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Britain’s Staffies
One of the most noticeable things about returning to live in the UK is noticing the large number of Staffies (Staffordshire Bull Terriers) on the streets and up for adoption. The Guardian commented recently that
They were traditionally known as “the nanny dog”, because they are so good with children. They adore people. But their reputation has been tarnished in recent years as they are increasingly bred as “status dogs”. Once upon a time, pit bulls held this dubious honour. But the Dangerous Dogs Act clamped down on these in 1991, after several attacks on people. Now, staffies have become the dog of choice for anyone who wants a fearsome-looking animal. Staffies can look mean – they’re stocky, with powerful jaws – but their appearance belies their gentle nature.
Earlier today the Grumpy Vegan passed two young men with their staffies. Men who dress butch and use what they think of as their butch-looking staffies as macho bling to get the mean-streets thug look always look as if they’re on their way to audition for a revival of Village People.
The Guardian quotes Louise Campbell, manager of Dogs Trust Roden, in Shropshire, who says, “The problem is not the dogs, it’s the owners.” The Grumpy Vegan couldn’t agree more. Staffies and their bigger equivalents in the US are big softies at heart. It’s what mean horrible people have done to them that’s the problem.
Vegetarian: Origin of the Word
Here is a fascinating account, courtesy of the Christian Vegetarianism Archive, on the origin of the word vegetarian. Henry Stephen Clubb (1827-1921) was a distinguished Bible Christian emigrant to the U.S. who served as President of the Vegetarian Society of America for just over three decades. This letter was published in The Vegetarian Messenger dated November 1901. CVA’s John M. Gilheany writes that the first appearance of the word, vegetarian, in print was in the April 1842 edition of The Healthian as documented by Henry Amos. Click on the images below to expand them.
Posted in Animal Rights, Eating
Tagged Animal Protection Movement, Animals in Agriculture
2 Comments
Vegan in Paris
In the Marais neighbourhood in the third and fourth arrondissements of Paris is a lovely organic vegan/vegetarian restaurant called Le Potager du Marais. This week we had dinner there. We highly recommended Le Potager as a restaurant to go to when you’re next in Paris.
We chose from the table d’hote menu a three-course meal for 25 euros. Our two appetisers were a fresh green salad and a walnut pate. The salad was fresh and generous. The pate was firm and tasty.
One entree was a slightly smokey flavoured casserole with mixed chopped vegetables, chickpeas and raisins. The casserole was served with diced fried potatoes. The other was quinoia burger which was expertly fried as it was firm on the outside but soft in the middle. It was served with salad.
The desserts were a rich chocolate mousse and an orange and carrot flan, which complemented each other very well. The refreshing flavour of the flan made a delicious counterpoint to the intense flavour of the mousse. This time it was good to share desserts!
The Marais is an historic neighbourhood undergoing a creative revival. It is not very far from the Pompidou modern art museum in the nearby Beaubourg neighbourhood. We did visit the Pompidou, which is always fun but the spectacular building is looking a little neglected in places. The Mondrian was interesting but there’s only so many little red squares that can be enjoyed before they all become, well, a lot of little red squares.
The Musee d’Orsay art museum is much more interesting. A grand old railway station on the bank of the Seine across from the Louvre is now a stunning art museum specialising in the period 1848-1918.
The Grumpy Vegan recommends the Happy Cow for information on vegan/vegetarian restaurants and hotels.
PETA Accuracy Challenged
Erik Marcus at vegan.com challenges PETA’s accuracy in a new publication about eating meat.
Eating Out in Hastings Old Town
