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Divine Caroline is a lifestyle site for women, by women. It is fueled by stories, information, and the personal experiences of experts and everyday people.

We will be posting our articles there as well as continuing to post on PETA Living, but on our Divine Caroline page, you will also be able to check out our product reviews and other helpful ways to share animal-friendly tips and information.
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Do you want to advocate for animals but aren’t sure how to begin? Have you ever wished that you had a step-by-step, issue-by-issue, easy-to-follow animal rights guide that would make PETA proud? Whether you are a seasoned activist or someone who is just getting started, you should check out PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk’s new book: The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights: Simple Acts of Kindness to Help Animals in Trouble.

In this book, you will learn all about how PETA began, how to eat healthfully and compassionately, and how to switch to cruelty-free cosmetics and clothing, and you’ll find many more suggestions for living an animal-friendly lifestyle.

This book invites you to become the best advocate for animals that you can possibly be. This is animal rights the PETA way.

Enter to win a copy of The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights! Just leave a short comment below telling us what you do to help animals. Five winners will be chosen at random. The contest ends on July 21, and we’ll contact the winners by July 27. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you’re agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!

Elisabeth: “Go with me on difficult journeys.
Everything is easier for me if you are there.
Remember, I love you.”

People all over the country have been touched by the incredible story of Brittney, a 9-year-old bulldog in Michigan who recently saved her 39-year-old guardian’s life by barking to wake him up and alert him to a fire in the house. The poignant twist to this story is that just days after the fire, Brittney’s guardian, Scott Seymore, decided to have her euthanized. Brittney had been recently diagnosed with advanced cancer, and her health was rapidly deteriorating.

Brittney is being hailed as a hero for saving Scott’s life, and she certainly is one. But there is another hero in this story: Scott. He made the painful (for him) but compassionate (to her) decision to set his beloved companion free from her pain. According to a news article, after the fire, Scott “said he realized the only way left to demonstrate his love and appreciation for [Brittney]—dying with an advanced blood-borne cancer—was to end her suffering.”

I’ve had to make this same, heart-wrenching decision twice—first, with my beloved childhood dog, Katie, and recently, with the coolest cat in the world, Molly. It’s never easy. But I’m comforted in knowing that, when their time came, I didn’t let my loyal companions suffer, and their passing from this world was painless and peaceful. The last thing each of them heard were the words “I love you” whispered in their ears.

It’s no fun to think about the inevitable, but Scott and Brittney’s story is a touching reminder that our animals count on us to do what’s best for them, even when that means making difficult decisions. I encourage you to plan ahead and make a promise to your animals that you will never prolong their suffering just because it’s hard and scary to say “Goodbye.”

When animals are very old, ill, or suffering with little hope of recovery and they can no longer enjoy life, the kindest thing that we can do is set them free from suffering through euthanasia. According to a recent USA Today article, many animal guardians are opting to have a veterinarian euthanize their companion animals at home, where they are most comfortable, rather than at a veterinarian’s office. This can be an added solace to both you and your animal during a difficult time. To learn more about the euthanasia process, check out PETA’s euthanasia factsheet and article on the loss of an animal companion.

None of us knows what tomorrow will bring, so my advice is this: Plan ahead now for the inevitable. Cherish every slobbery doggie kiss and contented kitty purr. Love your animals like crazy, and don’t have any regrets.

maximumpc / cc

During these bumpy financial times, we are all looking to save a little green, and really, who couldn’t use a little help making dollars go further? To help keep you on your budget, we’ve put together a list of special offers for cruelty-free shopping.

After all, when we are able to pinch a few pennies here and there, we are often more able to put our extra resources into helping animals.

Check out these special offers from stores such as Target, Best Bath Store, Sears, Delia’s, and many more! In addition to these great offers, sign up for the PETA Living E-News. We’ll send information about contests for free goods and updates on the latest deals straight to your in-box.

Check out these special offers:

Beauty and Personal Care

20% off Cruelty-Free Contact Lens Solution From Clear Conscience
Use the coupon code below and get 20% off your purchase of cruelty-free contact lens solution from Clear Conscience.
Coupon Code: PETA ROCKS
Offer Expires: July 31, 2009

Save 15% OFF Your Entire Purchase at Best Bath Store
Treat yourself to cruelty-free bath and body care from Best Bath Store and take 15% off your entire order.
Coupon Code: PETA1508
Offer Expires: June 23, 2009

Get 10% off All Orders With Max Green Alchemy
Shop now with the 2008 PETA Proggy Award winner for Best Cruelty-Free Personal-Care Products!
Coupon Code: PETA8
Offer Expires: June 30, 2009

10% off Natracare Items From A Different Daisy
Coupon Code: natracare3
Offer Expires: June 30, 2009

