I’ll be honest: I’m a bitch. I have no problem telling it like it is, talking about someone behind his/her back or telling secrets about people I hate. This is why people fight to stay on my good side.

Which is why people are so surprised when they find out about my passion for animals. I cry when those commercials for animal shelters come on the TV, I have to look away from movies or TV shows when an animal gets injured and I wanted to personally kill Michael Vick when it was discovered he was running that evil dog fighting ring.

It is weird, I know, but I can’t help but feel for creatures who don’t have a voice to defend themselves. Yes, even if they have the teeth or claws to do so.

Like sharks. (Yes, I am being completely serious!) Sharks are most often thought of as predators, but lately off the coast of Florida they have become victims. In the past year more and more sharks have been found murdered in the water. There is no excuse for harming another life – especially an innocent one – and it is up to us to protect every creature on this planet.

Please take a moment to sign the attached petition and protect the sharks and our planet’s wildlife.

I can barely run and skip songs on my iPod at the same time, but if you’re a particularly lithe runner and want to do some good for the environment as well as your body, try eco-running.

The concept is simple: grab a plastic bag on your next run and pick up any trash you encounter along your route.

The eco-running movement started with Samuel Huber of Milwaukee, who hopes to encourage joggers and runners to “combine their passion with a purpose.â€?

Think you won’t make an impact?

According to treehugger.com, studies have shown that by cleaning up an area you remove the incentive to contribute to its mess. Not a runner? Try picking up litter while walking, kayaking, or rollerblading, Huber urges on his website.

Sure, maybe the image of running with a bag that held last nights chinese food at your side horrifies you, but I’m hoping to see this trend grow, if for no other than reason that to trip less in my attempt to avoid litter.