Meat

I wish I didn't eat meat.

Not that I don't like it, but I loathe killing animals. I mean, who am I to take the life of another sentient being? And animals like pigs and cows are sentient, without doubt. They develop personalities, they love and fear and understand death like humans.

I've always said that if I'm going to eat meat I should be prepared to look an animal in the eyes as I kill it. I know I wouldn't have the guts to work in an abbatoir, so why do I eat meat?

For that, I know I'm a hypocrite and am ashamed of being so.

One day, when I was in a field in Yorkshire, England, I was standing beside a fence watching three cows huddled together. It was almost as though they were discussing something. Then, one of them came over to me, very gingerly, jumping as though startled each time a moved even in the slightest.

Then, as the cow got right up close to me, she put out her huge, knobbly tongue and licked my hand.

It was as if the cows knew that I was on the cusp of being a non meat eater. It was as if they were drawing lots, standing there, to see which one of them should go over to me and do the licking. It was as if they were saying "Don't eat us, please! We're just like you!"

For a while, I couldn't eat beef again. I still think of that cow now, every time I do.

I wish I could give up meat entirely. But it's just do delicious. I mean, who can resist a bacon sandwich, or lamb souvlaki, or a juicy steak?

But I really should be able to kill them if I'm going to eat them.

No problem with fish or chickens, having said that.

I mean, who ever had a pet chicken?