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I can't be vegan because of serial killers and fires burning down houses!

Help! There is a fire started by a serial killer with non vegan matches, it's me or him, not forgetting a dog. I can't go vegan!

29 May 2014 at 20:53

Recently my mother told me that if there was a fire I would save Kestane and Elsie, my dog family, over her. I didn't take her on, we've had this conversation several times before and I have already told her what I would do. But the fact is it's not about fires, dogs, plants or the fact there are no vegan matches to start a fire (at the time of writing). It's about veganism. It pricks some people like a pin going in a pin cushion. I don't know if it's some level of consciousness it's pricking, or a form of irritant. But sadly not enough to do something about it and go vegan. Many of us will have been met with the burning home or lifeboat scenario before. Non vegans like to throw a little discourse into the mix and then sit back thinking they are so original. Sadly not. For me the answer is very simple, it needs no heavy debate, no philosophical delving into speciesism - no, for me, it's common sense. I don't even have to ask Victoria Stilwell - is it me or the dog? I wake to a fire in my home, if I can get to the door, we all can get to the door. It's opened and the dogs will flee, especially if I direct them to do so. That way I can help others. That's it. Boring, I know. So let's make it a bit more interesting and throw a few hiccups in. My mother is lying injured, who do I choose, her or the dogs? I open the door, call the dogs out and go back to help my mother. A dog is injured, I open the door and go back to help the other dog, or perhaps my mother can help the other dog, who knows, perhaps she is more interested in the family photo album, or plants? Yes, the beloved sentient plants! Other than that I am putting everyone in danger by not opening that damned door. A baby in distress? A child? An elderly relative? I help who I can help first. Regardless of species - except plants. Not good enough? Well, what can I say. I'm vegan not a saint. But wait! Hitler. Yes Hitler was in town that day. I'm not going there, I wasn't even a twinkle in my not yet born daddy's eye when he was alive, so stop being ridiculous. Uhoh. The serial killer. What? I'm not only unlucky enough to be awoken with a fire, I now have to contend with waking up to Jason standing at the bottom of my bed brandishing a 16" blade complete with hockey mask? Zoikes. What would Scooby Doo dooo? Well it's farcical enough, why not throw him in? Or phone the A -Team? I could do with them. Not my lucky day is it? I think I have enough on my plate, so could we try something else? Plants. Ah those plants. I keep those by the doors and windows. So in the event of a fire I can throw them to safety. I wouldn't want Jason hacking them to pieces either now would I? I pity you, Hitler, plants, dogs, serial killers, yo ass got more problems than 50 Cent. Ahhh go on then! So, I'm being chased round the sofa faster than Benny Hill in his sexist show chasing the girls, *cue music*, but it's all the same farce, the building is burning down, but the dogs, mother and plants are safe. Can I get a high five? No. Why? I'm moralistic and have sacrificed myself over the dogs and plants. I think I am better than everyone else. Oh. Meh. But it's OK. I have a rope ladder under my bed! By this time the smoke has blocked that damned door, my mother is chatting up a fire man and the dogs are sunning themselves in the heat.  All this chasing about has made me knackered. I miss my footing and I fall to the ground, twisting my ankle.... but it's fine, Jason atoned, made me a cup of tea and went vegan. 

Or will I just panic and flap? Dunno. I don't think I would. I'm calm in a crisis, so I hope I would be calm then too. But it's not happened, I tell you what has in the time it took me to write this silliness, and for you to read it: Animals have been exploited, used and murdered. THAT HAS HAPPENED. Do something about it, put the same effort in to being kind and considerate that you do to thinking up scenarios that in all likelihood aren't going to happen. But if they did you would do what you could, like any other person. Why does everything have to be so difficult? Moral of the story? Stop making nonsensical excuses why you can't be vegan - there are none. I hope that you never encounter a fire in your home, or anywhere. Invest in some smoke alarms and check the batteries, have an evacuation plan that your family know of and rehearse it, keep the plants by the door, check under the bed for serial killers and don't, whatever you do, have your mother over on a sleep over. www.vegankit.com www.humanemyth.org Vegan Buddy - Find answers about veganism here - group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/597385673692286/?fref=ts Vegan Buddy - Find answers about veganism here - page - https://www.facebook.com/veganbuddyfindanswershere?fref=ts Words by Nik Anti-Speciesist

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When you are vegan no one else notices as outwardly we all look the same.

