- Jan
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A Lesson From the Eagle Outside My Window
Posted by Kerry Anderlik at 6:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
There is a bald eagle who hangs out in a tree outside my window. I can tell when the eagle is around because my cat, Lucy, makes unique “the eagle has landed” growling sounds from her hiding spot under the couch.
The bald eagle is beautiful and majestic, but I cannot stand to watch him hunt the ducks who I have grown so fond of everyday. These duck families visit my lakeside beach several times a day, and I watch the babies grow from adorable little fuzzy balls through their gawky adolescent stage to full adulthood. It breaks my heart.
But at the same time, it reminds me of a very important lesson. Thankfully, we as humans have the unique ability to make ethical choices when it comes to our food. We are not driven by the law of the jungle, like the eagle is.
Watching the eagle hunt the baby ducks makes me wonder how anybody would ever choose to participate in this type of activity by, for example, ordering roast duck, or any other dead animal, in a restaurant. Have we forgotten that the animals we eat were once babies and part of a family? Don’t we realize how desperately they want to live?
Some people will argue that the example of the eagle hunting his prey is justification for humans eating meat. They say it’s only “natural.” But there is nothing natural about factory farming and the meat industry! And besides, when you really think about it, it simply comes down to one basic question: As humans, we can live very happy, healthy lives eating a plant-based diet that does not harm animals, so why would you choose instead to feed yourself a diet created out of death, cruelty, and abuse?
I am glad that as a human I am an omnivore, not a carnivore. I do not have to kill animals to eat in order to survive. Thankfully, I can choose to eat a compassionate diet, free from violence and cruelty. I have chosen a vegan diet and I know that many of our readers have as well.
For those of you who are not yet vegetarian, I recommend visiting GoVeg.com, where there are plenty of resources for you to consider.
And for delicious recipes that make saving animals a pleasure, go to VegCooking.com. There are so many great recipes there that it’s the only “cookbook” you will need.
And thanks to the eagle in my backyard for reminding me how important it is that we humans choose kindness.
Posted to Home & Garden | Posted to Tags: bird, eagle, Kerry Anderlik, vegan, vegetarian
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Elizabeth says...
January 2nd, 2009, 3:20 pm
It seems Mother Nature can be cruel sometimes. However, animals do not kill for pleasure or money - it would be nice if more humans learned that lesson! Great article!
Natalie says...
January 2nd, 2009, 6:36 pm
Well said! Thanks, Kerry!
I’ve been vegetarian for over a year and almost vegan for the majority of that time, but I found myself slipping up at the office when I’d run out of vegan snacks and someone would bring in cookies, chocolates, or the like. I have such a weakness for sweets and chocolate..!
Now that the craziness of the end of the year is over, I pledge to be as perfect as possible when it comes to veganism. I’m making sure to stay stocked with my vegan goodies and will keep up with the vegan cosmetics, clothing, and other purchases.
I strongly urge anyone who can do more on their part to support vegan food & other manufacturers to do so, because money talks! And if you haven’t tried a vegetarian/vegan diet, go for it- you have nothing to lose!
Angie says...
January 3rd, 2009, 11:39 am
I believe the appropriate term for what vegetarians and vegans are, is, ‘herbivore’. Omnivores are what the rest of the non-compassionate world is that eat both meat and plant-based foods. I’m sure the word, ‘carnivore’ is reserved to those animals that eat only meat…
Dr Renata Bartoli says...
January 4th, 2009, 7:44 am
I totally agree with you.
I would also like to add a little note for those who invoke the law of nature and the “natural way of living” for killing and exploiting animals. If this might have been true (and I am far from sure about it anyway) for our ancestors who lived in caves, it is certainly not true for us in the XXI century.
In our lives there is very little left of natural living. If these people are so keen in preserving the “natural way” then they should give up their central heating, their houses, their clothes, their oven and microwaves. And of course: computers, TV, cars, planes, mobiles and all the rest we all know.
It’s curious that they don’t find anything wrong with these things even if they are very far from the “natural way”, but they suddently remember the “natural way” as soon as you tell them not to eat or exploit animals. They are hypocrites and we should make it very clear to them.
Kimberly says...
January 4th, 2009, 6:34 pm
Thank you Kerry for such a wonderfully written article to remind us of the difference between us and the animals that we share this world with - we have “choice” and “reason” - they are simply driven by nature.
I have been vegetarian for about 7 years and vegan for the past 6 though I, like Natalie, have often been tempted by a quick snack at the coffee shop or the goodies at the office (I too have a sweet tooth) when I don’t have my vegan goodies along with me. I realize at the start of this new year that I do have a choice as to what I eat and where I get it from and if I believe so much in being vegan (and I do) then how can I deny myself such a beautiful choice? I am determined to continue make the right choices and it is articles like this that remind me to do just that. Thank you for the encouragement.
PS. Dr. Bartoli, I couldn’t agree with you more!
debbie says...
January 5th, 2009, 7:59 am
well written!! i wish that we, who feel this way and am compelled not to eat animals could make more of a difference and could, somehow, really encourage others to follow. its not enough to quietly shop vegan or eat vegan. i do this, and the meat trucks keep driving down the highway, milk trucks keep delivering to their unsuspecting customers and people will continue to purchase eggs and dead carcasses for chickens. my heart is so saddened. i leaflet everywhere i go, talk about food choices and do what i can but i feel its not enough. everyones comments were awesome, now lets take it to a higher level.
connie says...
January 6th, 2009, 10:47 am
Kerry,
Thank you for the excellent article. It encourages thought, conversation and mindful action.