Welcome to SWIVL

Abandoned in the Desert

Big Boy (BB) and Blondie are two of the lucky ones. Both dogs were rescued by SWIVL in the desert close to Mexico. What took place in their lives before SWIVL found them is a mystery.   We do know that BB was just a pup – about 3 months old and that Blondie was in middle age – around 9 years old. We don't know why they were left alone. We don't even know if they had human companions.

We don't know because they cannot talk. And, that's probably a good thing. God made it that way so humans would not know their pain and suffering at the hands of a few bad people. Fortunately, God made most humans as compassionate, caring and respectful of all his creations.

Why People Abandon Dogs?

A growing number of dogs are abandoned in the desert and are condemned to a horrible death. One reason is the recession. Many families are finding it difficult to keep their companion animals – people are losing their homes, their jobs, and their life savings.

Unfortunately, many individuals believe that their dogs will be able to survive on their own – find food, find shelter, and maybe even find a new family.

Cruel and Unusual - Cruelty cases are tough to prosecute.  Continue reading.

SWIVL believes with support, information, and guidance, most individuals and families can develop a strategy or working plan to keep and maintain a safe and healthy environment for their companion animal.

Please contact SWIVL if you are not able to keep your dog. We can help!

The Sad Facts - Thousands of dogs are being stolen for bait each year by the dog fighting industry. According to law enforcement officials, dogs are being stolen and used as bait for fighting dogs. According to Mike Duffey of the Arizona Pima County Sheriff's Department there is a strong connection between dogs that are stolen and dog fighting.

Save our dogs!  All tax deductible contributions are sincerely appreciated.

A growing body of research, supported by law enforcement reports, suggests that there is a strong relationship between animal cruelty, child abuse, and domestic violence. Dog fighting, cock fighting, dog  racing, and bullfighting are closely linked to human violence and abuse. To end child abuse and domestic violence we must stop violence where it begins – the exploitation and abuse of animals.

                              

In a violent family everyone could be a victim.  Continue reading.

The animal abuser is driven by the need to control and dominate - first with animals, then children, then wives or girlfriends. Dog fighting, cock fighting, dog racing, and bullfighting provide the abuser with cover and legitimize their violence. To end violence will require a personal, social, and political commitment to end all forms of abuse and cruelty.

Currently, most political and social pundits distinguish between human and nonhuman animal violence. Humans are promoted as being superior to other forms of life and therefore, the abuse of animals is deemed unrelated and not connected to violence within the human community.

SWIVL believes this logic is significantly flawed as violent behaviors are based on an innate desire to dominate and oppress.

Contact SWIVL to get involved in stopping all forms of violence.

Appreciative Education

Appreciative Education (AE) is an alternative curriculum design for primary to high school students. The AE goal is simple:  to transform the classroom from a deficit-based to an asset-based teaching and learning environment.   AE can be applied to all aspects of the curriculum. The AE Design begins with Appreciative Education questions, where students interview each other to discover personal and relational assets around factors that drive a progressive culture and independent climate. Factors driving a progressive culture, including innovation, a future orientation, creativity, and enterprise act in combination with an independent climate of freedom and self-reliance to create a learning environment where students can work to achieve their full potential.  Continuing reading.

I smell the past. I see the present. I feel the future.

Special pats, tummy rubs, perfect treats, and friendly voices – all gone. No warm bed, or early morning surprises, or cover from the rain.

You looked around and there were no friendly faces staring back. First up, then to the left, then to the right, then up again – no one.

I moved a little bit and then stopped. I backed up. I move again and my neck hurt – hurt bad. I picked my legs up and moved to the side – stopped in my tracks. Something was wrong with me. I decided to sit still and think. I could not see my neck but I felt something – something tight. I got up to move – this time full speed – and oh boy, I fell back, fast on my head. I got up, tried again, and again, again, and again . . . running in a perfect circle . . . going as fast as I could . . . making no progress . . . what's wrong with me?

