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A. Casey Jones – In Memoriam

Ann LaGoy — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:47:42 +0000

Last year, I met A. Casey Jones through the Best Animal Rescue Contest, when his story was submitted by his “mom” Dot. I was so touched by the love and care he so clearly brought out of Dot… and I’m not the only one. I’m told there are others in the Sound Earth community who have inquired about the old gentleman since his story was told; asking how he’s feeling, just checking in.

I received the news yesterday that A. Casey Jones has passed on, and I wanted to share it with you. Here’s what Dot wrote:

A. Casey Jones was relieved of his earthly burdens this day. On other days his little legs have left him stuck midway across a fence rail, not strong enough for him to soar over like ol’ Buddy before him. His little legs have slipped, letting him sprawl and flounder on winter’s ice, leaving him bereft of all dignity. Lately they have just quivered, no longer able to bear his skeletal weight. On this day from loving arms, he closed his eyes and pushed off with those little legs bounding clear into heaven. Angel wings carried him away from us. Ethereal. Free. Dot 5/5/12

It never surprises me how deeply we are effected by the love of our animals, and in fact, by the love others feel for their animals. Since my Bean died in March 2011, I feel that much more sympathy for others when they tell me they’ve lost a pet. It gives me a pang of sadness, but it also reminds me of the happiness she brought into my life.

As Dot says in A. Casey Jones’ entry for the BARC:

Casey’s indomitable spirit assures that his legacy will live on long after he is gone.

Indeed it will.

Big Daddy

Ann LaGoy — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:43:40 +0000

Big Daddy is ready to retire from life on the streets. He is approximately 5 or 6 years old and weighs about 15 pounds. He’s got a lot to tell you, and is quite a talker. He enjoys a good compliment, good lovin’ and good food. He’s an independent fella, but doesn’t shy away from attention. In fact, he’ll roll over on his back to get a rub on his belly.

Can you help me find Big Daddy’s forever home?

Also known as:

General Burnside - do you see the likeness?

Atlas – he’s carried the weight of the feral cat world on his shoulders for too long.

Papi – because he’s a smooth operator, and so awesome.

Big Daddy will be fully vetted by the end of this week, and ready to go by the weekend. He’s super, and would be comfortable in just about any setting. Has presented well with (respectful) children and seems unphased by dogs. He has also presented well with cats, but isn’t very interested in them either.

He ain’t lookin’ for trouble, just a place to lay his head.

Fishkill Cares for Cats

Ann LaGoy — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:24:47 +0000

was VERY successful!

It is inspiring to see what can be accomplished when passionate business owners and animal advocates join efforts to benefit animals. The event was filled with many successes!

One of our desired goals was exceeded when The Animal Rights Alliance, Inc spayed or neutered 52 cats. With generous business sponsorship, 29 of those cats received free services including a rabies inoculation. Undoubtedly, because of the Fishkill Cares for Cats event those 29 cats received the care they needed, but would not have gotten. This translates to sparing literally millions of cats from a life of suffering and hardship.

Approximately 150 attendees enjoyed the day with us. Many learned how to successfully conduct a trap/neuter/return program where they live; affecting more animals in need. Our raffle prizes were stylish, informational, delicious and fun with none made from animal products. We raised over $1600 for Furry Friends Pet Rescue, Inc. and Guardian Angel Cat Rescue so they can further their efforts to help animals.

Additionally, one cat from Guardian Angel Cat Rescue and one dog from Furry Friends Pet Rescue were adopted to their forever homes, and a plan was made to team up with Pet Supplies “Plus” in Fishkill to establish regular adoption days at their store; giving cats and dogs in transition another opportunity to find their forever home.

Sound Earth is strongly committed to the welfare of all animals. It is because of this commitment that Sound Earth sponsored, and co-organized, Fishkill Cares for Cats.

Together, we changed lives for good.

Trinity; The Feral Mama

Ann LaGoy — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:33:50 +0000

This is a feral mama (Trinity) that has eluded capture for 2 years. This is at least her 5th litter that we know of. It is heartbreaking to see the stress she is under being confined, and having to deal with me reaching into the cage to supply fresh food and water and fresh litter. She is nursing the kittens who are doing really well, and only leaving the crate to eat and use the litter box when she can no longer stand to do otherwise.

