stated Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "Through cooperation, progress on this important issue can indeed belong to everyone."
Unlikely Partnership
SB 201 came as the result of negotiations between The HSUS and Colorado agricultural groups. Governor Bill Ritter, Agriculture Commissioner John Stulp, and Dr. Bernard Rollin, Colorado State University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, played crucial and leading roles in the negotiations.
"This legislation is proof that humane groups and agriculture interests can work together to find common ground and move toward better treatment of farm animals," added Professor Rollin. "The movement toward ending abuses such as gestation crates and veal crates is unmistakable, and states elsewhere should follow this example."
SB 201 gained support in both the House and Senate, with the House approving it 59-4 and the Senate approving it unanimously.
Thanks to Governor Ritter's signature, crates confining pigs like these will no longer be allowed in Colorado.
Progress for Farm Animals
Not only does Colorado's bill phase out veal crates within four years and gestation crates within 10 years, but it also jumpstarts a process for further negotiations on issues such as the confinement of egg-laying hens in
battery cages.
With every state that prohibits cages and crates, the signs become clearer that these abuses are out of step with mainstream American values regarding the treatment of animals.
PACO & LUIGI AT NAP TIME!!