Another Happy Ending

Recently Joy and I attended a volunteer day at Ziggy's Refuge Farm Sanctuary in Providence, NC.  This was our second visit to the refuge -- our first to their new location -- and we were eager to see some of the animals who had been rescued in recent months and check up on two very special piglets, Cruz and his sister Coral, who is recovering from a very complicated surgery.

Chris and Dee Dee at Ziggy's Refuge

Every animal at Ziggy's Refuge has a story.  Take Chris, for instance.  This precious baby jumped from a truck which was headed to a slaughter house.  He knew his only chance at survival was to jump from that truck, even if it resulted in his injury or death.  Luckily for him, refuge owners Kristin and Jay were quick to come to his rescue and give him the happily ever after he deserves.

Chris is just one of many success stories​ at the refuge.  Like the other farm animals living there Chris has a distinct personality and exhibits understanding and intelligence.  His affection is is irresistible and endearing.

Getting to know Chris, Ziggy, Sweetheart, Toby, Mr. Jingles, Elvis the cow, Max the donkey, and all the other residents of Ziggy's Refuge has given me all the reason I need to never again eat meat.  I am blessed to have made the connection.  Their happy endings have become my happy beginning...of a life filled with purpose, better health, and peace.  It is my prayer that others will make the connection and realize that animals are not mere commodities but rather sentient beings who just want to live and be loved.

Joy and Sweetheart

Dee Dee and Ziggy

Toby

Copyright 2017 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

The Best is Yet to Come

2016 was a year like no other.  Although life was fairly normal in terms of work, family, and our activities, in an unexpected twist Joy and I became vegans, launched our website, and began advocating for animal rights. We met Ziggy the Traveling Piggy, volunteered at the animal sanctuary that bears his name, and made new friends who share our interest in better health, a cleaner environment, and ending animal abuse and suffering.

So many things have weighed heavy on my heart this year...the ignorance most of us have regarding the abuse animals are subjected to in order that our appetites can be satisfied, the realization that we are destroying our planet and our health because of our food choices, and the desire to see my loved ones embrace a healthier lifestyle and experience the sense of well-being and happiness that a whole food plant-based diet provides. So many of my friends and family suffer from chronic conditions or serious illnesses that could be helped simply by changing the way they eat, yet they remain unconvinced that such a change would be possible or beneficial, even though I am living proof that a plant-based diet works.

In 2016, God gave me a new purpose and set my feet on a journey I never thought I would take.  He opened my eyes to injustice and the need for greater compassion toward all His creatures, human and non-human alike. I find myself praying for open doors to fulfill the purpose of educating others and sharing my experience as a new vegan and opportunities each day to positively impact and make a difference in the lives of the people and animals He has placed in my life.  Perhaps for the first time in my life, I feel driven to live for a cause much larger than myself and to take as many people with me as will come.

2017 is just around the corner. I believe that God is working and has exciting things in store for those of us who will heed His call and step into the great unknown with Him. My plan for the New Year is to do what I have done for the past several years -- wake up each morning, spend time in His Word and in prayer, and give Him permission to have His way in my life, knowing that each day will be an adventure as I do what I can to fulfill His purpose.

What will you do with the clean slate God is handing you? Will you continue living in your comfort zone or will you take a leap of faith and embrace the journey He has prepared for you?

I pray that 2017 will be a year of new beginnings, better health, and great adventure as you fulfill the purpose for which you were created.

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year,

Dee Dee



Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

The Ostrich Complex

I know there are many people who don't care for some of my animal and vegan-related Facebook posts. Trust me, I don't like some of them either. Who wants to see pictures that paint a darker side of humanity or the evil that really does exist in this world?  If these images invoke sadness, anger, compassion, or indignation, somehow that makes them offensive to us.  But how else are we going to know that bad things really do happen and that sometimes it is incumbent upon us to do what we can to stop injustice and abuse?

I once suffered from what I call "the ostrich complex." Conveniently looking away from disturbing images amounted to sticking my head in the sand and pretending that such things didn't exist. Therefore I had no obligation to do what I could to to solve them.  That all changed a few months ago. Now as an advocate for animals and a vegan lifestyle, I do run across articles and posts that I think are important enough to share with those I care about. To be honest, I was ignorant of so many things but I have never regretted the day Joy sat me down to watch a documentary that broke my heart and set my world view on its side. She risked an adverse reaction from her mother but instead found a partner who would join and support her efforts to make this world a better place for her generation. This has become our mission and purpose because we believe it matters not only to our world and all its occupants -- human and non-human -- but also to the God who created each one of us.

Yes, Facebook would be a much happier place if people, including myself, stopped with the social injustice posts. God knows my heart's desire is to present the information I share with grace and compassion. But I'm not perfect and neither is the world in which we live.  If I risk offending someone because I care enough to share certain information, that is a risk I am willing to take,

God help us all if caring people cease to act on their convictions and strive to make a positive difference in our world.

