peace4paws
A letter from the Chairwoman . . .
Thank you for visiting peace4paws.org! We know you came here because like us, you love and care about animals. That is great! Please come to our event on June 1st and mingle with people who share your compassion. You don’t have to do yoga to enjoy the event, in fact the event is not about yoga but about helping the animals. We have a diverse menu of activities planned, so please come! Your presence at the event or your donation will help save a life, and that is so beautiful.
We are very proud and very happy to share that we have the most wonderful and deserving pet in our foster care. His name is "Sunny." He was homeless and living on the street before he was abandoned at a vet clinic. He proved so be so sweet and so healthy that he became the “donor dog” for three of his five years at the vet clinic. He donated his blood and saved other dogs' lives. And now, finally, he is able to be just a normal, pampered, American dog. In his foster care, he is exercising outside for hours, socializing with plenty of people and dogs, eating quality food, playing with toys, and sleeping on blankets. What a beautiful, wonderful dog -- he will be the perfect pet to someone someday soon, as he is so loved in his foster care home.
There was a time when I had no idea that so many animals are in need of good homes. Some are lucky enough to be in foster care, but some are in shelters, some are homeless, and perhaps the worst off are those incarcerated in laboratory environments. I never really thought about any of this until I adopted my standard poodle puppy named Brownie. I have enjoyed spoiling her in every way possible from day one, but then, as I received literature in the mail from animal advocacy groups I realized that millions of animals all over the world do not receive the kind of attention my dog receives, and worse yet, are abused or even tortured. Dogs are such loving creatures, in fact all animals are innocent creatures, and more and more, as time went on, I realized that I had to do something to help all animals receive the love and affection they so desire and require. Why should just a select few domestic animals receive love in terms of quality food, affection, toys, fresh air, and exercise while other animals, just as worthy, get nothing or are abused? We at peace4paws are dedicated to change that inequity! We are not alone and we need your help.
Along our journey we have learned that many groups are demanding humane treatment of all animals. I am so happy to learn that there are many organizations in high schools and even middle schools that are dedicated to animal advocacy. When I was that age, these organizations did not seem to exist, but, the fact that they do now is a very positive sign indeed. We have invited some of them to our June 1st peace4paws event. We all agree that we need an animal bill of rights. And, we need to phase out animal research, while still advancing science. Already, countries like Israel have made it illegal to test cosmetics, personal products, and household products on animals. That day in December 2007, when this legislation came into effect, 2,000 animals were liberated from research laboratories! Our home state of New Jersey has made it illegal to test personal products and cosmetics on animals -- great progress. Change is on the way.
If more people SPEAK UP and TAKE ACTION, we can make changes faster and we won’t have to feel so guilty about how animals are being treated. We can help make the world a better place for our animals. That is what we at peace4paws are doing. We are facing these horrors and trying to do something about it. Any little bit helps. Any amount of progress helps. So, everyone does not have to read the details of animal advocacy literature, I understand that, but if more of us do, and turn our sadness and rage into intelligent action, then we can get to the root of the problem. We humans have the privilege and the opportunity to protect ourselves from pain. The animals have no such ability and rely solely upon us to do so.
