Last night's episode of All-American Muslim caused many viewers to have an all-American meltdown.

One of the show's "stars," Shadia Amen-McDermott, cited allergies and insisted that her husband, Jeff McDermott, get rid of his elderly dog, Wrigley. When the cameras recorded a sad and confused Wrigley trying to follow his beloved guardians after they dropped him off at his new home, the Twitterverse exploded with cries for the couple to take back the dog and for viewers to boycott TLC until they did.

PETA supporter and Running Russell Simmons star Simone Reyes posted an online letter to Amen-McDermott beseeching her to do the right thing.

PETA is getting into the fray by offering TLC a public service announcement highlighting how Islam teaches compassion for animals and abstention from cruelty. The timing couldn't be better, since Lowe's pulled all its ads from the show amidst controversy over the show's Muslim theme. We're hoping that TLC can find a place for our poignant message.

And we hope that the Amen-McDermott household can find a place in their hearts for Wrigley. After devoting his life to Jeff, the last thing Wrigley deserves is to spend his golden years feeling rejected.

Where can you see Bryan Adams rubbing elbows with Leo Tolstoy and Russell Simmons hanging with Leonardo da Vinci? Only on PETA's limited-edition postage sheet from Stamps.com—the sheet honors some of the most influential and recognizable vegetarians throughout history.

Bob Barker and Pamela Anderson—two of the celebrities whose faces will soon be crisscrossing the U.S. on envelopes—unveiled the new postage this morning at the Hollywood Post Office.

Addressing the swarm of clamoring reporters, Pam said, "I'm just happy to be here and happy to be associated with PETA. … [M]y mom is very proud of this." And the inimitable Bob Barker joked, "I was happy to do it when they told me I didn't have to die in order to [be on a stamp]!"

The postage sheets are available at PETA's online store, just in time to grace your holiday cards with a reminder to loved ones to think before they eat.

To celebrate "Make a Difference" Day—a national day of volunteering taking place on Saturday—we're offering you the chance to win a copy of the aptly named One Can Make a Difference: How Simple Actions Can Change the World autographed by PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk to help inspire you to make a difference for animals every day. 

One Can Make a Difference contains more than 50 original essays by "differencemakers," including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sir Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Russell Simmons, Brigitte Bardot, and Oliver Stone. The book also makes the point that you do not need to be famous to impact the world—all you need is determination.

To enter to win a signed copy of One Can Make a Difference, leave a comment about what you are doing to make a difference for animals.

To pick up a copy of One Can Make a Difference right now for yourself or for a friend, visit the PETA catalog. Happy "Make a Difference" Day!

The contest ends on October 31, 2011, and the most inspiring animal-friendly comment will win. We'll contact the winner on November 1, 2011. Make sure that you read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting.

Written by Heather Faraid Drennan

It might be the genesis of a new era in animal rights: Wearing nothing but her long, flowing hair, Angela Simmons—devout Christian, founder of Pastry, and niece of longtime PETA supporter Russell Simmons—made the poignant revelation that eating meat is wholly unholy in a new ad for PETA. 

"I want to open people's eyes up. … If this is where I can find my niche to come and help, I want to help," she explained.   

Angela unveiled the ad to an enthusiastic crowd at Manhattan's Paramount Hotel last night, including her uncle Russell, whose vegan lifestyle inspired her own, Ami James, Simone Reyes, and other animal-loving VIPs, while enjoying music by Samantha Ronson (who wore a "no fur" button all night). 

Angela believes that God's creatures deserve love and compassion, not abuse on factory farms and painful slaughter. "I really want people to know what happens to animals … I think it's important we take action," she said.

You can follow Angela's advice and take action today by ordering a free vegetarian/vegan starter kit. And we promise it's not a sin to covet the delicious recipes you'll find on our Living page.

Written by Michelle Sherrow