IDA e-news: 4/05/06

IDA ACTION ALERTS
1. Portland Fur Protests Making Waves
2. IDA's World Week For Animals In Laboratories
3. IDA PSAs Educate and Inform
NEWS & CAMPAIGN UPDATES
1. IDA's Guardian of the Month for April
2. On the Road with Vegan Bodybuilder Kenneth Williams
3. IDA's eBay Auction for the Animals


IDA ACTION ALERTS

1. Portland Fur Protests Making Waves
Media Coverage Aims Spotlight on Animal Cruelty

IDA's anti-fur campaign exploded in the Portland, Oregon media this week with a flood of coverage over the protests taking place at Schumacher Fur Co. While store owners Greg and Linda Schumacher claim they are being victimized by protesters, the media attention is making people aware that the real victims are the animals who are confined and anally electrocuted on fur ranches or who are crushed in steel-jaw traps in the wild. In an e-mail to Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard, Portland Police Bureau Central Precinct Commander Dave Benson questioned the Schumachers' cry of victim, writing that from what he has witnessed at the protests, the demonstrators have consistently acted within their First Amendment rights, and "that they are generally very nice people that have very strong views about selling fur."

In a subsequent e-mail to the Schumachers, Commissioner Leonard pointed out that their reaction to the protests has only escalated the intensity of the situation. For example, the Schumachers posted a sign in their store window stating that "All protesters should be Beaten, Strangled, Skinned Alive, Anally Electrocuted and Clubbed," and another with a picture of a specific protester on it that read "Poster Boy For Birth Control." Since the weekly protests began, barely a customer walks into the Schumachers' store on Saturdays, which used to be their busiest business day. In an attempt to lure customers in, the Schumachers display a banner in their window advertising a 50% off "protest sale" during demonstrations (only proving that the demonstrations are costing them business). The Schumachers have also taunted, threatened, spit on, and even assaulted protesters, yet they persistently "cry wolf" by begging police to arrest the protesters even though they are obeying the law.

Despite the fact that the Schumachers have continually ignored police and city recommendations to stop antagonizing protesters, Commissioner Leonard came under fire for suggesting the Schumachers move their store out of the downtown area to defuse the conflict. This may happen whether the Schumachers like it or not. Their landlord sent them a certified letter from an attorney on March 29th threatening to evict them because the signs posted in their store window violated the terms of their lease. Nevertheless, the "50% off protest sale" sign remained on display the following Saturday. Even Portland Mayor Tom Potter has gotten in on the action, recommending that the Schumachers and the protesters seek mediation so that everyone's interests can be addressed. In response, protest organizer and spokesperson Matt Rossell, IDA's Northwest Coordinator, has prepared a proposal to end the protests that he hopes to present to the Schumachers.

The Schumachers pled their case to the Portland City Council on Wednesday, April 5th, with Linda Schumacher doing most of the talking. However, Commissioner Leonard made it clear that he thought they were not being completely honest about their role in the conflict, especially considering the provocative signs they have displayed in their window, and reiterated that his main concern was preventing any violent incidents. Since the furrier grabbed up all five speaking slots for the pro-fur position before IDA even knew they would address the meeting, protesters will have to wait to have their say until the meeting on Wednesday, April 26th. In lieu of the chance to speak to the City Council directly, IDA submitted a letter to Council members, as well as a DVD containing our fur PSA and footage from Matt Rossell's undercover investigation of an Illinois fur ranch to make sure that the animals' voice will be heard. The media came out in force, with television, radio and newspaper reporters covering the event and interviewing Matt after the meeting, following which a protest was held outside of Schumacher's that lasted well into the afternoon.

Even leading up to the City Council meeting, the controversy had reached a fever pitch in the Portland media. Last week, Matt Rossell spoke on AM talk radio's Air America with Tom Hartman and was interviewed for a Channel 8 KGW TV news story, giving him a chance to turn the focus away from Schumachers' bizarre behavior and back to the undeniable fact that animals are tortured for fur. Newspaper headlines kept the fur issue at the forefront all week long, with two stories appearing last week alone in The Portland Tribune and three in The Oregonian. You can read some of the stories by clicking on the links below:

Police caught in middle as protesters and furrier scrap -http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1143518144253210.xml?oregonian?lcfp&coll=7

Retailers bristle at suggestion to move - http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/114368913295760.xml?oregonian?lcfp&coll=7

Fur flies at weekly protests -
http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=34552

Landlord jumps into fur fight: Sign showdown hints at eviction for owners of protested shop -
http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=34677

What You Can Do:

- Shop compassionately. Choose fur-free fashions, and be wary of inexpensive, unlabeled fur trim. It could be real fur, since law does not require items under $150 to be labeled.

