Just last year, I had an encounter with a fur coat that left me both aghast and amazed. At Chicago’s Modern Vintage Fashion event, there was an entire booth dedicated to fur. Now — indulge me for a second. I’m from the islands. Furs are not a part of the wardrobe in such climates. So visiting colder climes and now living in Chicago, has been quite the eye-opener. Because downtown, honey there are some women strutting their stuff in fur. And I can’t deny my fascination with it.

Fur is so soft. It’s so glam. It’s so over-the-top and decadent. There’s a part of me that loves the look of fur, particularly in moderation (head-to-toe fur is crazy tacky, IMO). But an even bigger part of me can only see the cruelty, the blood, the senseless murder of it all.

Before I get into all of that, back to Modern Vintage Chicago.

This particular booth was dripping in fur. All colors, all kinds. Fox and mink and chinchilla and rabbit, as well as more exotic-looking varieties. I walked around touching all of it. And then I came face to face with a fox stole. Complete with a pointy little nose, heartbreaking eye sockets, and little paws with pads and claws that reminded me so much of Max, my cat’s. It made me shudder. I just had to get out of that booth ASAP.

After being spooked by the stole, I had to SMH at myself. Because I eat meat. And I’ve been ardently seeking a leather jacket, because everything I’ve seen that’s pleather in plus size looks really cheap and fake. And I have a thing for suede. I realize that I am a total hypocrite.

But as hypocritical as I may be, I will never wear fur. And I don’t quite understand the defensive stance Kelis recently took in her open letter to PETA. First she took to Twitter to brag about wearing her “Cruella De Ville.” Then she took to MySpace for a rant that is nonsensical, to say the least. Kelis defends her right to wear “rodents,” then proceeds to tell PETA to “…Find a worthwhile cause like the women being maimed in these Middle Eastern countries. Or female circumcision. Or women’s rights here in America, we still get paid less for doing the same jobs as men.”

Le sigh.

Kelis I love your music, but I can’t agree with your MySpace rant. There are already organizations that focus on women’s rights. PETA is dedicated to saving and improving the lives of animals. And animal rights is a very worthwhile cause. Without the hard work of animal rights groups around the world, many species that are currently endangered would most likely be extinct.

I am glad that organizations like PETA do as much as they do to raise awareness of the tremendous cruelty to animals that is done around the world. But I also think PETA does the cause a disservice. The group has become the most public face of animal rights, and their tactics are often ill-advised. As much as I’d never wear fur, I’d also never even consider throwing a bucket of paint on someone. That is no way to win hearts and minds, or convince anyone that wearing fur is bad. That’s a way to polarize people, and to make those who do wear fur angry at animal rights supporters, and even more adamant in their desire to wear clothing made of animal pelts.

There are far better ways to make a point.

Edited at 11:34 pm – I’d like to thank the bellas in the comments and on Twitter who have added reasons to question PETA’s approach to animal rights even more.

Click here to read about PETA’s sexism, racism, and hypocrisy in their ads and behavior.

I’d like the record to show that I’m not mad at anyone who’s got a fur coat. Many of the people I know who own furs, own antiques that have been passed through their families for eons. Even if you’re pro-fur, I say that’s your prerogrative. I am aware of my own apparent hypocrisies, I abhor hunting and would never wear fur, but still I eat meat and look good in leather. To me, the difference is this — I don’t want an animal — ANY animal — to be killed just for its fur. I tell myself leather is different — cows are already killed for their meat, and leather is taken from already dead cows. But it’s more or less the same thing — an animal’s flayed skin. In terms of eating meat — that’s probably never gonna stop, sorry. But I’m trying my best to be better, by participating in Meatless Monday. I made that resolution for health reasons, primarily. But it’s a baby step in what I believe is the right direction.

I am a fan of faux fur — we’ve really come a long way from the old days. A good faux feels just as soft and cuddly as a fur coat, to me. But just when I’m patting myself on the back for making a choice against cruelty, then I’ll read that fake fur isn’t always fake.

What’s an aspiring fashionista like myself to do?

I don’t know, y’all. What do you think? Are you a fur fanatic? Or are you pro-PETA? What are your views?