But if you listen intently you would hear that persons heart singing. That's what being vegan does: makes your heart sing with joy. Stop contributing and let your heart sing. Nik Anti-Speciesist <3

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Some people get frustrated when I point out that veganism is the only way to help animals. There will always be someone who says they could kill an animal. It's not my right to give you that permission to go ahead then if you can. It's not my right to say that others should be given more straw, one more hour of daylight or a dirty cramped barn instead of a cage when the freedom they crave is not the result. They are still used, abused, exploited and murdered. It's not my right to say that one death is more preferable over another, how do I know that when I haven't gone through it? It's not my right, speaking only through arrogance and ego, that I deem one animal more worthy due to perceived intellect, only measured with my own. It shouldn't be anyone's right to do or suggest such things. It doesn't affect me and it doesn't affect you so of course it's easy to say it's OK and give your permission. We don't come into it. It's not our right, but it should be the animals right. Listen to them. Let them be free by being vegan. www.vegankit.com www.humanemyth.org

Nik Anti-Speciesist 23/5/14

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Letter to my non vegan family, from your vegan child xo

Letter to my non vegan family from your vegan child.

23 May 2014 at 02:38

To the vegan reader: If it's easier for you to write it down and give this to family, friends, or a loved one, then please feel free to copy this and reword it to suit your own needs. Often it's easier than speaking as you get emotional, people get angry and tempers are flared. You could leave it as you are going one time and then either discuss it or never speak of it again. I thought that it may help some newer vegans who are dealing with a ton of emotions, deal with at least a few. I would like to be positive and say that things get easier, but I can't say that. I hope they do for you, be strong, you are doing an awesome thing even if it's not recognised as such. Or it may just help to read it, recognise that you are not the only one, because you aren't. Sending you strength and love xo

No matter how old I am, I am still your child. My thoughts often are stifled and I don't feel comfortable speaking at times, so I am speaking to you via this letter. Sometimes it is like living in a battleground.  Could you give me the time to explain things from my point of view? I've tried my best to temper my language, I haven't said any words you don't like regarding animals and I've lessened my descriptions of their use. I know you hate being told of the suffering and harm not being vegan is causing; but I do speak the truth. I am writing this to call for peace; it's my white flag.

When I was little you taught me what you thought was right and wrong. Taught me to make choices based on those foundations. I appreciate that you raised me with integrity, to question things and to make better decisions based on that. One day I realised that everything I was taught wasn't necessarily correct, I don't blame you for that, you were doing what you thought was best, or what you thought was right. But I had a shock, a blindfold was removed and the foundation you had built started to crumble. My illusions about the world were shattered and I had to question your interpretation of right and wrong. I know this didn't sit well with you, but I didn't mean to cause you any offence, quite the opposite. I thought you would be proud of your considerate and well adjusted child who was asking so many questions to learn. It didn't turn out so good and that makes me sad. I wanted to explain some things to you. There is no easy way to say this, so I am going to just say it. I hope it doesn't cause you anger, but it needs to be said. Please try to see past whatever it is you feel and understand that I am still your child who is desperately trying to communicate with you. Being vegan doesn't come with a switch that I can turn off and on, why would it once you are awake, you stay awake. Sometimes I wish it did, so I could turn off the pain. So much pain in the world and seeing you shouldn't cause more. When you ask me if you can visit my home and bring with you milk that you stole from a grieving mother for your cup of tea, a dead body that you 'thoughtfully' pre-cooked so I wouldn't have to, because you just can't not have these items for an hour or two don't be shocked and outraged when the answer is no.

Please don't tell me the dogs can't be in the same room as you when you are eating, or to shoo them off the couch. This is their home too, they are my family, just like you. Yes they can go upstairs and get on the bed and the television isn't ruling their need for a walk.

It's called respect and not demanding to try to prove a point: you are right and I am wrong. It's not disrespectful to not accommodate your guest with unreasonable demands. It's disrespectful to ask your host to disregard their very being.

If I came to your home are you going to clear out the fridge and the freezer, change all the furniture, hide all your clothing, stuff the cabinets with toiletries, cosmetics and cleaners and not watch cooking shows on the TV?

But the difference is I never ask you to do. It's not my place to ask that of you, but it's surprising what you try to make me endure for you.

When I do come to visit, please don't ask me to eat a product that has animals in it or what they produce for themselves such as milk or eggs. I don't want to hear, "It cost me a lot of money." because the truth is it was priceless to the animals. I don't want to hear, "You are ungrateful or stubborn or selfish or very rude." because a phone call would have sufficed to know what I can and choose not to have. A phone call asking for me to bring my own would have been even better. The same with gifts, please just ask, you know I don't expect anything, but you do insist. I am not ungrateful, but I do feel awkward and badly when you try and it's still not right. But it's worse when you tell me that you aren't bothered, because I am. I am bothered very much. If it cost you £10 how much did it cost truthfully? Lives are priceless. Please just ask. It saves a lot of heartache: literally.

The nicest thing you could do would be to let me cook for everyone. Happy animals, happy vegan and a well nourished family. Please don't sit there with an offended face as everyone dines on what I have made. Another family drama we can do without, it's so painful to have patronising comments and told to put up and shut up.

