"CHICKEN SOUP"

leaves a bad taste in my mouth...

by Ms. Jade, TheDogPress Legislative Reporter
 

A funny thing happened on the way to the dog show. In anticipation of a ten-hour ride, I brought along some reading material to pass the time. A good friend had recently given me a copy of Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover’s Soul, and while I don’t ordinarily waste time on sentimental fluff, short stories seemed acceptably unchallenging for a long road trip.

The authors of this compilation claim, “We dedicate this book…to the responsible dog breeders and exhibitors who celebrate, sustain and strive to improve the health and well-being of their special dogs--whether tiny or pony-size, curly coated, otter-slick, thickly furred or bald—preserving the unique legacy of the canine race in all its wondrous variations.”

Imagine my surprise (and disgust) when after doggedly reading through 374 uninspiring pages of emotional angst, I arrived at a shameless plea to donate money to the nations richest animal rights organization, The Humane Society of the United States!

You remember HSUS, that “non-profit” that funds and promotes the legislation (and politicians) currently threatening our very existence. That’s right, the very same organization who’s illustrious leader, Wayne Pacelle, brags about having “no ethical obligation to preserve the different breeds of livestock produced through selective breeding...” The same organization with 18 confirmed speakers for an animal rights conference in Washington DC at the renaissance Hotel on Sept 2-5 where they share the podium with such radicals as animal liberationist Peter Singer, PeTA terrorism supporter Bruce Friedrich, and a host of other direct action violence supporters.

In fact, HSUS spokesman (and convicted criminal) John “JP” Goodwin is on record with the memorable quotes: “My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture.” and “It’s time for the animal rights movement to take this industry and drive the final nail into the coffin by whatever means it takes. If that means being outside the executives houses, if that means blockading their doors, whatever it takes.” I wonder if he will wear his Animal Liberation Front T shirt to the DC conference…

Former HSUS vice president, Michael W. Fox told Newsweek magazine  “Humane care (of animals) is simply sentimental, sympathetic patronage.” Have the leaders of this radical animal rights conglomerate recently shifted their paradigm? I think not

Cracks are starting to appear in HSUS’s thin façade. As of March 27^th, Louisianna State Attorney General Charles Foti is officially investigating HSUS and their potentially fraudulent fundraising practices from last years’ devastating hurricanes (anyone involved in the rescue effort with first hand knowledge of possible misconduct should call 1-800-351-4889). 

This spring, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) wised up and announced that they will not co-sponsor any legislation with HSUS, nor be a coalition partner to further any common agendas. I guess it takes a veterinary diploma to understand the inherent risk of climbing in to bed with a poisonous snake!

Chicken Soup admits that “The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization with more than 8.5 million members and constituents” (HSUS website claims “nearly 10 million”). (constituent adj. Having the power to elect a representative.) It sure doesn’t sound to me as if they need the extra “support” more than actual animal shelters and breed rescue organizations. HSUS tax exempt millions fund legislation that targets the very same people the Chicken Soup empire (which includes a line of pet food) was built upon. So I just had to ask, why?

Weeks later, I’m still waiting for an official answer…I tried to contact authors Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Marty Becker, DVM, but the only response I received was an email from the assistant to Dr. Becker which stated “…out of the office until July 10, 2006. I will make sure he receives your phone message…have a nice day” (I sure wish that I could afford to take a whole month off! And he still hasn’t responded…).

In all fairness, I didn’t bother to contact author Carol Kline, since it was easy to read between the lines of her short biography. Kline, is a freelance writer with many other Chicken Soup books to her credit, as well as a member of the board of directors of the Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation, (“a limited-access, cageless, no-kill shelter” located in Fairfield, Iowa that has worked previously with animal rights organizations, including HSUS, In Defense Of Animals and the ultra-radical Animal Legal Defense Fund). 

FYI, picturesque Fairfield, Iowa is a predominantly Vedic Hindu community (two miles south of newly incorporated Maharishi Vedic City*) in which several popular breeds and every dog over 100 pounds are defined as legally "dangerous" and severely restricted**. Is that really the path to enlightenment?

