The Final Hours

I'm in the final hours of my Vegan adventure. It has not been an easy trip. I've read some of my early posts and was kind of surprised by my sense of enthusiasm. But I do recall that in the beginning I really felt as if I was doing something noble. No animal had to suffer because of me.

So what did this all really accomplish? If nothing else, I've achieved a great sense of personal satisfaction. I vowed to do something I knew would be unpleasant for me to show my disgust over the Eagles giving dog killer Michael Vick an opportunity to resume his glamourous lifestyle.

Okay, I know that neither Mr. Vick or anyone else in the Eagles organization has a clue as to what I did or why. But I know. And it feels good to give up something and even suffer a little in the hope of achieving something greater.

I've always eaten a lot of meat. To put it in perspective, I figure that each day, the amount of meat I eat is the equivalent of a small rotisserie chicken. So in essence, I have saved the lives of 30 chickens by eating Vegan for 30 days. Think about that. If we all ate Vegan or Vegetarian just one day a week, we could save 52 chickens a year. Now extrapolate those numbers to the people in your town, your state, this nation ... even one Vegetarian meal a day would make a difference and would really be easy to do, especially at breakfast!

There is another benefit I realized when this Vegan thing began to get really difficult for me. A sense of redemption. Sacrifice truly is good for the soul! It's hard to explain but I feel more aware of what's right and what's wrong.

And one thing that's wrong is to focus any more of my energy on Michael Vick. He is what he is. What matters now is for me to do whatever I can to help homeless animals find families to take them home and love them. I should thank Michael Vick for prompting me to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Instead of just dropping a dollar in a collection jar, I'm actually doing something to make the shelter experience a better experience for all the dogs waiting for their forever home. And it feels really good to do it!

So, to conclude, it's been a long strange trip! But I'm glad it's come to an end. I'm not a Vegan. I eagerly await tomorrow for with it comes the sensation I've been longing for these past 30 days - the taste of meat! Yum!

I'm not even sure what I'm going to eat but I know one thing - IT'S GONNA BE GOOD!

The Vegan Torture is Almost Over!

This is my second to last day of eating Vegan! I can't believe I've made it this far with only that one slip up at the Indian restaurant.

It's time for a little reflection here. Today I'm going to focus on the physical side of my Vegan adventure. Tomorrow, I'll contemplate the emotional and spiritual .

When I started this four weeks ago, I thought it would be a lot easier. I love veggies! But though I like beans and peas every now and again, I'm not a big fan of starchy vegetables or even grains for that matter. I have never done well with a lot of carbohydrates. It's been near a month eating nothing but carbs. I feel like crap!

I'm sure there are hidden benefits to a Vegan diet, like lower cholesterol and a squeaky clean colon, but as for things that I can see or feel - there's nothing. I am a little more focused and clearheaded than I was at the start but there is even a downside to that. I'm not focusing on the things that need my attention and I think that's directly related to ...

Downside #1

I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO ENERGY! None. All I want to do is lay down and sleep. I am particularly lethargic after a meal. I've just had lunch and right now and it is taking every ounce of effort I have to not lay my head down on my desk. I've done virtually nothing this past month.

Downside #2

I FEEL LIKE CRAP! It's like my body's chemistry is completely off. I feel lightheaded, dizzy at times, and my heart goes all a flutter for no reason. It's very disconcerting.

Downside #3

BLOATED, GASSY & AN EVER PRESENT URGENT NEED TO CRAP!

This is pretty self-explanitory so I won't go into any detail. It will just be an absolute pleasure to return to a life where my lower quadrant isn't consuming my life!

Downside #4

I LOOK AWFUL! My complexion is pale and pasty and in these four weeks, my skin has gotten markedly wrinkled. Plus, I'm so lethargic that half the time, I just put my hair back in a pony tail and don't even bother with makeup. I'm wearing stuff that's loose and comfortable to accomodate the bloat. So I look even worse!

Downside #5

I'VE GAINED WEIGHT! So much for the skinny Vegan I had hoped to become at the start of all this. I'm eating way too many carbs and it's really packing on the weight. Despite all I'm eating, I still feel hungry all the time. I am looking forward to starting my diet on Thursday - a high protein, low carb diet!

So physically, this Vegan adventure has actually been detrimental to my health and well being. Again, there may be hidden benefits but really, what are they worth if the quality of my life is so low right now?

