Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows
Do you find this offensive? I will admit that I found the first part rather amusing, but I realize that many people find anti-meat propaganda offensive.
I am glad that someone has finally coined a term to describe the disconnect between thought and reality when it comes to the way that most Americans view animals. Regardless of your final conclusion on the question of how to treat animals, it is at least worth thinking about why we do what we do.
I like to imagine that I am consistent in my view of animals. I do not eat meat as a general practice, but if I were at your house for dinner I would eat whatever you served: including dog meat. I value gratitude for human hospitality more highly than I do love of dogs. And I value the environment and kindness toward animals more highly than I do consumption of meat.
How do you sort out your values when it comes to eating animals?
I think that you probably gave one of the most balanced perspectives on animal consumption I’ve ever read, as in: I value gratitude for human hospitality more highly than I do love of dogs. And I value the environment and kindness toward animals more highly than I do consumption of meat.
Thanks for the comments on my blog! You’re right about marriage — and I really appreciate your perspective.
oh this is a good post and really has me thinking. I can never imagine eating dog, but cow, okay. But what is the difference really? And why do I care so much more about a dog than a cow? They really are no different. Gosh you really got me thinking now.
Hmmm.. I think we don’t eat dogs simply because we aren’t used to it. The same way I don’t eat bugs because I wasn’t brought up to eat them. The same way my husband won’t suck the insides of a crawfish’s head but I’ve got no problem doing it because I learned how when I was young.
I’m not sure we don’t eat dogs because we love them more than other animals. I hear tell that farmers/ranchers name and love their animals. And eat them just the same when butchering time comes.
I did not find this offensive. Manipulative a bit? Yes. But whatever.
I don’t find this offensive, really, but I grew up on an acreage, and we definitely raised chickens for food. My grandpa thinks a meal is not a meal if there are not meat and potatoes. It raises an interesting point, but I agree with Dawn, it’s primarily what we grew up with.
I went through a phase (albeit a short one) as a vegetarian in high school. But that was mostly just to annoy my parents.
To me, as long as the animal in question has had the chance to live a life that fulfills its animal nature and upholds its animal dignity, I don’t see a problem with eating animals. In our times, this stance means we get all of our meat from local farms which produce pastured chicken, beef, or pork.
This was an interesting video!