According to Chicken Soup‘s plea for HSUS financial support, “Contrary to popular belief, most animals in shelters weren’t abused, nor did they do anything ‘wrong’ that caused them to lose their homes. Most animals are abandoned for ‘people reasons’ like allergies, divorce and moving, or because of behaviors that pet owners don’t understand and don’t know how to address”. (Not breeders? Not “puppy mills”? Oh, really? Hmm…it makes me wonder about who continues to perpetuate this “popular belief”!) “That’s the premise behind the Pets For Life program of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).”

So what exactly is PetsForLife.org? Well, enter that address into your computer and it magically changes into just another page on the HSUS website. I surmise that companion animal guardianship for life wasn’t approved by HSUS’ expensive new marketing firm. (I’m also curious about the fact that an advertising/marketing/talent agency which targets African Americans and urban youth has taken on the multi million dollar account of an animal rights organization, when “Wayne’s World” might equate animal ownership to slavery...)

While the HSUS Pets For Life web pages offer seemingly benign pet care advice, the front page mentions “Pets for Life National Training Center, supported by a consortium of foundations and companies, teaches animal sheltering professionals”. (consortium n. An association with banks or corporations that require vast resources.) So who are these foundations and companies, and what non mainstream agendas might their funding actually support? And since actual animal shelters usually don’t have the “support” of a consortium, why solicit for propaganda, oops…I mean educational material instead of cleaning up poop? Because I’m guessing that “sheltering professionals” only clean up public relations messes.

Well, (in case nobody else noticed) let me point out the fact that when you click on the link to “donate”, there is no specific mention of the Pets For Life program, just the same old HSUS***. Funny, but that’s actually what the Chicken Soup page says as well. Oh, and HSUS/Pets For Life has a page dedicated to promoting the Chicken Soup dog and cat books too. Isn’t that special? Imagine making a donation under the guise of “supporting pets to stay in their homes for life”, only to discover it was used to try and shut down the Iditarod!

What exactly are you buying into when you purchase Chicken Soup? I’m really starting to wonder. While I admit that I was amazed at The Bravest Dog, smiled at The Subway Dog, marveled over At Face Value, even laughed out loud at The Offer and Sled Dogs Without Snow, I was absolutely horrified at all the stories that seemed to make light of irresponsible ownership (dogs perpetually at large and off leash, dogs left unattended with very young children etc.). But hey, can you really hold a bunch of shamelessly wealthy self help marketing moguls responsible for content written by almost everyone but the “authors”? I have officially lost my appetite for Chicken Soup although next time I get sick, I might still be tempted to open a can of PROGRESSO. You can bet it probably won’t be Campbell’s because Chicken Soup motivational guru Jack Canfield says they’re one of his many clients!

* The Maharishi University of Management located on 272 acres in Fairfield proudly boasts about serving “organic vegetarian” meals to a faculty and student body engaging in daily transcendental meditation, funded by “over 32 million in Federal and other grants” with 95% of students receiving Federal, State and other financial aid covering 80-90% of their tuition and fees. Check out www.mum.edu/campus/dining

** 6.14.70. Dangerous Animals: A. Defined. “Dangerous animal” means: l. Doberman Pincher m. Pit bull terrier, American Pit Bull, Staffordshire Terrier, or any other dog whose appearance and characteristic of breed is commonly regarded as Pit Bull, Pit Bull Dog, or Pit Bull Terrier or a combination of such breeds. n. Rottweiler o. German Shepherd p. Belgian Malinois q. Siberian Huskies r. Malamutes s. Dogs that by size present control concerns including Great Danes, Wolfhounds, Deerhounds, Mastiffs, Boerboels and other dogs weighing in excess of 100 pounds. t. Any crossbreed of such dogs listed above at l. to s. which have similar characteristics to those animals specified. B. Keeping prohibited. No person shall keep shelter, or harbor for any purpose within the City a dangerous animal except as provided…http://www.dispatch.com/emailme/emailme.php?story=dispatch/2006/08/17/20060817-B5-02.html

*** “We work to reduce suffering and to create meaningful social change for animals by advocating for public policies”. Their major campaigns target: 1) farming, 2) animal fighting and other forms of “animal cruelty” (including the Iditarod) 3) the fur trade, and 4) sport hunting. Other campaigns target commercial breeders, ownership of exotic animals, greyhound racing, and biomedical research.

