Fermez le Berger Blanc

It is with a heavy heart that I decided to write this article. It was a difficult decision because I wanted this blog to be a Montreal cultural informational hub, for fun and beautiful articles, but after much thought, I needed to have a voice for those who do not. I love my blog and I still love Montreal, however, Montreal is not always fair. In fact, far from it this time. First and foremost, I am an animal lover. I believe we have a duty to treat all living beings with respect, dignity and love. Recently, Berger Blanc has been in the spotlight. Berger Blanc is supposed to be a city pound, that holds animals for a certain period of time in case their owners go looking for them there. After the grace period, the animals are to be put down by certified veterinarians by lethal injection. They have a certain criteria in which they are supposed to follow. They didn't... In fact they went so far away from the original plan that Montrealers that were just animal lovers and pet parents became outraged activists today. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, as we need to stand by those who cannot and are not given a chance to have a voice. Radio Canada aired a very disturbing under cover story about Berger Blanc this Thursday. It is in French but you will be able to understand it by the filming. Please be warned that this video is EXTREMELY graphic.http://www.tou.tv/enquete/S04E24

I watched the whole thing. It left me shocked, outraged and gasping for air. A place like this only exists (so I thought) in nightmares, not in real life and please... not in MY Montreal?!! Unfortunately, the proof is there. Staring us in the face amongst other articles.
http://www.montrealmirror.com/wp/2011/03/24/cover-pet-heaven’s-waiting-room/

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/canada/story/2011/04/20/montreal-animal-pound-euthanasia.html

The mayor's response was weak, cold and absolutely unacceptable.http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/April2011/21/c6261.html

To write to the mayor, please follow this link:http://www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=5977,42999685&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

How are we able to sleep at night knowing that this is going on? We protested and were the top story tonight on CTV.http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110423/mtl_berger_110423/20110423/?hub=MontrealHome#commentSection
It's a start, but it's not enough...

The Montreal Gazette's article:http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Montreal+pressured+over+Berger+Blanc/4661535/story.html
After the protest, the mayor (Gerard Tremblay) still stood his ground and said:
"...we are keeping an eye on the Berger Blanc. We will have more inspectors carrying out regular inspections and spot checks."
WHAT??? Is that all you have for us? Well, not good enough! We want the abuse and suffering to be over. We want you to shut it down or step down.

What can we do?

• We can have a voice for those who don't.


• We can persist and insist until something is done.


• We can write, blog and voice our opinions.


• We can spread the word about what is going on.


• We can be animal activists.


• We can "show up" at protests, on petitions, publicly and keep on going until things change.


• We can continue until things get done!

Here is a very thorough outline of the ongoing fight with Berger Blanc. This is a really great dog site as well. http://www.montrealdogblog.com/7097/fight-berger-blanc-montreal/

What the SPCA is doing:http://www.spcamontreal.com/media1.php?lg=en&id=83

Sign the petitions to close Berger Blanc:

http://www.petitions24.net/petition_berger_blanc

https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5031

Sign this petition to bring Berger Blanc to court and hold them accountable for all that they have done:http://www.petitions24.net/berger_blanc_-_devant_les_tribunaux

There is another protest in front of Montreal's City Hall

on 13th May, 2011.

Please show up to show your support... afterall, it could be your dog or your neighbour's cat that finds itself lost and at the hands of Berger Blanc.

HANNA - Review

The awaited "Hanna" opens in theatres this Friday.

This film opens with the breathtaking scenery of the alps, Bad Tolz, where the uncharted wilderness reveals Hanna (newcomer Saoirse Ronan) running through wintry woods. Hanna is a natural beauty in the forest and is armed with a bow and arrow. Not more than 16 years old, she runs like a deer, hunts like a tiger and is apparently accustomed to the winter climate and survival of the fittest. There, she kills a deer. First with her bow and arrow, then with a pistol. Soon after, she is silently approached by her father, Erik (played by Eric Bana) and there, you really see her talents shine as a fighter. And so sets the foundation of the movie... You soon learn that Hanna and Erik have been living in the wilderness since Hanna was a child. She has been intensely home schooled and preparing for the day she departs into the "real" world.

The "real world" includes the diabolical and ruthless intelligence operative Marissa Weigler played by Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett who has been looking for Erik and Hanna for years. The movie "Hanna" takes you on a thriller of a ride through the mountains of Finland, Germany, then through the desserts of Morocco and the bustling marketplaces. The scenery sequences are a feast for the eyes, the music is more than outstanding (The Chemical Brothers) and really adds to the suspense of the movie. The film starts off with such thrilling promise that somehow doesn't hold through. It just wasn't as engaging throughout as I hoped it would be and lost momentum in the middle. This movie is still worth a "look see" for the scenery and the music.

Opens in theatres this Friday.