Thursday, December 1, 2011

Sweet Shirley


No, that's not a close-up of me. My eyelashes aren't that lush.
That is Shirley looking deep into the hearts and souls of anyone who believes that all beings deserve respect and care.

Shirley now lives at The Elephant Sanctuary, after decades of circus work where she was repeatedly injured by other animals or by performing the absurd tricks that entertain people with pea brains.

This is Kenneth Feld, CEO and Chairman of Feld Entertainment.


The wild, cruel animal is not
behind the bars of a cage.
He is in front of it.
~ Axel Munthe

FE is the parent company of Ringling Brothers Circus. Mr. Feld - aka dick, douche, scum, asshole - recently "gladly" paid a $270,000 fine for egregious violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Of course he's "gladly". He wasn't shut down. The animals weren't confiscated and he'll continue on his merry way of making millions in blood money.

The fine was the highest ever levied against one corporation. At least there's that.

In the spirit of the season I wish for Mr. Feld whatever nature thinks suitable. The image I carry is of a tragic elephant dung accident where a certain spec of trash becomes a needle in a dung heap.
 
I won't describe the violations, it's just too much. I can't even type the words. You can Google all the eyewitness accounts and employee statements and federal investigations.

I'm going to go back to Shirley. She's been reunited with an elephant she worked with. Jenny was a baby when they worked together 22 years ago. Shirley recognized Jenny right away and they have been looking out for one another ever since.




I meant what I said and I said what I meant – an elephant’s faithful, one hundred percent
~ Dr. Seuss


my dear friend Jay, at Bailey’s Buddy, also posted about this a few days ago. You can find a link to the live elephant cam at the sanctuary on his sidebar. Thanks Jay for always speaking up for the elephants.

17 comments:

Knight said...

Oh my God. I just saw video of the guys beating the elephants. Instant tears. WTF IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?

Sylvia K said...

People make me SICK!! This is so heartbreaking!!

Sylvia

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I'm afraid I cannot watch the cruelty---it is just too upsetting and painful.
I have known about Mr. Ringling Bros. D**K HEAD for some time now, and the horrific treatment of the Animals. I knew someone connected to the Circus many many years ago.....!
As you said, at least that fine was something....!
I LOVE your image of what should happen to him, by the way....DUNG ALL THE WAY....AND STEAMING HOT, TOO!!!

Shirley and her dear Pal...So Very Very Sweet!

jaycoles@gmail.com said...

Thanks for helping spread the word. As usual you have done a masterful job. One of the reasons I dropped out of the Shrine is because they continue to use elephants in their circus. A circus is no place for an elephant (or any other large animal) Thanks again. Hugs to Hope.

Ivanhoe said...

My favorite animal. Right after a dog, of course :)
Did you read/see Water for Elephants?

ellen abbott said...

Elephants are incredible beautiful animals. Amazing how they remember and recognize each other after so many years. Wish I could say the same about myself.

Ron said...

Thank you so much for sharing this post, Dianne!

And I am so glad to hear that Mr. dick, douche, scum, asshole was fined for $270,000. However, I cannot believe he wasn't shut down?!?!

To me, anyone who is cruel to animals is SOULLESS!

"The image I carry is of a tragic elephant dung accident where a certain spec of trash becomes a needle in a dung heap."

AMEN!

Thanks again for sharing your voice, dear lady!

X

DJan said...

Elephants are some of the most gentle, intelligent and sweet creatures on the face of the earth. Mankind, however.... I keep hearing the words on the Georgia Guidestones: "be not a cancer on the earth. Make room for nature, make room for nature."

Cherie said...

I haven't been able to even consider going to circuses or zoos for years. Which is a shame because I love animals, but it's all too awful, even the "good" ones. Glad Shirley's back with her friend. :)

Reb said...

I am glad to hear that Shirley is back with her friend and somewhere she will be allowed to be herself.

Hilary said...

I don't want to Google it.. I take your word that it's not good. Cruelty to animals is heartbreaking and unfathomable. I'm glad Shirley has been reunited with her friend. Hopefully she can live out the rest of her life happy and loved.

As for the fate of Feld, I'm thinking he should share the fate of Chuckles the Clown. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTi9cUyfXgY

LL Cool Joe said...

I just hate any Circus. The way they treat animals is barbaric to me. I'm not a fan of zoos either. I know the animals are treated well, but even so no animal should be caged up.

Marg said...

That is great of you to spread the word. I had heard some other talk a long time ago about Ringling Bros. mistreating the animals. I hope someone can do something about it. There needs to be laws passed if animals are going to be in a circus about their housing etc. Thanks for caring so much.

Grayquill said...

Your first line started me laughing. Then it got all serious. I hadn't heard about the big fine. They must have been very very bad.
I'm with LL Cool Joe...I'm not a fan of zoos either...Especially once they started charging admission - I haven't been in one in over 45 years. Are you scratching your head? or just swearing at me?

HermanTurnip said...

I remember seeing a show about two elephants that were separated after spending many years together. Fast forward ten years. They were reunited after one of them was rescued from a circus. It's difficult to put into words how happy the were to see each other once again. To this day they are inseparable.

To abuse intelligent animals such as elephants is beyond disgusting.

Anonymous said...

How awful! I never go to circuses with animals...

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Instant tears. So awful. I have read some of this, couldn't bring myself to look at the videos, I can imagine enough. Thank you.