Do cats have feelings too?
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the mainstream arguments that are for eating meat. That animals don’t have cognizant thoughts, feelings, memories, or recollections like we do, that human beings are “better” than other beings, that they exist to serve us. Well, my friends I very loudly and DISrespectfully disagree.
Enter Leonor Fini and Olive, my two crazy cats. I can’t imagine 2 more wonderful albeit fuzzy little beings. I have absolutely no doubt that they have intelligent thoughts and feelings just like the rest of us–that they care capable of not only excitement and joy but also sadness and pain. I know they have memories and recollections, that they have a cache of memories just like any other living creature.
There’s a reason that rabbits are the poster pets of the vegan movement. I cannot imagine a more innocent and sweet being! (This photo shows me walking Beans the Wonder Rabbit on one of our many outings together through a local clover patch!)
To me, my 2 precious kitties and rambunctious rabbit are the epitome of love and of innocence, and they represent the thousands upon thousands of innocent, harmless creatures who are slaughter, abused, or mistreated each year because we humans think that it’s our ordained right to govern other creatures. The animals that I come into contact with on the day-to-day are just reminders of how many beautiful furry beings don’t get the love and affection I try so hard to show them.
All beings have feelings whether it’s a mosquito or your own beloved companion animal. In honor of all of the animals you’ve ever loved or held dear, I challenge you to adopt a policy of non violence. Take that spider out of doors instead of squashing it. Shoo away the mosquito instead of making it go splat when it tries to bite you. Just remember that one species’ pest is another’s best friend.
What are some of the ways you honor animals in your day-to-day?
Bisous!
Rachel
Awesome! This is exactly what I just happened to be talking about the other day. I’ve never had any pets so I may have been a bit slower to realize it, but I suddenly started thinking that animals must have feelings and there’s really no way of us knowing for certain how deep their pain and emotions run. Then, all this talk about how animals don’t feel like humans feel must just be a way of distancing ourselves from animals so that we can put our consciences at rest and so the public can feel comfortable eating them. :/
…and then I started thinking how the fact that we use words like “pig” and “cow” and “chicken” as insults is just another way that we’re further lowering those animals and allowing ourselves to accept everything that happens to them.
I rambled lol. Anyways, nice timing and very cool post
Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment! I agree entirely and I think that you bring up a wonderful point about name calling and how that demeans animals. It’s very similar to stereotypes around women and calling people certain feminine names in an attempt to insult them.
Very well said. I completely agree with you. People are very quick to attribute human emotions to their companion animals, such as “My dog is so excited when I get home,” or “my cat is grumpy right now.” I completely understand (I do it too) because it’s because they feel a connection with that animal and they understand their behavior. What many people fail to see is that these are not traits of dogs or cats, but traits of all living beings.
So glad that you liked the post and thank you for the thoughtful remark!