* photo from the Wall Street Journal

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Aww, memories. This photo was taken in May, just before we moved to Chicago. I blogged about that trip here. I’m standing in my friend Forrest’s backyard in North Carolina. And I’m holding Coquito, the Norwegian Forest Cat they adopted. Coquito was SO cute, so fluffy. Utterly adorable. Unafraid of people, even strangers — on the night we slept over, Coquito got into bed with me and wrapped his long, fluffy tail around my husband’s head! Coquito was an awesome kitty.

Today I found out that my dear friends Forrest and Lydia have lost Coquito to coyotes. I am so, so sad about it. RIP, Coquito. I hope there is a kitty heaven, and I hope you are in it. And I hope eventually my dear friends take another shelter cat into their home, because they are great pet owners, and any pet would be lucky to share a home with them. (Love you guys!)

I am sure my friends are currently wondering what they could have done to prevent this — and sadly the answer is, nothing. Forrest lives on an awesome acreage, and it would have been cruel to deprive Coquito of the natural setting he so obviously loved. This was a cat that was all about climbing trees and bounding through the wildflowers with that long, bushy tail bouncing behind him. And if he was anything like my Max, if he was confined to just be an indoor cat and there was all that beautiful green space just waiting outside, he’d have found a way to get out anyhow.

I know lots of people who don’t like cats, or cite reasons for not wanting to own a cat. And one of those reasons is, cats are own-way pets who want to go and come as they please and show affection at their whim. That’s indisputable. Cats do as they please. Max is my furry BFF, but just minutes ago he decided it’d be fun to claw the bejesus out of my hand. They have minds of their own. That’s the downside of owning a cat — if you want a well behaved pet you can control, you may not want a cat. But there are so many other ways in which cats rule. And it’s worth noting, even when Max is at his feistiest, I love him and I’d highly advocate cat ownership to anyone considering getting a pet. Here’s why.

1 — I can’t think of a more low maintenance pet. Cats are amazing that way. From the minute you get a kitten, all you need to do is put their litter box in a somewhat private corner, show them where it is, and they take care of the rest. Yes, you gotta clean up after them and that sucks but if you do it daily, there’s minimal odor in your home. Then besides that, all you gotta do is make sure they have food and water every day, and play with them when you feel like it. My cat would rather play by himself and chase a ball around the room sometimes, than wait for me to throw it. So independent!

2 — Cats choose their owners, so if you’re chosen, consider yourself lucky! I had been told years before, that someday a cat would set its sights on me. And there’s no doubt that Max chose us. When a cat chooses you, it means that you’ve got a new shadow. For most of the day, Max follows me quietly from room to room, making sure everything’s OK. But…

3 — Cats are independent. I’d grown up with dogs all my life, and dogs are wonderful, loving pets. When you come home from work, you know a dog will come running up to you with their tail wagging. A cat might be sleeping on your bed (or under the bed) and will emerge when they are good and ready. When a cat comes over to you, snuggles up on your lap and starts purring, it feels like an honor. They aren’t needy pets, and if you’re a busy person that can be kind of wonderful.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always be a dog lover, but I can’t think of a pet with more personality than a cat. If you want to bring a kitty into your life, now’s a great time. The Iams Home For the Holidays campaign continues until January 4. Click here to learn more about the initiative, and to adopt a dog or cat that needs your love. And if you can’t adopt a pet right now but would like to help shelter pets, click here to vote for your favorite shelter in Iams’ Feed Pets In Need program.

RIP, Coquito. This post is dedicated to you.

Are you a cat owner? Tell me about the kitties you’ve known and loved!

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Adopting a dog or cat can mean companionship, sure…but did you know that bringing a pet into your home can mean health benefits, too?

It’s true! According to the CDC, having a pet can decrease your blood pressure, and your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Pets can also increase your tendency to go out, make friends, and get exercise. (Of course, this is more true for dogs than cats. While some people have luck walking their cats on a leash, my Max would never allow a harness within 10 feet of him).

The benefits of owning a pet can go even further than this, especially if you have kids.

Just this morning I saw this amazing and inspiring video about the noticeable effect of a puppy on a little boy with Muscular Dystrophy.

