lucky dog organics

RIP Paul Newman 1925-2008

There is nothing I can say about Paul Newman that hasn't been said already. He was, by no stretch of the imagination, a truly remarkable person.  An intelligent talented spit fire of a man with a social commentary that bested many...his Newman's Own and Newman's Own Organics food lines have brought over $200 million to much needed charities around the world. Established in 1982, Newman's Own brought in the Organic line in 93 at the insistence of Mr. Newman's daughter Nell Newman.This addition gave a familiar face to an unfamiliar concept for many Americans, organic foods, and single handedly was probably more responsible for the growing organic devotees in suburbia than Whole Foods and Wild Oats. When he set up the parent organization, it was agreed that ALL profits, would be donated to making the world, and the lives of others, better. He succeeded.

He nurtured our bodies and the bodies of our loved ones (thank you for the dog food) with his nourishing food, he nurtured our souls with his film and theater work and he nurtured our intellectual and ethical growth through his ability to say it like it was politically and socially.

To his family and friends... to have been blessed with such a man you are truly lucky. He lives on in everything he has touched.

Thank you Paul Newman.

Peace Day.... a day of cease fire.

I have just stumbled upon an amazing project. An amazing movement truly. Peace One Day is Jeremy Gilley's vision of what can be. As his vision statement says :

"If we are to move from a culture of war to a culture of peace then we will have to unite around the most fundamental issue that humanity faces – the protection of each other and our environment. 21^st September is the starting point. Individuals can make a difference. By working together there will be Peace One Day."

Mr. Gilley's work with UNICEF, UNHCR, UNRWA, UNESCO, UNIFEM, His Holiness The Dalai Lama, the United Nations, and the ICRC resulted in a unanimous passing in 2001 of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/282 to be known as International Day of Peace. September 21st. Since then, so much has happened. The culmination of all of the work coming together in 2007 and 2008.

In July 2007 Mr. Gilley and his film crew documented a journey through Afghanistan. With the full participation of Peace One Day's celebrity ambassador, actor Jude Law, the team showed the preparation for the 2007 Peace One Day activities. The purpose was to bring life saving vaccines to children in areas that previously were too dangerous to travel to. This film became the feature documentary "The Day After Peace", which debuted at Cannes in 2008.

On Peace Day 2007 the world saw dramatic results from Mr. Gilley's tiring work with the United Nations and different government officials. Below is a short list of highlights taken from the Peace One Day website which shows the global impact of one man's vision.

In Afghanistan, The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), with the Ministry of Public Health, provided children with the monovalent P3 polio vaccine in southern Afghanistan and selected areas in eastern Afghanistan, with discussions led by the Governor of Kandahar, as a result of which 1.4 million children were vaccinated. UNICEF & Youth volunteers from the Afghan Red Crescent Society organized a Peace Walk through the streets of Herat, followed by a youth debate on what needs to be done in Afghanistan for peace to work. There were arms handover ceremonies, prayers for peace in mosques, schools painted white, education activities, large tract of land handed over that had been cleared of mines ready for cultivation by the local community.

Star Syringe provided safe immunisation camps in 20 locations, up from ten last year, from India to     Ethiopia to Indonesia, vaccinating children in rural and hard to reach areas, against measles, diphtheria,     tuberculosis, hepatitis, and whooping cough. In St Francis Hospital, Uganda Star Syringe immunized close to 1,000 children for the BCG TB vaccine. In Iraq, Civil Dialogue planted olive trees and held a memorial service for all the Iraqi youth who have lost their lives due to conflict. In Thailand, Jungceylon, Phuket, children created a 10 metre giant peace wall to inspire peace. 

In the DRC a UNICEF led integrated immunisation campaign; vitamin A, deworming and mosquito net distribution, went ahead benefiting over 600,000 children in the conflict affected South Kivu province. Other agencies involved included DFID, PSI and USAID, Government of Japan, UN Foundation WHO, AXxes,       MOH + Drive Against Malaria.

The reason this is so relevant for us at Lucky Dog Organics is that not only does an international day of cease fire allow us to take care of our children, our selves and each other but it allows animal rescue organizations all over the world to reach animals in drastic need of medical attention and shelter that can not normally be reached. One of these shelters is Afghan Stray Animal League . Started in 2004 they have rescued over 400 animals in need of help. Their primary mission is to care for needy small animals, restore them to health and find them loving homes.While most of those whom adopt their animals are foreigners (they help provide travel to the United States when necessary.) They are also working very hard to foster and to encourage a compassionate loving culture of companion animal ownership in Afghanistan. For over 30 years the country has been devasted by war and poverty. There is a widespread epidemic of fear, neglect and abuse towards animals in Afghanistan. Afghan Stray Animal League is working to change this by beginning with the youth and teaching them about the humane treatment of animals via talks through local non-profit childrens programs. They also provide education for all potential adoptees and continue the assistance by offering free dog houses, food, vaccines, and other supplies to any Afghan who adopts a pet. They also provide follow up and conduct home visits to ensure the animal is being well treated. This organization is in dire need of supplies and monetary donations. Please go to their website and see how you can help by clicking on the hyperlink above.

Organizations such as Afghan Stray Animal League and Peace One Day create a culture of change through education and through loving hope. Look around yourself today and see if there is one change you can make that will impact an animal or another person's life for the better...and do it. For if each being changes one other beings life for the better. The world will be what we hope it can.

Namaste.

*please note that all photos are belonging, respectively, to UNICEF and Afghan Stray Animal League. Is it of no intention or purpose of Lucky Dog Organics to imply that they have any rights or privileges in regards to any images posted in this blog entry.