- Educate others. E-mail antifur [at] idausa.org to request free materials from IDA, including stickers, cards brochures to share with friends and family or to hand out to shoppers in busy areas.

- Write or call any stores that carry fur or fur-trimmed products to express your concern for the animals. Visit http://www.furkills.org for sample letters and a list of stores that sell fur.


2. IDA's World Week For Animals In Laboratories
Start Planning Your WWAIL Event Now for April 23rd - 30th

Every year, researchers kill tens of millions of primates, dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents and other species in the search for cures to human diseases. Still more animals are used to test the safety of cosmetics, household cleansers and other consumer products. In whatever ways these animals are exploited, their lives are sacrificed for the supposed betterment of human society. The irony is that over-reliance on animal experimentation has historically hindered scientific advancement and endangered human safety because results from research done on animals is typically irrelevant to humans. In fact, scientists could save more human lives by using humane non-animal research and testing methods that are more accurate and efficient.

If you want to help animals used in research, please take part in IDA's World Week for Animals In Laboratories (WWAIL), an annual weeklong series of events against animal experimentation taking place from April 23rd to 30th. IDA has acted as the international coordinator for WWAIL since 1986, encouraging people of conscience to speak for those who have no voice. If you would like to organize an event in your community, IDA would be happy to assist you. Visit http://www.wwail.org for more information, to register your event and to receive free materials.


3. IDA PSAs Educate and Inform
PSAs on DVD for Activists, Parents and Teachers

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then video images are worth even more. In today's fast-paced, visually-centered culture, television and now personal computers are the dominant medium from which people get their news and learn about what's happening in the world. Recognizing the power of video to win hearts and open minds, IDA puts animal issues front and center with our series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) on topics ranging from veganism to vivisection. These short, 30-second spots are very effective at exposing new viewers to animal rights concepts while reminding everyone that animals need our help and protection.

For example, a viewer recently wrote to IDA after seeing IDA's "Adopt and Save A Life" PSA on a digital cable TV station that she was "just about brought to tears" by what she saw. "The ad was right on the money," she wrote. "The only crime of these unwanted animals is not being loved." This viewer is just one of thousands who have seen IDA's PSAs on CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Animal Planet, MTV and other stations across the nation. For every one person who sends us a thank you note, many others have been affected as well.

IDA's PSAs also make a great outreach and teaching tool for anyone who wants to spread a message of compassion for animals. To make it easy for people to show our PSA just about anywhere, we have compiled them all into one convenient DVD package. If you are an activist, grab people's attention by playing our PSA DVD on a laptop when you table on the street or at festivals. They're short and self-contained, so people get the message fast, even when they're just passing by. Teachers, show IDA's PSAs as part of humane education classes - they are sure to spur lively discussions about how animals are treated in our society and what students can do to help them. Parents can use IDA's PSAs to teach their children animal-friendly values and that all living creatures have feelings. If you want to get someone to start thinking about animal issues, IDA's PSAs are a good place to start.

What You Can Do:

- Order your copy of IDA's PSA compilation on DVD (or, if you are a member of the media, a broadcast-quality Beta copy) by contacting gabe [at] idausa.org or calling (415) 388-9641 today. You can also view IDA's PSAs below. Please note that the quality of these clips is not indicative of that of the original. The audio and video is greatly diminished by the limitations of the Internet.

- IDA's World Week For Animals In Laboratories (WWAIL) will take place from April 23rd - 30th, and we are airing our PSA about animal research featuring primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall on TV stations across the country before and during this week of action against vivisection. Please click https://secure.ga0.org/02/JGPSA to donate to IDA's WWAIL 2006 Commercial Campaign. A full 100% of your contribution will be used to buy air time on TV stations nationwide. Your tax-deductible gift of any amount goes a long way in this cost-effective campaign.