Physical benefits aside, having a pet can make a difference in other ways. A dog can help to teach your kids more than just responsibility. A dog can help to teach your kids how to read. No, seriously!

From this CNN article:

“It sounds implausible. After all, dogs can’t read. How could they possibly help someone learn a skill that they themselves can’t grasp? But it’s a growing trend, and it seems to be working.

The philosophy is simple. Children who are just learning to read often feel judged or intimidated by classmates and adults. But reading to a dog isn’t so scary. It won’t judge, it won’t get impatient, it won’t laugh or correct if the child makes a mistake. In a nutshell, dogs are simply excellent listeners. And for shy kids or slow readers, that can make all the difference.”

When you’re considering what kind of pet to adopt, most people want a cute puppy or kitten. And young pets are awesome, no doubt. It doesn’t get much cuter! But older pets can be equally if not even more awesome.

Here’s why — you probably won’t have to deal with training issues, with an older pet. Click here to watch an amazing video by Petfinder highlighting the pluses of adopting an older pet.

This month’s Afrobella Animals are older and would make great additions to your life.

Rose is a 4 and a half year old Border Collie with gorgeous copper-chocolate colored fur and soulful eyes. She’s available in Huntley, IL – click here to get her details.

And Bill Clinton is an orange striped tabby cat in Miami. (Tee hee!) He’s available at Miami-Dade Animal Services.

Do you own an older pet? Or had an older pet who made a difference in your life? Tell me about him! I love hearing your stories!

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There’s something so awesome about coming home after a long day to a furry friend, who greets you with a delighted yelp or inquisitive meow, and is happiest when snuggled up with you on the couch.

These days, animal shelters are struggling. More and more of them are facing reduced donations. And because of the economy being in a period of slow recovery, many people are giving up their beloved pets in an effort to reduce their at-home costs. Because of that, many shelters are having to euthanize even more dogs and cats than ever before. Every year, of the 8 million dogs and cats that enter animal shelters, 3 million of these healthy and treatable pets are euthanized. In an effort to combat the difficulties faced by shelters across the country, The Humane Society, Maddie’s Fund, and the Ad Council has devised The Shelter Pet Project. Click here to visit!

The goal here is to increase shelter pet adoption, and to let everyone know that adorable pets are waiting for you to give them a loving home.

I fully support the Shelter Pet Project, and in order to help even more, I’m starting something new here on Afrobella. Bellas, fellas — I bring to you Afrobella ♥ Animals, where I’ll feature two shelter pets every month!

For my first month, I want to highlight an unfortunate trend in abandoned animals, one I’d LOVE to see reversed. It’s sometimes known as Black Dog Syndrome, Black Cat Syndrome, or Black Pet Syndrome. And what it means is, animals that are black in color have a harder time getting adopted than any other animal.

This article on NJ.com explains it well:

“The myth of the unlucky black cat is just a laughable superstition for most, but for animal adoption centers, it’s a real problem. Blacks cats are among the last cats adopted from shelters and rescues. They’re are more likely to be euthanized because of lack of adoption than non-black cats. They receive even more stereotyping around Halloween when images of the feline in frightening poses pop up in commercial and home decorations.”

Sad but true, ancient superstitions still hold true for people looking to adopt a pet. And consequently, black cats have the short end of the stick. But this extends to black dogs as well, and all of these critters are just as furry, loving, warm and sweet as any other cat or dog waiting for a forever home.

So for my first Afrobella ♥ Animals, allow me to introduce you to two cute and cuddly pets who could be your forever friends, if you live in their neck of the woods.

The Newfoundland puppy you see up above will be available at an adoption event TOMORROW, Saturday October 24, at Petco in Colorado from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Click here to learn more about him, and where you can scoop him up in your arms.

And Miss Kitty here is named Prudence, and she’s a 1 year old black kitty available at the Anti-Cruelty Society here in Chicago. Click here to see photos of Prudence!

Every month I’m gonna feature a doggie or kitty available for adoption, and I sincerely hope that someone steps up to give them the kind of loving home they deserve. For more pets near you, check out Petfinder, or The Shelter Pet Project!

Are you a pet owner? Tell me about the little fuzzball who makes your life complete!

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