You Want to Talk About Strength?

So often, people will make fun of or want to challenge people on their beliefs because they are different. Whether someone is of another race, whether they are gay, or they don't eat meat…They are ALL a minority in one way or another…In that society does not cater to them and their lifestyle. People that CARE are of the minority. Most of society simply does NOT care, they are so desensitized. The next time you want to call someone weak or outrageous because they don't eat meat or because they work tirelessly to help animals, I want to give you something to think about… It takes a very strong person to get up everyday and deal with what we have to deal with and see what we have to see.

We turn on our tv or walk out the front door and get offended. The world does not cater to our feelings in the least. So, we have to look past their ignorance and proceed forward for the sake of the animals. If we don't, who will? Those of us not eating meat are the ones helping the environment when you won't.

We see dogs and cats that have been abused and neglected and have to try to help these animals, all while balancing our own lives and families. Many of us wear three hats everyday…One for our own personal lives, one for work purposes and the other for what we do for animals. Often times, we have to wear all three of these hats at the same time.

When you don't spay and neuter your pets, we are the ones trying to find homes for the litters that you dumped off on someone's doorstep. When you kick the crap out of your dog, we are the ones that have to try to get that poor animal to trust humans again. While you are sitting on your butt watching the football game, we are on the side of a freeway in 30 degree weather trying to rescue a terrified kitten. When you are gulping down your steak without even taking the time to breathe, each of us are saving the lives of 100+ animals per year by living cruelty-free. We do this because our beliefs and our morals won't allow for us to live any other way. This is OUR religion. Just like you have your religion. While you are looking at what is on your plate, we know the horror and the reality of HOW it got there. We know that whoever they were, they had a family and went kicking and screaming into the slaughterhouse, where they died a painful death in a pool of their own blood. We have the ability to realize that our actions NOW will impact everything in the future…Even when most of society doesn't have sense enough to realize this for themselves.

It takes a VERY strong person to psych themselves up enough to get up each morning and face the day, when they know they are going to see more abuse and neglect and that the whole world is undermining damn near everything they work so hard for…Then, in the midst of all that, they have to try to work, smile, cook dinner, and function just like everyone else. You want to talk about strength? So, before you want to categorize someone as weak for not eating meat or for caring, it's highly likely that that person is one of the strongest and most dedicated people you'll ever have the privilege of meeting. Unless you are part of the animal welfare community, you have no clue just how MUCH strength it takes to keep going, to keep trying and keep being kind towards other people, even when they show you nothing but ignorance.

We are ALL a part of some kind of minority in one way or another. No matter who you are and no matter how much good you are doing, there will always be someone who will want to challenge or criticize it. I don't believe any of us are perfect citizens. But, I know that those of us who work so hard for the sake of animals deserve some respect.

When you are judging people who are trying to do some good in this world, you are actually showing you are the weakest one of all. While you may not love animals or don't see anything wrong with eating them, I do. And, I won't back down from that. You may not agree with me, but I my hope is that you will at least appreciate my efforts and show me the respect that I show you. Show the animals of this world some kindness and respect. In the great big scheme of things, that is not a lot to ask. -TE Sutton