Remember that wee bit of drama I mentioned yesterday? I may have been a bit over dramatic* about a little incident with my neighbors, but I’m going to briefly recap it anyway.
*See that’s the thing with ovaries. They come with a license to play up the drama, say you’re “fine” when you’re not, and change moods faster than a jackrabbit on moonshine. (I also have a license for silly expressions; I’m Southern.)
I left for my meeting in the morning, and I noticed my neighbors had a squirrel in a trap on their front lawn. This upset me, but I decided to let it go. When I returned around 3:30 p.m., the terrified squirrel was still in the cage with no food or water.
Maybe it hit me hard because Cleo looks part-squirrel.
I couldn’t let it go this time, so I ran inside and called animal care and control. They offered to have someone come set it free, but I wimped out. That would definitely create tension and wouldn’t stop my neighbors from just setting it out again the next day.
After calling Kevin for support, I put on my big girl panties and marched my butt over there… but they weren’t home. I called to alert them of the squirrel in the trap and offered to let them release it in my yard. They said they’d drive it a few miles away instead.
Did my big-girl actions make a difference? No. Am I still a bit upset about it? Perhaps.
I realize how ridiculous it is for me to get upset about one squirrel when there are tons of poorly treated animals all over the country, especially in factory farms. So I am taking a 28-day veg pledge. (This instance is not the only reason, but it’s the straw that broke the camel’s back.)
Feel free to join my vegetarian pledge, and don’t worry – it ends before Thanksgiving! And on that bombshell, I bring you rabbit salad. (I think squirrel salad would just be trail mix, so just work with me here.)
Rabbit Salad
- 1 cup greens
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 peeled, diced carrot
- 2 radishes
- 1 TBS sunflower seeds
- 2 TBS dressing of choice (seriously loving honey mustard, but goddess would also be fantastic)
Yeah, that’s the same salad I had yesterday, but it deserves extra attention because it’s really working for me right now.
- Have you ever done a veg pledge? (or are you veg/vegan?)
- If you are veg/vegan, did you ever have a turning point?
October 18, 2012 at 6:56 am
I am not a vegetarian, but I do love animals (and yes, that does make sense….to me
).
I am just envisioning you watching this little caged squirrel, and wanting to release it into the wild, you’re such a great person for even caring about the squirrel! Don’t get me wrong, I love squirrels, but I Would be terrified to get close to one…..and I think your neighbors sound a wee bit crazy. Yikes. Who cages squirrels?!?!
That being said, I WILL pledge to eat vegetarian for one day a week. Absolutely!
October 18, 2012 at 7:45 am
I hear ya! I don’t think I could be vegetarian forever. I love animals, but I also really love steak.
October 18, 2012 at 7:01 am
I wish I could say I had a turning point that wasn’t just “there was a challenge to be a vegan for a month and I took it…and then I liked it…so I kept on being vegan,” but that is pretty much it. I love being “vegan with benefits,” though, mostly for health/culinary reasons to be honest. I love little critters, but I would be lying if I said that animal rights and welfare were the reason I’m vegan (with benefits…mostly yogurt and honey)…
October 18, 2012 at 7:43 am
I wish I’d heard about the most recent Vegan MoFo sooner. I totally would have jumped on that.
October 18, 2012 at 7:32 am
I’ve never done an all out veg pleg. I think the longest I’ve gone without meat is probably a week(ish), though. I don’t really think about it…
Good luck! And smart move ending it before Thanksgiving…
October 18, 2012 at 7:42 am
Even crazy gals have priorities
October 18, 2012 at 8:32 am
aww poor squirrel
October 18, 2012 at 9:53 am
At first I thought you were going to put Rabbit in your salad. So glad you didn’t! They are way too cute!
October 18, 2012 at 10:20 am
I really do love animals, and I was vegan and then vegetarian for around 4 years, but my health kind of suffered for it and I decided to reintroduce meat back into my diet. It’s kind of a bummer that I couldn’t keep living meat free, but I try and make sure that I get my meat from sources where I know how the animals were treated.
October 18, 2012 at 10:37 am
I wonder why they had a squirrel trap in their yard set out in the first place…unless it was eating their vegetation or…burrowing, I guess. (Incidentally, my parents recently had a squirrel rip up their ENTIRE yard, and they have almost a full acre. It was awful!) I support your decision, though. Just let me know when you’re back on meat so that you can come over for carnitas.
October 18, 2012 at 4:17 pm
They said it was because they had squirrels in their attic once. I couldn’t help but think, “Then put the trap in your attic!” Geeze Louise
October 18, 2012 at 11:07 am
Turn your anger into action, I like your style.
Can I say, that is SO redneck? They really think they can control the squirrel population, they’re nuts.
I am so proud of your pledge, before Turkey day no less. Keep us posted! Rooting for you:)
October 18, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Ha. You made a pun. I like your style – touché.
October 18, 2012 at 12:32 pm
That would totally upset me, too!
October 18, 2012 at 5:27 pm
“The thing with ovaries” hahaha made me laugh
I was actually a pescatarian for 2.5 years or so.. I mostly ate crap though (think frozen/processed foods) so I’ve actually wondered how it could benefit me by eating real foods. Interested to see how you like it!
October 18, 2012 at 6:58 pm
I get on veg pledges after I watch documentaries or read stories of horrible conditions in meat plants. I don’t think you overreacted at all. I would have done the same thing.
October 18, 2012 at 7:51 pm
You won’t be getting a veg pledge from me
October 18, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Aww how cruel! I would have let the darn squrrel out myself! Jerks!
October 19, 2012 at 12:21 pm
YAY!! =) I know exactly how you feel, this is why I eat the way I do. And if you need any help this month, just shoot me an email.
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October 19, 2012 at 5:34 am