End animals' suffering and become vegetarian

I was thrilled to see so many people come out for different fundraising events in our community over the last several months. Supporting compassion for others by supporting Kinderhaven, ending domestic violence and reducing suffering of cancer patients are all noble causes.

What saddened me immensely was seeing that several people were wearing fur. Almost all fur is obtained from animals in horrendously cruel and painful ways. These animals experience terror and extreme suffering before they finally die - by beating, strangulation, suffocation, being skinned alive, or anal electrocution.

We are all teachers by what we do. Our actions role model for others around us. We set an example. I know a number of people who were wearing fur are very kind and sensitive and caring people. For the sake of compassion, I implore all of us to become more conscious of what we are promoting.

How much suffering of other living beings is acceptable for our taste or our display of fashion?

Why are we Americans so upset to hear that some Asian countries eat dogs and cats (some of whom are skinned alive for their fur which is exported around the world to be used in fashion garments), when many here think nothing of eating lambs, calves, birds and pigs kept in deplorable conditions for all of their brief lives?

Please join me in striving to live with more compassion for all others and become vegetarian. Could we, as a species, truly become pro-life?

ERIC RIDGWAY

Sagle