So again begins another one of my little tantrums about a New York Times article. It's a love-hate thing we have going on. The front of this Wednesday's Dining section depicted someone holding up a white rabbit by the scruff of its neck, with the title "Don't Tell the Kids" and a caption reading, "Some may feel squeamish about eating it, but rabbit has a fan base that is growing as cooks discover how good the meat tastes." A little voice is telling me that writing this now probably isn't the best idea, but I'm going to have at it anyway. WHAT THE FUCK??? There is a living, breathing (and rather cute, I might add) rabbit on the cover being discussed as though it is already on someone's plate. I used to think that it was the disconnect between animals and food that kept people confused about the cruelties of eating meat, that if cows and pigs were as cute as baby seals and kittens we would refuse to cause them the least bit of suffering (I am aware, however, that there are, unfortunately, people who would wish harm on these animals as well, but I'm just going to assume that you are NOT one of those people).
Rabbits, Cute as they are, are growing in in popularity in the pet industry, and are now number 3 behind dogs and cats. Now, I'm not happy about this, as an increase in popularity inevitably means the rise of pet mills and unethical breeding that must meet the rising demand. Of course, slaughtering a pig to satisfy your taste for sausage is just as wrong. But, for some reason, it just seems even more disturbing to want to kill and eat the same Animal that your neighbor cherishes as a member of the family. "For people learning to butcher at home, a rabbit is less daunting to cut up than a pig or a goat. And those who are truly obsessed with knowing where their food comes from can raise it themselves." "Butcher at home"? Who do they think they are, fucking Jack Lalaine with his new and improved Power Juicer? What, is there a do-it-yourself slaughter kit that comes with it too? A couple of scalpels, a bone saw, and a skinner's all you need to serve up a romantic dinner for two. For only 6 easy payments of $39.99! Act now and we'll throw in two adorable rabbits for your dismembering pleasure.
And let me guess, when someone "accidentally" discovers the scrumptious pleasure of dog liver pate, every restaurant in Manhattan is going to be serving up braised Beagle n' Biscuits. I'm sorry, but since when is the slaughtering of animals in vogue?.....excluding of course mink coats, sheep skin boots, leather shoes and bags, belts, wallets and gloves, python handbags, and fox tail scarves.....................