Chicken Soup “authors”:

Jack Canfield (805) 563-2935

Mark Victor Hansen (949) 764-2640

Marty Becker, DVM (208) 734-8174

Carol Kline ckline@lisco.com

Amy Shojai amy@shojai.com

The Taking Action for Animals conference will include dozens of leading figures from the animal movement and speakers from other social justice movements sharing their knowledge and experience to help you take your activism to the next level. Taking Action For Animals Confirmed HSUS speakers include: Wayne Pacelle, Andi Bernat, Katie Conlee, Carter Dillard, Jennifer Fearing, John Goodwin, Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. John Hadidian, Johnathan Loworn, Michael Markarian, Miyun Park, Nancy Perry, Peter Petersan, Alyson Powers, Heidi Prescott, Dr. Bob Roop, Stephanie Shain.

Steven Best with HSUS president Wayne Pacelle   (Best is the co-editor of Terrorists or Freedom Fighters? Reflections on the Liberation of Animals, which sings the praises of  “direct action” violence and the Animal Liberation Front) Terrorists or Freedom Fighters

Organization Overview

“J.P. Goodwin doesn’t represent HSUS’s only intersection with the animal rights movement’s violent underbelly. Miyun Park, a Washington, DC anti-meat activist hired by HSUS in 2005, was acknowledged in 1999 as a financial benefactor of No Compromise magazine, a publication that supports the ALF and promotes arson and other violent tactics. And in the investigation leading to the 2005 animal-enterprise terrorism trial of six SHAC (Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty) activists, Park was among those named in at least six federal wiretap warrants.

John “J.P.” Goodwin (now head of HSUS’s 20 million dollar anti pit bull “animal fighting” campaign), By 1998, at just 25 years old, Goodwin was describing himself as a "former member of ALF". His busy schedule was filled with interviews, arrests, ALF p.r., addressing kids at conferences, protests, a presence in several countries and, in the summer of 1999, the filing of a lawsuit against Goodwins’ pet project - CAFT (Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade) under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act by a Philadelphia furrier tired of incessant protests and attacks on his property and staff. http://www.furcommission.com/news/newsF03i.htm

And Ariana Huemer, an HSUS government-affairs employee, may figure in the case of fugitive animal-rights bomber Daniel Andreas San Diego. An FBI evidence recovery log from the search of San Diego’s car describes a check Huemer wrote to him. San Diego, currently on the FBI’s “Most Wanted” list, is presumed responsible for 10-pound shrapnel bombs detonated in 2003 at two California biomedical research companies. One of these bombs was accompanied by a "secondary" device, timed to detonate after paramedics and firefighters arrived on the scene."

Humane Society of the United States senior vice president Heidi Prescott also serves as an advisory board member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a group that practices high-seas piracy in “defense” of whales, fish, and other sea creatures. http://www.activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/oid/347

“However, animal rights activists at state and national levels are attempting to force regulation of breeders through legislatures and the initiative process. They are backed by organizations such as the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, Doris Day Animal League, Humane Society of the US, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and others that denigrate purebred dogs as genetic nightmares and vilify breeders as vain and greedy animal exploiters.” Dog and cat breeds are in peril in Europe 1999 http://www.naiaonline.org/body/articles/archives/dogand.htm

Ms. Jade

Handy links: __________________________________

Click PAWS for in-depth serving of alphabet soup, i.e. HSUS, ASPCA, etc.

More Columns by Ms. Jade:

Backyard Breeder

I Vote on Behalf of My Dog
Media Bias - Pit Bull Sensationalism

"Chicken Soup" - Leaves a bad taste

Best Friends History Exposed!- Part One

Best Friends Part Two...

T'was the Night Before X-mas

Still Life Pets 

Pass The Ammunition

Dog Bite Stats