So, I was reading about karma yoga in the Deskicachar book called The Heart of Yoga. My yoga friend Denise Cillo Egan emphasized that it is so important to do a karma project, which means, DO SOMETHING UNSELFISH. My teacher Mandy Grant of Juluka Yoga Studio told us to keep a journal and write and do something yogic everyday. So, there it was, sitting on my kitchen table -- a letter from PETA with a picture of a terrified monkey on it. I said to myself adamantly, "I AM NOT GOING TO BE SELFISH – I AM GOING TO READ THIS WHOLE THING THROUGH, EVEN IF IT HURTS, BECAUSE I HAVE TO DO THIS FOR THE ANIMALS." I read the whole story about Patrick the macaque monkey who was tortured, abused, and totally demeaned in every way possible at the University of Washington (and as a result, they had to return their grant money). Afterward, I could not stop thinking about him or seeing him, even though of course they had killed him. Then I realized what I could do – I COULD LOVE HIM, I COULD SEND HIM MY LOVE. I realized that just by thinking of him I was validating his life. He was more than just a number or a preparation for an experiment; he was a living, breathing, and loving creature. I realized my thoughts of him validated his life and his existence. And I promised him I WOULD NOT FORGET HIM, and thus I went about creating awareness of the cause and connecting with others who I realized felt the same way. The first person on board was Denise; she was the first one who had the time and the courage to read the story of Patrick. I asked her if she would do something, such as sending money to PETA, and she said she would. Then she said, “Why don’t we put on our own event, a yoga event.” From there, I went on to organize the event, and Denise went on to keep it yogic. My neighbor Vicki, a champion of the cause for animal rights was the next person to read the PETA mailer and wanted to help out in any way possible. My college friend, Julia Donson, agreed to edit our writing, and unselfishly began reading everything she could about laboratory research to better defend the animals. Bit by bit, a core group of conscientious, unselfish, and as Denise puts it, “karmic citizens” came together and have been working tirelessly for weeks on our first project. I am so proud of all of them: Denise, Vicki, Julia, Alyssa, Lauren, Jennifer Decker, Effie Decker, Steve, Mandy, Susan, Charles, Noel, Pat, Yvonne, Artie, and more. And now we have a big yoga class, followed by an equally exciting reception packed with a breakfast buffet, live music, art, information tables, a raffle, and more on June 1st! So, from sorrow comes soul searching. From soul searching, we find love, and with love we can move from pain to happiness.
Thank You,
Jennifer Cece Bellon
"If you want to be happy, practice compassion, if you want others to be happy, practice compassion."
- Dalai Lama -
AHIMSA, KARMA, SAMAYA, YOGA & ANIMALS, OH MY!
I clearly remember when I was asked to make a choice, make a difference, not to do things later. That was an early afternoon in late October 2007 in Jennifer's kitchen. Jenn and I are the co-chairs of this diverse and passionate group of individuals known as peace4paws.
In her "Letter from the Chairwoman," Jennifer wrote about the horrendous situation of Patrick the monkey, and that he was only one example of the cruelty and suffering many animals experience in their laboratory environments. I sensed her urgency to help and wanted to assist her as well in some way.
On a personal note, I have been a vegetarian for a number of years, and have had the privilege to always have animals in my life as symbols of companionship and unconditional love. It was difficult to accept that laboratories and corporations of all kinds continue this barbaric treatment of those who are innocent.
It was obvious to me that it would be far worse to let it be or to do something later. Sending the check to support the animal awareness group was OK, but how could I practice my belief in humanity and non-harming (ahimsa) with action (karma). How can we be the articulate voice for societal change in the ethical treatment of these animals.
Enter the power of samaya, which means not holding anything back, not preparing an escape route, not thinking there is ample time to do things later, or accepting things as they are. Ahimsa is a powerful practice and is the first limb of the tree of yoga; it is also the hardest to practice; it means to not cause harm to anyone or anything -- that means with your words, your actions, even your thoughts…
Clearly, our path and passion of peace4paws is driven by this “yama,” a guideline, and it is our intention to awaken others to the practice of non-harming and doing for others selflessly.
Simply, the world comes from you, not at you. You need to make that shift, not accepting things that are unjust or harming to others.
You do this through your desire and compassion to help others and to be the difference.
It was with grace that we were able to evolve this karma project with our yoga beliefs and life practice, with compassion and selflessness, with other like-minded beings: Alyssa, Vicki, Lauren, Julia, Susan, and Mandy. I am honored to be in their company and have their spirit and will in the heart of this project. Without them, Jenn and I still might be in her kitchen cooking up this project.
Again, I thank you for your interest in our project and believe change begins within. As B.K.S. Iyengar said, "the practice of yoga fills up the reservoirs of hope and optimism within you. It helps you overcome all obstacles on the path to perfect health and spiritual contentment. It is a rebirth."
"Loka samasta sukhino bhavantu” is a Sanskrit prayer which means - may all beings be peaceful, happy and free, and may my words, actions, and deeds contribute to the happiness of others in some way.
--peace, Denise --