The Compassion Experiment

Crosby and Jarrad were two of the most amazing cats I've ever met. Now they live together, and have found the perfect home. The moral of the story? Two cats are better than one, four cats are better than two, six cats... Did you hear the story earlier in the year, about a cat falling 15 floors and surviving? She landed on some grass, and broke some bones but, she made it through. That cat is now in Room C, cage C2, at the OMHS . She's a big eyed, black and white cutie, who will probably be sitting in a litter box (not the poopy one), when you peek in her cage. Her eyes will be wide, but she's not frightened. That's one amazing cat! Here we go, yo. Carrot and Ginger Soup , a compassionate classic! What you need : 1 Large Onion 2 tbsp olive oil 1 Large Potato, cubed 2 Large Carrots, chopped 2 Inches of fresh ginger, grated 3 cups Vegetable broth A tease of salt, and a sneeze of pepper. Saute the onions until yummy looking. Add the potatoes, carrots , and ginger. Cook f...

Photo by LW Distorted Reality: TCE "Thanks, for your wonderful blog, and great review of our little sanctuary. We really enjoyed meeting you both, and hope you will be back again! I love the pic of you and Doc, it looks like he's having a little taste. :-)They really are wonderful creatures that have enriched our lives greatly. We love to share them with people, so they can see how great they really are. Thank you for all you do for animals, and especially all the ones you are saving by not eating them!" S Ruby Ranch The best thing about our time during this experiment, has been all the new and amazing experiences, each one better then the next, and life has never been better. It's all about opening your mind to new ideas, and being fearless. Sure, sure, it's that easy. One good idea, spawns another great idea, and when you just go for it, a wave of goodness crashes upon you. How do I find this wave? You try this!: We had meatless chicken strips, recommended by ou...

From S at Ruby Ranch: "Fois gras, lamb and veal are horrible, but you know what "food" offends me the most? Bacon! I'm not exactly sure why, I mean, obviously I love pigs and all pork products are offensive, (as are all meat products) but bacon is way out there. I can't even look at those stupid Wendy's commercials that tout bacon as the greatest superfood ever. I can't look at it, and the smell of it makes me want to resort to violence. I think it might be because there are so many rabid bacon fans. (I wish pigs carried rabies and people could get it from eating bacon)(joke-sort of) When I read about the big fad last year at the ex being chocolate covered bacon, I wanted to go down there, and anyone I spotted eating this abomination, I wanted to take their stick away, throw it on the ground and stomp on it. I don't know why bacon does this to me. I wonder if anyone else feels this way? Need to start an anti-bacon movement!" We feel the same way...

Brooklyn has been at the OHMS for almost 2 years! We were sent this info from B and N , and think it is important to spread the word about FIV. There are cats at the OMHS who have it, and constantly get picked over because people don't really understand the disease at all. Brooklyn, Carbon, Hart, Taters, and Tully are all great cats, and need homes too!! As seen on catchat.org: What is FIV? Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) has been associated with cats for many years, although it was only labelled as such as recently as 1986. The virus depletes the number of white blood cells, which eventually makes the cat less able to fight off infection. However, because it is such a slow acting virus many FIV positive cats can enjoy a normal lifespan with no apparent health problems resulting from the virus. FIV is species specific, so can only be transmitted from cat to cat, and not to humans or other animals. FIV belongs to the same group as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and for this...

This year while at the Vegetarian Food Festival, we saw a pamphlet for a Pig Sanctuary, called Ruby Ranch . We grabbed it, of course, and vowed that we would have to check the place out. Of course with both of us working full-time now, and volunteering, it was hard to find time for it, but this past Tuesday, we were finally able to make it down. And it was unbelievable! We pull up to the house, and the front door opens. Out comes two dogs, and a giant pot belly pig who waddles his way down the front stairs. In the front yard there is a pen with three super cute pot belly pigs, who greeted us and were quite friendly. Seeing pigs on TV is one thing, to have a chance to get up and personal with them, is a whole other thing. These are cute, intelligent creatures, who love people, and to cuddle, and in some cases, even like to sleep in the bed. Ruby Ranch is run by an amazingly compassionate couple, Sherry and Bob, who started with one pig, Ruby, and now they have 19 pigs, two dogs, and thr...

This weekend was Critters Gone Country at the OMHS, and though the weather chose not to cooperate fully, the damp weather couldn't dampen our spirits. This year there were a ton of vendors, including a Vegetarian/Vegan vendor that I completely missed! We spent a lot of $$$, tried to win a giant scratching post, and had a good time. Everyone worked really hard getting this thing together, and they all did an amazing job. No word on how much was raised, but I expect that it was a good year. Last year at Critters, the OMHS had to be closed to the public, but this year, the place was buzzing. People were everywhere (for better, or worse!), and all the cats in Room C got a lot of attention, making all the hard work we did to get it ready, worth it. Speaking of worth it: I was in Room C, getting cuddles from some amazing cats (see: Crosby, Leo and Avalanche), when a lady came into the room and gave me a look. She said: "You're a volunteer here, right?" I said: "Actuall...

A year ago, this cat was sitting in a cage at the OMHS, waiting for a new home. Now look at him. Can you say, happy ending? Good for you Stash! Now the good news: (Okay, there is a ton...) On Monday all the cats from the trailer at the OMHS were transferred into Room C (which had been closed to the public for over a year), and the room will be open for Critters Gone Country which will be held this Sunday, Oct 3rd, at the baseball diamond beside the OMHS. From this point on, the room will be open to the public, in addition to Rooms A and B. This is very exciting! I was so happy to put all those healthy, happy cats in there. (I didn't do it alone, all the usual suspects were there, and it went smooth). This Sunday, October 3rd, please come out and support the animals, and the OMHS. It's the cool thing to do, didn't you know? October 2 nd is World Vegetarian Day. I did not know this. For those who can make it, there will be a Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake-Off at the Harbourfro...