I must stand accused and convicted of being one of the types people you speak of, about humanizing their animals. I certainly don't do it to the extent that some do; yet, still moreso than some others. It seems, single people; parents [oftimes the mothers], whose children have left the home; and married couples, who have never had children, tend to do this more than others. I live alone, and have for a long time, so my pets are, indeed, my day-to-day 'family.' They are dependent upon me for their welfare, as I feed them, protect them from the elements, monitor and address their medical needs, and give them the love and affection that prevents them from lapsing into a dejected state, or even becoming feral. Unconditional love is highly valued, yet difficult to come upon. Although animals can't literally talk, they do communicate with us [sometimes even in speechlike ways]. Through this exchange of constancy, and with most people's pets being always glad to see them, having lots of affection to share, not lashing out with hurtful words, and rarely ever leaving them volitionally, most people are able to experience unconditional love with them. Tragically, it may be the only time in their lives they ever have. You probably would have to get to know them pretty well to learn that, though. It's amazing [and truthfully sad] to see how even beaten dogs will cower back up to their owners later, as though hoping that this one 'last' time of trying will maybe bring them a kind hand or word. There seems to be a shared need that people and pets have.
People are also prone to hurting other people in ways that most animals will not hurt them. It's the rare animal that will physically injure its owner, and people who find it impossible to feel physically and emotionally safe with other people can often feel that way with an animal. They have been proven to lower people's blood pressure, so are now being used in retirement and other facilities, where old people have medical issues. Being in the presence of an animal can also trigger and promote our healing responses to compromised physical conditions. Some prisons are using dogs [allowing some prisoners to do the basic training and care of them] to facilitate the prisoners' getting in touch with their gentler, kinder, more caring, and responsible nature. Some have never had to look out for anyone other than themselves, and they've gained a hard shell about themselves in the process. They've also felt that gentleness equals weakness, and the dogs have become a 'safe' place for those softer emotions to find expression. The bond that can develop between a person and their pet can be an unbelievably strong one. Sometimes the relationship people have with their pets can also interefere with the relationships they have with each other, and this is very sad, too. Please excuse the 'teach-y' nature of this paragraph.
What you say is true about how people feel so close to their own animal, yet are oblivious to or uncaring about the cow's life, and the conditions it lived in, prior to [and during the process of] being slaughtered for hamburger. That is true. People will also care about what happens with their own family members, yet not care about what happens to people in other parts of the world. I don't know if it's a socialization process that's resulted in that, or if we aren't structured to care deeply and be reactive regarding every ill in the world. I know many here do care about these 'other' kinds of things [and they do this in varying degrees], and then there are others who really couldn't care less. Unfortunately [in my eyes], there are those in the world who care more about inanimate things [cars, motorcycles, power, etc.] than they do for people. It's that full range.
My former husband [vegetarian] has two things he often says regarding his diet choices. First, that he doesn't like to eat anything that when he looks at it, it looks back at him. Second, that he doesn't like to eat anything that when he tries to get it, it runs from him. I'm, for the most part, vegetarian, so the hamburgers [which was only an example you chose] rarely ever enter in for me. However, it didn't seem that vegetarianism was your point.
I've seen photos and signed petitions regarding the conditions pigs are commercially raised in, and the vote passed legislation in Florida regarding the issue. Likewise, I've listened on NPR to segments on humane means for the slaughter of cows that are possible. The methods were developed by a woman who's autistic, earned her doctorate's degree, and cares deeply about animals. I also, as I drove from Florida to N.Y.C. last summer, stopped and took photos of chickens, in debilitated condition, crammed into transport cages on a semi-truck, being carried to slaughter. It was heartbreaking. I didn't eat chicken for a long time after that, but also must admit that I've begun again
, for several reasons.Love,
Lizzy
Note: For some reason, in this e-mail, as in my other long one, a phrase just seemed to get dropped. So, as long as I needed to correct that, I added in a little bit of info. Here comes the Edited line
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