Tomorrow, I'll reflect on the bigger meaning of it all.

Got some happy news via e-mail last night. Lancelot, one of the shelter dogs we had at Petsmart on Sunday, got adopted! He's an older guy, about the same age as Shortcake and the two of them have been at the shelter for about the same length of time. As happy as I am for Lance, as we called him, I so wish it was Shortcake.

I got a great idea from Matt and Emily, the young couple who brought Lance and Twoee to Petsmart. They made up cute little cards with photos of the dogs and a little note about them. Signed - Love, Lance ... Love, Twoee. So I thought, I can take that even a step further for Shortcake! I made up a flyer with lots of photos of her with people, especially kids, with a little message from her that reads ...

"Hi, I’m Shortcake and would love for you to give me a forever home! I have many good friends at the Camden County Animal Shelter but every night before I go to sleep, I make a wish - that one day soon, I will have a real family to call my own! Please make my wish come true. I so want to go home with you!
With Love, Shortcake"

I then added a little blurb that reads ...

"Shortcake is an American Staffordshire Terrier (Pit Bull). She is about 3-4 years old and the sweetest little girl you could ever want to meet! Shortcake is very calm and affectionate - to know her is to love her!"

At the bottom, I put the shelter name and address, phone, fax and e-mail address as well as the website. To it, I attached a copy of her Temperment Rating (all great) as well as an adoption application. This way, if someone at an adoption event shows interest, I can just hand them the entire packet. If they want to go home to think about it or go to other shelters to see other dogs, at least they have the photos to remind them how sweet little Shortcake really is! It may have done the job for Lance. Let's hope it does the same for Shortcake!!!

Only 1-1/2 Days of this Vegan torture to go!

Heartwarming & Heartwrenching

What a wonderful weekend! I took Shortcake, "my" pit bull, to the Moorestown Petsmart adoption even on both Saturday and Sunday. She was such a good girl! Saturday was very festive, there were horses that were up for adoption giving kids rides in the parking lot and there was a band playing outside. Don Pablo's, the Mexican restaurant in the shopping center, was giving out free bags of nachos and salsa. Such fun!

Shortcake was an absolute hit and I was so happy to see how wonderful she was with people, especially kids! She is such a calm, cuddly and loveable dog ... I so hope that soon, someone will fall in love with her and take her home. She's been at the shelter since early June. It's time!

At least now her chances for adoption are greatly improved because ... she has me! Seriously, she is what they call at the shelter my "project dog." I take her to all the adoption events and when folks come in, I market her. "Are you thinking about adopting a pit bull? Then you must meet Shortcake!"

Yesterday, a single woman in her 30s come in with her boyfriend. I introduced her to Shortcake and she wanted to meet her. So, I did the meet and greet out in the play yard and the woman really seemed to connect with her in a big way. She told her boyfriend, "I am really liking this dog!" She did, however, say she wanted to check out a few more shelters but she really did like Shortcake. So we'll see. I am so wishing and hoping she comes back for this wonderful dog. It would be a perfect match!

My heart was breaking when it was time to leave Petsmart. Shortcake didn't want to go back in the car! She finally got in with a little urging but I was in tears halfway back to the shelter. Then, if that wasn't emotional enough, when we got to the shelter, she stopped at the door and didn't want to go in. She just stood there and looked at me with that sweet little face of hers as if to say, "can't we just hang out a little longer." Heartwrenching!

I did get some good news on Saturday. "Star," the little Bichon I introduced to a family last week got adopted! I think they will be perfect for that little dog.

So I see in today's headlines that the Eagles quarterback cracked a rib or something and they press is all pushing to get Vick ready. It's a shame that a decent guy like A.J. Feeley will lose his job to that sadistic bastard. The Giants won yesterday so I'm happy about that!

It was a tough weekend on the Vegan front. I actually cheated and had dairy without even thinking about it. Friday evening, my son and I went to an Indian restaurant in town. They usually aren't crowded that early but for some reason, they were packed when we got there. While we were waiting for our table, the chef brough us each a complimentary lassi, which is a yogurt and fruit drink. I drank it without even thinking about the yogurt - until we were back in the car and I was like ... Oh My God! Well, at least I'm still Vegetarian.