It was another rainy, early morning in Sacramento, California. The rain made everything feel clean and fresh. She was sitting next to a white fence, in front of a simple house on a common block at the beginning of an average day. She was frightened, confused, and most of all alone. Yesterday, this white and black – blue eye – brown eye puppy was with her family – safe and sound, with play on her mind, yet maturing quickly to appreciate the love she found each day.

I smell the past. I see the present. I feel the future. Am I lucky?

There was no water by her - just a little food. There was no note, no message, no witness to her past, no memory for those who might come by. She was left by a person with no name, who tied her to a fence - hands washed of her, no remorse, or guilt.

The little tiny dog moved her face to see the morning. She could see the house – no people. She could see the street – no dogs. She pulled as hard as she could to see but there was no more to see. She barked, softly and then with all her might; a loud bark for all to hear. She waited and made her sound once more.

Somewhere people were getting dressed, ready to go to work, to school, to the gym, to see a friend, to have their coffee, to ride a bus, to be caught in traffic . . . She did not know about the news, the economy, the laws, the courts, the police. She did not know what TV or radio was about. She was not familiar with the world around her – only her family and that was gone.

I smell the past. I see the present. I feel the future. Am I lucky?

Did anyone think about her? Did they know where she was? Were they on their way to find her? Would they take her home? Would they give her some water, some food, some treats, some love?

She did not know about time: hours, minutes, and seconds were all the same. But that was a good thing . . . because she was tied up for many hours.

**

Everything changed between the dark and the light. With the new light came the change. There was pulling and noise and crying. It was wet and cold when things changed. Up-side-down, boxed-in, no room to move. Everything changed.

A long time passed. The sun was warm and that was good. With the warmth, she felt worthy and noble again. She was hopeful, happy, and singing to herself. She closed her eyes and imagined so many good things.

I smell the past. I see the present. I feel the future. Please make me lucky.

We can only imagine about the person who left her: man or woman, old or young, sad or happy. Did the person think about her? Did the person still exist?

**

The tiny Merle was found around 6:00 am. She was tied to a white picket fence with a little food and no water. She was pick-up, dried off, and swept into our arms. That was four years ago.

Today she smells the past, and sees the present, and feels the future.

We named her Lucky.

Libertarianism or ViolenceFree: Creating a New Public Policy from the Ground Up

The Libertarian philosophy is based on a maximum amount of personal and social freedom within a political dimension of limited government and bureaucracy. The libertarian model encourages personal responsibility and self-reliance, where power and control rests with the individual and not the state. Libertarianism endorses economic freedom with no constraints and a marketplace that is unfettered by domestic and international barriers.

Individual liberty, for libertarians, is define in terms of self-ownership, which entails that each individual is entitled to exclusive control of his/her choices, actions, and body. Libertarians also believe that individuals do not have the authority to infringe on the rights of others and that government has limited power to regulate personal behaviors —    e.g., religious practices, occupations, and recreation.

SWIVL and ViolenceFree thinking agrees and differs with libertarian philosophy in a number of ways. Like libertarians, ViolenceFree views government rules and regulations as an infringement on our lives. However, ViolenceFree does not believe that government is always an intrusion. ViolenceFree is based on the view that public policy can be changed through individual investment. While Libertarianism rejects the role of government in the personal, social, and political lives of the individual, SWIVL believes that government can play an important role in creating an independent climate and enterprising culture through the development of public policy generated from the ground-up. While both Libertarianism and SWIVL view the individual as primary, SWIVL contends that government can play an instrumental role in creating a ViolenceFree personal and social progressive environment.

An outline of the differences between Libertarianism and ViolenceFree are listed below.

For the libertarian, the unit of analysis resides with the individual. According to libertarianism, when personal and property rights are fully protected, society improves. For SWIVL and ViolenceFree the unit of analysis is the relationship. Through relationships are we are able to understand the personal, social, and political needs of the individual. Struggles, hopes, and dreams have no perspective or purpose absent a relational context.