It is difficult enough to see what I have to see coming to your house so please don't try to force me to do something because it will end up in a row. I absolutely do not wish to smell a body cooking or see a dead body on the table. I absolutely do not wish to wash up dishes with fat from the body clogging up the sink, I dread to think what it is doing to your arteries. Don't you understand this is a vegan nightmare. For you it is a regular, every day occurrence, for me forced to see their living hell. At home we don't live surrounded by it, so please try to understand. If I sneak off for a weep because it's too much to bear, don't bang on the bathroom door asking what is taking so long.

If I ever decline your invitation please ask yourself why. It's because I can't emotionally or physically do it. I'm not rude, selfish or ungrateful. I'm not a spoiled attention seeking brat. I am your caring child with scruples and a moral compass pointing the right way. I am still me, but just different, in a good way, the one you still gave birth. I would hope you would be happy about that. You see I care about the world and her inhabitants, that includes you. Please don't make this any harder for me than it is already. It is my aspiration you will be vegan too, but if you refuse a little consideration would be appreciated. There is enough hurt and pain in the world without family drama adding to it. If tears are the outcome of yet another strained conversation please just leave it be and not demand them to stop. Let's at least try to work it out so that we can still engage. Remember that vegan switch, it's not going off - not even for a day. If we eat out, can we make it for everyone, not just you. I can also order for myself, I don't need to be told not to demand from the waiters, question the chef, only for you to go and take over and do it too. Only so loudly that half the restaurant can hear and eavesdrop. How about trying a vegan place, or at least one that can cater easily for us all? So please, do not take your child as anything other than what they are: a thoughtful person. You raised me and now you can see how I turned out. It's not a slight on your character; but a quality that you should be proud of. Even if we don't see eye to eye, at least I hope you can be happy. I am doing my best to be someone who you should be truly proud of. You gave me these roots, let me be free to grow my branches; they are blossoming. Love always, your vegan child. xo

To the non vegan reader: If you read this and you have vegan children or family, please try to see it from their perspective. It's not petulance, obstruction or anything else; it's genuinely difficult. One month, one year, ten years, it's not going away. A vegan is for life. It won't change, so the drama is best to do, don't you agree? That is changeable. Would it be so hard for you to eat plant based for a day? To share a couch with a dog, miss a programme on TV so they can get their walk? The hairs, well they come for free :)

Nik Anti-Speciesist 6/1/13 edited 23/5/14

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What is speciesism?

What is speciesism?

28 April 2014 at 01:16

Speciesism - spe -cies- ism Is a term that was coined by Dr Richard Ryder, a psychologist in the 1970's, from what I have read it was in order to argue against animal experimentation. Speciesism is when individuals (the animals) are not afforded the same consideration, rights or have bias shown towards them because of their species. Many people think that humans are supreme and should be afforded better treatment because humans matter more. They do not believe animals should matter morally. An individual believing such things would be known as a speciesist. Spe-cies-ist. It is another ism, like racism and sexism. Many people are speciesist without realising it. For example: Won't eat a lamb but would eat the cow. Thinks lambs are cute and therefore deserve to live. Loves dogs but will happily eat a pig (renamed bacon). Denounces fur but would wear skin (leather). Killing animals in shelters because they have no homes. Would we do this to homeless humans? No. Many people think it is natural to side with your own species when it comes to value of life. For example, they wouldn't think twice when asked who they would save if they were drowning, a human child or a dog. They would save the human child, because the child automatically matters more. No questions asked. I am not necessarily saying that people are wrong in thinking this way, or unnatural, but we do it without even thinking. These issues need exploring if we agree animals are worthy of our consideration, which of course they absolutely are. Many organisations promote speciesism. Mercy for Animals and PeTA (for example, but not limited to) love to tell us (for example) that a pig is smart, intelligent and therefore worthy of our consideration. Often they throw in the comparison to humans: as intelligent as a 3 year old child. Animals' matter, regardless of who we deem as intelligent according to our arrogant standards applied to them. They matter regardless of how we try to selfishly compare them to toddlers. It's nothing more than humanocentrism (seeing humans as superior species). Often they throw other animals under the bus in doing so, for example, a pig outsmarted a dog in tests (testing on animals is not limited to pouring shampoo in rabbits eyes, we even do under the guise of understanding them, but it's still wrong). Therefore a pig is not only smarter than a dog (by our standards, not theirs) but a pig has more worth. If we tried to say that a human child had little worth because he lacked intelligence by a set standard, this would not be acceptable to most people. Seeing animals in this light is not acceptable to many vegans. This is speciesism in action. What is perpetuating speciesism? When you see posters being shared with the above information on regarding 'intelligent' animals and comparing them to each other. When you see fur being denounced but no mention of other animals used as clothing. When you see veganism being portrayed as nothing other than those we eat, (saying it's a diet). When you see an outcry about horses being eaten but no mention of other animals. These are all examples, but obviously not limited to. How can we stop it? We are all speciesist to a degree, even when you try hard not to be and are aware of it. We all live in a world that is entrenched with animal use and we all make decisions daily that affect others. Walking down the street we are possibly killing tiny creatures, driving our cars we are killing them, harvesting of crops etc etc. It's what we can do to limit that harm that matters. Living vegan is the only way to assist in decreasing harm significantly. So we live vegan and we try not to engage in anything that perpetuates it. It's just a case of thinking outside the box and looking at the bigger picture. Language is important too; they are not 'it's', 'what's' or 'things'. They are 'she' or 'he' or 'they' (if you don't know the sex) and beings. Living things to living beings is really easy to swap. People have said it doesn't matter; the animals don't care. That may be true, but I still wouldn't call a deaf person a nasty name just because they couldn't hear me, so I think it is important. They have value, they matter and they are so very much worth it. Believe it and your thoughts will follow. Language is often the last thing to change, so my aim is not to make you feel inadequate or to judge you, none of us are perfect, it is just something that is important that I hope you will also consider. :) I just remembered a quote by Joan Dunayer which sums it up: “Whenever you see a bird in a cage, fish in a tank, or nonhuman mammal on a chain, you’re seeing speciesism. If you believe that a bee or frog has less right to life and liberty than a chimpanzee or human, or you consider humans superior to other animals, you subscribe to speciesism. If you visit aquaprisons and zoos, attend circuses that include “animal acts,” wear nonhuman skin or hair, or eat flesh, eggs, or cow-milk products, you practice speciesism. If you campaign for more-”humane” slaughter of chickens or less-cruel confinement of pigs, you perpetuate speciesism.” Words by Nik Anti-Speciesist Nik Addison-Crichton

