Group items tagged

  August 2006 Myth: Vegans Aren't Funny It's a Bizarro World! The Satya Interview with Dan Piraro and Ashley Lou Smith   Dan Piraro and Ashley Lou Smith. Photo by Kevin Lysaght Weaving through the New York City streets on their vintage Vespa scooter, with colorful vegan and abolition themed tattoos on their bodies, Dan Piraro and Ashley Lou Smith bust all sorts of myths. Most importantly, beyond being articulate, attractive and humorous, Dan and Ashley show that being an animal activist can include style, creativity and intelligence. Dan Piraro is the mastermind behind the popular syndicated cartoon Bizarro, featured in newspapers across the country, as well as in Satya's pages. With jokes about fur, circuses, vivisection, fishing and farmed animals, Bizarro is bringing animal issues to the daily papers. In his newest book, Bizarro and Other Strange Manifestations of the Art of Dan Piraro (Abrams), an illustrated retrospective of Dan's work, you'll notice his art has gotten more political, with a greater focus on animal rights and the environment in recent years. This has earned him accolades and awards, including multiple plaques from the prestigious Genesis Awards. A major influence on Dan's work is his wife Ashley Lou Smith, previously a freelance activist for Farm Sanctuary, PETA, COK and HSUS. She currently teaches humane education classes to public school students in New York, and spends much of her time touring the country with Dan, as he gives presentations and stand-up comedy routines at various venues, or at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, where she and Dan are founding board members. Dan and Ashley's Brooklyn home serves as a way station for rescued animals they help along an underground railroad to new homes or farm animal sanctuaries. Catherine Clyne spent an evening with Dan Piraro and Ashley Lou Smith, talking about their vegan awakenings, love, cartoons, and what it's like being animal billboards. Today, at this mome

Ugghhh!! Summers are not just here but dreadfully taking a toll on all of us. We humans can at least choose to decide on our recreations to drive away our summer blues. But, what about your darling pet dogs? They too might be longing for some entertaining activities but can't express. I am sure you all must be deeply in love with your fur pals and already be doing anything and everything to keep them happy and healthy. But, just imagine those glaring eyes in your locality when you take your dog for a stroll. I am sure you must have come across such people because of whom you don't feel comfortable taking your dogs to public places. Also, if you do take your dog out, the poor thing must wear a leash. Can you imagine putting your pet in the community pool? Your pet might be clean and disciplined. But other people are not so considerate.