Bulls of Catalonia, Rejoice!

(Image from http://www.freeclipartnow.com/animals/cows/cow-2.jpg.html)

That's right all you big, hunky, masculine bulls, Catalonia, Spain has just banned bullfighting! Now, some see this as a purely political gesture to try to distance themselves from Spain (they want to be an independent state), but I, and many other animal-lovers, see this as a victory against blatant animal cruelty. No more killing of bulls disguised as "sport" - how sweet it is.
Here's one news article about it: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2010/0728/Catalonia-votes-for-less-death-in-the-afternoon-with-bullfighting-ban
Let's have a big, happy MOO for that!

In Memory of Barry Fraser: A True Hero and Generally Great Guy

I never met Barry in person, but I followed his blog, AnExplorersViewofLife (http://anexplorers.blogspot.com/), religiously after finding it under Blogger's Blog of Note over a year ago. I was drawn to his cleverness, humor, intelligence and interesting viewpoints on just about everything. Arwen loved his posts about Lindsay, his, and his wife Linda's, dog (as did I, she seems like such a character). In March of last year, the tone changed considerably, though never losing Barry's considerable skill at writing: while visiting a restaurant, he got a chicken bone stuck in his throat. Upon going to a hospital to get it checked out, they found something unusual. That something unusual turned out to be esophageal cancer. Barry treated it the way he seemed to treat everything on his blog: seriously, but with a wicked sense of humor, wit and love of life.
Barry passed away on Tuesday. He is no longer in pain, the cancer can no longer sap his energy. He is now in heaven, running with dogs the way he used to love running with his beloved Lindsay on the bluffs near Toronto.
I'm ringing a bell for you Barry, you may not be living, but you have won your fight. The cancer is gone, and you will be sorely missed.
Rest in Peace my friend,
and Arwen

Announcement: Fintan is in Need!

Fintan needs your help (if you are able)! My parents adopted Fintan, and his brother Laughlann (see the original post here: http://meglittlestudio.blogspot.com/2009/11/year-later-in-memoriam.html) last year, and though they are coming along in leaps and bounds with their socializing, my parents have discovered they have allergies. Fintan has been having problems with his feet - they crack and bleed and even though he has been on two different types of antibiotics (at once), they are severely infected. The vet wants $600 to do a biopsy to see what the heck is going on.
The problem is that my parents don't have the money (sorry if this embarrasses you mom, but I want you all to be happy).
The solution? I am going to put at least 40% of the total sales from my Etsy store, http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlestudiojewels toward Fintan and his poor little feet. Anything you purchase this month will go towards Rescue100 (10%) and Fintan (at least 40%). If you are able to purchase, please do. I know people are wary of donating to others they don't know, so this way you get to have beautiful jewelry and help some great causes. If you can't purchase (or even if you can), please pray for Fintan, we don't know what will happen if they can't afford the biopsy. For now, he is going back on another course of antibiotics.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you so much, and God bless,