It's Veggie Hot Dog Month

My dog says that July is Veggie Hot Dog Month! If you love animals, that means even the ones who taste good, why not join in on the fun and embrace a cruelty-free lifestyle? Or, at a minimum, try a veggie hot dog and see what you think.

To find out if there's a Veggie Hot Dog Month event in your community, click HERE. Not one in your neck of the woods? Well, why not plan an event of your own to turn people onto a compassionate diet? Click HERE for a registration form.

The average vegetarian saves the lives of 95 animals each and every year. What an amazing way to show your love of animals, eh? Tweet

Lizards love their skin, too

My dog says although ignorance is bliss, you should really know the origin of your clothes. Have a lizard skin belt you love? How about some crocodile shoes? No doubt the lizard and croc loved their skin (and their lives) more than you love your accessories.

To learn about the exotic skins trade, check out the video below from animal lover Joaquin Phoenix. Want to make a real change? Why not stop buying and wearing the skins from these creatures? They need their skin to survive and live their lives in peace. (Worried about still looking stylish? Click HERE to visit Alternative Outfitters, one of many online stores offering cool, cruelty-free clothing and accessories.)

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Veggie cooking with a dash of heavy metal

My dog says this is the most awesome cooking demo ever! Heavy Metal Vegan Cooking shows you how to make cruelty-free dishes, complete with a side dish of metal music from bands such as Slayer, Motley Crue, and others.

Today's episode? How to make Seitan (with a cameo from a foul-mouthed, special guest star---you guessed it, Satan!). This ain't no Rachel Ray, so be forewarned.

* To learn more about Heavy Metal Vegan Cooking, click HERE.

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Adopt a turkey this Thanksgiving

My dog says the holidays are a time when people get together with their families and enjoy each other's company. But, humans are not the only species who love their families. Don't you think animals do, too? So, instead of eating a turkey this Thanksgiving, why not give one the gift of life?

For a one-time donation of $25, you can participate in Farm Sanctuary's 2009 Adopt-a-Turkey project. You'll receive an adoption certificate with a color photo and a bio of your new, feathered friend. More importantly, you will give a beautiful bird the peaceful life that we all deserve.

You're thankful for your life and family, why not let a turkey be thankful for theirs, too?

To learn more about the Adopt-a-Turkey project, click HERE.

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Be a caring consumer

My dog says many cosmetics and household cleaners are tested on animals. You don't need to feed an animal chemicals to verify that they are dangerous! A common sense warning on products is quite adequate and animal testing is not required by law for such items.

Be a caring consumer and don't purchase products that were tested on animals. To learn more about which products are (and aren't!) cruelty-free, click HERE.

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Eat yummy food to help needy animals

My dog says if you want to enjoy some scrumptious food and be entertained with music and comedy, go to the 4th annual Compassionate Cuisine event this Friday in Long Beach. Proceeds benefit Animal Acres, the amazing sanctuary that rescues and cares for "food" animals such as cows, pigs, chickens, and turkeys.

To learn more about this fun event for a great cause, click HERE. To buy tickets, click HERE (and be sure to select "Compassionate Cuisine" from the list of events).

* Buy your tickets in advance for a sweet discount!

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Vegan blog posts all in one spot

My dog says he stumbled across an interesting website while he was surfing around looking for dog toys online. VegBlogs aggregates vegan blog posts and podcasts from throughout cyberspace. It also has a wonderful list of reference sites on the right nav bar. Some food-related, some not.

Whether you're a vegan, or just curious, check out VegBlogs by clicking HERE. You're certain to learn something new and interesting!

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Free screening of Peaceable Kingdom

My dog says that you simply must see the documentary, Peaceable Kingdom. It is a very powerful and touching film about animals on farms who are born and raised to be food. It's beautifully produced by Tribe of Heart (the amazing people who brought another great film to the big screen, The Witness).

