Why Do We Still Abuse and Eat Animals? Why? (Part One)

From the age of four to approximately seven I had the privilege of living on a farm! As I think about it, we didn’t own it I don’t believe, but just lived there. It was actually my grandparent’s home and I lived there with a dog, pigs, chickens, rabbits, honey bees (in maintained hives), and cows. There was a couple of barns, a silo, a pig’s pen, chicken coupe, rabbit hutch, plenty of acreage for the cows to move about and a yard for free roaming chickens, it was a little boy’s paradise! I even had names for each and every animal that cohabitated with us…they were my friends. The best memories of life occurred during this brief time as well as two of the most horrific, one of which I will share with you now.

I established a close relationship with the chickens and rabbits, as I wasn’t allowed to mingle with the bigger animals for my own safety (although I would raid the hives for honey comb which amazed my grandfather because I never got stung!). I had my favorites among them. There was one chicken in particular that I named “Chick” that I felt closest to. He was a big rooster, about three feet tall (at least to me at the time) with black and rusty red feathers and a big tail with all sorts of strange changing colors. Chick would follow me all over the place and even protect me at times from our dog or anyone else, out of jealousy I suppose. On occasion I was even allowed to bring him into the house. I loved it. Then one day after coming home from school I noticed that Chick was missing. I looked all over for him but he was nowhere to be found. I assumed that a weasel got him, I had heard troubling things about them so in tears told my grandmother about it. She responded, “Don’t worry about Chick, he will be joining us for dinner.” Well naturally I was both relieved and excited to know this, but I was also puzzled because they would never allow Chick into the kitchen before. How would he eat with us? Where would he sit?

I could hardly wait for dinnertime, I would see Chick and for the first time ever he would be allowed in the kitchen! After we were all seated and my grandfather said grace I asked where Chick was, he wasn’t there, I didn’t see him. My grandmother replied, “He’s here honey, he will be with us in a minute. Just be patient.” I was excited, my friend would be allowed in the kitchen! I asked, “Can he sit by me?” “Where is his plate?” “He only eats chicken feed!” My grandmother walked toward the table carrying a big black oval pot with white speckles on it. She placed it on the table in front of my grandfather. He removed the top and started to carve the object inside with a big knife and fork. I asked my grandmother again where Chick was. At that moment my grandfather responded, “Here he is and I will give you your favorite part first!” It took me awhile to comprehend exactly what was going on but when I did, I realized that Chick joined us for dinner as the main course!

I know that some of you are probably in stitches now but believe me it was one of the most horrifying times of my life. It still brings tears to my eyes to think about it. Needless to say I had no appetite according to what I have been told, and I refused to eat for a few days and then would not eat anything that I could not positively identify as a plant thereafter. My grandparents were also deeply affected because they thought I knew where meat came from, but I did not.

Anyway, this brings me to the question, why do we in this day and age continue to abuse, slaughter and eat animals? It’s inhumane. I will share more with you later.

–almodesto