VEGETARIAN OR NOT

A person--that I haven't known from before-- sent me a link that she wanted me to check out on the Internet. I clicked on the link and a movie started about animals in slaughter houses, and also bullfighting. It was not a pleasant view.

Suddenly, I had to run out from the room for a minute, when I returned, Olivia my four-year-old daughter was watching the film.

It was a pig in a slaughterhouse, and the pictures were very graphic. I held my breath, angry at myself that I hadn’t clicked it away. Her face was very serious and she turned her little white face towards me and said, “Mommy look, the pig is hurt.”
“I know baby, it is because we eat meat.”
Her eyes were glued to the screen, and I could see how she was thinking. “That is not good, mommy you go, and get the pig.”


For over 20 years I have been a vegetarian. I have never talked to Olivia about why I don't eat meat. It's just not an issue (yet). At dinner time, I make what she chooses: vegetarian or meat. Since dad is a meat eater (and Max), there is always the option before her.

What was it Linda Mc Cartney said? "If all slaughterhouses had glass walls we would all be vegetarians."

Olivia's Thought

I am conducting some research on the Internet about animals in need, and on this site that I was looking at, there was a rolling film about animals in slaughter houses, bullfighting. Not very pleasant of course but I am trying not to close my eyes because I feel uncomfortable.

For some reason that I now have forgotten, I stepped out from the room for a minute, and when I come back Olivia, my four-year-old daughter was watching.

It was a pig in a slaughterhouse, and the pictures were very graphic. I held my breath, angry that I hadn’t clicked it away.

She looked very serious and said, “Mommy look ... the pig is hurt.”
“I know baby, it is because we eat meat.”
Her eyes were glued to the screen, and I could see how her mind was working.

“That is not good, mommy!" she said, pointing at me emphatically, "You go and get the pig.”