Could You Eat An Elephant...?

Babycakes · Post by **Babycakes** » 15 Jan 2009, 16:20

Firstly, apologies to mods if this is in the wrong section, been thinking about it all day and don't know where to post!!
Did anyone else watch the above programme last night?? I did and was completely rivited. I found the whole thing fascinating, from seeing what animals are eaten in other cultures and how they are prepared, and challenging my own opinions on things - asking myself WHY I wouldnt eat things was quite eye-opening. Is there REALLY a difference between eating a rabbit that lives wild in fields and eating a rat that lives int he same place...? I think a lot of why we would not eat things comes from what we have been culturally "taught" rather than from any genuine reason not to eat. For example - the horse at the abbatior, to me it was no different than seeing a cow that had been slaughtered. I maybe should say here that I firmly beieve those who eat meat should be under no illusions as to where it comes from - I believe it is essential to know and apprecate and respect where your meat comes from.
I also thought the bit wiuth the caged dogs was wonderful. Yes it was sad and seemed cruel and disturbing to us....but I couldnt help wondering, why is it ok to do that to chickens in this country, but not ok to do it to dogs?? Surely if it is unacceptable to keep an animal in those conditions then it's unacceptable for any animal, not just some...?
Am really looking forward to hearing what everyone else thought about it.

Babycakes · Post by **Babycakes** » 15 Jan 2009, 16:41

That was one of the questions raised int he programme - why we wttach special staus to some animals, see others as food, others as non-edible etc. For example, one of the presenters said he couldnt eat the elephant because he had very strong childhood memories of Babar stories.....
It was hard going at times, especially the dogs and the monkeys, but I'm glad I watched - it was definately challenging and thought-provoking.

untouchable · Post by **untouchable** » 15 Jan 2009, 16:53

I didnt watch it...but I remember years ago I saw a clip on some country (possible Japan) where they had dogs trussed up, hanging from market stalls with their front legs tied behind their backs, still alive :shock:

Horrible.

Post by **wendy** » 15 Jan 2009, 18:45

Saw it advertised, but couldn't watch it.
Wendy

kate egg · Post by **kate egg** » 15 Jan 2009, 18:51

A dog is such an understanding animal and so in tune with its owner, and yes my dog is the light of my life and I could never bear to watch any sort of cruelty to dogs. But I couldn't eat rabbit either, kept them when we were kids and they can also be very friendly pets.

I will stick to trad english type meat, and if it wasn't for the menfolk I could easily be vegetarian, I really have to try not to think about it too much when I am prepping or eating it.

misty · Post by **misty** » 15 Jan 2009, 20:18

Same as Wendy and Jen, couldn't watch it. I have horses but as long as they are slaughtered humanly (not the way it goes on at the moment) lots would be better going for slaughter than the lives they live.

Dogs, no way, just one of those things.

Rabbits, no problems. Dig holes all over the place for horse to trip up in, errode the banks, eat the veg.

Mainly it's the way these poor animals are killed that I object to, often not even a sharp knife.

stace · Post by **stace** » 15 Jan 2009, 20:20

I recorded this last night, not watched it yet!

Not sure i will now having read the posts !

I thought it was just about elephants! ^b:

Stace

bluebell · Post by **bluebell** » 15 Jan 2009, 20:25

I am afraid I am too soft to watch stuff like that, it upsets me.

I could not look an animal in the eye and then watch it being killed and eaten.

Just my slant on things :shock:

Meanqueen · Post by **Meanqueen** » 15 Jan 2009, 21:14

I couldn't watch it, no tele, and I definately won't be looking for it on a web site.

Ilona

untouchable · Post by **untouchable** » 15 Jan 2009, 23:52

stace wrote:I recorded this last night, not watched it yet!

Not sure i will now having read the posts ! I thought it was just about elephants!

Stace

There was a programme on BBC1 Stace called 'The secret lives of elephants', maybe you have recorded that?

If it was, its a brilliant programme, and I will deffo be watching it next week )t'

stace · Post by **stace** » 16 Jan 2009, 09:26

Thats the one Untouch Duh!

I was getting confused there then LOL

so i can watch it then??

Stace

Post by **wendy** » 16 Jan 2009, 10:00

Yes...that was a lovely program
Wendy

yorkshire lass · Post by **yorkshire lass** » 29 Jan 2009, 20:18

bluebell wrote:I am afraid I am too soft to watch stuff like that, it upsets me.

I could not look an animal in the eye and then watch it being killed and eaten.

Just my slant on things

I agree, we have 3 dogs and I just couldn't watch, don't know
if I can even eat chicken now we have them

bluebell · Post by **bluebell** » 29 Jan 2009, 20:24

I have been watching the programmes about "The secret lives of elephants". Absolutely brilliant!! )t'

They get emotional when one of their own is injured or dies. Very sad.

Post by **wendy** » 29 Jan 2009, 22:04

Isn't it a lovely program Bluebell, ? we watch it as well.
Wendy