Progressive Wednesday

Save Hedwig!

Yes, I was there. 12:01am at my local bookstore, waiting to get my hands on a copy of the newest Harry Potter book, “The Deathly Hallows.– The line was not nearly as long at my local bookstore for those of us willing to pay an extra buck or two to help out local business (and save on gas). The series is great, and anything that gets kids to wait outside in a line for hours so they can read a book as soon as it comes out, well, that's even greater. But that's not what I'm writing about.

If you've read experienced the novels, and chances are, you have,  you know Hedwig, Harry's beautiful, white Snowy Owl. He is just one of thousands of these raptors to make an appearance. Unfortunately, here in the “muggle– world, those birds are not nearly as ubiquitous, and one of their most precious nesting grounds is constantly under attack by the “dementors– of Exxon-Mobile and the other big oil companies:

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is also a vital mating area for an astounding number of migratory birds. And around North America, owls and birds of all species are threatened from habitat degradation, illegal hunting, and the encroachment of modern day society.

There are a lot of groups out there committed to stopping this invasion from happening. Defenders of Wildlife has set up a Snowy owl adoption process. For $25 you can “adopt– one of these birds, all of the proceeds going to saving ANWR. Along with a peace of heart, you'll also receive a certificate and a plush doll.

If you're like Uncle Vernon and owls aren't your cup of euphoria potion, you can also adopt a polar bear of wolf. Hey, adopt all three if you can; that's what Dumbledore would do.

Is this just the shameless use of someone else's (J.K. Rowling's) success to advance a cause? Maybe, but it's for a cause that I strongly believe in and through a group that I wholeheartedly support.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go finish the book.

Thanks to this bird watcher for the pic