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Fear or trust?

I added the text to give another slant on what just looks like an adorable picture. Which are you? Fear or trust? If fear, how does that make you feel? Nik Anti-Speciesist

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I'm vegan, should I rescue/foster or not? What about breeders and 'pet' shops?

I'm vegan, should I rescue/foster or not? What about breeders and 'pet' shops?

17 April 2014 at 21:57

We have a huge, huge, issue with breeders and careless people not spaying and neutering. Animals are dying the world over due to this. Carelessly abandoned, usually killed, or sitting in shelters for years without a place to call home. Yes they are scared, and yes, they do know that you are not coming back. Some bounce back but often they take years to adjust but with some having permanent scars. More often than not animals are killed simply because they cannot find homes. Imagine if we were talking about children or homeless people, they were to be murdered because there were not enough homes. There would be an outcry. It is just the same. Animals should not be being killed because there is no room. We have no right to take a life like this! They know it is coming and they do feel fear. Animals are being murdered while people are supporting breeders. We need to make sure we spay and neuter, do NOT support the breeders (including 'pet' shops) and educate on this and veganism. Breeders are only interested in one thing: greed. Making money off the back of a person who cannot give consent is wrong. Taking away their babies is wrong. You should not be making money off the back of another or breeding at all. Exploitation is not acceptable, it is also selfish and callous. Again, if we said that this was OK to do this to humans we would voice our outrage. This is why vegans are trying to address it, because we recognise and accept it is wrong too. If you wish to have animals as family then you please adopt or foster. Animals are often advertised on Gumtree, Craig's list etc 'free' to good home. These animals are frequently used in dog fighting, or abused and killed. If you can rescue an animal from one of these situations, then please, do so. Spaying and neutering is imperative if we are to help stop the many pregnancies and abandoned animals. It is a rights violation, in the sense that we are taking control of this situation and removing their right to choose if they wish to have children. But until the day comes when animals are free to choose and live free as they see fit many of us cannot see any other way. Some people think that we should not rescue animals, they see it as holding animals prisoner, captive against their will. I think the opposite. If we did not care for these animals the simple answer is: they will die. They did not ask to be born the least we can do is try to help them out of a horrible situation. We cannot make a difference for them all, but for the one (or more) you do save; it will. Animals in cages is restricting them and they weren't born to be in a cage. My opinion is to have them free as much as is possible. It is even more difficult for animals such as fishes, who are are unable to be free at all. If it came down to it and a tank full of fishes were going to die because they had no home, I would adopt them. It pains me to see them trapped in a tank but as the alternative (setting them free) would kill them, there is truly no other way. Stopping purchasing from breeders and 'pet' / fish 'specialist' breeding shops will reduce this. So please welcome into your family a rescue animal who needs a loving home if you can.