Trinity is not allowing me to access the kittens for handling – she is a great mother to her babies. As many of you know, there is a very short window before the kittens will be as repelled by humans as their mother. It is with a very heavy heart I have made the decision to separate Trinity from her kids: Jesse, Eddie and Jenna. I feel that it will be less stressful for Trinity who will be spayed and returned to her colony where she can be monitored, and will afford the kittens a chance at a better life.

Once separated they will be exposed to humans and handled as much as possible – making them more likely to be adopted. That being said, please forward this post to friends and family who may be interested in adopting the Trinity Kids. I welcome anyone to come and meet them, and encourage any interested person to fill out an application: Adoption Form

Trinity and Her Babies (VIDEO)

Spring Cleaning Tips

Ann LaGoy — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:06:25 +0000

Not everyone enjoys cleaning, but most of us do appreciate a clean, tidy house. Spring cleaning, or “nesting” as I like to call it, can be a time to rejuvenate the energy in your home making things run more efficiently. It may actually save you time in the long run.

Here are a few tips to help the process run smoothly:

Be Prepared

Get your cleaning materials ready ahead of time so you’re not searching for things as you go. A bucket can be used to carry things around as well as be filled with cleaning solution. Gather rags, newspaper (for the windows), and your Sound Earth cleaning products (of course). Also have a large card board box or two ready to collect items in that you don’t use anymore. A donation box at the end of your cleaning session will feel especially good.

Make A Wish List

Besides “Some one else come in and clean for me” being at the top of your list, write down all the tasks you wish to accomplish for your spring cleaning. Everything. Big. Little. It sure feels good to check those things off!

Make It A Family Thing

Give everyone a task they can feel good about. Let the organizers organize and the clothes horse do the laundry and swap out everyone’s wardrobe from winter to summer. The little ones love to help, too – start ‘em young, and let them do the dusting. It’s a really obvious difference and will keep them motivated longer when they can see the difference they’re making.

Break It Up

Who wants to spend an entire weekend cleaning? Spend an hour or two on Saturday morning, and then treat yourselves to a job well done with a bike ride in the afternoon!

Set Goals

Whether it is to accomplish three things on your checklist, or spend 2 hours cleaning, if you have a plan laid out it will help everyone focus, and see “the light at the end of the tunnel”.

The Heartbreak of Feral Cats

Ann LaGoy — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:50:22 +0000

I got a call Tuesday from a monitor of a feral colony. One of his kids was not doing well. After missing on Monday, Buddy arrived on Tuesday struggling to walk. He seemed to rally a bit Tuesday evening after receiving two doses of antibiotics. I was encouraged by his intake. However, Buddy died early Wednesday morning.

Buddy was about 3 or 4 years old. Handsome black and white domestic short hair. His guardian called Buddy his favorite. He always stuck around a bit after feeding to say “thanks”, and to get a bit of attention.

Buddy’s story can be repeated millions of times to represent the vast number feral and stray cats that live and die on the streets. Buddy was relatively lucky; he was neutered and being monitored. He fathered no kittens; no offspring will share his fate.

My solace is he was loved, and not alone. He was not invisible, as so many of these cats are to the humans around them.

I came across a poem – Elliot: The Life Of A Feral Cat that put into words what I can’t. It is particularly touching to me because I named one of my rescues Elliot, and know the likely hood of a very sad and painful life he would have had.

If you care to, please sponsor a cat in need: Fishkill Cares for Cats. Or, make a donation directly to your favorite cat rescue organization. My favorite is Guardian Angel Cat Rescue.

The Argument For Eating Deer

Ann LaGoy — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:20:20 +0000

A Better Choice: Deer, by Jackson Landers was sent to me by a friend who asked for my thoughts. Here is what I think:

Landers is trying to make the argument to eat meat in a thoughtful way. I would rather the argument to eat plants in a thoughtful way. Landers certainly takes an interesting look at how our eating habits extend beyond what is directly in front of us. That is a challenge regardless of what we eat. It is crucial to be conscientious about each decision we make regarding food.

“Soy burger death toll” could also be called corn, alphalpha, wheat, cattle or just soy death toll. All of these food sources fall to the same shortcomings. Living beings are often in competition for survival. In fact corn used for food is also in competition with corn used for fuel. How’s that for a conflict?

