cynical-c / CC

OK, so our love affair with lists is no secret. We admit it. But really, who doesn't enjoy a quick bit of knowledge delivered in a no-frills, straight-to-the-point, no-expectations kind of way?

Our wandering eyes recently happened upon one list that really struck our fancy—or, shall I say, our stomachs. That is, it struck our stomachs with the sickening force of a swinging sledgehammer. Fellow list-lovers over at Men's Health compiled a list of the worst drinks in America, and we are horrified to inform you that sitting heavy in the top spot is Baskin-Robbins' large Heath Bar Shake, which contains a whopping 2,310 calories and 108 grams of fat! Oh yeah, and it contains 66 teaspoons of sugar. Pardon me, I just gagged a bit.

Of course, as with many of the drinks included on the list, the Heath Bar Shake is dairy-heavy, giving sippers an unhealthy dose of calories and the potential for a whole lot more than what's on the menu. You see, in every sip of milk there is the potential to swallow a mouthful of pus, unhealthy saturated fats, and possibly even antibiotics injected into the milked animals.

And one more thing: Cow's milk is intended for nursing calves just like human breast milk is intended for nursing human babies. And you know we have a love affair with breast milk too, right?

Written by Jennifer Cierlitsky

Start off the New Year right by making an animal-friendly resolution. And check out our cute New Year's e-card below, from us to you! Here's to a safe, compassionate, and cruelty-free 2009.

Written by Christine Doré

This rooster from the property was wearing an ankle tag when he was found.

A collaborative effort involving multiple law-enforcement agencies has resulted in the takedown of what may just be the largest cockfighting ring in U.S. history!

According to information we received from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the DEA-led effort was intended to lead to the confiscation of drugs, not chickens. Officials had been working to gather information on the Gulf Cartel, a Mexican drug trafficking organization. They were following the actions of the alleged smugglers when they stumbled upon the cartel's other dirty business: a massive cockfighting ring.

These were the houses in which the roosters were forced to live.

Kill or be killed may be the chosen mantra for drug lords, but for roosters who are imprisoned and forced to fight to the death, it's not a choice. Rather, it is a cruel existence that is nearly always marked by constant injuries and a painful death.

Thanks to the powers that be, though, the suspected cockfighters were caught red-handed (white-powder–handed?). Eleven individuals were arrested near Nashville, Tennessee, for their involvement, and 30 more arrests took place in Texas, Mississippi, Nevada, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Oklahoma. And, best of all, those birds are out of the ring for good.

Written by Jennifer Cierlitsky

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Remember when Oprah did that show exposing puppy mills? Everybody was talking about it! We love when the truth about animal cruelty gets out to the public, and now Jane Velez-Mitchell is stepping up to educate her viewers on New Year's Day. If you've watched her show, Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell, on CNN Headline News, you know that she definitely has her facts straight about animal rights. Jane is a vegan environmentalist (can you be one without the other?), and she's not afraid to voice it.

Her show on January 1 will cover puppy mills, animal birth control, shelter adoption, Prop 2, and a ton of other important animal protection issues. That's right, a whole show devoted to animals! You know what that means: Cancel your plans (or set your DVR), grab some friends, and watch!

The show will air on Thursday, January 1, at 7 p.m. EST on CNN Headline News.

So, how can we get more shows like this on the air? Well, we can start by letting CNN know we want them! It's super easy to write to CNN and tell its representatives what you thought about this show. Also tell them that you would love for more people to follow in Jane's footsteps and stand up for animals.

Written by Lianne Turner