Of course recognise that it's not just about love, but a huge financial and lifetime commitment. Also worth considering is space, no point adopting a Great Dane if you live in a bedsit. In addition, do you feel comfortable you will be able to take care of them? Many animals take more experienced care. Read books if you need to, search the internet, speak to a vet and join groups to ask for advice and help. But don't let this put you off, there is always guidance out there. Animals are not pets, they are our family, refugees safe from harm. We do not own them, they are not property that we can do with as we please. It is impossible to own another life, they are not inanimate objects like a table or chair.

If you have supported breeders (and 'pet' shops) in the past and are now vegan or going vegan, there is nothing you can do about that now. Hopefully you are now understanding that animals are not property and cannot simply be purchased. I hope that you will, in future, consider what I have said and always adopt/foster, spay/neuter.

words by Nik Anti-Speciesist (Nik Addison-Crichton)

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PET: "A domestic or tamed animal or bird kept for companionship or pleasure: Oxford English Dictionary." I personally think it's derogatory; it bands individuals into a category. Conjuring up images of shops, breeders and property to be treated and discarded as humans see fit. I have family. Families come in all shapes and sizes, ages, skin colour, ethnicity and all different religions. They come in all different species too.<3 Nik Anti-Speciesist (Nik Addison-Crichton)

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Which logo can we trust? Which means vegan?

Which logo can we trust? Does it mean vegan? Why are there so many?