For the libertarian, personal and economic power advances society. Compassion has no role or place in the Libertarian model. For SWIVL and ViolenceFree individuals have a maximum amount of freedom to associate with other individuals -- to act independently or jointly for the purpose of creating symbiotic relationships based on talents and strengths. ViolenceFree asserts that personal capacity is increased when individuals cooperate and collaborate together. The value and self-worth of the individual is a function of their expanding relationships based on mutually shared respect, support, and trust with others.

For the libertarian, the overarching goal is to limit government control and bureaucracy. Libertarians believe that personal freedom and government combine to form a zero sum relationship. As a result, the Libertarian views personal freedom as functionally finite. For SWIVL and ViolenceFree, interpersonal relationships and the relationship between citizens and their government are based on assets and infinite resources. Within a ViolenceFree environment, the primary role of government is to create and maintain the requisite conditions for individuals to prosper and grow so that everyone has the occasion to live within a culture of success.

Join the SWIVL Conversation

SWIVL is a web site, blog, institute, forum, dialogue, conversation, learning community, think tank, and strategic center.  You are invited to participate in a conversation around thinking, planning, and acting to create a ViolenceFree environment.  In a ViolenceFree environment, the family is primary.  Regardless of the format or structure, SWIVL promotes the view that children require a compassionate, democratic family environment -- an environment based on mutually shared, respect, support, and trust.  In a ViolenceFree environment relationships are cultivated and enriched through the lives of others, including all sentient beings. 

SWIVL facilitates a variety of interventions from the ground-up to increase personal, social, and political capacity to create ViolenceFree: Individual self-organizing strategies, family growth and development, education and factors driving a culture of success, community values and beliefs to create an independent climate and progressive culture. 

Add a comment or click here to become a SWIVL author.

Losing a Companion Animal

It is always sad to lose a companion animal.  Companion animals are part of our family.  They keep us company, enrich our lives and love us unconditionally.  Sometimes after the death of a companion animal, people are hesitant to adopt a new friend because it is too soon, and they fear the former companion animal’s memory or love will be compromised.  

According to Dr. Gary Null, it is alright to mourn the loss of a companion animal, but more importantly when you lose a companion animal, ask yourself what lessons did you learn from your companion about friendship, love, relationships and life.  He says, each and every companion animal that touches our life, share a special bond with us forever.  

Our companion animals teach us many lessons, including patience, acceptance, consistency, and routine.  They remind us to have a song in our heart and to sing every morning  --  life can be short and each day is a gift and worthy of a song. 

When another companion animal reaches out to you, do not think of it as replacing your lost companion.  Think of it as an opportunity to open your heart to new experiences, the possibility to learn new lessons, and take the chance to share your life with another living being. 

It’s the beginning of a new and everlasting relationship.

Former QB Vick Should Dedicate his Life to Youth

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick should not be allowed to return to football.  Vick left a federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, on May 20^th, after serving 21 months of as 23-month sentence. Vick pleaded guilty in August 2007 to a federal charge of bankrolling a dog fighting operation in Virginia.

With his release, a debate will begin to determine Vick’s fate with the NFL.  While media pundits and advocacy groups on both sides of the issue will debate Vick’s future, the decision will ultimately have more to deal with economics than any socially redeeming quality.  If the former QB is reinstated to the NFL, society and our youth will lose a key opportunity to learn about consequences and personal responsibility.

When Vick decided to participate in the torture of animals, he forfeited his right to play in one of our most prestigious sports in the world.  It is a privilege to play football in the NFL – not a right.  Equally as important, the National Football Leagues has the responsibility to live up to the high standards it espouses – both on and off the football field. 

The individuals and organizations who believe Vick has truly changed and therefore is entitled to return to football, ignore the harsh reality of what is taking place in our inner cities.  Vick not only committed acts of cruelty, he acted irresponsibility and with no accountability to football fans – young and old.  Notwithstanding other sports figures who claim they are not role models, common sense dictates that our youth mimics the behaviors and practices of their sports heroes.

