BE KIND TO ANIMALS WEEK MAY 1 - 7

I just found out that this is "Be Kind to Animals" Week and it's been celebrated since 1915. Did you know that? I think it's lovely to have a week to emphasize kindness to animals, but it's something that should be practiced each and every day. And to ALL animals, tame and wild, pet or food provider. (Ok, here's where I get on my soapbox.)

I love animals, all animals, in their proper environment. After all, they are our brothers and sisters. I must point out that I am a carnivore and Ido believe that some animals are here to provide for our sustanence. Having said that, I believe that we can treat these animals with kindness and give them a good death. They don't have to be treated cruelly just because they are food animals. If you don't believe that this can be done, you should watch the movie "Temple Grandin". It's about a woman who is autistic, but manages to make a place for herself in the world of the rest of us. Her "specialty" is creating humane slaughterhouses for cattle. I know that sounds oximoronic, but it involves creating a space where the animals don't feel panic, where they are calm. Just watch it to see what I mean. There are other ways to provide a better life for food animals like chickens and pigs and the like. We need to treat them like the living, breathing, feeling creatures that they are. Treating animals badly scars our own souls, too.

Ok, the soapbox is closed. Sort of. I will spend today with my indoor kitties and the outdoor kitties and thinking about what I can do to help them all have as good a life as I can provide for them. What will you do to promote kindness to animals this week?