I read an article today that made me smile.

I learned that football star Michael Vick is pleading guilty to a federal dogfighting charge. Outraged fans are sending in Vick jerseys (often accompanied by monetary contributions) to dog shelters with suggestions that the jerseys be used as bedding for animals or as rags.

Artist and college student Rochelle Steffen has taken it a step further. She has taken her entire collection of Michael Vick trading cards and given them to her 6 year old Weimaraner and Great Dane puppy to chew and maul as they should so desire - then she took the damaged cards and posted them on eBay. So far the lot of 22 cards, worth $1 to $10 each - are going for $445. Steffen plans to donate the money raised by the cards to a human society of the winning bidder's choice.

How's that for innovation?

In a note accompanying the auction Steffen says that she means the chewed cards to be a form of artistic expression, and means no harm. She also hopes to bring more attention to the abuse of animals involved in dogfighting. "The money donated to local shelters makes the whole idea of selling the cards worthwhile," she says.

I think it's a great idea! ^_^

Among the anti-Vick paraphernalia recently released is a t-shirt that reads "Ignorance Breeds Ignorance. Neuter Mike Vick". I got a laugh out of that too. ^_^