Most of the movie focuses on the moving personal stories of those who are on the front lines rescuing animals and those who used to exploit these creatures, but are now advocating for their fair and ethical treatment. If you've never thought about "food animals" before, but you have a dog or cat whom you love dearly, this enlightening documentary will open your eyes in wonderful new ways.

Peaceable Kingdom has been shown at film festivals across the country, but if you happen to be in the Los Angeles area this weekend, there is a FREE screening at UCLA.

Here are the details:

When: Sunday, October 4th, at 2 pm
Where: UCLA, Kerckhoff Hall State Room, 405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095
Cost: FREE
Parking: On campus parking costs $10
Sponsors: Bruins for Animals and United Animal Advocates of LA

Following the film, there will also be a short Q & A with discussion, light refreshments, and free literature.

To RSVP to the free Peaceable Kingdom screening, click HERE. And if you'd like to see the amazing film, The Witness (the story of a New York construction worker who starts to perceive animals in a different way), you can purchase it by clicking HERE. It's a wonderful film that will leave you inspired and energized.

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It's World Vegetarian Day!

My dog says that he's excited that today is World Vegetarian Day (and the first day of Vegetarian Awareness Month)! If you're already a vegetarian or vegan, why not help others understand how easy it is to live a cruelty-free lifestyle? Click HERE to learn how to promote a veggie diet in your community.

Not a vegetarian? Here are some simple ways to get started down the path of compassionate living (courtesy of the North American Vegetarian Society):

•	Eat meat-free for the day or throughout the month
•	Learn how a vegetarian diet can benefit you personally
•	Try the meatless options available at local restaurants and eateries
•	Discuss vegetarianism with your interested friends, family and co-workers
•	Host a meatless meal or potluck for your friends
•	Eat meatless meals on a regular basis

To learn more about embracing a lifestyle that promotes compassion and respect for ALL living creatures, visit GoVeg.com to get the scoop. And, for a free veggie starter kit, click HERE.

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Colorado gets veggie billboards

My dog says that the group Mercy for Animals (MFA) is doing some excellent work in Colorado. This week, 15 billboards went up throughout Denver, promoting a vegetarian lifestyle. To read about the campaign and to see more of the billboards, click HERE.

Love animals, the planet, and your health? Want to know more about becoming a vegetarian? Click HERE to learn the facts.

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Humane mousetrap saves lives

My dog says he found a mousetrap that he likes. It captures the mouse safely so he/she doesn't get hurt. Then, you just release the little one in a field away from your home.

Rodents might be pests, but they're just trying to survive like all of us. And they certainly don't deserve to suffer a painful death in an old-fashioned trap. To learn more about the Humane Mousetrap and/or to purchase one, click HERE.
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Say no to dissection

My dog says with the new school year in full swing, he's sure many students will soon be asked to dissect animals in their science classes. Whether you're asked to cut up a frog, pig, cat, or other animal, many states have policies in place that require schools to provide alternatives for students who don't want to slice up animals (there's a plethora of wonderful software programs out there now!).

As a student, it may be hard to find your voice and stand up for what you believe in, but find the courage to do it. To learn more about dissection alternatives and what you can do to opt out of dissection days, click HERE.

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Compassion for animals comes to the Wii

My dog says that there is a GREAT new game on the Wii to teach your children about animal rescue. Beverly Nation wrote a wonderful article about the game, so go right to source and read her review HERE.

Imagine raising a new generation of compassionate kids who care about and respect animals. Wow, that would be a wonderful thing.

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Children's book with dog-friendly message

My dog says he heard about this great children's book that educates kids about chained dogs. He hasn't read it, but he'd like to. Pud says two paws up for this one. Companion animals belong with their families; not isolated and tethered.

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Save a chicken

My dog says September is National Chicken Month. Instead of celebrating by eating chickens, why not take this time to learn more about these wonderful creatures. Better yet, celebrate by giving a chicken the gift of life and going vegetarian. Compassion Over Killing has tips on how you can help our feathered friends.

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