- Help us spread these messages by sponsoring the airing of these critically important educational TV ads! Airing one spot costs roughly $50 and reaches hundreds of thousands of viewers. All contributions are tax deductible. Contributions can be made payable and sent to: In Defense of Animals, 131 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (note "PSA" in the Memo section of the check). Or, by credit card, click on http://idausa.org/donate.html and designate "PSAs" in the "in honor of" first name field in the donations area.


NEWS & CAMPAIGN UPDATES

1. IDA's Guardian of the Month for April
Pet Planet's Catherine Moran Raises Guardian Awareness

When Catherine Moran, Executive Administrator of Pet Planet ( http://www.petplanet.ca ), discovered IDA's Guardian Campaign, she was excited about the parallels between Guardianship and the company's mission. At the time, she was writing a brochure to help employees educate customers about the responsibilities involved in acquiring a new animal companion and to explain why Pet Planet doesn't sell animals. "When I read about IDA's Guardian Campaign," she says, "I realized that Guardianship encompassed everything we do as a company, from choosing not to sell animals to proper nutrition, training and daycare. I approached Pet Planet's owners with the idea of promoting the campaign in Alberta, and they wholeheartedly supported it."

Pet Planet is a one-of-a-kind business dedicated to promoting the physical and mental health of animal companions. Founded in Canada in 1996, Pet Planet has eleven retail supply stores, nine grooming salons, a full-service kennel resort for dogs, a canine training academy and a doggie daycare center. Their focus is on educating the public about caring for animals and helping to reduce the number of animals in shelters. Consistent with the principles of the Guardian Campaign, they strongly encourage people to adopt from humane organizations and rescue groups.

Moran started out at Pet Planet as a groomer, but now manages all of their marketing -from advertising to educational materials - and spearheads the company's community involvement programs, which include donations to non-profit organizations and in-store adoption events. In her role as Pet Planet's Executive Administrator, she is working hard to get Alberta, a Canadian province of 3.2 million people, to officially incorporate Guardian language into its by-laws. While her colleague Lisa Devlin focuses on technical aspects like penning the petition and strategizing the best way to convince City Council members to support the change, Moran's job is to get Alberta's citizens on board by demonstrating how Guardianship improves both animals' and peoples' lives. To do this, she has designed and placed ads in area newspapers and magazines reminding people that animals are not mere objects to be owned, but living beings who require care and love. She hopes the ads will create a groundswell of public support for the Guardian Campaign so that legislators will approve the official language change when the time comes.

In addition, Moran has created other unique Guardian Campaign materials, including attractive green wristbands imprinted with the words "Embrace Guardianship" that allow people to display their support for animal-friendly values. She also designed wallet-sized Guardian Emergency Cards to alert emergency personnel in the event of accident that the individual has animal companions at home that require attention. One side of the card indicates contact information for caretakers, while the Guardian promise is printed on the other as a daily reminder to do right by our animal friends. Pet Planet gives these items out in their stores, as well as at trade shows and neighborhood dog parks. Moran also writes and edits Pet Planet's quarterly newsletter, The Guardian, which was named after and inspired by IDA's Guardian Campaign. Building on the concept of Guardianship, the newsletter is chock full of information on meeting the physical, mental and emotional needs of animal companions and everyday actions that can help prevent animal suffering in our society.

In addition to working at Pet Planet, Moran volunteers as the Administrator for the Kali's Wish Cancer Foundation ( http://www.kaliswish.com ), a non-profit fundraising organization dedicated to eliminating cancer in animal companions. Moran's Golden Retriever, Casey, was best friends with Kali, the dog for whom the Foundation is named. Moran lost Casey to bone cancer two years after Kali died, and hopes that the Foundation's work can help save animals from this devastating disease in the future. Today, Moran spends lots of time with her "purebred barn cat" Dusty and two dogs, Cody and Rocky (a Boston Terrier mix who she helped rescue in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina and adopted on her birthday).