Deer are over populated because humans have taken over their predators’ domain as well as changed their food source. The only thing deer have to fear now is hunters, cars and disease. If there were less people and a balanced number of coyotes, mountain lions, perhaps even bob cats, that hunted deer we would not have the large number of deer we currently have. It was a natural system that kept itself in check.

Do I want the majority of people reading that article to get a gun? Heck no! However, I agree many animals get killed and then their bodies are wasted. Jonathan Safran Foer begs the question in his book “Eating Animals” why do we not eat the millions of shelter animals killed every year? Instead, we allow billions of animals to languish in CAFOs because that is how we’ve compartmentalized their bodies. Cows, pigs, chickens: acceptable. Hamsters, horses, dogs and cats: unacceptable.

Each and every one of these animals feel pain. The “one bad day” Landers speaks of doesn’t give the full picture, but it sure does beat the years of suffering endured by factory farmed animals.

We need to revamp the way we produce our food, that is for certain, but we can do it without picking up a gun.

Bleach Alternatives

Ann LaGoy — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:02:44 +0000

For You, Your Pet And The Unknown Laboratory Animal

With a few ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now you can brighten your whites, disinfect and kill germs; all without the toxins and the animal testing that you get with clorox. In fact, with the left over ingredients you’ll be able to make a delightful, cool drink and relish how awesome you are!

Ready? Here’s what you’ll need: sunshine, salt, lemon juice, water (these are the fixins for that drink I mentioned) and hydrogen peroxide.

Whiten Clothes

Add a cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle to boost the whitening action of your Organic Sound Earth Soap Nuts – you know we have you covered!

Remove Stains from Clothing

I had pasta and sauce the other night, and got a couple spatters on my crisp white T-shirt – oh, I hate when that happens.

Here’s what I did: poured lemon juice over the stain, and rubbed the area with salt. Then hung it in the sun for about 4 hours. Threw it in the hamper to be washed as usual. Easy peasy.

You can see from the images I was able to get the spaghetti sauce stains out!

Remove Stains from Countertops and Other Hard Surfaces

Create a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Then, apply the mixture to the stain, and allow it to sit for several hours. Wipe clean.

Or, you can make a liquid cleaner to keep on hand: lemon juice (1/8 C), hydrogen peroxide (1/2 C) and water (5 C).

DO NOT use this mixture on marble or granite – it can erode the finish, or get into the pits, and stain. INSTEAD, use a mixture of baking soda, salt and hydrogen peroxide.

Brass Cleaner – Sound Earth Style

Ann LaGoy — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:04:51 +0000

By that I mean; low cost, simple and totally toxic free!

Maybe it’s because romance is still in the air from Valentine’s Day, or maybe it’s because I appreciate a sparkling table accessory, but brass candlesticks can really add class and appeal to any table setting – as long as they’re not grungy and dull!

Ready? This is so easy.

Gather vinegar (or lemon juice), flour, salt, a bowl and a clean cloth together at your sink. In the bowl mix equal parts vinegar OR lemon juice, flour and salt to make a paste. Place your brass item in the sink and spray it down with HOT water. Apply the paste to your item and let sit for 30 minutes. Thoroughly rinse the brass item, and use the cloth to buff to a shine.

If you have some tough spots use the paste as a gentle scrub, and then let stand for another 30 minutes.

Voila!

FREE Rabies Clinic Dutchess County

Ann LaGoy — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:53:25 +0000

The Dutchess County Department of Health is sponsoring a rabies vaccination clinic for dogs, cats, and ferrets. The clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28, 2012 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Milan Town Hall, 20 Wilcox Circle, Milan, NY 12571. The clinic is free to Dutchess County residents ($10.00 per pet for non-residents). All dogs must be on a leash. Cats and ferrets must be in carriers.

In order to receive a rabies vaccination certificate that is good for three years, you will need to provide proof of previous rabies vaccination for your pet(s); without proof, a vaccination certificate that is good for 1 year will be given. If you need any additional information, please feel free to contact Dutchess County Health Department at 845-486-3404.

About Rabies:
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Infected mammals can transmit rabies virus to humans and other mammals. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Fortunately, only a few human cases are reported each year in the United States.

For more details visit the NYS Department of Health site.