Discount on Kiss My Face Toothpaste From A Different Daisy
Use this coupon code and get a tube (regularly priced at $5.39) for $4.50
Coupon Code: toothpaste3
Offer Expires: June 30, 2009

Free Lip Balm From My Lip Stuff
Buy any 12 tubes of My Lip Stuff lip balm and get one free!
Coupon Code: PETAfree (enter code and flavor choice in the comments section)
Offer Expires: December 31, 2009

Receive 15% off Your Entire First Order at Makeup Junky Cosmetics
Take 15% off your first order of cruelty-free mineral make-up from Makeup Junky.
Coupon Code: PETA07

Clothing and Accessories

15% OFF Your Order at Alternative Outfitters
Take 15% off your entire order from cruelty-free fashion retailer Alternative Outfitters. That includes sale and clearance items as well!
Coupon Code: 15peta
Offer Expires: June 30, 2009
*You may only use one coupon code per order. Your order subtotal (not including shipping or tax) must be $25 or more to qualify.

Free Shipping From eBags
Order using this link to receive a discount. eBags offers a wide selection of cruelty-free bags. Not all products are cruelty-free, so check the materials before you buy.
Benefit to PETA: 9% donated to PETA
Offer Expires: None

Free Shipping From dELiA’s
Order using this link to receive a discount.
Customers who shop at dELiA’s and spend more than $75 on orders will receive free shipping.
Valid Through: March 2012

Home Items

Get 15% OFF When You Spend $125 on Select Furniture at Target.com
Order using this link to receive a discount.
Benefit to PETA: 7 % donated to PETA
Offer Expires: June 20, 2009

Get $5 OFF When You Spend $50 or More at Sears.com
Sears.com now carries a large variety of cruelty-free cleaning products, like Seventh Generation and method. Get $5 off when you spend $50 or more.
Coupon Code: SWELCOME05008
Benefit to PETA: 2% donated to PETA
Offer Expires: None

Take $3 off Your First Order From BuyKind.com!
Order to-the-door delivery from renowned, award-winning vegan restaurants.
Coupon Code: PETA07

Save 10% on Good Home Company Cleaning Products
Take 10% off of your home-cleaning product order. The discount does not apply to shipping.
Coupon Code: PETA06 (enter in the comments section).

10% Off Your Order From Universol Aromas
Take 10% off your order with this cruelty-free manufacturing company, which makes candles that are 100% soy.
Coupon Code: PETA08
Offer Expires: December 31, 2009

Companion Animal Food

PetFoodDirect—Save 10% OFF Your Entire Order
PetFoodDirect offers a lot of cruelty-free suppliers, including PetGuard, Evangers, Halo, and Natural Balance!
Coupon Code: PERFOOD
Benefit to PETA: 8% donated to PETA
Offer Expires: June 30, 2009

Get 5% Off Your First Order With Only Natural Pet Store
Save 5% on your first order with holistic companion animal supply company Natural Pet.
Coupon Code: PTBIZ42 (enter code and flavor choice in the comments section)
Offer Expires: December 31, 2009

What do you get when you cross fresh produce with personal-care products? Yes To Carrots‘ delicious line of cruelty- and paraben-free face-, body-, hair-, and lip-care items! Promising to “make you feel and look as radiant as humanly possible,” Yes To Carrots doesn’t disappoint. Chock-full of organic fruits and veggies, vitamins, oils, and Dead Sea minerals, Yes To Carrots’ collection of carrot-, tomato-, and cucumber-based gels, lotions, shampoos, lip balms, and face creams are the cream of the crop, and we are giving five lucky winners a goody bag of Yes To Carrots products!

Got dry skin? Stick with the carrots. If your skin is oily, try the family of tomato-based creams. And if your skin is on the sensitive side, calm it with cucumbers. Perfect for locking in the color in color-treated locks, Yes To Cucumbers Daily Makeover Shampoo is a fave of PETA staffers. In fact, we loved it so much that peta2 gave it the Libby Award for Best Cruelty-Free Hair Product!

Yes To Carrots is available everywhere from Walgreen’s to Target and lots of stores in between, so say “Yes” to Carrots today!

Enter to Win a Goody Bag of Yes To Carrots Products! Fill out the form below by June 30 for a chance to win one of five gift bags filled with Day Cream, Night Cream, Eye Contour Cream, Hand and Nail Spa, and Hair and Scalp Mud Mask. We’ll let you know if you are a winner by July 9. Good luck!

This contest has now ended

Vegetarian Salisbury Steak in Mushroom Gravy
from VeggieBrothers.com

We’ve all been there: the end of a long workday, the night you walk in the door after a long road trip, or just those nights in general where you want to flop on the couch and watch a movie without spending a lot of time or money on dinner. Sure, you could order out, but why not just grab something quick and delicious from your freezer that could be ready in minutes? No, I am not talking about a typical instant microwave meal. I am talking about a mouthwatering creation from VeggieBrothers.com.