Being involved in IDA's Guardian Campaign has also convinced Moran to make some important life changes. "Veganism is something I have embraced along with the Guardian Campaign, and while I have thought about it for many years, I never actually committed to living it until I became involved with Guardianship," she says. "The Guardian Campaign challenges all of us to change not just how we act towards our animal companions, but more importantly how we think about them. Similarly, it has made me reconsider how I think about other animals as well, including those raised for food. I decided that making the change gradually was best for me personally. Inspired by the (Farm Animal Reform Movement's) 'Meatout Mondays' newsletter, I have added a meat-free day each month, and look forward to kicking meat, dairy and eggs entirely by June 1st, 2006."

IDA is gratified to Catherine Moran for everything she does for animals and for promoting Guardianship in her community. We feel confident that with Moran and everyone else at Pet Planet behind the campaign, the citizens of Alberta, Canada will officially be called Guardians in no time.

What You Can Do:

- Help your community become the next Guardian City, and you could be a future Guardian of the Month. Visit http://www.guardiancampaign.com to learn more about how you can get involved.

- If you know someone who is an outstanding animal guardian, nominate them for IDA's Guardian of the Month by writing to guardiannomination [at] idausa.org and telling us about their efforts to help animals.

- Get a free Guardian bracelet and Guardian Emergency Card from IDA by clicking http://www.idausa.org/pp_bracelet_frame.html .


2. On the Road with Vegan Bodybuilder Kenneth Williams
IDA's Vegan Campaign Spokesperson Inspires California Students

Bodybuilder Kenneth Williams, IDA's Vegan Campaign Spokesperson, has been taking his message of compassion for animals on the road to excited audiences around the country. Most recently, Kenneth spoke to students at Newport Harbor High School in Irvine, California about the benefits of being vegan. So many young people showed up for his talk that additional chairs had to be brought in from other classrooms to accommodate everyone.

Newport Harbor High English teacher Karen Coyne arranged for Kenneth to speak in her capacity as Advisor for the school's Compassion in Action Club. As a vegan for 15 years, Mrs. Coyne was glad to present Kenneth, a healthy vegan athlete, as a role model for young people. In a thank you letter to IDA following the event, she wrote, "The students immediately warmed up to Kenneth because of his casual style and ability to communicate with these young people. As soon as Kenneth asked for questions, several hands flew in the air, and the questions and answers flowed for the entire lunch period." Kenneth's wife, Evelyn, who is studying nutrition, was also there, and helped to answer the students' questions about what to eat. Kenneth brought along plenty of vegan literature, posters and "Go Vegan and No Body Gets Hurt" t-shirts to go around.

Mrs. Coyne also wrote in her letter that "Kenneth's dedication to his cause did not stop after his visit to my classroom. The day after hearing Kenneth speak, a student approached me nearly in tears, saying that she decided to become vegan, but her mother would not allow her daughter to follow that diet and refused to buy vegan food. The student didn't know what to do, fearing she would starve. I called Kenneth to see if he had some advice for the student, and he told me that he would drive down to Orange County (over 500 miles from his residence) and take this student and her mother out to dinner so the mom can see how healthy and delicious plant-based food can be." Mrs. Coyne concluded her letter by strongly recommending Kenneth as a speaker for any school.

What You Can Do:

If you would like to have Kenneth speak to your class, group or club about veganism, e-mail him at kenneth [at] idausa.org to make arrangements. Kenneth has many more speaking engagements coming up, so you can also catch him when he comes to your area.
- Salt Lake Community College, April 20th
- VegFest in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 22nd
- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., April 27th
- Newport Harbor High School, May 10th
- Bay-to-Breakers Race, Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco, May 20th
- Animal Acres Animal Sanctuary Gala in Los Angeles, September 9th

Kenneth will also compete in the "Road to Natural Olympia 2006" bodybuilding competition in Perth, Australia on September 16th.

Also catch Kenneth on Go Vegan Radio with Bob Linden. Visit http://www.goveganradio.com for a schedule and to listen online.

Watch Kenneth host Undercover TV, IDA's animal rights television program. Visit http://www.undercovertv.org for channels, dates and times.

