Could You Handle the Fact an Animal From Your Backyard is About to be Killed? (Part 1)
May 22nd 2008 21:00
Photo supplied by Markus Hagenlocher. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
As an animal lover, I find it hard to be blasé about any animal, especially ones that I see or know so I am shocked when others think differently. For example, I used to work with a girl who grew up on a farm. She had photos of farm animals all over her desk. I was admiring her photo of several cows when she started telling me their names. Nothing unusual here. But she then shocked me to the core when she said, “This one is going to be kept as a pet. The others are going to go to the slaughterhouse.” I couldn’t believe she could be so a-matter-of fact about several animals’ fate and I told her that. “Well when you grow up on a farm you don’t get attached to the animals as you know most of them will end up as food,” she explained. Fair enough. I guess if you grow up on a farm you have to desensitise and not get attached to the cows, sheep, chickens and ducks, else you would be constantly heartbroken.
And who am I to talk anyway? If I was that concerned about animals I would become vegetarian instead of still eating steak, ham and chicken. (Well, at least I don’t eat other animals.) I guess as my friend Harshane once told me, we are all hypocrites in one way or another.
To me, it’s one thing to eat an animal from some distant farm; it’s another when it’s an animal that lives in your backyard. I remember as a child being taken to my mother’s friend’s place for dinner and I was terrified as her friend was planning to slaughter a pig on that very day for dinner. I kept hiding in the house, praying I wouldn’t get to see or hear the pig being killed. I also refused to eat dinner; the idea of eating a living creature that had just been standing in the backyard a few hours ago filled me with terror.
Does this also freak anyone else out?
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Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Im an animal and my body requires meat as well as veggies. I need both to function optimally - I didnt make it that way, I just have to obey it. Im also a soft hearted wussy who cringes at the thought of animals being slaughtered without a care - I honestly believe if Im going to eat meat, I should do it the honour of killing it myself. At least then I know it had a good life and I can thank it personally and ensure its death is quick and without fear. Alas....I dont have time, I work 9 hours a day.
But I also believe the spark of life is in everything - a lettuce screams as it is torn apart. Its no win.
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis