Live Export

So If you don’t know there’s been some terrible cow slaughter in Indonesia brought to light recently particularly here in Australia because the seven or so places were receiving some Australian cattle. Leading to a six month live export ban to Indonesia. Now I want to bring to light some things apart from the animal cruelty because that has been covered thoroughly by many people so far, and although I in no way agree with it there are other things I think are also important.

Since being in the vet course I have joined the student run cow group ( and the ethics one and a few others) and I have had a chance to hear from and meet people in the business, go to sale yards and talk to other students about our live export industry. It’s not as easy as just saying we should shut it down. The people I have met have been amazing and all genuinely cared for these animals and where they were going to end up. We have laws and regulations and piles of paperwork that go into the shipping part. Programs have been set up in countries to help with both holding yards, feedlots, unloading and slaughter. I am by no means saying it is perfect and that we can stop all that goes on but there are certainly people trying.

Why not just send it all over done up and frozen you ask? Well we do send a lot already for supermarkets but there is still a demand for live animals. Halal slaughter is sometimes an issue, although we do have Hala abattoir’s here with representatives from the countries inspecting the work. Also people in these countries teaching acceptable stunning methods to avoid pain in Hala slaughter. Not all people can afford the more expensive packaged meat either or want animals for festivals. Such as Eid al-Adha or “Festival of Sacrifice” or “Greater Eid” an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to provide him with a ram to sacrifice instead. The meat is divided into three parts. The family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the other third is given to the poor & needy.

These countries that import animals do so because they can not successfully grow their own to meet demand. If countries such as Australia who are working to make the industry better do not supply them some one else will.
Now specifically to the cow issue and how the six month ban should not let you sleep easy because they are now saving the cows. There are now cow’s stuck in limbo with no where to go (who were going to Indonesia but not just the ones that would have ended up where the problem is, all of them.) These cows can’t weigh more than 350kg ( Although animals have to be a healthy weight to be shipped also) before sailing because they are being sent to feed lots over seas to be fed up for slaughter. This means that because they are sold the farmer can’t take them back but they are not large enough to go straight to and abattoir. We also don’t have enough abattoirs to deal with the numbers. So what do we do with them?

Once the six month ban is up it will be past mustering season and the wet season will kick in. this means that farmers miss out on a whole years pay. This will be devastating for a lot of families. Who will struggle to supply water and adequate food to their animals until next season.
You will find no argument from me about the countries economy because the animals are important and we can’t ignore the issue but at the same time I don’t think it has been handled well by the government.

If you want to discuss the topic further I will be happy to but I will ignore anyone who just wants to hate on me, and my views on the matter, in an inappropriate way.

Exams

So the semester is almost over!! which means i will finally get around to updating here. if you want to know more about my vet stuff I suggest my tumbler, you will find the link in a post bellow. I also tend to update there more often.

Exams start tomorrow and don't end till the 8th of next month so i still wont have time till then. So here is another cute puppy photo till then :)

:)

Like usual life is epically busy. It's been nice to have a bit of a break over easter. But with exams almost every week and assignments and more lectures on top i run out of time for much else. I have been debating getting an ipad. Just wondering if anyone has one and what you think of it?

Time

http://www.tumblr.com/tumblelog/mvl-jaz

so there isn't much of it lately, I have made a tumblr account as its easier to update. Although when I have time I'll post longer more detailed stuff here :)

Vet

So it's week six now and we finally have a break. It has been hectic but  so much fun. I have three subjects this semester:

Bio Chem- interesting but a little dry most of the time
Physiology- Hard work and a lot to remember
Anatomy- hands down my favorite and i think it will help my drawing

The best parts though are the animals, walking the schools greyhounds, dissections and we went out to the cattle yard the other morning.

I will try post some drawings when my scanners working again :)

You

I don't want you to tell me it's ok!

Just tell me it sucks and leave it at that.

I have to sort it out myself.

But maybe not just yet.

Let me be sad and grumpy.

I want a hug, from you and only you...

Who are you?

Coffee

I sat in the small corner of the coffee shop as always on a Friday afternoon, the blue booth like sea ton the wall under the bright green pear painting, at the small wooden table. The shop has it's usual customers in fine clothing with young children, the kind that don't work on a Friday and can afford to go out to lunch to get out of their big empty houses.

The front is all closed with clear plastic blinds and the heater is on keeping out the strange chilled wind that should not still blow this far into the start of summer.

The cold air rushed in occasionally as the door is opened and shut as people walk in and out in front of where I sat. The cold air creating currents in the hot air inside the shop. The Christmas snowflake decorations strung across the roof tinkle as the proceedings go on, and the vase of bear branches covered in blue and white decorations sways dangerously if the door is open too long.

The sky is grey clouds and the dull dark blue ocean churns in the distance only seen through the mayhem, It's roar not quite loud enough to be heard amongst the chatter.

The chilled wind blew in and he caught my eye as he stood holding the door open for a lady to leave before he entered the cafe. I was in just the right spot to watch everyone as they came and went. The boy with the sparkling ocean eyes and softly curling hair cut in the trend of the time with the short sides and longer on top. In his summer shorts and grey singlet. I was sure he was hear to meet one of the similarly well dressed girls. He talked on a cell and sat at the a table not to far in front of mine, out of the way with only seats for two.

His coffee came, carried by the brunette waitress, he didn't even look up as she sat it down with a pen and a black book already laid out on the table in front of him. He sat back and surveyed the shops occupants before, to my surprise, opening the black book to reveal pale yellow lined paper with amazing curved black hand writing. The black book open now held in his hands the pen adding to the elegant script. His eyes frequently surfacing to survey his surroundings. No one joined him he just sat and wrote.