Oh my, how late to chime in. I live amongst hunters of all sorts. This time of year is a big deal for them. We have to stay out of the woods because it's pheasant and then turkey then deer etc seaon. Bow season and musket season. I have to confess that I have never thought about the torture that animals go through to be raised for food. I became a veggi when I was 13 because I watched my beloved pets being slaughtered and at a younger age was made to participate. I can't know that all small farms are okay because I watched sadistic cruelty to the animals who were my friends. On the other hand I have close friends who butcher lambs or send them to market. These animals have had great lives but are they tortured at the end before slautering? They mostly are shipped though friends do butcher a few. I stopped allowing my kids to have their sheep lamb for this reason. The rams are always on someones table. My own sweet innocent son learned to slaughter lambs with my friend. I felt sick to hear of it. He is 20 now and he loves critters so much yet he could gut an animal? But my friend taught him to do it with humanity and love. Still couldn't take a life I think but that is me. I never am near meat. Was devastated that we were out of tofu tonight. Will probably start making own cheeses from friend's organic farm. I* am curious about the animal rennet. How to do it without death?
I was a slaughtered animal when I was young. I was that defenseless and unimportant. I watched as my only friends, the only solice I had were murdered in front of me. I will not eat meat. I do not judge others as I live in a hunting and farming community. I can't eat a being that could look me in the eye and share life. Tommi, I was so scared by your statement that even animals we euthanize know death is coming and give us a look. Geez, I have been in that position too many times and it bothers me to think my beloved pets had awareness of their impending death.