Humane Lobby Day
Today I took a day off of work and traveled to Olympia, WA to meet my legislators and talk to them about the opportunities they have to help reduce the suffering of animals in our state. There are various bills to talk about, and I wanted to make sure they knew that while animals can’t vote, I sure can, and I speak loud and often for the hens, dogs, cats and other furry & feathered friends who share this land with us and count on our responsible, compassionate stewardship.
In case you wonder where your tax dollars go, rest assured, they’re not being wasted on fancy office space for our Representatives and Senators in Olympia.
Here’s Representative Frockt talking to some 4th graders about the legislative process. He took time out of his busy schedule to listen to me talk about HB1813, which is a sham bill that egg producers introduced to keep hens locked in battery cages with less than 67-square-inches of space to live in for their entire lives. That’s less space than a sheet of paper, and it doesn’t allow them to stand up, turn around or flap their wings… ever… for their entire lives of suffering. I hope my representatives, Frockt and Kenney, vote NO! on HB 1813.
Then it was off to the Senate side to meet with Senator Scott White, who was running late because he was entertaining those same 4th graders from earlier in the day. Senator White is a loyal advocate for the animals, and knew almost all we had to say before we even spoke. So we had fun talking about his campaign instead, and how I’d wave to him standing on the corner of Lake City Way & 80th Ave NE every evening on my way home from work. Special thanks to John in his office for squeezing in our time with the Senator, even when he was running behind schedule. We hope we can count on Senator White to vote NO! on SB 5487.
It was a great day in Olympia, and I was happy to be a part of Humane Lobby Day for the animals.
After a bit of a drive back to Seattle, I was home before 5pm, and spent a little quality time with George in the yard.
Then something really special happened.
I brought Flapper and Lester Leroy outside for a little sunshine, and Lester STOOD UP for the first time!
As you remember, Lester has not walked since he arrived here, after being bitten by a dog and suffering from parasites and osteomylitis from not being treated promptly (bone marrow infection). But after twice-daily physical therapy, he is finally sitting better and amazingly, able to stand up! Yay for Lester!
It was a good day for the animals, a good day for the people, and a great day for Lester.
10 Comments
A day very well spent, things have to change. I hope they will but it will be a tough battle that is going on in Holland too. Although more and more meat-egg-industries are feeling the breath of the public in their necks.
I read in the paper that a big dairy producer in our province is forcing the farmers to let their cattle graze in the fields and not in the stable 24-7. They will cut on the milk price. Farmers are furious ofcourse, but it is a first step.
I also read in the paper (I even have a post ready) about a young couple in our province who started a duck-meat-farm recently. They have 10.000 ducks in a stable with artificial light, no windows, no pools, no nothing. They will raise them in 6 weeks before they get slaughtered. It’s so sad. The worst thing is that there is no market for duck meat in Holland and they want to try to create one. I’m furious.
Good and amazing news on Lester! I hope it’s a start. It surely looks great so see him upright for the first time. Well done buddy.
Thanks for the reminder to contact our senators and representatives regarding important legislation.
WONDERFUL to see both Flapper AND Lester Leroy upright!!! Nice to see that all of your efforts are having an impact!
Hooray for Lester! Tiff, that is so wonderful. There are surely times you feel the therapy is not worth while and you must get depressed and sad for him. Then, something wonderful like this occurs and it just picks you right up off the floor! Fantastic. Go Lester! Yay for Tiff, the diligent care-taker!
i know you were feeling he would prolly never walk… and he hasn’t, yet. but this is SUCH a great sign. it’s amazing what you can do when you don;t know any better. 8D good luck continuing the good fight(s).
YAY for Lester!
That is fantastic with Lester standing. He looks so good. So glad you were able to go to Olympia and do what you did. Thanks.
HOORAY for Lester!!
Tiff, you do some really amazing things for animals and I really admire you for it.
Hippee Hooray for Lester!
Tiff, you’re unstoppable. Thank you for everything you do for those who can’t speak for themselves.
It looks as if someone peed on the carpet in the representative’s office. … Was Simon with you??
And speaking of unstoppable, go Lester! I hope he has a few more surprises up his sleeve … um … wing.
I’m am so thrilled to see Lester standing up. Yay Lester. Yay Tiffany. Keep up that physical therapy, & good medicine & food. Maybe he’ll be okay yet.