I’ve been a vegetarian for 27 years now. I gave up meat for health reasons, not for ethical reasons. I don’t judge people who eat meat, I don’t try to convert people to a meat free diet, I have cooked meat for my dinner guests. However, since becoming a vegetarian I have grown CONSIDERABLY more sympathetic towards animals. I don’t like to go fishing, even catch and release because I can’t stand the idea of hurting a fish. The other day, I squished some sort of caterpillar/worm insect and I felt really bad about it. It was an accident. I didn’t mean to do it.
I also studied anthropology and learned to respect and appreciate the diversity of different cultures.
That being said, it was really hard for me to let go of my cultural and personal beliefs today when I passed out front a restaurant that was butchering dogs.
Three had been dispatched already. Doug saw a fourth, still alive and in a cage. I had averted my gaze and did not notice the fourth dog.
Doug and I talked about what we should do if we encounter a similar situation. Should we offer to buy the still living dog next time? What do we do with the dog? Release it? Make it walk the ladt 550-600 miles with us and try to bring it home?
7 Responses to “Animal Lovers Beware- This Story Involves Dogs And Restaurants”
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If purchase dog to later be released, it will only be recaptured…as to that country’s customs and practices it will be hard to keep that animal safe but it might make a good companion (mascot) for some duration of the trip 🙁
In case you do decide to rescue a dog:
Requirements for Pets Entering the United States
Below are the vaccination and health requirements for dogs and cats entering the United States from other countries.
With the exception of pets entering the state of Hawaii, there is no quarantine for pets arriving in the US from overseas at this time.
Requirements for Dogs and Cats
1) International Health Certificate – Within 10 days of departure your vet will need to issue an International Health Certificate as required by all airlines. This certificate states that your pet is in good health and OK to fly.
2) Rabies Vaccination & Certificate – In general, it is required that dogs be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry, except for puppies younger than 3 months and dogs originated or located for 6 months in areas considered to be free of rabies. Dogs and cats coming from areas not free of rabies must be accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate. If a vaccination has not been performed, or if the certificate is not valid, the animal may be admitted if it is confined immediately upon arrival at a place of the owner’s choosing. The dog must be vaccinated within four days after arrival at the final destination, but no more than 10 days after arrival at the port of entry. The animal must remain in confinement for at least 30 days after being vaccinated.
3) Dogs: Screwworm Policy – The USDA pet import policy allows dogs from screwworm affected countries to enter the country if the following requirements are met:
1. Health certificate issued prior to the flight (see “International Health Certificate above) needs to state that the dog(s) were inspected for screwworm within 5 days preceding shipment to the U.S. AND dog(s) were found free of screwworm
OR
2. Dog(s) were found infested with screwworm, were held in quarantine, and treated until free prior to leaving the country.
Thanks for the info Hollies. We’ll put you down for one rescue dog ; )
For god’s sake, I’m not saying “eat your pet”, but Nature doesn’t really care who eats who or what. We do live in a world where things of all kind get eaten by other creatures on a constant basis. Survival dictates this behavior. All kinds of bacteria are eating each other inside your body all the time, with or without your consent and that is just the nature of things. I love living things myself and avoid destruction where ever I can, but avoiding eating certain forms of “food” is a personal choice, not a rational or realistic choice. Plants are living organisms also, but we don’t give them the credit for being self aware, which may or may not be the case. It is simply our limited perspective. In reality, living systems of all kinds rely on the constant ingestion of other organisms to fuel the furnace that keeps them “alive”. No other creature has a moral dilemma concerning appropriate “forms” of food. Humans seem to carry this burden alone. Currently I am in Minnesota and I do not notice the mosquitos having a meal of warm blood. The ducks eat corn, insects, fish or whatever comes their way. I realize that some creatures are vegetarian, but it is certainly not through a “moral” choice. That is simply the way that they have developed through the evolutionary process. Morality for us humans is mostly a curse that we developed along we the silliness of religion. No other creature has this dilemma and in this regard they are fortunate. I know that we access to ourselves the notion that we are somehow above the laws of Nature, but that is pure malarkey. We are every bit creatures of this environment and completely and wholly immersed in all of it’s particulars just like all other organisms. To think otherwise is an exercise in futility. We need to be good stewards of this earth because it is in our own best self interest, but the notion of what is edible or not is really a matter of our development, culture and likes or dislikes. The idea that there is some “moral” or “ethical” principle involved is a cultural phenomenon. It is not a reality of Nature. Eat to be healthy, survive well and propagate. That is the dictate of Nature. If an individual is able to successfully sustain one’s life by being a vegetarian, or by eating nothing but seafood or chocolate donuts really makes little difference in the grand scheme of things. Healthy and happy survival is the only key ingredient! When it comes to “food” there is in truth no morality or “higher” reasoning. The body will extract the nutrients that it needs to best suit itself. Be or do whatever you feel comfortable doing, but do not access some “higher” meaning to it because in reality it just does not exist!
I know that you vehemently disagree with my post but that is OK, in fact, it is great! That is what discussion is all about. The gentleman, in whose footsteps you are following, was certainly not in fear of voicing his opinion, and this is what made him such a powerful influence in his travels. Just be careful of expressing your view points while in China. Their toleration of opinions is somewhat different than ours, so continue to be courteous and careful in your travels. Have you seen any MacDonald’s or Burger Kings or KFC’s in your travels? Just interested in how pervasive American culture has become? But don’t eat there…it might be just …dog.
Artie, I don’t disagree with your presence ious post. Like I said, I don’t try to convert, I cook meat for my house guests etc. It was just a bit traumatizing to see 2 gigs lying dead in their own blood right there aside the road. I’m very careful about keeping my opinions to myself. Especially here on the blog as well as in public. We have already attracted police attention several times. I don’t want to attract any more.
All I’ll say is this… every time I’ve seen a photo of a cooked dog, they looked JUST like my Zoe. So, I’m hugging my pup right now… nobody’s cooking her on my watch, dammit!!!