Last November, I saw this video, showing a group of beagles, rescued from a lab, setting foot on grass for the first time in their lives. It was one of the most moving moments I have ever seen and I sobbed uncontrollably for about half an hour. I then began to research ARME and their Beagle Freedom Project. Beagles are an extremely docile and friendly breed, with a huge drive to please people which makes them the perfect candidate for being tested on in labs. The Beagle Freedom Project works to rescue these beagles from labs and find loving homes for them. I was so impressed with this organization, I began following them on Facebook (I also just love seeing pictures of beagles).
Last week, they posted on Facebook that they would be hosting a vegan bake sale to raise money for The BFP and holding an adoption event for a group of very young puppies they had recently rescued from a lab. Vegan baked goods and puppies? Heck yes! I knew immediately what my Sunday plans were. It didn't hurt that the event was being held at Locali Conscious Convenience, home of one of LA's best vegan Reubens (I can never decide which Reuben I like better- Flore's or Locali's). Vegan cupcakes, Reubens, and puppies- Oh my!
Sunday, Chris and I made the hour long drive across the city. About ten minutes before we got there, I started getting excited. Excited as a little kid, itching to go into a toy store. Puppies just do that to me. It may have also been the fact that we hadn't had breakfast yet in order to save our appetite for Locali. Once we parked the car, it took every ounce of will power I had in me to not take off running down the street to see the puppies.
Boy, were there puppies! And vegan baked goods galore! They told us that they had rescued all of these puppies at just 5 weeks old. They were all so tiny and so precious. Chris and I counted our pockets to see how many we could possibly walk away with (four). After oohing and aahing over the puppies and the baked goods (many of which were from Flore and Clara's Cakes), we headed in to Locali to get our Reubens on.
Locali is a small convenience store, filled with vegetarian and vegan food and drinks, as well as books and other items for the conscious shopper. They also have a menu which offers several sandwiches and salads, as well as their all-day Badass Breakfast Sandwiches. For their Reuben, Locali marinates their own tofu deli slices and then combines it with Daiya cheese, sauerkraut, vegan russian dressing, and then piles it high between two slices of marbled rye bread. Their Reuben is so addictively tasty, filling and satisfying in a "soul-soothing" sort of way. The Locali Reuben does my soul good.
After Reubens, it was time to give some puppies some love and stock up on vegan baked goods. We got some mini cupcakes, some cookies, some vegan dog treats, and a few other things. I talked to one young lady (I wish I had gotten her name- she was so lovely) who had adopted one of the baby beagles and was telling me how her four other dogs got along with the new addition. She really made me realize how adaptable dogs can be when introduced to a new canine addition to the family. She also made me realize how much I wanted to have five dogs like her.
By the time we left, Chris and I were elated to hear that the adoption process had begun for many of the puppies. The bake sale had also been a success. We are so thankful that there are organizations like The Beagle Freedom Project (and thankful for restaurants like Locali that allow them to hold vegan bake sales there), doing their best to fight for animal rights and helping less fortunate animals find the homes they deserve. Please support The Beagle Freedom Project by liking them on Facebook or Twitter, and help their cause by not buying from companies that test on animals and choosing cruelty-free alternatives. You can also help dogs like these by choosing to foster or adopt animals in need, rather than buying them.
Keepin' It Kind is participating in the Walk for Farm Animals to give hope to millions of abused and neglected farm animals! Please support me by making a Donation today. Together we can make the world a more compassionate place for animals! Learn more about Why I am Walking for Farm Animals and join our team!
All Photos taken by Chris Miller
© Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (content and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Lisa
Thank you so much for this post! I signed up at Beagle Freedom Project and will most definitely be adopting a critter. I currently live abroad but am hoping to adopt when I move back to L.A next year. Thanks again! : )
keepinitkind
I'm so happy that you're supporting the Beagle Freedom Project too! It is a fantastic organization, and I hope to be able to adopt one of their rescues in the future too! 🙂 When do you move back to LA?
Caitlin
i just love beagles. i think i saw the same video you are talking about, when they stepped on the grass for the first time. it's so heart wrenching. i'm so glad they were able to rescue these pups at only 5 weeks. it's insane to think that they HAD such young pups to begin with!
and that vegan rueben- OH MY indeed 😉
keepinitkind
I am so thankful for the work that the Beagle Freedom Project does. It breaks my heart that there is such a strong need for what they do, but it makes my heart so happy to know that they are there, rescuing these defenseless pups.