3 May 2014 at 17:25

You have got to be kidding! All these? Yes. Probably more! These are just some of the logos you will find on the internet and on the back of products. Very confusing to the consumer. All claiming to be cruelty free and kind to animals. Unfortunately anyone can write ''not tested'' on the back of something while secretly doing so. They can also put a bunny on the back of something (unless it's the Leaping Bunny or the PeTA pink bunny as they are paid for) and claim to be 'kind'. You may also see ''we fund research into alternatives to animal testing''. That doesn't mean they don't test either. It's a minefield out there and hopefully this will help you to shop easier, with the knowledge that you have not unwittingly paid for a bunny or other animal to lose his or her life. Animal testing is one of the trickiest to find your way through due to all the deceit that is legally allowed to take place. They are allowed to say that they don't test but send it to someone else to do it. They are allowed to say that they don't test but then say 'unless required by law' when you prod them a bit. They are also allowed to say they don't test but omit that the ingredients are tested. It doesn't have to be complicated though, if you are willing to scratch beneath the surface and shop armed with information. Did you know that currently the only country in the world that tests on animals *required by law* for cosmetics is China? They are in talks to stop this right now but currently if your favourite brand is selling in China, then no matter if they say they are suitable for vegans, they are lying to you. Lying? Yes, they can do that, legally. If they don't sell in China but tell you 'unless required by law' they are also lying, as it's not required* *required by law - this can be stopped by being vegan, demanding change and buying alternatives/supporting alternatives. So, which of these logos mean vegan? NONE other than the Vegan logo at the bottom of this note. That is VERY simple to remember. So whilst you may think that by seeing the claim 'cruelty free' next to even the more common logos, you are being fooled by misleading wording. If something is not tested on animals, but contains animals, that is NOT cruelty free. Cruelty free is a misnomer, nothing in this world is cruelty free, we are going to cause harm to someone, somewhere, but for the purposes of explanation cruelty free should mean vegan. NONE of these symbols means vegan. The vast majority don't even mean not tested! While avoiding shampoo in rabbits eyes, you are going to be paying for milk or honey or eggs (for example but not limited to) which has also caused suffering and murder. Which of these can we trust for testing purposes? The Leaping Bunny (BUAV: British Union Against Vivisection) which is a worldwide logo: it's the leaping bunny with cruelty free international written in pink logo above. They do permit testing on Daphnia (water fleas), so you need to be aware of this. I shall link to a previous note on this below, so you can read more about it should you wish. ECOVER are to be avoided if you are living vegan. They have the BUAV approval, but test on Daphnia. They lost their Vegan Society status partly over this. The PeTA pink bunny is not to be relied on (in my opinion) as they have been very wrong in the past. Giving endorsement to places like Avon (for one example) when they NEVER were an animal testing free company. It has always been transparent on their company website "unless required by law". So my advice would be if you use the PeTA guide, please use it with caution and do your own checking. It is also worth noting that some companies are listed on the BUAV website but do not show it on their products. The other rabbits, any other animals, any signs saying 'not animal tested' I also ignore. I do not trust them without asking questions. What can we do to ensure it's a genuinely cruelty free and therefore a VEGAN product? The Vegan Society endorse products that do not test and also do not contain animal ingredients. So if you see their logo you know it will be animal friendly, therefore vegan friendly and 'cruelty free'. That is not to say that you don't or shouldn't ever check ingredients. The Vegan Society endorse products that are suitable for vegans, but the company doesn't necessarily have to be vegan. So if you buy one product with the Vegan Society logo on, don't assume that the rest are OK! An example of this would be Original Source shower gel. Several are OK and you will see the flower logo, but others are not, so you won't see it. Get to know your companies. If they are all vegan then they may not necessarily pay for endorsement, that does not mean that they aren't vegan. Some companies don't wish to pay for endorsement, especially if they are a small company or start up. Additionally some are endorsed by the Vegetarian Society, but yet are vegan and choose to show the Vegetarian Society logo. Astonish cleaning products in the UK, I have personally never seen a vegan logo, just vegetarian, but they do have both according to their website. Even BWC (see below) have always been vegan but yet use the word vegetarian on their website. It can be confusing. Fry's for another example, (food company) markets themselves as vegetarian but have both the Vegetarian Society logo and Vegan Society. For whatever reason, they choose to do it this way. So don't be afraid to check out their websites and ASK! :) Build up a list of those you trust. Email! Do not be afraid to ask questions. If people have nothing to hide then they will speak in simple sentences and be transparent. They should want our business; we are not an inconvenience! :) Look for vegan companies OR look for ones that clearly mark which are vegan and are transparent with regards to their testing policy. For example BWC - Beauty without Cruelty have always been vegan. All their information is on the internet and is EASY to understand, they are endorsed by The Vegan Society and BUAV. http://www.beautywithoutcruelty.com/bio.html Barry M - are a vegetarian company. Their animal testing policies are on the internet, how they check up with their suppliers. They mention end products and ingredients. They label which are vegan on their internet site - look for the green V which can be found by clicking on the ingredients. They do not mark individually on products so you will have to familiarise yourselves with them. http://www.barrym.com/be-cruelty-free These are just two examples, but you can go to the BUAV website and see which are also vegan by selecting their vegan shopper. MAKE SURE YOU SELECT VEGAN. http://www.gocrueltyfree.org/consumer The Vegan Society also have the Animal Free Shopper http://www.animalfreeshopper.com/trademarksearch.aspx?ad=677747 They are currently updating all their site so I am not sure how long this will be accessible for. I hope it's being moved to their new site, as lots of previous links of useful information are now lost. To be honest I normally do my own homework. If I am interested in a new product I ask questions, then build up a list of companies I know I can trust. But I always routinely check. No harm in checking but there is harm if I don't, is how I see it. ***PLEASE REMEMBER THAT JUST LIKE THERE ARE SEVERAL TESTING LOGOS THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL VEGAN LOGOS.*** Anyone can still write vegan. Sometimes they do it and it contains honey or beeswax, those are two of the common ones that people say are vegan, when they are not. I once saw sweets (candy) marked vegan but they contained shellac. So it's just a case of label reading. It does get easier and if you join groups you can pool information. Always try to see it written down, it does stop any issues of 'my auntie's second cousin once told me it was but that was 5 years ago' scenarios. People mean well but that really means nothing in the scheme of things. SAMPLE EMAILS FOR COMPANIES: https://www.facebook.com/notes/nik-anti-speciesist/example-emails-to-send-to-companies-enquiring-about-possible-vegan-suitable-prod/10152421534061663 MORE INFORMATION FOR NEW VEGANS REGARDING TESTING (WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR AND HOW TO DECIPHER RESPONSES) TESTING IN CHINA, NEW LAWS IN EUROPE. ALSO VARIOUS OTHER USEFUL INFO, LIKE WHAT DOES MEAT FREE MEAN, IS VEGETARIAN ALWAYS VEGAN, HIDDEN INGREDIENTS, ETC ETC: https://www.facebook.com/notes/nik-anti-speciesist/useful-information-for-new-vegansvegans/10151895864781663 INFORMATION REGARDING ECOVER AND BUAV WHY WE SHOULDN'T BUY IT: https://www.facebook.com/notes/nik-anti-speciesist/do-you-buy-ecover-think-its-vegan-think-again/10152368194501663 Please remember, people do things various ways and I am not saying you have to do things my way. I am simply offering you advice on how you can get through the often minefield that is animal use. Once you have asked questions a few times, you get to know what to ask. There is a lot of support out there should you need it. You can friend request me if you want. I also have a new page that I started called Vegan Buddy - Find answers to veganism here, that is covering topics such as this in easy broken down Q&A style. If you get an email back and want a second pair of eyes on it, please feel free to forward it to me. Regarding the Leaping Bunny and their confusing campaigns, could you please take a minute to sign and share this please? Thank you so much. All info is in the description, plus link to petition: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=774464645899081&set=a.103996659612553.8138.100000066596384&type=1&theater Just LINK to petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/359/288/724/ask-buavleaping-bunny-to-reword-their-misleading-cruelty-free-campaigns/#sign

Found this today 15/5 on YouTube it is dated 10th May. I shall update as and when I find anything new. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OEcgVxzpPA All words by Nik Anti-Speciesist (Nik Addison-Crichton)

[veganbuddyblogs]

What price life?

