The Problem With PETA

It was brought to my attention that Reese Witherspoon got married on March 26th in fact the link was sent to me directing me to Faded Youth Blog.  So I read the article and it announced the marriage of Reese Witherspoon to Jim Toth. It talked about that they got married in Ojai CA on March 26th and the individuals who participated in the ceremony.  The article covered some of the guests that were present such as Conan O'brien.  Then as a conclusion of the ceremony 80 doves were released,  which the article had a picture of some of the birds flying.  I'm thinking to myself this is great publicity in promoting dove releases.  But at the very end of the article it goes on to say that they asked PETA for their thoughts on Dove Releases, and this is what one of their representatives had to say.

"White doves are specifically bred for release and used by thoughtless event planners. Because doves are flock animals, they have very little chance of surviving on their own when they are released at events. Sending white doves into the air after having kept them confined for their entire lives is tantamount to abandoning a household companion animal in the woods 10 miles from home and should be as illegal. The initial release confuses doves, especially if it’s done at night (when many celebrations take place). Doves are diurnal, so being exposed at night already puts them at a disadvantage. In the confusion of the moment, the birds dissipate and flounder into the night. Come morning, these doves are on their own. Unless they are lucky enough to find a flock of pigeons or other doves to join up with, they won’t survive. However, even if they do find other birds to hang out with, the disoriented doves will remain an easy target for hawks and other predators"

This type of misinformation just sets my blood to boil.  I'm a firm believer that animals need to be treated with respect and their handling needs to provide them with the highest form of safety.  When one looks at the picture of the birds in the article it is easy to identify them as homing pigeons and not ring neck doves.  It is this misinformation that confuses individuals who want to do the right thing and yet want to enjoy these beautiful animals.  My hat is off to Reese for releasing the doves it looks like it was a beautiful event.  If you have any questions or comments email me at dovesforrelease@yahoo.com  check out my website at http://www.dovesforrelease.com/ 

Susie Moore; 109 Years Young, Oldest Memorial Service I've Done

Some funeral services are very hard for me to do.  The death of a child, gang related killing or even a suicide when someone just feels life is not worth living.  We are affected by those who loose their life to illness or unexpected accidents and we feel there was so much potential life left to live and it causes us a lot of grief and pain in their passing.  I have been told that even in these situations the releasing of white doves help them in this grieving process, and gives them a sense of peace.

Last Monday I was at a funeral and was asked who was the oldest individual that I had the opportunity of doing a dove release for?  The answer to that question is Susie Moore who lived to be 109 years old.  I got to be thinking how different the world was since her birth of 1901 and of the things that she had experienced.

I want to thank Xenia Ware  and the James H. Hunt Funeral Home for allowing me to be involved in the celebration of Susie Moore's life in the releasing of doves at her memorial service.  We released 4 doves at the Jersey Shore Convalescent Center located at 2050 sixth ave, Neptune city NJ.  I released three doves first, representing the Trinity and Xenia released the fourth dove representing the spirit of Susie.  Those who were there I believe experienced a tremendous sense of peace and comfort knowing Susie was at a better place.

I would like to end with this poem.

"Little Dove"

On the wings of this white dove

I'll set your spirit free.

Up into the big deep sky,

to heaven, where you'll be.

I know God has a plan for us,

he wants us by his side.

But it is hard for us to understand

when we are left behind.

Little dove, help lift our hearts

as we watch you go,

God is there if we just ask,

because He loves us so.

If you are looking for doves to release for a funeral or memorial service check out our website http://www.dovesforrelease.com/ or email us at dovesforrelease@yahoo.com.