And yeah, man, that Reuben... 🙂
Cadry
The puppies are so cute! You could only fit four in your pockets? Next time you need to wear overalls for sure! Bigger pockets! It breaks my heart that the reason beagles are used in research is because they're so trusting, docile, and eager to please. 🙁
I seriously need to try that reuben from Locali. I've heard Quarrygirl rave about it in the past. I'm definitely missing out!
keepinitkind
We thought we could possibly do 6, but thought we might be in over our heads. And anything I've four would just draw too much attention. 😉
It is so disheartening that the beagle's best traits are what make them the perfect targets. I am so thankful for BFP and the work that they do.
You do need to try this Reuben, ASAP. We initially went because of quarrygirl's raves Even though their breakfast sandwiches are supposed to rock, I can't stop myself from ordering the Reuben every time we go. It's just soooo good!
Richa`
i cry buckets everytime a video of the release comes out. those eyes always get me.
People always find the docile animals to do stuff. cows, beagles.
that reuben looks so good and so cool to have a vegan bake sale and an adoption event! the fundraisers and adoption events of most of the rescue/humane soceity events have fillet mignon and the likes served 🙁
veganfling
wow, what an awesome event and what adorable puppies!! i totally would have come home with a car full of new friends. 🙂
keepinitkind
Man, if Samantha was up for canine roommates, she'd have 10 by now. 😉
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy
oh my gosh SO PRECIOUS!! those pups are seriously so adorable!!
keepinitkind
I know- they were killing me with their cuteness! 🙂
Heather
Thank you so much for sharing this Kristy - what a great organization, I can't wait to check them out on Facebook.
Our Levi Girl was was a black lab beagle mix and was the sweetest dog ever!
keepinitkind
Yes, please check them out! They are amazing! And your pup sounds amazingly cute! I am such a sucker for dogs!
Reia@TheCrueltyFreeReview
I remember reading about this too and it just broke my heart. Thank you for sharing your experience and spreading the word about this wonderful organization. Hopefully a day willl come when they aren't needed.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Reia- It's totally my pleasure to spread the word, and I share the same hope that someday they will not be needed.
Melissa
Thanks for coming out and snapping some pics. 🙂 It was good to see you guys.
keepinitkind
It was our pleasure, and it was so great meeting such passionate, kind-hearted people. 🙂
Patty
What a great story!!!! ...not only did you fill your tummy-- but you filled your heart with unconditional love. I've been following the BFP when they only had "likes" in the double digits. I'm amazed at watching those numbers increase on a daily level. Living on the East coast, we sometimes feel so helpless and wish there was more we could do. However, I feel my participation is to spread awareness. Unfortunately, a lot of people "turn the other cheek" -- it's easier to ignore reading stories about the true horrors of animal cruelty-- using the "what they don't know won't hurt them" mentality. Sad. I won't give up though. THanks for sharing your story and good luck with your new gorgeous family members!!!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Patty! Spreading awareness is the best thing we can do. I made the decision to remove cruelty and violence from life because somebody else was spreading awareness. Though many may look away, maybe one will start to think. 🙂
TaylorBeagle
As the owner of an older beagle that I adopted from a local shelter here in OH, I cannot say enough about the Beagle Freedom Project. Although I don't have the money to send them to help pay for their rescue efforts, I faithfully follow them on Facebook and Twitter and rejoice in reading stories of how well the beagles are doing.
Thanks to all involved in the BFP for your dedication to these adorable animals.
keepinitkind
THe BFP is amazing, and up until now, I had only followed them on Facebook as well, beaming at every photo of every rescued beagle in their new homes. They truly are a beautiful, kind-hearted group of people and I am so thankful for them. 🙂
Kelly
Have been following them for awhie now - have my own beagle rescue, Bailey, here in Canada. She came from the U.S. possibly a lab. Wish I could take more!
keepinitkind
Thank you for caring for Bailiey and giving her a good home! Stories like that just warm my heart to no end. 🙂
Andrea
I remember watching the video for the first time and sobbing. It breaks my heart to think of all the animals who suffer at the hands of humans. Thank heavens there are kind souls in the world who dedicate their lives to rescuing animals from abuse. And thank heavens, too, for all those who have chosen a kind life by not eating or using animal products, and who adopt companion animals from shelters and rescues.
keepinitkind
I completely agree- It is so hard for me to understand how some humans can purposefully cause pain to another living being and the level of disconnect from reality they must experience is incomprehensible. Thank goodness for people and organizations like the BFP who work to rescue these tortured animals and thank goodness for the businesses that choose to not harm animals, setting an example for the way things should be.
Lysa
what an amazing post. Beagles are my favorite dogs..your photos are so simple and beautiful. It really breaks my hearth to see how humans can treat animals like this...
keepinitkind
Thank you so much, Lysa. I know exactly how you feel- it is so hard to understand how humans can behave this way. Happy to know a fellow beagle lover! 🙂