What price life?

15 May 2014 at 19:23

We deal in lives like breathing in oxygen to sustain our own. It comes so naturally, you breathe in and out, in and out. So silently you do not hear it at all, it is second nature. At the supermarket you look for the deals, 99p on offer, 50 cents off, 5 euros discount. Your happiness is evident, the true cost oblivious. At the checkout you deal in death. But you do not see it or hear it, you breathe in and you breathe out; in silence, but there is so much noise around you. A mothers cries for her babies go unheard, the scream of the child in the slaughterhouse, the grind of the machine as it chews up the unwanted male chicks; discarded like trash, honeybees labour intensive wings beating hard; but you can't hear them. The bleep of your purchases being rung up drowns out the sound. You are happy you stuck on your budget. You breath in and you breathe out. You sustain your own life. Your oblivion wraps itself around you like a black cloak and stays close. In and out you breathe, sustaining your lives, whilst taking another. It does not cross your mind, your cloak is fastened tight. At the sales you pick up a pair of skin shoes, a wool sweater and phone to tell your friends at the bargains you have had. Never truly thinking of the actual cost. You breathe in and you breathe out. Like second nature you take life. The cosmetics counter is full, you push your way to the front, rows of animals being burned, blinded and killed but you don't see them. You don't see those mixed in with your cosmetics either. But you do see the new shade of lipstick and eyeshadow. You breathe in and you breathe out, perhaps a little harder now as you want to grab the best 3 for 2 deal. But still you do not hear or see. Your cloak has a choke hold but it doesn't stop your fight to get those bargains. On the weekend you take the children to the local zoo. Their excitement is evident, the depression you do not see, not of your children, but of those children who are behind the bars. Still you breathe in and out. Your focus is self. So I ask you with these very few examples: what price life? Can I buy your daughter for 50p? Your son for the same? How about I throw $5 dollars at you and call it quits? Too cheap you cry? Priceless you yell! Why? Isn't it the same? How outrageous and unjust? Absolutely! So why do you do it? Why do you button up your cloak and carry on breathing just the same. It's not the cash register that is calling out your name, it's the animals who you choose to ignore! They are SCREAMING. You ignore them, you breathe in and you breathe out. You button up that cloak of darkness so tightly I'm surprised you can actually breathe at all; it's so restrictive. One day I hope you stop. You cannot catch that breath. What came once so naturally now makes you a crippling mess. The prices swim before you when you realise the true cost: DEATH. Lives are exploited, enslaved and then taken, even in the prisons (zoos) they kill themselves. It is not right to keep slaves and prisoners. How do you breathe again? You go vegan. Breathe in and breathe out. ALL life sustained. I wrote this just now because I just saw someone say that they wished they could win a years supply of cows milk because it's so expensive. A cereal company who will go unnamed as I will not give them free advertising, are bloody running a competition of this ilk. A friend shared it trying to advocate how wrong it was. My heart broke when I read what she said. She had ignored all that was said before her remark. She even winked after she said it. A wink....it's not a damned joke. She was wearing her cloak of oblivion and she continued to breathe in and out, like those words spoken meant nothing. Nothing: just like the animals lives. I wanted to scream STOP IT!! PLEASE STOP IT!!!! So with tears pouring down my face I wrote this. I beg you, just listen, please. LISTEN to them. SEE them. We can all breathe without killing each other: take off your cloaks. www.vegankit.com https://www.facebook.com/veganbuddyfindanswershere?fref=ts www.humanemyth.org All words by Nik Antispeciesist (Nik Addison-Crichton)

[veganbuddyblogs]

When our lives don't always align with our ethics. (It's not an excuse not to be vegan)

When our lives don't always align with our ethics. (It's not an excuse not to be vegan.)

