PETA President Tracy Reiman Tackles Your Tough Questions and Tricky Situations

I’ve been called a bleeding heart for caring about animals. It stings! How do you deal with such remarks?

Own it! When people called gay rights activists “queer,” they thought, “What the hell, let’s reclaim that word. We’re here, we’re queer—get used to it!” Inform your mean critic that speciesists are more likely to be psychopaths or sadists. We’ve known for eons that people who harm other animals are more likely to hurt humans – it’s called “the link”. Next time someone sneers, ask if they’d rather be stranded somewhere with Mother Teresa or Ted Bundy. Yeah … thought so!

My dog passed away, and I am consumed with guilt. I wish I’d given him more walks, attention, and love, but now it’s too late. What can I do?

Guilt is like a chewed-up tennis ball – ugly and useless. Be brave, chuck it, and help another pup. Volunteer at a shelter. Sponsor a doghouse for an “outside dog”. Walk a neighbor’s lonely pup who never gets to sniff mailboxes or roll in something questionable. Do you have other animal companions? Prevent future regrets! Toss prong, choke, and shock collars in the trash – along with crates, chains, and other restrictive devices that don’t let a dog be a dog. Toss your phone, too, if it gets more of your attention than they do. Our pal cartoonist Harry Bliss wrote You Can Never Die after losing his dog, Penny. You may want to read it, then leave it at your local library. If faith keeps you afloat, check out our Companion Animal Grief Program. You can cry, but make it quick. There are so many other dogs out there who need you, and you’ll only feel guiltier if you ignore them.