I've been an animal lover since childhood and vegan for 15 years and my special love for animals has become stronger as an adult. I've always had a special love and connection bond with animals and as a Highly Sensitive Person, (HSP) I have tremendous respect and appreciation for animals. I love all animals - farm animals, cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, mice, dolphins, whales, squirrels, and birds. I've looked into the eyes of many animals and I always see the same thing - wisdom, intelligence, love, beauty, gentleness, and mystery. When they look back at me, I smile and laugh, wondering if we're having a conversation or if they're trying to figure out what kind of weird animal or human I am.
I once looked into the eyes of a cow and that was quite a memorable moment. On the way home from a road trip, my husband and I stopped along the side of the road and we smiled and greeted a cow that was on a ranch property on the other side of the fence. We happily said, "Hi there, we just wanted to say hello and let you know that we don't eat you because we're vegan and we don't eat your people, our friends. Have a nice day." We said good-bye and returned home.
I once looked into the eyes of a cow and that was quite a memorable moment. On the way home from a road trip, my husband and I stopped along the side of the road and we smiled and greeted a cow that was on a ranch property on the other side of the fence. We happily said, "Hi there, we just wanted to say hello and let you know that we don't eat you because we're vegan and we don't eat your people, our friends. Have a nice day." We said good-bye and returned home.
Several years later, we attended a vegan Thanksgiving potluck at Los Angeles Rancho Park, California, and met a rescued chicken. It was the first time that either of us had seen a farm animal up close and personal in such a peaceful, free, relaxed manner. We cried tears of joy and for those special moments, it totally changed our perspective on farm animals. Very few people make the connection between the meat neatly packaged on the store shelf and on their plate. According to John Robbins' book, "Diet For A New America," most people are desensitized and taught to believe that farm animals are stupid, unintelligent, and have no feelings. I can tell you firsthand that is completely false. I was initially cautious because I had never seen a farm animal up close in this manner and I didn't want to frighten her, especially considering the horrifying conditions she was rescued from. But after a few moments, I gently touched her head and her back and she looked up at me and I could see that she was totally relaxed.
There is no question in my mind that animals have feelings and feel the joy and pain from other animals and humans. I feel the same way about my cats, Cali, a beautiful, sweet, loving, adorable Calico, and her brother, Marble, a sweet, adorable, beautiful, cuddly gray Tabby. When I feel bad, depressed, angry, stressed, or physically under the weather, my kids are very sensitive and comfort me and cuddle with me for hours at a time. They know I'm their Mommy and they love me and care about me and I love, care about, respect, and adore them. I'm very deeply grateful for the special connection I share with animals and the loving healing they give to me in my life.
