Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Hello there!

I am brand new here too, and already I'm finding the most wonderful information, input, and adorable pictures here! Elle is beautiful (pink collar anyone???)! I'm not sure where we'll find an obedience school to teach her the bend and snap, but what a lovely name! (giggle giggle)

I'm mom to Balthazar (Balthie) and hope to get to know you!

Love,
Jen and Balthie

Hey, Everyone!

Just clarifying here that while I cannot speak for anybody else here (gosh, I haven't even met them), I can notate that there is a difference between using the terms CAFO's and the phrase "factory farms."  I used the term factory farms as I meant it...was not referring to "all" farms or CAFO's in general...fact ory farm has a specific connotation and I used it in context to convey that as such.  As many here must know of course, the factory farms and the regulatory bodies who oversee the guidelines for them are under an increasing amount of scrutiny as the debate continues over what "healthy" limits and qualities go into producing "safe" or "good" food these days. Of course these farms are regulated, but so are public schools, healthcare, etc.  Being regulated does not always equal being "best."  For my husband and I *personally,* vegetarian eating...and locally grown foods...is the "best" choice for *us* and how we relate our choices to our environmental impact.

It's Earth Day everyday for many wonderful, caring, compassionate people who are well educated on the positive impact that a few caring personal choices can make! I send kudos and hearty applause to those who work in an environmental field as a career choice (as many, many of my close friends do, too)!  It's great to just keep in mind that there are many people who make it their *life's work* (career ***or*** otherwise) to treat our planet with consistent respect, love, and honor , and who are very well educated, informed, and involved with environmental "causes" ( a word that always seems so silly to me in these applications).  It's also important to remember that regardless of career placement and roles, *everyone* of us can have a tremendously positive impact on the way our planet is cared for.

Again, I cannot speak for anyone else, but for myself, I know where my food comes from (and from WHOM in many, many cases) and under what conditions these foods are grown.  Of course, that's absolutely NOT a blanket truth, and there are always exceptions to anything. Even so, many of the fruits and veggies I consume come from the cute little "farmer's market" in my town, which I walk to from my house, and where I personally know nearly all of the "farmers."  In most cases, they are my neighbors and people who grow in their own family gardens.

Just as Valentine's Day is not really "necessary" because in THEORY everyone should recognize their loved ones everyday, Earth Day in theory should be practiced each day of our lives. In PRACTICE, these days often end up providing an important boost and reminder to many people in our nation who may not be consciously focusing on *expressing* or *acting on* these core values of love and respect year-round (for people and planet). For them, Earth Day is an inspiration... a reminder...a fire under the proverbial butt! It is also a chance, as this thread's original question so beautifully embodies, to celebrate the ways that people create positive change by making positive choices. Whether someone switches to earth friendly cleaners in their home, turns a few more lights off, uses recycled water to quench their garden, cuts out plastic bottles and cutlery from their daily routine, or even just commits to getting "new" clothes from Goodwill instead of a department store, we all win...most of all, Mother Earth!

Again, as a new one here, I may just not have a clue what's going on (and let's be honest, maybe being here longer I wouldn't have a clue, either, LOL), but it seems to me this thread was created as a positive, inspiring reminder and notation of the great things we *can* choose to do for our earth. I say, mission accomplished.. .

Who else has something positive to share about a special choice or commitment to environmental responsibility this Earth Day?

Love and Tree Hugs to All!
Jen xoxo

 

Wow...I'm so excited to be able to offer some kind of input so early on as a member here!

I will start by saying (since I'm new here and it isn't YET obvious) that I am a BIG advocate of very smart nutritional choices for our animals.  I read ingredients, research healthy choices, and firmly recognize the link between excellent nutrition and excellent health.

That said....

I am presently feeding Wolf King by Solid Gold to Balthazar and went through a LOT of thinking and research before choosing it.  When I got him from the rescue org, he was eating Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy food.  In researching (and I'm sure the experienced people here can offer MUCH more knowledgeable feedback on this part), I continued to get guidance to feed Balthie a NON-PUPPY formula because the increased protein and fat could cause undue stress on his joints, leading to later health problems.

I ultimately oscillated back and forth trying to decide between Wolf King and Taste of the Wild.  I went ahead and offered the Wolf King by transitioning it into his bowl, and Balthie is doing GREAT with it and he also really, really enjoys his food.  He's no longer on the Nutro...he's doing Wolf King alone. I love that it is a very lean choice, that the ingredients are corn and by-product free, and that it's a bison & salmon based formula rather than chicken/turkey.

I, too, am not 100% confident in knowing it comes from Diamond, and may make a change at some point to Taste of the Wild (AND may post my own questions about food as well). 

I just wanted to let you know that as far as the food itself goes right now, it is a very good choice for Balthie's enjoyment and the nutrient content appears to be top notch, IMHO.  Maybe we can continue to "talk it out" here and gain wisdom from one another r.e. the Diamond concern.

Sorry I couldn't be more 'decisive' in my thoughts or opinions but maybe just talking about it helps!

Love,
Jen

Hi, Amy and Shadow!

I am super new here myself, but already I can tell what a wonderful group this is!  I, too, recently adopted a rescue mix of Newfie/Great Pyr puppy and he is the BEST fuzzy guy EVER!  I imagine you and I will be right there as they mouth everything...m y glasses were Balthazar's latest casualty! LOL

Welcome here (even though I'm so new I don't know if I can welcome others YET, lol) and I look forward to seeing pics of the adorable Shadow! 

Love,
Jen and Balthie

MaryPyrs, we must be kindred spirits...I love this question (and your Gandhi quote which is in my regular email sig)!

This year, my husband and I made a commitment to a fully vegetarian lifestyle, with intent to transition to vegan when/if we are able. Because factory farming (not talking about small, organic, mom n' pop farms here) is officially cited as the #1 source of global warming (it beats out car emissions by 40%!), I am making a very special effort to educate friends, family, neighbors, and our community about how taking on a plant-based diet is actually the single most effective environmental "green" action you can take!

In my work/career as a shop owner, I have made the commitment to selling as many earth-friendly products as possible.  This is something that has been a special strength to my store from the onset, but this April/May will mark a growth spurt of green action in the store...with expansions on the most earth-friendly products and lots of new additions.  I will also be implementing special benefits to customers who bring their own bag to reduce waste, and offering earth friendly literature year-round. I also plan to walk to work whenever weather permits me (though I must admit, this is a very close walk so it's not the same level of commitment as someone living further from their business).

I could go on and on...we have only one planet and it is shared across cultural, racial, religious, socio-economic, and all other boundaries. It strengthens us all to strengthen the earth.

Another favorite quote:

"Only when the last tree has died
and the last river has been poisoned
and the last fish been caught will we realize
we cannot eat money."

-Cree Proverb

Love & Tree Hugs,
Jen

(Squeals with delight) eeeek!  I don't know who is cuter...your baby or your puppy (can it be a tie?), but that last picture makes me want to mmmeeeelllltt into a puddle of sugar and rainbows it's so absolutely adorable!  Congrats to you on having an obviously gorgeous family and a happy, friendly lot of little ones...bi-ped or otherwise!

Love,
Jen

That was it, thanks!   The avatar fits now that it is sized down...there's Balthie! It's lovely to meet you and I am LOVING the pictures of everybody else's dogs so much! What cute fuzzbutts you all have!

Love,
Jen