i am here: an urban intervention to make the invisible visble
Have you seen it?
I'm out of touch with what's gone viral and what hasn't, and I don't make a habit of sharing viral videos to generate traffic or whatever it might do. And I don't know the original source, so I can't cite it. And I don't know the people who took this video, or I'd be contacting them and kissing them. I just want you to see it.
So, what do I know?
I viewed this video a couple of months ago and didn't feel worthy to share it. I'm not sure why. Maybe because it's so spectacular.
I now feel that everyone should see it, damn the torpedoes!
I challenge you to watch it without laughing and crying at the same time. It's the kind of laughing-through-the-tears video that we all need sometimes. No...I'm not on my period.
do the ASPCA commercials make you want to hang yourself?
My friend, April, recently posted on Facebook that she always mutes the TV when the ASPCA commercial comes on because it brings her to tears. She asked if anyone else mutes the TV. She got an overwhelming response, and no one said "I always watch them and then call in to donate money." Responses ranged from "I turn the TV off," to "I change the channel," to "I fast forward on my DVR." I explained that I shut my eyes, plug my ears, and sing "la la la, la la la, la la la..." My conclusion was that not too many people are watching these commercials, and my friend who started the post asked how effective the commercials could be if everyone was turning away. That got me thinking. Us die-hard animal lovers probably already donate to some sort of animal-saving organization, perhaps local or, in all likelihood, the ASPCA. We know the horrors because we probably think about all the animals we can't save on a daily basis. We volunteer hours and we open our pocketbooks. We even write blog posts. Most of us can't bear to watch, and certainly can't keep the tears at bay when Willie Nelson sings to us about love as the pitiful, sad faces in cages stream across our TVs.
I found the ASPCA commercial that is currently airing with Willie Nelson and Kim Rhodes on iSpot.tv:
When I pulled up the commercial on the computer for the purpose of this post, the littles even had a strong reaction. Campbell, my 4-year-old daughter, said "awww" every time the picture changed, and then declared "we have to save all those animals. I want to get them all." Yeah, Cam. Me, too.
Porter, my six-year-old son, said "those animals all need our help? When can we get a cat?" Once again, I explained to him why we don't have a cat.
And, of course, I was crying. These commercials are depressing. Does anyone actually watch them?
iSpot.tv is pretty cool because you can track the statistics on the commercials. Like when it last aired and how many times it's aired and which programs it interrupts. What you can't track is how effective it is. In a 2010 blog post, writer Franny Syufy reported that she asked the ASPCA directly about just that and they responded that "the ASPCA measures our success by the number of animals we are able to help and by how efficient we are at raising the money that allows us to help those animals." They went on to say that they see significant revenue growth surrounding these ad campaigns. Yes, the same ones that are making most people I talk to turn away. So it appears that they do produce enough revenue to justify the cost of advertising. I won't get into the debate about whether or not the ASPCA is a good organization to donate to because we all have our opinions about whether we should donate to national or local organizations. Suffice it to say that the ASPCA is a highly rated charity. Donating to a legitimate charity is a wonderful thing to do and a personal choice.
So I'm thinking these commercials can't be targeting people like April and I (and all of her Facebook friends), because we're just turning them off. We already understand the atrocities and don't wish to be saddened further. So who do these commercials target? Who knows? But somebody is watching and donating because of them, or the ASPCA wouldn't keep airing them, right? For those of us who don't turn away, pulling at our heartstrings is effective.
But why not add a bit of positive into this advertising campaign? April put it perfectly:
I would much rather them show heart-warming stories of animals that have been impacted by the support. Showing them in loving homes, etc. I think that would have a much better impact than sad music, injured animals and stories of them being tortured.
She makes a great point, doesn't she? I would totally watch a commercial like that!
Whether you're turning away or opening your pockets, both, or neither, find a cause that you can support wholeheartedly and go for it! Helping animals in need, or anyone or anything in need just makes you feel good, even if the commercials make you want to hang yourself.
older and wiser: considering the senior pet
Blog Paws has designated August as senior pet month and has provided this informative graphic to illustrate the importance of senior pet care and some interesting statistics about our aging animals.
Whenever you are considering adopting a pet, it is just as important to consider their life span and care they will possibly need as they age. Knowing your pet's life expectancy and common health issues for the type or breed is key in determining if the pet is a good fit for your family. It is important to remember that your pet won't be that cute little baby for long!
There are many senior pets available for adoption, and they can make excellent additions to your family! Although you miss out on the baby book photos, there are definite advantages to a senior pet. The shelter or foster family can often provide you valuable information about temperament and behavior, so you'll know if the pet gets along well with other animals or with children. Senior pets are usually not as active as younger animals, so exercise requirements and energy levels may be a great match for some families. And, best of all, your adopted senior may already be potty trained or know some fun tricks. Older and wiser is a great thing.
There are organizations nationwide that specialize in the care and adoption of senior pets, so consider that option if you're looking to grow your family!
photos giving shelter dogs a second chance
You know that photographer who does the awesome photos of dogs underwater? You've likely seen them and shared them...
That photographer is Seth Casteel, and he does more than just take groundbreaking photos of pets. He does groundbreaking work for pets.
In addition to his life as a world-renowned photographer and New York Times Best Selling Author, in 2007, he started volunteer work to help homeless pets find loving families. Through photography, he showcases these animals-in-need in a positive light that captures their true personalities. Casteel created a Web site, Second Chance Photos, that is dedicated to this quest. The Web site explains
When a dog or cat arrives at an animal shelter, it often is scared, dirty and disoriented. As part of the intake process, the animal has their photo taken, and this untimely photo is the face that people see when looking to potentially adopt a pet. An inaccurate headshot can hurt its chances of adoption, but an uplifting, hopeful portrait can save its life.
Check out this before & after:
AMAZING, right? Which dog would you be more likely to adopt? Wait–it's the same dog!
The Second Chance Photos Web site aims to educate shelter photographers, offering technical guidance and even a free pdf of shelter pet photography tips. Another goal of the organization is to increase awareness about rescue and adoption. Second Chance Photos also orchestrates fundraisers so shelters can purchase better photography equipment. Casteel and Second Chance Photos also conduct workshops for shelters.
The work they do is amazing, and something that often gets overlooked. But, oh, what a difference it makes! Connect with Second Chance Photos on Twitter and Facebook.