3. IDA's eBay Auction for the Animals
Bid on Over 200 Items throughout Beginning on April 7th

Support IDA's mission to defend the rights, welfare and habitats of animals during IDA's Auction for the Animals on eBay. The auction gives you the opportunity to help IDA help animals while having fun bidding on a wide selection of over 200 elegant, exciting and unique items valued at more than $55,000 that have been donated to IDA for this very special online fundraising event. Auction items include fantastic travel and accommodation packages, special celebrity memorabilia, and tickets for great entertainment and sporting events.

Beginning on April 7th, you can view the auction items on http://www.ebay.com/ida . Once you find an item that you like, click on the link to view its description, the current bid price, and how much time is left until the bidding ends. Place your bid and keep an eye on it to make sure that, by the time the bidding ends, it's yours. The auction will run in four waves, one wave per week, with new items being added April 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th.

We are still accepting donated items to sell during the auction, so if you have an item that you would like to contribute, please contact Nicole Otoupalik at (800) 338-4451. All donations are tax deductible. If you already sell on eBay, now is a great time to designate 10-100% of your own auction proceeds to IDA by registering at http://www.missionfish.org , the partner of eBay Giving Works.


Advertise in IDA's Guardians Magazine

IDA's magazine has a new look and a new name - Guardians Magazine - and it will be coming out soon. Our full-color magazine will keep you up to date on all of our latest campaigns to help animals, from our sanctuaries in Cameroon, Africa and Mississippi to our fight against the Korean dog and cat meat trade and beyond, so you can see what we are accomplishing with your support.

The readers of Guardians Magazine are people who care about animals, so if you own an animal-related business or non-profit, placing an ad in our pages is a great way to reach potential customers and supporters. We offer very reasonable advertising rates, and have an average circulation of 65,000 - 75,000 copies per issue. For more information, contact Jill Cooney at jill [at] idausa.org or (415) 388-9641, ext. 211.

To subscribe to IDA's Guardians Magazine, click http://idausa.org/donate.html and type "magazine" in the "in honor of" first name field in the donations area. You can also subscribe using your MasterCard or Visa by calling (415) 388-9641.


The Cat Therapist

Twice a month, Carole Wilbourn, the Cat Therapist, answers questions and offers advice on how guardians can enrich their relationships with their beloved feline companions. In this edition, Carole announces the winners of her wildly popular "Men and Their Cats" contest. Click http://www.idausa.org/cat_therapist/men_cats.html to read the latest Cats on the Couch column and see who the lucky winners are. Also visit Carole's Cat Store ( http://www.thecattherapist.com/cat_store.htm ) to purchase a copy of her classic book, "Cat Talk: What Your Cat is Trying to Tell You".


Can Dogs and Cats Be Vegan, Too?
by Jan Allegretti
Adapted from The Complete Holistic Dog Book: Home Health Care for Our Canine Companions by Jan Allegretti and Katy Sommers

When compassion for all living beings is a core value in your life, it can be disturbing to feel your commitment to a vegan lifestyle is compromised by your desire to feed canine and feline family members the best possible diet. You may have eliminated animal products from your own diet, sworn off buying leather shoes, and never ever buy cosmetics that are not cruelty free - but the meat you buy for your dogs and cats is the one relic of the so-called "livestock" industry that still shows up in your home.

As more and more people adopt a vegan diet for themselves, they also consider eliminating animal products from their dogs' and cats' diets. But is this really a healthy option? Didn't they evolve as predatory carnivores, existing on the raw flesh of their prey? Yes - and no. It's true that their ancestors were wild hunters whose diets consisted primarily of the animals they killed. But the animals we share our homes with today are genetically far removed from their wild counterparts. Think about it - does a dachshund appear to have the identical genetic profile of a wolf? Does the kitten curled up on the pillow of your bed really look like she's ready to take down an ibex? Of course not. Due to centuries of selective breeding and adaptation, the dog and cat who sleep at your side are substantially different from their ancestors. What's more, the meat we feed them is substantially different from the wild game consumed by their predecessors. The cows and chickens of today are also the result of extensive selective breeding, and their flesh carries the residue of hormones, antibiotics, and the pesticides applied to the grain they eat - hardly the same as a freshly killed jackrabbit.

