Muttropolis, a utopia for pets and their parents in downtown La Jolla, will add a new dimension to its “Mutt Mingle” on Thursday, Sept. 21. Because of the company’s commitment to support animal welfare programs, the store is hosting a book-signing. While attendees enjoy complimentary wine and hors d’ oeuvres and their dogs munch on gourmet canine treats, noted author and award-winning journalist Julie Hoffman Marshall will read excerpts from her exciting new book, “Making Burros Fly: Cleveland Amory, Animal Rescue Pioneer.”
This first-ever biography of Amory, the grandfather of the animal rights movement in America and one of the foremost animal crusaders of the 20th century, is both historically important and inspirational. Hopefully, it will ignite in its readers that spark of compassion for animals, that spark which Amory believed, when once ignited, would burn forever. The uplifting, humorous and sometimes heart-wrenching stories will introduce Amory to a generation that may not know him and re-acquaint him with those who do.
Social historian, humorist, editor, TV critic and brilliant novelist (“The Cat Who Came For Christmas”) Cleveland Amory was born the scion of a long line of Boston merchants and could have led a life of wealth and fame. Instead, he turned animal activist when, as a young newspaper reporter in Arizona, he was assigned to cover a bullfight in a Mexican border town. The whole brutal event, which culminated with the matador cutting off the bull’s ears, sickened Amory, who leaped from his seat and heaved his heavy rain-soaked cushion at the cowardly bullfighter, who fell to the ground.
One of his greatest legacies is the organization he founded in 1967, the Fund for Animals, whose motto is “animals have rights too.” His guiding spirit continues to be a part of the fund, which now has joined with the Humane Society of the United States in the fight against animal cruelty.
Amory’s commitment to save those who have no voice took him from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the frozen ice fields of eastern Canada. In the Grand Canyon, 575 wild burros destined to be shot by the National Park Service were miraculously rescued by helicopter airlift under Amory’s direction.
The Fund for Animals also subsidized another dangerous and heroic endeavor. On the frozen ice fields off Newfoundland, more than 1,000 newborn harp seals were sprayed with a harmless, organic red dye to protect them from being slaughtered for their pelts.
Amory was an outspoken critic of anyone who caused the suffering of animals. His extraordinary and colorful life could fill volumes, and I, for one, hope that “Making Burros Fly” is just the first in a series of books about the witty, frizzy-haired lovable curmudgeon, my friend and mentor.
Julie Marshall, who has an M.A. in journalism from the University of Colorado and a B.A. from Brandeis University, began her career as a reporter for the Orange County Register. In 1996, she joined the staff of The Daily Camera in Boulder, Colo. Marshall lives in Lafayette, Colo., with her husband, daughter, two dogs and four cats.
The book signing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Muttropolis La Jolla, 7755 Girard Ave. For more information, call (858) 459-9663, (858) 454-4959, or log on to www.muttropolis.com.
