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New Year’s Resolutions You’ll Actually Want to Keep!
Posted by Ingrid Newkirk at 5:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
For most of us, the New Year’s resolutions we make with the best of intentions will be tossed out faster than the holiday fruitcake. Let’s be honest: Getting organized, pinching pennies, and losing weight aren’t much fun. Maybe that’s because-noble as they may be-these resolutions benefit primarily only us.
What if, instead, we resolve to do something to make life better for those around us? Maybe then we’d be more likely to keep our resolutions. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of our efforts than our animal companions, who give us love and joy every day of the year! The following are some ideas:
- Pledge to walk your dog every day, even when it’s cold and blustery outside and you’d rather hide under a quilt. Few things are more important for your canine companion’s health and happiness than the opportunity to stretch his or her legs and read the daily “news” on the local fire hydrants. Plus, what better way to help yourself keep that other New Year’s resolution-to shed those holiday pounds?
- Set aside some “kitty quality time” every day to play with, brush, and bond with your cat. It’s too easy to overlook our feline friends when life gets hectic, and most cats are too polite to complain when they’re bored or lonely. Get your cat’s heart and mind racing with interactive “teaser” toys, catnip-filled socks, or even a simple ball of aluminum foil. For oodles of cheap, fun ways to keep your kitty on his or her toes, check out my book 250 Things You Can Do to Make Your Cat Adore You.
- Plan to have your cats and dogs spayed or neutered, if you haven’t already. These simple procedures protect your furry friend from many types of cancer and prevent thousands of animals from being born only to end up on the streets or dumped at animal shelters. If your animals are already all “fixed,” why not offer to help your friends or neighbors have their animals spayed or neutered by transporting them to the veterinarian or even offering to pay for the surgery yourself? Remember, spaying and neutering are cheap, but saving lives is priceless!
- Resolve to be an “Angel” for a lonely “backyard dog” in your neighborhood. I can’t think of a crueler punishment for these loving, social animals than to be isolated, far away from their human “pack,” with only a few feet to move about in and nothing to do but watch the grass grow (or the snow pile up!). You could start by politely talking to the dog’s guardians about what their dog needs, such as companionship, a warm and dry house filled with straw in the winter, fresh food and water every day, and regular veterinary care. Offer to take the dog for walks, and give the dog treats and toys. Don’t give up: Some lucky dogs have had their entire lives changed because of someone who cared enough to intervene.
What are your New Year’s resolutions?
Best wishes to you and your animal companions for a happy, healthy, fun-filled new year!
Posted to Family & Friends | Posted to Tags: cat, dog, holiday, Ingrid Newkirk, New Year
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Laura says...
January 1st, 2009, 6:36 pm
Happy New Year Ingrid!
Resolutions for the animals, the best way to start the new year! I plan to continue to be an advocate for the animals, to help them when they need aid, to speak out for them when they need my voice, to promote my vegan lifestyle to all who will listen, to contribute as much money as I am able to PETA and the animal-rights movement, and never look away from an animal in need.
hillary endorf says...
January 2nd, 2009, 6:48 pm
I love your advice about helping others get their animals fixed. My husband and I have fixed a total of 62 cats in 2008- a little more than half were feral, and we did trap-neuter-return for them, the others were for low-income neighbors who would never have been able to afford the cost of surgery- even at a low cost clinic. I hope many people follow your advice- its not enough just to take care of our animals- we need to help the less fortunate ones, too.
Natalie says...
January 2nd, 2009, 7:24 pm
This reminds me of a story. My ex-boyfriend’s mother did exactly this, showed love to a “backyard dog”, and it totally paid off:
Every day for a couple years (unbeknownst to me) my then-boyfriend’s mother Karen drove past a black dog who was chained up in his backyard day and night. She would think about the poor dog on her way to and from work when she would see him, and feel especially sorry for him when it was scortching hot or freezing cold (as it often is in Dallas, TX).
One day she stopped by McDonalds on her way home to get some food for herself, and decided to order an extra plain hamburger for the lonely dog. (Ok, obviously this is not the best meal for a dog, but at least it was thoughtful of her). She pulled over by the wire fence and tossed in the burger, then watched him gobble it up appreciatively. She continued to get him a burger every day for a couple months.
It dawned on her that he needed more than one meal a day, so one day on that drive home she knocked on the door and spoke to a homeowner. He expressed that he doesn’t believe a dog belongs in the house, but said he didn’t want to get rid of him, either. Karen left her phone number with him and said if he ever changed his mind to please contact her.
Luck changed for the black dog and Karen got the call not long after- he was hers if she wanted him! She excitedly picked him up, getting to pet and hold him for the first time although they knew each other well. She named him Lucky because he didn’t have a name, and he’s still living happily with her and her two other doggies
Go spread that animal-lovin’ now..!
Gaum says...
January 3rd, 2009, 1:06 pm
Happy New Year Ingrid and all animal lovers everwhere! My resolutions are as follows: to set aside play/grooming time for my two beautiful Bengal boys every day - they’re 7 today and I really don’t know where the time has gone, but every moment has been very special; to continue to campaign for the animals whenever I can; to continue to donate whatever I can to help the cause; to continue to feed the local birds, squirrels and foxes every day; to complete the transition from vegetarian to vegan and ‘educate’ anyone who will listen about the benefits; to always ‘interfere’ whenever there’s a chance that an animal may need help, regardless of what anyone else thinks; to learn more about conservation of endangered species; and to undertake some voluntary work with animals - I have my eye on a wildlife sanctuary in Namibia. That lot should keep me busy for the rest of 2009……..
Nancy says...
January 4th, 2009, 6:49 pm
Happy New Year to all you wonderful Peta people (employees and volunteers)!
I’ve always tried to write 3 letters on behalf of animals every day, but have been sliding and promising myself I’d catch up - but don’t. My resolution is to actually DO this every day without fail. This is not hugely ambitious (and I’ll help animals in other ways, too) but is a very powerful tool in combating cruelty. I once wrote to all the local supporters (and advertisers) of the Ringling circus explaining politely what really went on. I received a wonderful letter from a business saying that they hadn’t known about the cruelty, etc. and would stop advertising. So I know it works. This is an easy step for anyone and letters to the editor also have a huge effect.
Pamela says...
January 4th, 2009, 8:38 pm
Happy New Year all and I hope 2009 becomes a better year for animals in need. I especially appreciated your ideas, Ingrid, to get involved with the animals you see around you. Every day, I put out a bowl of dry food and a bowl of clean water on the porch for the neighborhood cats. There are so many out there that I will not see, but the food disappears and I know they are there. It is so easy to pass by an animal and not think about them, not get involved, but experience has sadly shown me that even the smallest gesture is all that stands between that animal and death. May everyone see need and help!