Brilliant, and I think every slaughter house should be kitted out in this fashion!! After all they are doing us a massive service by sustaining us, the least we can do is make it as pain free and stress free as humanly possible!

I think every little helps, and even asking the question is a good thing! Maybe I find it easier because it’s never very summery here in the North West of England 🙂

It is, honestly, a muddle.

I buy the most humane pork for Silas I can afford, so it’s at least cage-free. (I had no intention of feeding him pork, which bothers me particularly. Best laid plans, etc.) I don’t eat meat at home, but I will do it occasionally in restaurants, especially if I know their meat was humanely raised. Our eggs come from “happy” chickens raised by a local farmer, and my milk comes from a small local dairy.

The place where things get muddy for me, and the reason that I still carefully buy animal products, is that I am, to trot out that old saw, voting with my dollar at the grocery store. I want my local dairy farmer to keep raising his cows, because I know they’re better off than their peers at the factory dairy. I don’t think people at large are in a rush to stop eating eggs and bacon and steak, and I want to help the little, more humane, guy have a share in that market. I also suspect that the environmental math between a small, local dairy and commercial soy production probably comes out in favor of the dairy.

Yes, especially when the meat is packaged!

I find it very interesting that Temple Grandin has spent her life finding humane ways to slaughter animals. She doesn’t fight the idea that people should eat meat. She just creates tools that keep meat animals calm so they don’t suffer.

Interesting approach, huh?

And yet if people got to “know” wild animals more by spending time in nature, our very presence would do harm to them also.

It’s never easy, is it? And yes, ” it’s about the circle of life – how all living things are connected and deserve compassion.” Very well put, Sue.

Yes to the cognitive dissonance. I deal with it myself.

In the summer, being a vegan is easy. There’s such an abundance of wonderful food. But in the winter, I crave animal fat. Bring on the butter and cheese.

I’m making an effort to support local farmers who treat their animals humanely. But while artisan cheese is everywhere, sometimes I just want a big old block of cheddar. Does everything have to be so “foodie-ish?” 🙂

I appreciate the way you’re consistent with your values. I hope to someday get there myself.

I’ve picked up the book twice and not dug into it yet. Perhaps my own form of denial?

If I think about it too much I know I’ll be compelled to go vegan. And frankly, the thought of giving up butter, cheese, and eggs makes me a little ill.