If this post -- or any post I share -- offends you, I'm truly sorry.  You are free to unfriend or unfollow me as you wish. I will still consider you a friend.

Dee Dee


Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

It Comes with the Territory

It was bound to happen sooner or later. A response to a friend's Facebook post explaining why the use of animals for clothing -- in this case, sheep -- is not necessarily a good thing, at least for the sheep, resulted in a backlash of negative responses and name calling.  Me, a vegan Nazi?  Hardly.

In my short experience as a vegan I have learned that there are many who question my decision or feel as though they are being judged if they don't do as I do. Christian friends have been quick to point out in scripture the biblical justification for eating meat and wearing wool. That's not the issue here, but one I will address in another post.

No matter what we stand for in life -- whether it is our faith, our veganism, the LGBTQ agenda, or who's running for President -- people are going to come at us with negativity.  The question is, will you continue to stand and fight for what you believe is right according to your values, or will you cave in and back down from that for which you are so passionate?  Negativity comes with the territory.  No matter how nicely we try to position our point of view or live out our convictions, there will always be people who oppose us.

It's up to us -- to you -- to decide where you truly stand in the fight for animal rights and to be ready to give an answer in defense of your position.  It doesn't have to be a hostile defense, but we all need to be convinced that advocating for animals, the environment, and better health by embracing a more compassionate lifestyle is so important that we cannot be swayed from our conviction.

Don't let others shame or berate you. Often their negativity will come from eyes that haven't seen -- or choose not to see -- the atrocities committed against God's non-human creatures. Or they may oppose you simply because they do not understand how a vegan lifestyle can benefit them. All we can do is share what we have come to understand.

It is my desire to present what I have learned as lovingly and compassionately as I can, hoping that others will embrace a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle so that animals can have better lives, humans can have better health, and our environment will be sustained for the next generation. But that is all I can do. It's really all any of us can do. We are not here to judge or criticize anyone but to live as an example and hope that others will catch a vision of what could happen if they choose to leave meat off their plates and switch to cruelty-free products.

For a better life, better health, and a better world --

Dee Dee






Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

Thoughts I Have While Walking in the Supermarket

Since becoming vegan I've noticed some changes in how I view a LOT of things. For example, I pay more attention to ads on TV revolving around food. Another thing I also view differently now is the meat department in grocery stores.

Before a couple of months ago, I wouldn't have thought twice when looking at a package of meat. My mom and I would easily load a hot and fresh rotisserie chicken from Wal-Mart into our cart when shopping. But now, I actually know what I'm looking at. Parts of an animal.

An animal who had a heart, brain, and breathed air. An animal who had a mother, and probably a sister and brother. An animal who was curious and intelligent. An animal who was afraid and had fear. An animal who was abused and unloved. But most importantly an animal who didn't want to die and fought for their life.

"Animals are God's creatures, not human property, nor utilities, nor resources, nor commodities, but PRECIOUS BEINGS in God's sight." -- Rev. Andrew Linzey, Oxford University

I get that it's easy to pick up a package of chicken, beef, pork, ham, or turkey. Because it doesn't have eyes, or legs, feathers, or a tail and comes prepared in a nice plastic or styrofoam container. You didn't kill the animal yourself, or see it being done so it's easy to just see the meat as food. But the next time you're in the meat section of the grocery store, just stop and think about what you're really buying and eating. No it's not just food, but instead was once a living creature. An animal who had a personality. An animal that didn't want to die.

For the animals,
         
             Joy 

P.S.  For the people who read this blog what content would you like to see? Is there a specific topic you have questions about and would be interested in reading? Please let us know! Leave a comment on the blog, our Facebook, or e-mail us! Thank you 




Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

So, What's Next?

Nearly four and a half months ago Joy and I decided to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle, eating no meat and changing many of the products we use, such as household cleaners and cosmetics, to ones not tested on animals. In mid-May, after watching a few eye-opening documentaries, we started the 30-Day Vegan Challenge.  Even before completing the challenge we decided to make veganism our choice for life.  On July 31, 2016, we became activists, attending Smithfield Pig Save, our first peaceful protest against the slaughter of animals for food.

So, what's next for us in this new vegan adventure? What is our vision...our passion... as we continue this journey?

For starters, we want to raise awareness of the health benefits of a whole food, plant-dased diet, and continue our fight against rampant and unnecessary animal abuse and cruelty.  We want to educate others concerning the harmful environmental effects of factory farming.  We want those we know and love to see that there is a more peaceful and compassionate way of feeding our families -- a plant-based way of living that will not only improve our health but also preserve the environment for generations to come.  And we want to see animals saved from the atrocities committed against them by those of our own species.

