When I was younger and a vegetarian, people would ask me if I was vegetarian for the animals. I would always say, “No, I just don’t like the taste and texture of meat. Plus the thought of eating an animal grosses me out.”
Now, after 20+ years of being an adult and expanding my awareness, I can honestly say I’m vegan for the animals first and foremost.
The problem was I couldn’t go vegan for the animals because I would never let myself see what happened to animals in the meat and dairy industry. Ignorance was bliss. I just didn’t want to know – especially because I was still eating dairy products and I didn’t want to get turned off it.
It sounds funny to say now, but I knew that educating myself would turn me off eating dairy, so I just chose not to educate myself. Taste over awareness. I think a lot of people are like that.
When I went vegan, it was mostly for my health. Dairy wasn’t doing me any favors.
After years of being vegan, I’ve been able to educate myself and learn how animals are treated in the meat and dairy industry, and it’s disgusting no matter how ‘ethical’ they say things are. From what I’ve seen over the years, there’s no such thing as an ethical murdering of an animal.
If you are wondering if being vegan for the animals is something you want to do, I encourage you to imprint the idea that animals are going through hell so that people can have a certain taste or food they want.
We don’t need to be torturing and murdering animals in order to thrive and survive. It’s just not necessary for any reason other than taste.
A Few Reasons Being Vegan For The Animals Will Make You Feel Good
I feel good knowing that I’m not contributing to the pain that animals go through. However, I still wish they weren’t going through the pain they are going through.
The following are 3 animals that most people can’t live without eating. And, I hope you can see that there is a sense of life and joy in them that shouldn’t be snuffed out just because someone wants a burger or ‘nugget’ or whatever else shape you put a dead animal’s meat into.
Chickens Are Smart
One of my friends says she would die if she couldn’t eat chicken. It’s so hard for me to listen to that knowing how smart chickens are and how horrifying it is for them to become part of almost every dish she eats.
Part of the problem is that she thinks chickens are dumb. But, they are not. They have been made to look dumb on cartoons and kid’s shows, but they are not dumb. She won’t eat other birds because they are smart and majestic, but, from her perspective, chickens are dumb and are meant to be food, which simply isn’t true.
Pigs Are Smarter Than Dogs
My father always talks about bacon and how much he loves it. Again, it’s so hard for me to listen to that knowing that pigs are so smart and go through scary hell to get on his breakfast plate.
I’ve seen a lot of horrible pictures since going vegan, but the one that will always sit with me the most is a pig who had been abused on a pig farm. He was sitting in a defeated and utterly hopeless way. In the picture, the emotion of intense depression was obvious, and it was heartbreaking to see.
My father loves our Miniature Schnauzer. He’s loved all our dogs and would obviously never eat them. Yet, when I explain to him how pigs and dogs are a lot alike, he doesn’t seem to get it.
They are so smart! Watch this piglet understand the concept of a mirror.
Cows Have So Much Personality And Are Loving Beings
The second worst picture I’ve seen since going vegan is of a cow. The cow had been immobilized and was heading towards its death and the look in the cow’s eyes was of pure terror. It’s something I can never get out of my mind.
Just like chickens and pigs, not a lot of people view cows as personable animals, but they are. When people are willing to treat animals with respect, it’s truly heartwarming to see the relationship they form with other animals and humans.
Animals Just Want To Live And Be Loved
What I’ve learned since being a vegan and allowing myself to get educated is that going vegan for the animals is such a gift to the environment, your health, and mostly their happiness.
Animals just want to live and be happy and enjoy life, just like we do, and I believe they deserve to do that. After way too many years of using them for our own food and entertainment, it’s time we treat animals with the respect they deserve.
When he rests his head on her guitar ❤️
Posted by The Dodo on Wednesday, June 10, 2020
If You Want To Go Vegan For The Animals, Watch Documentaries
The best way to go vegan for the animals is to get as much into your awareness as you can about the meat and dairy industry. The more information you have in your pocket, the more likely you are quickly going to go vegan for the animals.
In fact, I can guarantee if you’ve read this far, you will go vegan for the animals after just one documentary.
I recommend Earthlings or Dominion – both free to watch on YouTube.
Be prepared to cry and/or throw up. But, also be prepared to go vegan for the animals, because it’s likely to happen if you feel animals deserve better.
