Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Please...


Dogs and cats and animals in general are in. From the look of my grocery store, I'd guess pictures of animals sell more greeting cards than any other subject. We humans are both warmed and fascinated by their cuddly innocence.

The industry of animal photos has bothered me for a long time. Do these puppies look content to you? Remember that famous picture of a cat holding on by its claws for dear life? You can be sure that photo shoot was no fun for the cat. The truth is that most of the dogs and cats on cards and posters and advertisements do not live with families and are often not well cared for. They are commodity. The TV ads where an elephant or a tiger is walking in an office or an eagle is perched on a fancy car: those animals and birds are part of an inventory where they are rented out for photo shoots. Their lives are not easy. 

I know someone who loves animal cards and with every good intention sends me the cutest cards with darling messages of good will and inspiration. I haven't had the heart to tell her that I cringe every time I see one of those cards because too often I can see the anguish or the vacancy in the animal's eyes.

It would do my heart and my sensibility good if we would all be (more) aware that those cards and ads are not cuddly or innocent. Please do not support the practice of using animals in this way.

Don't overlook the eyes. That will tell you.

love
kj

24 comments:

  1. Something to think about and be aware of.

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    1. Appreciate your response, snow. Thank you.
      Love
      kj

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  2. Thanks for sharing the insights, kj.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!
    Bears Noting
    Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

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    1. Heck, I could campaign internationally against this issue alone

      Love
      kj

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  3. Poor pups, they must be so scared. I like nature photo cards, not contrived.

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    1. Same here, Mim. Some animal photos are sanctioned by humane treatment groups, but those run of the mill stock cards: aaaargh

      Love
      kj

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  4. I just to think that every time I saw that hang in there poster with the kitten. It looked terrified to me.

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    1. Oh yes, that one . How do any of us end up insensitive to that cat's reality ? I don't get it

      Love
      kj

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  5. Damn kj all you have to do is be as anti social as i am and no one will send you anything. some problems are easily solved.

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    1. Mark, you who in fact carries the weight of the world.....

      Love
      kj

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    2. Love this comment... made me grin from ear to ear x

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  6. I placed earlier a comment here and now it is gone :-(

    Anyway, I fully agree with you, Karen. I don't like people who dress up their pets like puppets too. And the worst are people who PAINT their pets just for fun.

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  7. This, and then those acts where an animal is thrown in the air for kicks or floating on a brick or put in a terrifying situation. I'm glad to call awareness to it xoxo

    Love
    kj

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  8. I couldn't agree more. I try to steer away at all cost. My brother is a commercial artist and thank goodness feels the same way so he refuses to exploit animals. He did a freelance woodcut show depicting the Cirque de Fatigue...it was so sad and poignant. Thanks for bringing this one up.

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  9. Kj, You make such a good point! I will NEVER buy another card with an animal unless it's a painted animal. So awful what humans do to the innocent. xoxo

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    1. Annie, so often I don't see the obvious--kind of like not really seeing tigers and elephants in circuses . I won't tell you how tigers are trained for their performances in the caucus big top. I'm
      Glad many of us are aware.

      Love
      kj

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  10. Hi Zoe, you are most welcome. Thanks for agreeing!

    Love
    kj

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  11. Replies
    1. Sag, :-)

      I've been to your blog and read about the hard time of rebuilding--so unfair. I hope it gets settled so you can get settled too

      Love
      kj

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  12. Brilliant post kj... words of wisdom!!
    Yep it ain't cool at all and it's spot on to bring this to our attention... it helps switch off auto-pilot for a time and turns on consciousness x
    Love it x

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    1. Good. I'm glad. Thanks robyn

      Love
      kj

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  13. kj,
    Thank you for sharing this insight.
    I buy these cards alot, as they seem so adorable, never thinking of how the animals were used. I may have assumed that they were people's pets, just borrowed for the photo shoot.
    Now, I will always remember, and won't be able to buy these. You are right about the eyes, and in fact, sad eyed puppies are appealing, but if a person takes time to think about the puppies, and that in fact they are scared from their treatment, of course it changes things.
    I choose long ago, not to attend circuses with animals, or zoos, and have read several books on the treatment of circus and zoo animals, but somehow was blind to this.One book, "When Elephants Weep", made a huge emotional impact on me.
    Do you think ever some pictures on cards were just private photos taken in someone's home, and sold to the company?I am hoping some are, but suspect not. I might find myself doing more reading on this subject, and blogging about it too.
    Brenda

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