Vick should forget about playing football in the NFL and dedicate his life to Black youth by helping them find a pathway that leads to a culture of success.          

Vick should recognize that he has a major opportunity to change the lives of many children that might otherwise choose a life of violence and crime.  As a star athlete that chose the wrong path, Mr. Vick is in a unique position to tell our youth that bad choices and bad behaviors have consequences.  Most important, he can help our children choose a culture of success.

One point is certainly clear; if allowed to return to football Vick's past transgressions will be forgotten within a few short weeks.  The key learning for all Americans and particularly Black youth is that there are major consequences to a life of violence and crime. Michael Vick, as a past football star, can help teach this lesson.   If Vick has really changed for the good, he will dedicate the rest of his life to telling and selling the story that you cannot undo your past crimes - only learn from them.

ViolenceFree Humane Education Charter Schools

SWIVL works with parents, community members, teachers and administrators to organize and create ViolenceFree humane education charter schools.  Click here for a model humane education charter school.  Humane education fosters critical thinking, academic achievement, social success, self-worth and respect for humans, all species and the environment. Through dialogue, reflection and action, a humane education learning community creates an environment where students are able to optimize their strengths to be productive and resilient problem-solvers, socially conscious and compassionate citizens for the 21^st Century.

The humane education charter school is based on the belief that a compassionate learning community can enhance a child’s education and provide opportunities for social, emotional and academic growth.  Humane Education supports a life-loving and life-affirming ethic for all sentient beings, respect for the self-worth and dignity of all humans, recognition that multiculturalism and diversity are essential to a creative learning process, and an appreciation of the interdependent relationship between the human and natural community. Humane education promotes a society where citizens strive to be respectful, responsible and compassionate in their interactions with each other, nonhuman animals, and the natural community. 

Humane education is compatible with whole-brain research that describes learning as a self-organizing process that takes place within the individual and is contrary to traditional external, expert models of schooling.  Events are processed in the brain as a complex set of experiences where parts are embedded and integrated into larger wholes. Students are encouraged to perceive both separateness and interconnectedness while learning within a context specific environment. 

Humane Education Guiding Principles

1)     To create of a life-loving and life-affirming ethic. Humane education creates a learning environment based on kindness, compassion, respect, and consideration for all humans, all species and the environment.

2)     To search for interconnectedness. Humane education encourages a learning environment that emphasizes the value of relationships. 

3)     To develop critical thinking and evaluation. Humane education asks students to be accountable and responsible decision-makers. 

4)     To practice democratic principles and processes. Humane education creates a safe learning environment for students to speak about their own authentic feelings and experiences. 

Child Abuse in the Mexican Bullring

Child abuse is alive and well in the Mexican Bullring.  Twelve and thirteen year old bullfighters are the new craze in Mexico, reviving what most culturally progressives refer to as a death sport.  Because Mexican law has no age restrictions on who can enter a bullring, more and more children and young teens are facing extremely dangerous animals.  Making matters worse, very few Mexican leaders, the courts, and educators are speaking out against what most nations would categorize as child abuse (Bull fighting is only legal in Mexico, Spain, France, Portugal, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador).

 

Bullfights -- A National Shame: Young animal rights activists took to the streets in central Mexico City on Sunday, chanting "Corridas de toros -- vergüenza nacional (bullfights -- a national shame).'' They were protesting the hundreds of bullfights that take place here in Mexico.  Continue Reading

In a number of instances, the bull fighting tradition is past down from one generation to the next - fathers to sons.   As part of their social fabric, Mexicans view bullfighting as intimately part of their heritage.  Mexicans with a growing number of tourists, applaud as bulls are taunted, injured, tortured, and killed in the name of entertainment.  Bullfighting creates an environment that desensitizes people – especially children and young adults by creating the illusion that violence and violent behaviors are acceptable.   

