Dear Rifkin,
I have read your article “A Change of Heart about Animals” and I think that you make very good points. Many people believe that animals are objects and not creatures that feel emotions and are alert of their surrounds. I also have a strong belief that animals are much like humans in many ways. All animals might not have all the abilities as humans but they do acquire some. Everyday people mistreat animals and don’t pay attention to them as they should start recognizing their abilities.
As your subtitle states, “many of our fellow creatures are more like us than we have ever imagined,” I believe the same. In your article it shows some examples on how different types of animals have certain human qualities. For example in the study of with pig funded by McDonalds at Purdue University, they found that if pigs are isolated they become depressed. The key word would be depressed. Depression is a loaded word that humans used in many situations but not always used in the correct sense. Another word that could have been used is sad or lonely but yet, there is still a possibility of depression. This links to feelings of a human being which also links to pain, happiness, and the whole nervous system.
We can also link humans to how we see ourselves and think ourselves like you expressed in the study of the orangutan Chanteck. As humans on an everyday basis we groom ourselves and dress ourselves every day. When Chanteck viewed himself in the mirror he straightens himself up and fixed his sunglasses as we would also if they did not look correct. Self awareness is an everyday factor in human life that is proven to be in the animal species also. If an orangutan can realize that his sunglasses are on wrong and that he needs to get cleaned up there are so many more abilities within them.
I believe that it is wrong killing off animals but at the same time it has been a part of our nature to do so. The only factor that disturbs me is that some do it in a cruel way when it should be painlessly and fast. Some people even do it intentionally for their own enjoyment and satisfaction. Humans and animals should be able to live a life where they are free of pain and have limitations as in having laws to express what is wrong and right. I think that many people do have to change their view of animals and treatment in many cases. Everyday a human and animals get abused and that is not right at all. We should appreciate the creatures surrounding us and the things they do in order to protect us. It might just be a dog saving your life next time. The world works in wonders.
Sincerely,
Alejandra Hernandez Bolanos
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