Alan and I have cared for many non human animals in our home besides our beloved kitties. All of these animals were members of species that most people eat. I am excited to share stories and observations with all of the people in my life about these beautiful animals. Of course, I speak of all of them by name, and I describe in detail all of the many interesting and endearing qualities of each one. I am no less enthusiastic with any one species than I am about another, but Ive been noticing real differences in how people respond during our conversations. My non vegan relatives and friends have asked about Nutmeg and Guinevere, Autumn, and Trudy often without my launching the conversation. They will express interest in what they do and in my impressions of them. Within the same conversation, they have also described an omelette they ordered or the chicken dinner they had last night. I try to fathom why and how they can do this, and I believe it is that they have few qualms about using and eating chickens though, of course, they would never eat the ones that crazy, animal loving Linda cares for. I think this is more out of regard for me than it is for the chickens. They just think of chickens as so very different from themselves. When I was caring for a baby goat, people would also bring him up in conversation. These people dont eat goats so it seems as though there was no conflict in their hearing about and enjoying his antics. He was called by name, and people often said they would like to meet him. Their reactions were the same as they would be if we had a new cat or dog in the family, and many were ready to express dismay that goats are used for food by others. Though I have told everyone about Plutarch, the piglet, and his very winning ways, people have yet to bring him up, if I do not. If they engage in my discussions of him, they never use his name. I have heard that pig several times. All of these non vegans in my life eat pigs just like Plutarch so Ill assume they cant be interested in hearing about the personality, the pain, the trauma, the sweetness, the intelligence, or the friendliness of Plutarch without having to confront the fact that they would have eaten him, if he hadnt fallen off a truck and landed with us. Im not quite sure what to do with these observations other than sharing them with others while continuing to try to help people to see that each of these gentle beings is worthy of our respect and love and that not one of them or any other member of their species deserves to be raised for the sole purpose of being killed for our pleasure or purpose.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 16:19:57 +0000
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