Bullfighting and Culture

Relativistic thinking suggests that bullfighting is no different than any other sport.  Relativism creates an ethical framework that ignores the impact of bullfighting on children and the desensitizing influence it has on all individuals who witness the torture of animals.  Relativists claim that humans can understand and evaluate beliefs and behaviors only in terms of their historical and cultural context.  More specifically, relativists believe we cannot externally evaluate bullfighting and that it can only be understood within the Mexican culture.   

ViolenceFree thinking suggests that bullfighting, disguised as sport, creates a violent climate and regressive culture.  When children are allowed to participate or view bullfighting they are conditioned to violence and destructive behaviors.  Equally important, the oppressive nature of bullfighting creates an environment that encourages other forms of violence, including child abuse and domestic violence. Those individuals and groups that advocate for children and families should seriously consider the dangers provided to the Mexican people from bull fighting and other forms of animal cruelty.  At a time when gangs, drugs, and human trafficking are on the increase, the Mexican people may want to re-evaluate the factors that drive and restrain a violent society by ending bullfighting now.

Puppy Mills & Violence

Most Americans do not know much about puppy mills.  Even less know that puppy mills are machine-like breeding operations, where profits have priority over human decency and kindness. Given the growing population of dogs, the need for puppy mills serves no public interest.  Puppy mill dogs are typically sold to pet stores through a broker, or middleman. Unfortunately, most pet store owners, both large and small, seldom concern themselves with the condition of the dogs before they are obtained. 

SWIVL encourages consumers to ask their local pet store owner about the puppies that are for sale.  Determine if they were raised in humanitarian conditions?  Did they receive proper medial attention? What was their diet?  Contact SWIVL if you have evidence that your local pet store has puppy mill dogs. All correspondence will be kept confidential.

Puppy Mill Conditions:  Puppies are irresistible and that’s what keeps puppy mill breeders in business.  Disguised as legitimate businesses – puppy mills warehouse thousands of dogs with little or no hope of escaping the mill alive.  Puppy mill dogs live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, without adequate veterinary care, food, water or socialization. The dogs don’t receive exercise, basic grooming and are regularly kept in cages with wire flooring that injures their paws and legs.  

Puppy Mills are Big Business:  About 750 dogs were seized from a puppy mill in Avra Valley, AZ. The rescued dogs were mostly small-breed - Chihuahuas - and some were very ill, according to Jenny Rose, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. Three were found dead in filthy conditions on the property, and some of the living dogs were missing paws.  Some of the teacup Chihuahuas was offered for sale on the Internet for prices up to $2,400 each.  Continue Reading.

Oprah Winfrey has joined the effort to stop puppy mills.  Devoting an entire show, Oprah discussed in detail the who, what, when, where, and how of puppy mills. Oprah Winfrey  was told by one of her guests: It's always amazing to me when I go out to pick up a dog, they've had the dog eight or nine years and it doesn't have a name. It's never been out of the hutch. It doesn't know how to walk. I have to carry it to the car. It's heartbreaking.  Continue Reading

 

Meet Bonnie and Clyde:  Bonnie and Clyde, before being rescued, spent their entire life in a puppy mill. Both Yorkies, Bonnie is 8 years old, while Clyde is almost 4. Bonnie and Clyde spent all of their time in small, dark cat kennels. Here, they were forced to eat, drink, defecate, and urinate in the same place.  They had no exercise, toys, treats, and certainly no kindness.  They could not move or turn around.

Despite their horrific conditions, Bonnie and Clyde are beginning to live normal, everyday dog lives.  While Bonnie has lost many teeth, has a multitude of allergies, and has a very difficult time sleeping, she is remarkably gentle, kind, and loving.  Clyde remains very shy and exhibits behaviors that are most common to puppy mill dogs.  While less disturbing than some puppy mill behavior, Clyde continues to run in circles and remains skiddish around humans.   Puppy mill dogs, like all dogs, are resilient creatures primarily due to their capacity to love.  With special attention, understanding, patience, and most of all compassion most puppy mill dogs can live normal lives once they find humans that value and appreciate them.