What are our plans for accomplishing these goals?  They are simple, really:

• Continue educating ourselves so we can put together educational programs to share with others
• Volunteer and align ourselves with organizations and individuals who desire to do the same
• Attend vegan festivals and advocate for animal rights every chance we get
• Continue sharing our journey with friends, loved ones, and folks we've yet to meet, both through our website and in presentations to groups that have an interest in learning more about what it means to be vegan

Would you help us by praying for open doors and by letting others know about our mission and our website?  If you know of a group that might be interested in hearing about the health and environmental benefits of a vegan lifestyle, would you please tell them about us? 

We're not asking for money.  We aren't selling products.  But we are seeing great benefits of this lifestyle change -- not just for us, but for our planet and the creatures who share it with us.  We believe strongly enough in its benefits that we want to share them with others.

Be an agent of change by joining us on this journey.  If you have questions, or if we can encourage you in any way, please email us at feelingveggiegood@gmail.com.

For life...for the animals...for a better world!

Dee Dee and Joy

Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

Dear Ziggy

Dee Dee with her hero Ziggy, a few months
after this post was written.

You've been on my mind today.  I am really sorry I didn't get the chance to meet you the last time you were in town.  I tried.  I came across your chalk drawing at the Victory Monument in Yorktown, so I was close -- really close.  Maybe next time you are in town I can meet you.  You have become a hero to many of us humans.

This afternoon my daughter Joy and I stood on the corner of a country highway with a bunch of people we didn't know, to raise awareness of the unnecessary slaughter of your kind by people of our kind.  It made us so sad to see truckloads of your fellow pigs pass by on their way to the slaughter house, not knowing the horror that awaited them there.  Some of the humans who were there for the Smithfield Pig Save walked up to a truck that was stopped at the light and talked to the pigs that were on the truck.  They told the pigs that they were loved.  They told the pigs how sorry they were that they couldn't do more for them and promised to continue working so that other pigs wouldn't have to make that journey.  Their hearts were broken, but their efforts were not unnoticed. Many passersby honked and waved in support of what we were doing. We just pray that we are making a difference by holding these peaceful demonstrations.

On my drive home I thought of you and wondered how you would feel standing on that street corner with us. I could almost picture you side-by-side with the human activists, oinking a message of peace to the unfortunate passengers in the back of the transport as your eyes filled with tears of sorrow for them while your heart burst with gratitude for your human parents and the good life they have given you. God bless them for saving you so that you coud inspire so many of us!

I also wondered how the pigs in the truck would feel if they saw you. I wondered how many would envy the good life you have had and ask why their lives had to be so hard and cruel. It's a good thing you weren't there.  It would only have broken your heart and made their trip more agonizing.

Thank you for being my Facebook friend.  Know that I will fight every day for animal rights and an end to animal cruelty because I believe that every animal deserves a good life, just like the one you enjoy.  Please pray for me, that I will be fearless in my efforts and that like you, I can make a difference in the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves.

Be happy, Ziggy -- you have brought hope and happiness and inspiration to so many!

For the animals,

Dee Dee Wike



Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com

Dare to Be Different -- You Won't Regret It!

Recently Joy and I have had a couple of opportunities to share our vegan journey with curious friends.  Having experienced a lackluster response to our blogs and Facebook posts, these conversations were a great encouragement to us.

Being a vegan is not a whole lot different than being a Christ-follower. As much as we want others to believe as we do, some people just aren't open to the good news we have to share about something that could be of great benefit in their lives. Aren't we all that way at times? Intellectually, we read or hear compelling information and see evidence of positive change in the lives of others, but we aren't willing to step out of our comfort zones and be "different" enough to give it a real try.

In this new season of life -- this vegan adventure on which Joy and I have embarked-- a new passion has been ignited to share with others the truth about the many benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet -- not just for better health but for a better world. Having learned about the abuse being perpetrated upon God's creatures because of our human appetites for food, products, and clothing that come from animals, we have joyfully made the choice to live without "good" things in favor of things that are better -- for the animals (life without suffering), the environment (a cleaner world in which to live and raise a family), and our own health and well being.

The thing that puzzles and saddens us is that even those who see and acknowledge the benefits of choosing a meatless existence, refuse the better choice for themselves because they don't see how they could ever possibly make the change. Before ever giving veganism a try they decide that it's just too difficult. We are living proof that it doesn't have to be!

God calls us to be good stewards of all He has created and provided for us -- our money, health, and the world in which we live. Veganism is giving us the opportunity to live with new purpose and passion.  As this journey unfolds we eagerly anticipate seeing what He has next for us -- perhaps an opportunity to volunteer or work for an animal advocacy group or even the chance to go to Washington as a voice for change.

Joy and I invite you to join us on this journey! We will continue providing and sharing helpful information and tips to help and motivate you, and we encourage your questions. Please visit our Facebook page or email us at feelingveggiegood@gmail.com with any questions you may have.

We're not experts, but we are hungry for change and committed to finding ways that will help us all live healthier and more compassionate lives!


Copyright 2016 by Dee Dee Wike and Joy Wike. All rights reserved. www.feelingveggiegood.com