Hello,
My name is Petra, 32years and live in Belgium
I am born with a rare blood disease and like many of you know, sometimes people can be very cruel when it comes to appearance or being different.
That’s why from a very young age I knew, that there is nothing more peaceful than animals..
I always had a special relationship with mother nature, who is finally what makes us live..
From as long as I can remember we had pets at home. And I took every animal in destress at home with me to take care of it. Over the years I rescued a lot of animals, and no feeling in the world gives me more satisfaction!
My opinion has always been that every living creature on earth counts!
For example: I’m really scared of spiders and not a fan at all of most insects. But that doesn’t mean that I should kill them.
Just Because I have the power to do so…?
So.. I put them outside with a big glass and a paper under it.
According to my principles every living creature on earth has as many right to live as myself.
Unfortunately it’s a fact that I was brought up with eating meat and for many people this is the most normal thing on earth.
Although I almost never ate baby animals and never tasted foes grass. There were many animals killed just because I had made a habit of my diet and didn’t think about the situation.
Years ago I saw a commercial from Gaia on tv, about how they torture those poor geese to make a piece of ‘sick liver’ so that we people can have an option more to consume..
This made me think about the whole situation.. How do pigs, cows, sheep and chicken live then?
What I saw when I did some research was so horrible, I don’t even want to write it all down no more..
I am truly convinced that everyone Who really loves animals, don’t want to participate at mistreatment and murder of these innocent and peaceful creatures. Many of you just don’t know how it goes ‘behind the scenes’.
And of course they want to make us believe that it all goes very humane..
Everyone of you has seen horror movies like ‘Saw and Hostel’.
Well I can tell you the meat and dairy industry is a real one!!!
And no, not only in my country, or yours.. But everywhere..
Everywhere in the world livestock animals are living in horrible conditions, after months or years being mistreated they go to a slaughterhouse, also there they are brutally treated, they hear and see each other getting abused and killed, while they cry, scream and pee themselves from being so afraid… And slowly wait their turn…
In my eyes, no living being should feel this pain and fear. And everyone who buys these products works unconscious with this industry.
That’s why I don’t eat meat, eggs or dairy anymore!
And many people will think that you need meat for iron and keeping your body healthy..
Well, I am the living proof that that’s just a story!!
I have severe anemia all my life, and I can tell you I have never felt more alive. Both physically and mentally.
And no, it’s not hard to leave meat and dairy out of your diet. It’s just an adjustment.
And If you know that you are working on making this a better world! Isn’t that worth the change?
I do also know that you cannot become a vegan in just 1day, because so many products are made from animal ingredients, we even don’t even know about..
And no need to feel bad about it.
There are so many different options, that everyone can easily find his way in it.
I never liked ‘distinction’, that’s why I think you don’t necessary have to be vegan or vegetarian.
I see myself like someone between a pescetarian and a vegan, and that doesn’t have a name..
I don’t eat meat, eggs or any dairy products. I don’t buy wool, angora or any fur. But I am guilty of a pair leather shoes and now and then I eat some fish.(with label of conscious fishing).
If everyone no longer closes his eyes and heart, handles life more consciously and works on a better world in his/her own way..
Wouldn’t this be a beautiful planet? Who’s with me….?!
I hope I made some people think with this letter. And even If writing isn’t my strongest side.. They say..
One to change a few,
a few to change many,
many to change the world.
It starts with one… YOU!
Lots of love,
Petra.