My food choices are so limited now. I'm sick of cooking gruel and because the end is so close, I'm not buying anymore fake meat. I have two veggie burgers which will serve as dinner for tonite and Wednesday and I'll just make pasta tomorrow. And on Thursday, it's MEAT baby! Actually, I'll probably go gentle on my system and start with eggs and chicken soup and then work my way up the devouring a side of hog!

2-1/2 Days!

Second Chance for Love

I'm truly hoping it doesn't rain tomorrow. This weekend is Petsmart's "Second Chance for Love" national adoption event. I'll be taking Shortcake to the Moorestown store on Saturday and if Viking and I feel a bond, we'll head over to Moorestown on Sunday.

It's funny how we think we pick our dog but the reality is, the dog chooses us. I don't know what it is but you can have a shelter full of dogs that look virtually the same and yet, there's that one dog. It seems to be practically calling your name so you take a closer look. Before you know it, that dog just stole your heart!


That's how it happened with Shortcake and now she's my special girl at the shelter. Considering there is something like 100 dogs there, it would have been so easy to pass her by. But she wasn't about to let that happen! I so truly hope that tomorrow, she finds her forever family. She's a good girl - she deserves that. The name of this adoption event makes me feel a little sad. For some shelter dogs, this might be their last chance for love.


Last night, I showed my son the Petfinder photos of both Shortcake and Viking. He told me he liked Viking much better, she is a very striking looking girl.

So many beautiful dogs. That's the hardest part for me. To walk past them as they sit in their cages and look at me with such anticipation. It just rips out my heart. I try to cope with my own sadness by sticking to just one kennel. There, I know the dogs. When I first come in, I greet each one by name and give a treat. I do it again right before I leave. Still, it's hard. But it feels good to know I'm doing something to make their shelter experience as good an experience as possible.


Today, it's finally cool enough to start wearing jeans again. And this near month of Vegan eating has me filling out the fat jeans to capacity. So much for turning into a skinny Vegan by the end of this dietary misadventure. I'm always stuffing something in my mouth because I never feel satisfied. It's strange really, that sense of being bloated but hungry at the same time. I really don't like it at all!


But, I only have to deal with it for another 5-1/2 Days! Then, it's time to start a diet! One that definitely will include lots of meat!!!

The Final Week!

Dick's Sporting Goods won't carry the Vick jersey. That is so good. I would like to think they're doing it for moral rather than economic reasons but I have a feeling that they took a look at their demographic and realized that people buying sport and fitness gear are more likely than not to have a dog or two at home. So even though it's a smart business decision, it's the right decision. And because of that, Dick's has just gained a very loyal customer - me!

I had a conversation today with a Vick supporter in my office who brought up the hypocracy issue again. Yes, I swat flies and kill mosquitos. But I also bawl like a baby whenever I'm forced to trap a mouse. And, I have to completely close my mind to the suffering of factory farm animals who give us meat, otherwise, I couldn't eat it. So yes, insects and animals suffer and die because of me. But why do Vick supporters always have to go this route? Just because I swat a mosquito I'm somehow on the same level as Michael Vick? Where does this mindset come from?

I had the last of my Vegan chicken and rice dish for lunch today and it really was good. Not looking forward to dinner though, Vegan hotdogs. They are nasty! For the most part, the Vegan "meat" I've had has been very tolerable. But the stuff is incredibly expensive. And tolerable does not equal tasty!

I only have 6-1/2 Days left on this Vegan adventure. It's time to start thinking about how best to re-introduce animal foods back into my system. I learned that going Vegan "cold turkey," if you will, is not a wise thing. It took my body quite a while to get used to digesting nothing but fiber. So I certainly don't want to give it another shock, especially so soon!

Sick Vick Speaks

Michael Vick spoke to students at a charter school in north Philadelphia yesterday. Told them how he lost his NFL career, had to be away from his kids and lost everything just because he did something "foolish." FOOLISH! Are you kidding me? Getting drunk and pissing your pants is foolish, hell - you can even stretch it and say Plaxico Burris shooting himself in the leg was foolish (and he got a full two year sentence for hurting no one but himself). But torturing and killing dogs - foolish?

In one word Vick has reinforced everything I've been ranting about since the day he signed with the Eagles. He's not sorry for the "foolish" things he did to the dogs - he's only sorry he got caught.

