Edible Animals

 We are of the animal world and we are omnivorous.  Some of us choose to opt out of that form of feeding and become vegetarians. It's a choice, even though the latter is more work in ensuring the correct amount of protein one consumes. We need protein and enough of it to keep ourselves in good health. When, for ten years, I became a vegetarian, I ended up having to revert to eating animal protein again, for health reasons. The reason I became someone who couldn't bear to put animal meat in my mouth, wasn't because of immediate social pressure or dieting or fad, but something else. While doing extensive travel for three years "on the road" on this continent, I saw, frequently,  truck loads of animals being carted off to butchery. It was heartbreaking to witness huge truckloads of chickens stuffed into harsh metal cages in heat and icy cold, feathers and wings poking out brokenly  and on large semis, four legged, warm blooded creatures in filthy conditions, their wide eyes frightened, in innocence and ignorance being hauled off for cruel killing. It sickened me to the point that I couldn't eat animal meat. It was a simple reaction of one creature seeing other creatures treated so badly that ordinary appetite failed. I hasten to admit that while my body may be meant to consume animal protein, under certain conditions, my brain and my stomach aren't listening. It pleased me recently, to learn that efforts are being made to slaughter meat giving animals under more appropriate conditions and to make sure that the same animals are transported more humanely. There is, sadly, still a long way to go. Our job as humans is to see that kindness prevails in all we do, not only amongst our own kind but that of other living creatures as well. There are certain people who scoff at that sort of observation, but they may be the same ones who coddle and spoil, small dogs or cats or birds or fine horses. There seems little transition from caring about these privileged creatures but not the ones that end up on our plates. All of life on earth is precious and has a place. There are societies who realize the consideration we must give the animals we consume. Yes, we do use and eat these animals, but it doesn't have to be a terrifying experience for the innocent creatures who share the world we live in and nurture us. We have been born with superior brains but it doesn't give us the right to harm other less reasoning beings.  Animals that we use in their deaths, deserve our respect for their contribution. Without them, we are lesser.