Richard, I have a passionate love of whales. I know that the Japanese routinely slaughter them claiming that such slaughter is for "scientific purposes." I don't buy it, and most normal people don't, either. But rodents? Pests? Their pelts keep me warm, and they are ranch-raised and humanely dispatched. My mink coat came from Canada. Not the Far East. As nearly as I have been able to determine, minks, sable and ermine are NOT native to China, Japan, Korea or any other Asian country. You may wish to check your facts, dear. As to the rest of your post -- give it a rest. Wearing a fur coat does not a bad person make. I cannot speak for anyone else, but I do not wear "cheap" fur. Not to be disdainful or obnoxious about it, but I do not buy cheap fur. And I always carefully check the provenance. For your information -- removing the pelt from the animal does not its weather-repellent features change. Synthetic fur doesn't do the trick. A Hamlin isn't a Steinway. Same difference with respect to fur. Do I wear fur? Yes. Am I a "bad" person? No. I most assuredly am not.

First, let me offer my sincerest condolences on the death of your son. I'm aware of the circumstances from some of your previous talkbacks, and it really is an unspeakable tragedy that, unfortunately, has been repeated in Israel too many times with too many victims. But congratulations on your recovery. I hope you stay well. That's an amazing story about your dog. I've read and heard quite a bit about dogs (particularly golden retrievers it seems) that have the ability to smell certain cancers. It's a fascinating subject that appears to be getting quite a bit of attention now. But there's so much about animal behavior that we still don't understand. I have six cats (although I usually admit to only three to avoid the possibility that people I don't know will presume that I'm one of those "crazy cat ladies" because I most assuredly am not). But, in my case, it's because I happen to have a husband who apparently has me confused with Dr. Doolittle, and so he brings home animals for me to take care of. And it's not just cats. When we lived in the suburbs, I would come home from work and find a cardboard box with air holes, and I knew it was another foundling that I was going to have to care for until it could be released back into its natural habitat. But one of the cats seems to be uncannily attuned to people. If you cry, she'll come over and lick you, and if you're not feeling well, she'll lie in bed next to you. We tend to chalk it up to the fact that when she was brought to the shelter where we got her, she was with her litter of six kittens. Sometimes, we think it may be a case of misplaced maternal instincts, but who really knows for sure? I love the Dakota. It's probably the most iconic residential building in the city, and I have to say I'm very envious of anybody who lives there...and probably never more so than when I was living in the suburbs in a house with those insufferable 8-foot ceilings. I promise if I'm up your way, and I see a woman who fits your description, I'll come up and introduce myself. I don't think you'll be hard to miss. ;-)

AND ONE DUMB ANIMAL TO WEAR ONE. SHAME ON U !

is that count?

Are any of the animals, fox, sable, maartens or rabbit, kosher? Of course the particular Chassidic sects which wear them are just copying their overlords when they (Jews) ran their employers' estates in eastern Europe. Streimels are not a sign of holiness but rather a sign either of subjugation before Gentiles or else a false imitation of power and influence. Interestingly, the Jews who wear them are amongst the wealthiest of the Charedim and are often found involved in the diamond trade and other lucrative occupations. Humble the are not.

I have really appreciated the challenging discussion you have publicly taken part in. I, for my part, have been educated over a long period of my adult life by Plains Indians, i.e., Cree and Blackfoot. My understanding is that, ideally, we do make use of what the animal world (recognizing that we, too, are creatures on an equal footing, not above) has to offer us but that we accept these offerings with humility, grace and thankfulness. I think this is what is lacking as we become increasingly "civilized". I have always honoured the powerful verses of Robinson Jeffers, American poet from Carmel, California, who so fittingly exposed our inhumanity, our self-centeredness and our vanity. The word photographs he created did not make him popular amongst the reading public. But it's evident, most of us (including me) are out of touch with ourselves.

comfortable and easy to get, the fur is only good on a live animals backs. unless you want to look like pimps and whores.

Fifty vicious ranch-raised rodents died to make my coat? Really? I thought it was more. How many do you suppose died to make my jacket? And my hat?

I think I understand what you are saying. I agree with you. Whales would be the best example, I suppose, of common sense and respect prevailing over lesser competing views. I love whales, as evidently does most of the world, the Japanese and Norwegians being the sole scofflaws. Even the Russians no longer hunt them. I believe that the Inuit people that live in the farthest northern reaches are allowed to hunt one or two whales per year, but they utilize absolutely every bit of the whale, not just isolated parts. Tell us more about the plains tribes. Sounds very interesting. I am assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that you are referring to Canadian tribes (although there are Cree and Blackfoot in the United States, too). In the United States, virtually all full-blooded native Americans live on reservations. Is that the case in Canada, as well?

You would be more than welcome. Polly stays indoors during the cold season, but just look for the largest golden retriever you have ever seen (we cook for him; no dog food for my baby). The Dakota is lovely. The pilgrimages there can get annoying (John Lennon lived, and was murdered, here) but that's okay -- the security here rivals that of the President). A great many cats call Central Park their home -- and the people up and down Central Park West feed them. I don't think they are all strays -- some, if not most, may have simply gotten out of their homes and couldn't find their way back, because they are not at all feral and will approach people quite readily. Between the cat population and the raptor birds that have made their homes along Fifth Avenue and on top of the Museum of Natural History, the pigeon and rodent populations have suffered, though. Dogs are my passion, though. I have always wanted to get a pound puppy, but I know there is just no way I would come home with fewer than ten dogs, so, common sense prevails and we go to a breeder. I might get a rescue dog someday, though. My favorite breeds come for the working and sporting group. Dogs really are man's best friend -- whether in police work, as service dogs, as seeing eye dogs, as seizure alert dogs -- they are the perfect companions. I love looking at cats -- some are so beautiful -- but they are so independent and even aloof (although my sister has a cat that just loves to come and sit in your lap). I have to confess that Polly just isn't too fond of them, no matter how docile and sweet they are. Pets, generally, I find -- keep you whole and centered. And ask for nothing in return. There is a lot that human beings can learn from them.

I couldn't agree with you more. And not only do pets provide people with emotional benefits, but the physical benefits of having a pet have been well-documented, such as the decrease in blood pressure people often experience from petting a dog or cat...although I have to admit there are times when some of my cats have exactly the opposite effect on my blood pressure. But the difference between animals and people is that, unlike people, your pets don't aggravate you on purpose. And, of course, they're totally non-judgmental and give us unconditional love...or, at least, dogs do. Cats, on the other hand, aren't always quite so forgiving.

Fur is one of those things that is beautiful on the surface, however when get into some of the things that are done in order for it to be so, it becomes a problem. Who needs another problem? Also have to take a stand and rethink what is beautiful and what is not.

I worked in a tannery in Hartland Maine. The cow hide that comes in has fur on it. They put it in a container that loosens the hair and then they take off the remaining hair with a egg shaped stone that spins. Even human skin has hair or fur if you feel like calling it that. Under your fur definition.....Cattle and all leather would have to be excluded from use. They take the fur off of cattle hide and split the hide in a splitter.

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This discussion is about fur farms, particularly those in Asia, where animals are skinned alive, and about the humans that enjoy buying and wearing those furs.

while you enjoy wearing someone else's skin and fur, all I can say is that you're suffering from some kind of schizophrenia. You pour love, attention and lots of money on Fluffy because he's family, while you consider farm animals as objects to be tortured and harvested. Take a moment to think, people!

LOL Parrots aren't quite so forgiving, either. In fact, they tend to hold a grudge .... Buddy's a hospital visitor. My humble way of saying thanks. All those sick children who probably won't see their next birthday ... I wish I could do more ...

I'm sure it must be tremendously gratifying knowing your dog is bringing some pleasure into the lives of those sick children. I would have loved to be able to use one of my cats as therapy animals. But the one that's the most sociable, and absolutely loves people, isn't necessarily the most adept at following instructions.

Not the most adept at following instructions? Hell, that's half the fun, isn't it? Try. Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital, 1275 York Avenue, 212-639-2000. They do wonderful work there for desperately ill people, and they are most forgiving about even the naughtiest of our four-legged friends.

Thank you for that information. I'm familiar with Sloan-Kettering, but I hadn't realized they were so accomodating to even the not so well-behaved pets. Maybe that would be the place to see whether Morgan can make it as a therapy cat.

decorating a superstitious persons hat and collar like they donned in the 7th century is chic and backwards immoral and pathetic.

Both have fur and are skinned for humans to wear. They just polish off the fur on deer, cows ,and other animals. The bigger question is why you delve into little animals hides, while you ignore the leather purse and shoes you wear every day of the week. I kind of find it annoying that the poor little mink has more rights than say a cow or deer who are basically accepted as fair game by the anti fur movement. It is rather hypocritical to complain when you don't include all the species. And all the liberals out their better jump on the anti abortion bandwagon too. You are busy killing 1.2 million babies in American clinics every year, through suctioning of live babies extremities, from their bodies....while you constantly whine about a weasel or minks death. You care more about the fur industry than your own babies survival. It's a joke. It's an all or nothing agenda for survival of humans or animals. You shirk your responsibilities, for the right to commit the other abuses. Once you kill your baby for no reason.....what's the difference on whether you took parts and made leather or not? Your infant is still dead. At least you had enough respect for the animal to use the skin for something useful. Of what use was the childs death....other than the convenience of not taking care of it? Spread out your agenda....it reaks of one sidedness.

Why did you bring up the subject of abortion? First of all, your whole TB sounds quite unfocused and desperate. Second of all, you show a rather flawed and biased line of thinking: assuming that those who want to stop animal abuse are necessarily pro-abortion (I'm not pro-abortion, never had one, but that's beside the point.) And third, you don't address the issue being discussed in here: that it is highly unethical to consume products that are obtained through the process of animal torture. But I commend you for being anti-abortion and for noticing that there is no difference between the suffering inflicted on a cow and a mink. I agree that they are both objectionable. The way animals are treated in slaughterhouses in America would make many people think before buying their next hamburger or roasted chicken. Not all of them, unfortunately. The videos about animal cruelty in farms and slaughterhouses have been around for years. People know about it. They just don't care.