Today is the Worldwide Candlelight Vigil in Remembrance of the Slain 100 Sled Dogs. Wear Red and Hug a Husky

Bandit is wearing red in memory of the 100 sled dogs.

Today is a day of remembrance for the 100 sled dogs that senselessly lost their lives. On this date, a peaceful worldwide Candlelight Walk will be taking place in 100 cities - one for each slain sled dog - across the globe in their memory.

Organized in Canada to honor those sled dogs on what is the anniversary date of their deaths, and to also bring awareness to animal cruelty in the hopes of joining the world together to bring forth change.

	While out and about, dog owners are encouraged to attach a red ribbon to their dogs' collars in support of the memory of the Whistler 100 sled dogs, and to also help raise awareness of animal cruelty.

The Red Ribbon Campaign for the Whistler 100 is an awareness movement, that, according to their Facebook page, "... supports change in animal cruelty laws  everywhere. Based in British Columbia, Canada, where the recent animal welfare movement spurred by the April 2010 slaughter of 100 sled dogs has influenced members of government to step forward and initiate changes to the province's outdated and inadequate animal cruelty laws. Hoping that British Columbia's action will set the standard for animal welfare in the rest of Canada and ultimately, the world. The recent events in British Columbia prove that yes, people, we CAN make a difference if we bark and howl loud enough."

During the vigil in North Vancouver, Canada, red carnations will be placed into the water in memory of the sled dogs. If you can not attend one of the vigils, please take a moment to light a candle in memory of these 100 dogs: 

The young artist of this portrait sent this to the Vigil cause as a donation, and she was inspired to create it saying that she "imagined the spirit of the dogs overlooking the mountains."

As we light our candles, let us all join together to end animal cruelty. Together, we must get the word out that help is always within reach, if asked. Awareness is the key, and we are the educators. We are a worldwide network and help is just a keystroke, Email, or text away. And finally, if you see an act of animal cruelty, report it. The animals have trust, but they don't have a voice, so we must be worthy of that trust and become their voice.

Rest in peace and and may your spirits keep running free over the Rainbow Bridge, sweet Huskies.

Finest Companions
by Curtis Surovy
Adventuring up blue ice mountains
panting dogs conquer the frozen slope
where frigid air like thorns in the lungs doubles you.
With whistle signal sled travelers halt,
dismount and approach the humble beasts,
bare fingers course through frozen fur's sharp edges.
Their prideful stature spent, these finest companions
now compliant with loose tongues flapping, bellies grounded
blow out exhaustion with every breath
until standing again the hounds bark readiness
to descend, tails wagging. 

Footnote: As I discovered from our furpals the Cybersibes, today is also Hug a Husky Day. While everyday is one here, what better time than today to give an extra hug to our furbabies, one for each of the 100 slain sled dogs. I'm sure they all will feel them up in Heaven, where they are running free beyond the Rainbow Bridge.