Let's consider the canine diet. The fact is, even a wolf or a coyote is not a true carnivore. He's actually more of an omnivore, or an animal that consumes both animal and vegetable foods. A wild canine nibbles on grasses and other vegetation, as well as the stomach contents of his vegan prey. All things considered, it's reasonable to assume that our dogs can rely on non-animal sources for a healthy diet.

The same is true for our cats. Their predecessors, too, eat grasses and vegan stomach contents. Some supplementation is essential if meat is eliminated from a cat's diet (see below), but there's no question they draw nutrition from vegetable sources just like the rest of us.

The truth is, many dogs and cats actually blossom when switched to a meatless regimen, with glossier coats, fresher breath and cleaner teeth, more energy at play, and a more peaceful disposition overall. Removing animal products from the diet may even help overcome some health problems, including allergies, behavioral disorders such as aggression, hypersensitivity or anxiety, and even seizures. In some cases, eliminating meat from the diet will help an overweight animal trim down while still enjoying ample, satisfying meals. Consider, too, the benefits of eliminating the possibility your companion might be exposed to toxic residues in the flesh of farm animals that are not raised organically. And of course, you'll feel much more at peace knowing your household really is cruelty free.

To make the switch to meatless fare for your animal family members, simply choose vegetable sources for the protein component of their meals. Vegetable proteins are not digested as completely as those derived from meat or dairy, so the proportions may need to be a little higher. Feeding a variety of ingredients is particularly important, to be sure your dog and cat get the balance of amino acids and other nutrients they need. Here are a few additional guidelines you may find helpful:

- The high-protein vegan foods you eat yourself will replace the meat your dog and cat used to eat. Tofu, tempeh, lentils, beans, and split peas are among your options.
- When using beans as your protein source, soak them overnight, rinse well, then cook them until they're soft, and purée the bigger, firmer varieties like garbanzos. Adding a small potato to the cooking pot will help reduce "gassiness."
- Supplement with either a vitamin B12 tablet weekly, a daily multivitamin, or B12-rich spirulina on a regular basis. Cats must receive the amino acid taurine as a supplement, as a deficiency can cause blindness. The company called Harbingers of a New Age, at http://www.vegepet.com , offers supplements designed specifically for vegan dogs and cats.
- Don't forget to include fruits as well as vegetables in the diet, to provide a broad range of nutrients - and, of course, because they taste so good!
- Since your cat may be a little fussier than your dog, you may need to flavor her vegan meals with a bit of the meat-based food she's accustomed to. Just decrease the amount gradually till she doesn't even notice it's gone. Also try adding interesting flavors like nutritional yeast, spirulina, or a touch of tomato sauce. Cats also seem to love yellow and orange foods like melon, corn, sweet potatoes, and winter squash.
- Remember to follow the golden rule of nutrition: Variety, variety, variety. Give her lentils on Tuesday, black beans on the weekend, tofu on Sunday morning. If providing a varied diet is difficult for you, follow a balanced, recipe formulated by a qualified veterinarian. Customized diets are available from a veterinary nutritionist at most veterinary schools or from http://www.PetDiets.com and other veterinary nutrition resources.
- If you need to rely on a commercial dog and cat food, there are vegan varieties available. However the same concerns about processing, preservatives, chemical additives, quality of ingredients, and lack of variety apply just as they do for meat-based diets. Scrutinize package labels and manufacturers' websites for lists of ingredients and company policies on ingredient sources and quality, processing, and so forth. Companies that offer quality vegan foods include Nature's Recipe, Natural Life, PetGuard, Three Dog Bakery, Wow-Bow, and Evolution.

Once your dog and cat start their new diets, watch for changes - for better or worse - in health or behavior. A brittle coat, low energy, or weak muscles may be a sign she's not getting enough protein. If so, be sure the protein source is easily digestible and of good quality. Cook beans a little longer or purée them; increase the amount of protein, or try different sources such as tofu and lentils.

Chances are, though, you'll find that your friends' coats become softer and shinier, their energy increases, she's less afraid of those thunderstorms, his breath is fresh, and that nasty build-up on her teeth seems to be going away. If that's the case - celebrate and carry on!

Do you have a comment or a question? Is there a topic you'd like to see addressed in this column? If so, send a message to Jan at AskJan [at] idausa.org . It won't be possible to respond to all emails personally, but she will welcome and read every one.