VeggieBrothers.com is the first and only online vegan restaurant featuring vegetarian versions of America’s favorite classic dishes and more. It offers more than 40 menu items of entrees, soups, appetizers, and sides in three different sizes, and they’re all 100 percent vegan.

With delicious creations like Tofu Scalloppini, Seitan Ribs, and Soy Chicken Cacciatore, all conveniently shipped frozen to your door, you will wonder how you ever survived without it. These products can be easily microwaved or defrosted and reheated using conventional stove-top methods.

These days, with more and more people staying in to help stay on budget, these quality meals are a luxury that you can afford. You can get restaurant-quality food right at home. So what are you waiting for? Go stock your freezer with some tasty meals from VeggieBrothers.com!

The temperature is getting warmer outside, and for many folks, that means it’s time for fun weekend getaways, which include camping and nights spent sitting around a fire roasting marshmallows and making smores. Fortunately for vegans, the compassionate folks over at Sweet and Sara have created some superb vegan marshmallows that will stand up to your campfire and hot cocoa and are even good when veganizing your favorite rice-crispy-treat recipe without the nasty gelatin found in most marshmallows.

Now is your chance to win. VegCooking Blog and PETA Living fans can enter to win a fabulous gift basket of vegan marshmallows!

Sweet and Sara founder Sara Sohn has been vegan for 17 years. A few years back, she decided it had been way too long since she’d had one of her favorite childhood snacks: the rice crispy treat. With no culinary background but a lot of determination (and vegan sweets on the mind), Sara began her quest to create a vegan marshmallow, “the Holy Grail of animal-free sweet treats,” and she did it!

With Sweet and Sara’s marshmallows, the possibilities are endless. Mix them into vegan brownies for a rocky road effect. Dip them in chocolate fondue. Add them to holiday yams. Sweeten coffee or tea, or simply enjoy them as they are!

Enter to win a fabulous Sweet and Sara gift basket containing vanilla marshmallows, toasted coconut marshmallows, original smores, peanut butter smores, and bark. Just leave a short comment below telling us about the delicious vegan creation you will accent with your marshmallows if you win. One winner will be chosen at random.

The contest ends on June 30, and we’ll contact the winners by July 3. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you’re agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!

This contest has now ended.

Enter to win!

Today is the final day to enter PETA’s Victoria’s Secret PINK Body contest for a chance to win a gift bag of 100 percent vegan body-care products.

This week’s winner has yet to be chosen, so enter now and you could be a winner of a fabulous gift bag from Victoria’s Secret, containing PINK Body Energizing Body Wash, Nourishing Body Lotion, Anti-Bac Hand Sanitizer, Lip Butter, and Everything Refresher Spray. What are you waiting for?

Enter the contest now!

Order 250 Things You Can Do
to Make Your Cat Adore You

The following was originally posted on PETA Prime by Ingrid Newkirk.

You can tell a lot about a person from their body language. Well, the same applies to our four-legged friends. Here are some tips from my book 250 Things You Can Do to Make Your Cat Adore You to help you better understand the messages your cat is sending you.

Kittens who were weaned too early, or who just plain miss their mothers or the pleasant sensation of nursing, kneed at the air with their feet as if still pumping milk out of their mama’s chest. If they chose you to do that to, what a high compliment indeed.

Cats in cages at the animal shelter flatten their ears back in fear or as a warning, call out plaintively, and frantically push their paws through the bars. Some bat at people passing by, appealing to them in the same way any prisoner might. In less desperate surroundings-your kitchen, for instance-cats may paw at you to let you know it is past suppertime and your watch has stopped. It is rude to ignore being batted, so even if the cause of the swat is not immediately apparent, try to figure it out.

Your cat sends messages by stretching and yawning. Of course, tense cats don’t do either. Chances are, your cat feels wonderfully contented if she throws back her head, bends her spine, extends her legs, and unwinds with a yawn. Let her enjoy the feeling without being moved, asked to play, or called to a meal.

Lions and tigers and the smallest of small cats also stretch to show off to others of their kind or to predators. Such stretches mean, “I’m so in control here, I can relax.” The show of teeth that accompanies yawning can mean, “See these? Pretty big, eh! So don’t try to take advantage.”

Grooming is carried out for practical reasons, of course, but also to cover embarrassment. When a cat does something that doesn’t quite work, like jumping up to catch a moth and missing, she will immediately sit down and start vigorously cleaning a limb.

It’s as if your cat is saying, “That klutsie-seeming thing you just was actually quite purposeful. I was about to catch that fly when I remembered some grooming that needed to be done and, look, here I am doing it now.” Even if kitty does something extraordinarily silly, never laugh! Laughter is indeed a universally understood language.

How do your little ones communicate with you? What have they been telling you?