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Atlanta Farm Sanctuary Walk, 2006

Originally uploaded by moria.

My very first FS walk was a great experience. Lots of people turned out from all over the Southeast, many with their dogs. It was hard to tell who was more excited, actually.

The rallying point was the parking lot of Sevananda, which (if you’re not familiar with it) is a completely kick-ass co-op that has an almost entirely vegan deli — and everything vegan is clearly labeled as such. Lurrrve Sevananda. Anyway, after the official t-shirts were distributed and donations collected, we started off on what was rather a longer walk than I’d expected: winding through the Highlands a couple of blocks past my flat, then back up into Little Five Points and down Euclid before winding up back at Sevananda. I’m not sure how far it was, exactly, but it did take close to an hour and a half.

Sadly, the “lightweight cow costume” mentioned in the organizer’s e-mail did not make an appearance. Alas; I was rather looking forward to that. I didn’t carry a sign, having brought Nigel along; I felt that I needed to concentrate on keeping him from wandering into traffic, even on a short leash, and didn’t want the distraction of carrying a sign. For anyone close enough, I figured my “Praise Seitan” t-shirt would make my stance clear.

I wish I’d gotten a photograph of some of the kids, who’d brought homemade signs. I think my favorite was a little girl’s “Peace to All Animals” sign, of which she seemed quite proud — and rightly so.

It was particularly nice that quite a few people honked their horns in support as we walked along. Okay, one guy yelled “Fuck you!” but that was honestly the only hostile incident I witnessed; we just smiled and waved back. The best bit, I think, was when this guy sitting in an outdoor cafe started yelling, “Yeah! Right on! I support you!” as we passed, perplexing the other patrons but making all the walkers grin like maniacs.

Nigel had a great time, bounding along and sniffing everything; he kept up beautifully. People kept asking how old he was, and were astonished that an 11-year-old dog has so much energy and stamina. (It’s partially his nature, and partially his thyroid meds, but I also think his veg diet helps. He loves it, and the vet says his bloodwork is the best it’s been in years.) On the other hand, though he kept up better than a lot of the younger dogs on the long walk, he was clearly in the “I’m sooo happy, but soooo tired” stage by the time we got back to the flat. He’s currently conked out on the futon, completely insensible to the world.

Thanks to everyone who donated, either to my fundraising attempts or to anyone else’s! Your contributions will make a real difference in the lives of animals who’ve already been through amazing ordeals. Yay us!