extend your compassion by millions and billions!

Tufted Titmouse

One of the things we have always loved most about our home, is the screened-in deck, that extends off the dining room. However, there are times, like this morning that the love wanes. A tufted titmouse, a bird I enjoy watching, was trapped inside. While there are two doors that lead to the outdoors, the large (12X12) screened area and high ceiling can be quite tricky to a bird. Luckily, after several failed attempts to help, the bird found the doorway to freedom. I cheered the bird on as he/she flew to the highest treetop.

Most all of us are very compassionate when it comes to one being that is in distress or discomfort. It has always baffled me though, how our compassion seems to lessen as the numbers increase. We can detach when large amounts of individuals are involved since our brains cannot wrap itself around massive numbers. As we try to visualize hundreds of thousands, millions, billions - we just shutdown.

I have been following the recent incident of the 50,000 hens that were left to starve to death. It is my hope that they did not live or die in vain. For me, this story brought home the realities even deeper of  what I already knew about factory farming -  it is cruel without doubt or exceptions. The contrast is vivid as you watch the rescued hens able to scratch dirt, build nest, dust bathe, bask in the sun, and perch for the FIRST time ever! Doesn't that sound odd to you? The natural behaviors of a being, the very behaviors they were built to perform, denied for their entire lives.

  Animal Place and Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary coordinated the largest farm animal rescue in California history. More than 4,400 hens were pulled from A&L Poultry in Turlock, California after the owner left the hens without food for more than two weeks. Sign the petition to prosecute the Owner, Andy Keung Cheung

In factory farms, hens are placed cramped and crowded, in  battery cages. Sharing the cage with other hens this give each individual the the space of a sheet of paper (8.5 X11) which is actually ONE FOURTH the MINIMUM space they require (4 square feet).  So, what kind of space would 50,000 hens need as a MINIMUM to perform their basic natural behaviors? 250 acres or 100 city blocks. But yet, they are crammed into a shed. Additionally, they are not able to spread their wings, peck,scratch the earth, and never see or feel the light of the sun. These types of denials cause beings to go insane, literally, as it goes against all they are genetically made-up to do.

Can you imagine spending your entire life with your arms folded or legs crossed never able to extend them? Would you allow your companion animal to live in a cramped cage, not able to turn around, stand up, groom itself, never seeing daylight? NO! Because it is beyond cruel. Yet, we allow these acts to happen in our country, to BILLIONS of animals daily as they are raised and slaughtered for food.

Unfortunately, there are no federal laws to protect farmed animals from cruelty. The industry makes it's own rules and their practices quickly become industry standards and norms. Cruelty cases such as the 50,000 hen's case are not rare - they have become the industry standard.  As consumer's we give a "thumbs-up" to cruelties such as these every time we make a purchase of an animal based product. Supply and demand. Choose an alternative, extend your compassion today, and consider a plant-based diet. You can  Get a Free Starter Kit to help you begin. All individuals have the right and are deserving of living out the lives they were built to live; whether that is wagging their tail, folding their arms, bathing in dust, or flying to the highest tree top. 

Turning Vegan - "change happens"

Sometimes we set out to make changes in our lives. Mostly, because we think it is something we should do, or something we shouldn't do. We change jobs, go back to school, get married, start exercising. The list goes on and on. But sometimes, change happens without any thought at all. Something or someone speaks directly to our heart and there is no need for a "decision". Our lives are immediately different. That is how my life changed, I read a book without having any inclination of what the outcome would be for me.

I had been a Vegetarian for over five years. It started really through a New Year's Detox which consisted of beans, rice and vegetables (if I remember correctly). The Detox was for 2 weeks which at that time in my life, um, let's say I was not the poster child for healthy living. At the end, I just noticed, that I really didn't miss animal meat. WOW! You mean, you can actually have a meal that does not consist of any type of meat. YES! So, I shared with my husband that I was not going to start eating meat again and see how it would go. He of course declared "Well, don't expect me to not eat meat!". So it began. As time went on, being an animal lover, I felt pretty self assured that I was doing enough by not eating animal flesh. However, I was never compelled to dig deeper. Vegetarians were few and far between in my life. God only knew what a VEGAN was - I had never heard the word!

In April, I became familiar with the term vegan. Living dairy and egg free seemed like a very noble cause... BUT why would anyone give up dairy? I mean, the animal gets to live. No harm no foul, right? WRONG!
My vegetarian self-righteousness all came tumbling down the moment I decided to read Farm Sanctuary - Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food , May 28th 2011.

In Farm Sanctuary, Baur provides a thought provoking investigation of the ethical questions involved in the production of beef, poultry, pork, milk,and eggs -- and what each of us can do to stop the mistreatment of farm animals and promote compassion. He details the triumphs and the disappointments of more than twenty years on the front lines of the animal protection movement. And he introduces us to some of the special creatures who live at Farm Sanctuary -- from Maya the cow to Marmalade the chicken -- all of whom escaped horrible circumstances to live happier, more peaceful lives. Farm Sanctuary shows how all of us have an opportunity and a responsibility to consume a kinder plate, making a better life for ourselves and animals as well. You will certainly never think of a hamburger or chicken breast the same way after reading this book.

While much of the content was upsetting for me, there were the stories of hope, of the animals that had been rescued and rehabilitated.  Despite being upset, I could not put this book down. My mind was hungry for the truth and my heart was hungry for healing. I cried quite a bit. I ranted even more. Some of it was shock. Some of it was guilt. Some of it was shame. Much of it was heart break. However, one thing was FOR CERTAIN, in the midst of reading this book, I was NOW a VEGAN FOR LIFE! What does that even mean? Being vegan is not a DIET. It is not some exclusive club for hippies eating granola. It is a lifestyle.      A lifestyle of practicing mindfulness, compassion, and of causing the least harm. This is a work in progress as is anything in life. However, it all begins with being an informed consumer and aligning your values with your behaviors. Shaved armpits are optional.