<<However,
I was under the impression that farm children faced this all the time.>>
You're right. Nearly all the calves on this farm went for veal--can't recollect that any ever even had names, although I do remember the two pigs named Salome and Salami!--along with the annual beef critter. I can't really remember ever being upset at one of them leaving for the little local abattoir, or at knowing who was who on the dinner table... although there *was* a family story about my older brother, who swore off bologna (his favorite!) for a year or so after a favorite milch cow reached the end of her useful career, figuring that at her age that would be her likeliest end, but once he decided she would be "out of the system" he took up bologna again quite happily! The gist of it seems to be that you are always up-front with the understanding that this or that animal is destined to be our food--treat it well, give it the best of care, nothing to be ashamed of if you need to shed a tear or two when its end comes. And, best not to mention
individuals when preparing or eating. And possibly even being understanding about a child not wanting to eat it (although my suggestion would be to allow only the choice of eat, or don't eat, not too much substitution... that can turn a child spoiled very quickly! <g> As one child raising specialist once put it, don't worry too much--it takes at least a month for a child to starve...)
I do remember a few months ago reading about a non-farm person insisting that people shouldn't kill their animals for meat, they should buy it at the store instead... That's extreme, of course, but there is a very real disconnect in the modern mind. As a teacher, I tried to make students aware of their personal food chain--mainly by using the Native American Indian concept of "thanking" the animal whose meat is feeding you.
Rhonda
Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
Five-time US National Sidesaddle Champion
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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