Do Not Read Me

If you do not want to listen to ethical questions regarding food hunting and feral cats

Overnight and early morning our backyard became a nature trail for some reason. So many animals. The deer came back again this morning when everyone was awake so you can guess the decibel level of a beagle and shepherd with a deer ten feet away through glass.

Then I was working out and watching some birds at the feeder when they suddenly scattered and I wondered if one of neighborhood cats were stalking and it took me on a whole damn thread of thoughts.

The creatures we see on a regular basis in our yard are crawly bugs, flying bugs, toad, snakes, birds, squirrels, chipmunks, possum, ground hogs, raccoons, rabbits, cats, dogs and deer. I am sure I forgot some.

Most of these animals we love seeing, really the only exception are the feral cats that hunt the birds and bunnies and such. No one wants to see or hear what it sounds like when the cat is successful. But like all things in my life, where is the line?

I have seen the snake eat a toad (gross but fascinating) and the birds eat the bugs but I still like the snakes and birds. Why don’t I give the same grace to the cats? It is not their fault they were born in the wild or that they are by nature hunters.

I have no problem with people hunting* I just choose not to be a part of it. I choose not to eat other living creatures based more on the cruelty of what has become animal farming and mass hunting with no regard for population or environment.

Life would be so much easier if we just did not have to eat to thrive.

*with people hunting animals, not a hunt of people. well, most people.