Ideal Bite

There are a lot of real animals who need people out there, and a lot of people who need animals. Sometimes it just takes an introduction. For some time, I worked as a docent at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum - an organization that treats injured wildlife and re-releases them. In cases where the animals will never be fit for release, the museum employs them as wildlife ambassadors through educational programs, visitor interaction, and natural history exhibits - all with a mind to keeping the animals stimulated and comfortable (raptors, for example, sit on perches high above visitors and get several months time away from the museum each year). Now and then, I'd get to jess up the resident barn owl and share his unique life story with visitors. And although I grew up surrounded by pets, it was always a miraculous thing to earn the trust of Read the full post... 

I love giving blood.  LOVE it.  Started doing it in college, and quickly learned that - aside from all the good, snuggly, warm-fuzzies that I get from doing something to help others - giving blood, quite simply, makes me high.

Oh yes, my friends.  Totally high as a kite.  I tend to have really low blood pressure, so maybe that has something to do with it (it certainly makes the whole process go slowly).  But fact is, when I give blood, I giggle for about 2 hours afterward.  I walk down the street laughing hysterically to myself - loud enough, even, to garner strange looks.

Easily the best example of instant karma I've ever experienced.

-Heather... off to look up local blood banks... Read the full post... 

Today's tip was an interesting one for the Bite. Some of the research out there actually showed that claims about marine life dying from soda can rings were greatly exaggerated. But still. When it comes down to it - why on earth should ANY animal die just because I needed some soda? Especially when all it takes is an awareness of proper disposal methods.

Speaking of proper disposal - remember to pack your garage out after you hang out in the woods: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/05/yet_another_rea_2.php

When I was a kid, soda can rings weren't really an issue. We had something called the Pop Shoppe (which proves my 1940s-style upbringing better than maybe anything else out there). Every month, we'd get a palette of

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I'm a terrible volunteer.  Regardless of the fact that it makes me feel really good anytime I do it, I approach it sort of like I often approach working out: complete dread and begrudging participation, followed by an amazing sense of gratitude and overwhelming feeling of goodness after the fact.

Lately, my volunteer time has been curbed by Bite responsibilities.  Thus, I find myself drawn to organizations that let me participate in my off minutes throughout the day, instead of devoting weekly or monthly time.  Some favorites (and you’ll see just how non-volunteery this really is):

Stop Global Warming - we met Laurie David a few months back, and are huge fans.  Sign up for their virtual march and find like-minded marchers in your own area.  Also -

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