Vick was accompanied by Humane Society president Wayne Pacelle who tossed in a few words about being kind to animals. I'm not all that thrilled with the Humane Society and its decision to team up with Vick. It's going to be a long time before the Humane Society sees any more of my money. Still, I get their e-mails and yesterday, they unveiled a new music video to show that every homeless pet deserves a second chance for love. They also include a pledge form to complete in which you pledge to adopt your next faithful companion. I urge everyone to watch the video, it's a real tear jerker. I was bawling my eyes out when I watched it last night. Have a tissue handy! And please, take the pledge, if not to the Humane Society than to yourself. There are so many beautiful animals waiting for you at the shelter. I know, I see them firsthand, not just on video!

Here's the link: https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2823&JServSessionIdr002=fykvfiw7b4.app304a

Well, I've survived yet another Vegan day. Last night I had my Vegan "chicken" over rice and covered it all up with mushroom gravy, one of the few "regular" foods that happen to be Vegan as well. My dinner looked and felt like a normal meal, not a Vegan meal. It was almost comfort food and having it put me in much better spirits. I'll make it through these next 7-1/2 days. I don't have to like it, I just have to do it. I'm glad I decided to hang in there.

I've Gone to the Dogs - Finally!

I had such a great weekend working with the shelter dogs! On Saturday, I took my mentoring session with "Shortcake," an adorable little pit bull. She is all white except for a black circle around one of her eyes. What a little sweetie she is! After the session, I took her for a nice long walk on a trail in the woods next to the shelter. It's about two miles and she loved every minute of it. Later, we went into one of the play yards, where she promptly plopped herself in the kiddie pool to cool off. So cute!

On Sunday, I took Shortcake for a nice 40 minute walk in the woods to give her some exercise, then we headed off to an adoption event at Bill's Wonderland of Pets. She was amazingly good in the car and spent her time either looking out the window or resting comfortably on the back seat. She was wonderful at the event, kids and adults were petting her and she was totally loving the attention and affection. What a great ambassador for her breed! She is very easy to fall in love with. So completely mellow. And such a good girl!

Yes, the big bad pit bull. Who loves to roll on her back in the grass while you rub her little tummy. While you do, she just lies there with this dreamy look on her face. I think she would stay in the position all day if you let her!

Since I still had some time, I decided to take Muggles, an American Bulldog mix, for a nice walk in the woods. He has a very sweet "smile," he's quite a charmer. Muggles is more high energy that Shortcake (he's also taller) so we moved along the trail at a much quicker pace. Being a bulldog, he made some pretty great "pig" noises! He is a favorite of the young guys who volunteer at the shelter. Must admit, he's one of my favorites too!

What's really cool about working at the shelter is that I feel like I'm getting back so much more than I'm giving. I know this sounds sort of corny but it's true. I love dogs. Since I only have little guys right now, spending time with the shelter dogs gives me my big dog fix. I'm out meeting new people (and dogs) and getting my own exercise while I exercise the dogs. It's all good! Then, and this is what really matters, it feels really good to be able to give a dog a few fun hours. It's wonderful to see how they respond to the little bit of love and attention I'm able to give. These dogs will make wonderful pets. I hope it's not long before they find their forever home!

I have definitely decided that Shortcake will be one of my project dogs who will get extra exercise, training and play so that she has the edge when families come in looking to adopt. I still have to choose my other "dog." It will not be an easy decision. They're all so sweet!

I seriously considered giving up on this Vegan thing yesterday, which was three full weeks, 21 Days. I feel like crap. I have absolutely no energy and just feel weird. Like I'm not getting enough nutrients. I'm tired of running to the toilet because there isn't enough time to walk. I'm sick of the mushed up food. I'm really not liking veggies at all right now.

I threw out all the leftovers yesterday. I'm not going to eat the stuff. I also tossed some veggies. I've eaten way too much eggplant and squash. I can't eat another bite. At least not any time soon.

Still, I had all this Vegan "meat" and realized I couldn't let it go to waste. I took the "ground meat" and made a pot of chili for dinner. It was okay. I actually felt a little better after eating it, probably because I finally had a meal with real protein in it, albeit Vegan protein!

I also have some Vegan chicken and a whole container of Tofu so I'm going to try to stick this thing out. I can't stomach the thought of eating any more gruel so I will have to pick up more Vegan "meats" to get me through these last 8-1/2 Days. It won't be easy.