The Gist: Good afternoon VegNews Book Clubbers! It's a rainy day here in San Francisco, and I hope you guys are experiencing some nicer weather. We are now in our third week of discussing The Bond by Wayne Pacelle, which I hope you guys are enjoying. This week, we will be talking about chapters five and six.Chapter five is all about companion animals, the bond we share with these animals, and the hidden cruelties of the commercialized pet industry. Pacelle begins with the story of Katrina, the devastation that it imparted to New Orleans, and how it separated many people from their companion animals. He talks about the rescue effort, and relates some of the individual stories of people being reunited with their animals. He uses the Katrina rescue story to show the connection we have with our animal friends, and how it is not easily broken. He then goes on to talk about where we get our companion animals from. Many people get their animals from puppy mills, which are terrible places, and exist only to make a profit. HSUS actually has led raids on puppy mills and discovered terrible conditions, such as dogs being stacked in wire cages, and being neglected. Many of these dogs come out of puppy mills with health conditions for the rest of their lives. Pacelle urges readers to adopt from rescue shelters. He talks about how rescue shelters are continually trying to adopt no-kill policies, but it is hard to do so due to the fact that there are so many homeless animals.
In chapter six, Pacelle talks about animals in the wild, and the human-animal interaction when it comes to the wild. At a young age, Pacelle was a ranger for the Student Conservation Association, which largely led him to where he is now. He says that at that time he was able to really connect with the environment around him, and he acquired a very strong respect for the wild. In the chapter, he talks about some instances—including the Yellowstone bison, Alaskan wolf hunting, the Canadian seal hunt, and hunting in general—where humans have shown a complete lack of respect for the wild, and what he has done, along with HSUS, to try to make things better.
The Discussion: Here are two discussion points to help get the conversation started. I look forward to hearing from you!
1. Do you have a companion animal? If so, where did you rescue them from?
2. Have you ever visited a National Park? Which one, and what was your experience like?
The Assignment: Please read the rest of The Bond for our discussion on Monday, May 23.
~VN Book Club Hostess Lyndsay Orwig
1. Do you have a companion animal? If so, where did you rescue them from?
ReplyDeleteWe have three cats. The first was given to us by someone who didn’t want her. The other two were adopted from two different county animal shelters, which are kill shelters.
2. Have you ever visited a National Park? Which one, and what was your experience like?
Yes, I have enjoyed visits to a few of the smaller National Parks in Ohio and West Virginia. All of my National Park visits have been enjoyable.
I have an awesome cat named Sifl. He came from someone who had rescued him, but couldn't keep him because he was attacking their other cat. Every companion animal in my life has been a rescue of some sort, and they have all been amazing little beings.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid we went to Rocky Mountain, and I remember having a good time. My boyfriend and I are also trying to plan a camping trip soon to either Joshua Tree or Yosemite. Hopefully we will be bringing Sifl along as well!
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments so far! It's lovely to hear about your companion animals, Sock and Kelseyface. Sadly, I do do not have an animal friend, but maybe someday.
About a year ago, I visited Muir Woods, which was the first time I was able to experience the Redwood trees. I've always wanted to visit more national parks, and hope to in the future.
I look forward to reading more discussion, and I'll be wrapping up on Friday!
~VN Book Club Hostess Lyndsay Orwig
1. Do you have a companion animal? If so, where did you rescue them from?
ReplyDeleteI have 2 cats, Dennis and Melmac. Dennis was living outdoors on an old farm where my mom used to live when I took her in. Melmac was living on a friend's farm when I brought her home (there were so many animals out there, I knew they all weren't getting the love and attention that they deserve).
2. Have you ever visited a National Park? Which one, and what was your experience like?
I have never visited a National Park, although I very much want to. Yellowstone is one of the many places that I want to visit.