Yesterday we had fewer creatures and humans at our annual Blessing of the Animals. There were nine dogs, two nervous cats, and one bunny. Twenty five to thirty humans accompanied them, including a number of people, young and old, who came sans pets.
As we were finishing up our resident sheep farmer was leaving the church and mentioned that when his lambs go to market Muslim buyers turn to the east and pray a blessing on the creatures who will grace the tables at their various feasts. We have heard from our sheep-raising friends that Muslims pay a premium for lambs that are "perfect" (as much as they can be) with undocked tails, no noticeable blemishes, and with genitalia intact for the males. Good news, no castration, bad news, served with mint jelly!
We may figure this is a mixed blessing, since these lambs will end up as supper, but it is a good reminder. Canadians treat certain animals as members of the family willing to spend large amounts of money on their care and wellbeing. Then we cheerfully eat others without many thoughts about their fate. Of course this leads some to become vegetarians. It should nudge the rest of us to think about the ethical treatment of those who do become our food.
The prayer we use in our Blessing of the Animals service speaks of animals that work (including guide dogs and police dogs) and those animals which live on farms. Just because farm animals nourish us doesn't mean that we can't treat them with respect. We are told that it was practice of Aboriginal Canadians to give thanks to the Creator for the life of the creatures they killed for food. Not a bad idea.
Please say a prayer for the cat, Tippy, who went on "the lam(b)" from yesterday's service.
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Good news. The cat came back --the very next day -- she wasn't a goner!
Yes, I can also understand why people become vegetarians, although I myself am not. Loving animals, but also consuming them, can be difficult for some people. As you said, I think it is possible to treat animals that are to be slaughtered humanely, and with dignity and respect.
ReplyDeleteMany aboriginal people, after hunting and killing an animal, will sprinkle tobacco around the animal to honour the creature. Some will do the same with animals that are killed on the highways. I think this is a touching gesture and reminds us not to take animals - whether those that are destined for the dinner table or those that are pets - for granted.