20 May 2014 at 11:09

Veganism is least harm, we can all avoid causing pain, suffering and life being stolen easily, just by making simple changes which have huge impact. So you have removed the animals from your diet, from your clothing, furniture, toiletries, cosmetics, cleaning products, you no longer visit the zoo or circus etc. You think you are doing well, rescuing spiders and moving slugs from harms way. You try not to think about things you can't control so much. Then life throws you a curve ball. A decision has to be made that is in your control but calls into question your ethics. A choice has to be made: one life over another. Recently Elsie and Kestane, our dog family, got fleas. I have managed to be really lucky in that we have never had them before. Elsie is 13 and I think we have done really well not to have had. So what do we do? Ethically I knew it was wrong to take life, but I also knew it was wrong to leave the dogs in discomfort. I also knew that fleas can have a huge impact on their health. So I had to make a decision to remove them. As fleas can't live without a host I knew they would die. That didn't sit well with me; and I did get upset. I know people are reading this and probably thinking, "Is she stupid? They are fleas!" But that is what veganism is about; considering all life, no matter what form or size they may take. I tried several alternative methods at first because I didn't want to use chemicals. I wouldn't use them on myself unless I really had no choice and that is how I try to treat the girls. They can't make such choices, so they rely on us to do the right thing by them. Several weeks passed and nothing was getting any easier, we were also being bitten, I looked like a pincushion and the girls were miserable. In the end I had to use Frontline (I don't need any judgment on this, I had tried everything and I made a well researched choice). At one point during bathing the dogs I saw fleas jumping off to survive, they hit the water and my first instinct was to rescue them, but I knew it was impossible. The point of this note is to highlight an example of a choice I had to make, how veganism isn't always clear cut, but that we are all just trying to do our very best. I know some people would do this without thought; but not me. The dogs are my priority, I'm fully aware of that, but doing this wasn't easy. There are other times that we will have to make choices like this for our family. Veganism is damage limitation. People throw at us all the time: "You kill animals just by being on your laptop or your phone." or some other random reason as an excuse not to be vegan. They are totally missing the point. It is not an acceptable excuse to say you can't live a life of least harm and that you will continue to eat, wear and use animals because of not being able to be perfect. No one lives in a cave and isn't expected to do so. If you are reading this and are vegan, I am sure you have had experiences like this yourself and can understand the ethical dilemma. If you are reading this and are not vegan then please understand, just because you can't live a life of perfection doesn't mean you can't live a life of consideration. MOST things ARE very much in your control. There are no excuses. www.vegankit.com Vegan Buddy -Find answers about veganism here https://www.facebook.com/veganbuddyfindanswershere?fref=ts All words by Nik Anti-Speciesist (Nik Addison-Crichton)

[veganbuddyblogs]

I call to my babies, be quick, be quick.

I call to my babies, be quick be quick. The man has you separated but if you try really hard you can make it. My darlings I cannot lose you again. It gets harder and harder each time. Watch your brother, don't stand on him, if you push up you can do it! I hear him coming, faster, faster, please sweethearts hurry! Too late. The truck has arrived and so on it goes, you steal my children from me. Year after year till I can give no more, then on the truck I too will go. Why do you do this to me, can't you see I love them? What do you do with them? I call to my babies, be quick be quick.....but the humans they pay for you and steal you away...... So I ask on their behalf as you so deliberately ignore them: Why DO you do it? Why? Just stop. Live a life of consideration, they are not ours for flesh, milk or clothing. words by Nik Anti-Speciesist (Nik Addison-Crichton) www.vegankit.com

[veganbuddyblogs]

Words by Nik Anti-Speciesist (Nik Addison-Crichton)

[veganbuddyblogs]

"Cruelty Free" does not always mean that.

It's so sad that we have the term "cruelty free".

But are you sure you are buying it? The Leaping Bunny logo does not mean that if you see it on NON vegan products and Ecover. The bunny mark generally means not tested; it does not mean vegan. In the case of Ecover it means nothing. They endorse testing on water fleas; Daphnia. There are many, many alternatives that are vegan; this is not acceptable. If this outrages you that they can use this definition "cruelty free" on non vegan products please sign and share my petition. It's also going to PeTA who use this term and endorse non vegan products too. LET THE RABBITS (and all animals) TRULY LEAP - FREE. Please sign this petition to ask BUAV to reword their misleading campaigns. Share, blog, tweet too, thank you so much! http://www.thepetitionsite.com/359/288/724/ask-buavleaping-bunny-to-reword-their-misleading-cruelty-free-campaigns/#sign For sharing on Facebook this is more useful as it catches more attention than a standard link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=774464645899081&set=a.103996659612553.8138.100000066596384&type=1

[veganbuddyblogs]

Animals do not belong to you.

MY ribs weren't spare - for you to eat my flesh before throwing them away. MY eyes I need to see - they are not for yet another new shampoo. MY skin keeps ME protected - it's not for your shoes. MY spirit is not to be chained - for your entertainment. MY eggs give ME nutrients - but you steal them MY back is not a seat - for your pleasure. MY milk is for MY babies - not for yours. MY honey is MY food - it's not for facials. MY children are MINE - but you murder them. MY home is for MY family - you destroy it, kill us and build your own.

MY heart is not yours to keep breaking - for your selfishness. MY life is not yours to keep taking - for your convenience.

Please, won't you just stop. Look at what you are doing. Go vegan, stop this utter devastation. PLEASE! www.vegankit.com Vegan Buddy - Find answers about veganism here. words by Nik Anti-Speciesist (Nik Addison-Crichton)