As a child, I had a special affinity towards animals. This affinity has stayed with me all my life. As a kid I ate what my family provided, not thinking much of it until I turned 13 years old. It was 1976, and I accidentally came across a documentary on TV called "Meat" directed by Frederick Wiseman. I was so appalled at seeing this film, I broke into hysterical crying. It was then that I had the strong conviction that I would NEVER eat meat again. And so it was.
I never truly considered the harm in dairy until about 20 years later when I was visiting a C.S.A (Community Supported Agriculture) farm and ran across someone who informed me about the dairy industry and that by consuming dairy, I was supporting the meat industry. How? All of the offspring of dairy cows either end up as dairy cows or veal (if they are male).
And, the mother is continually impregnated to keep supplying milk over her short lifespan. Her young are taken away from her shortly after birth, to save her milk for humans.
So, now I've been plant-based/non-dairy for about 27 years. I recently started a YouTube channel that in part, supports and educates on the ideas of plant-based living, both for the environment and for compassion toward animals. I will include a few of those, feel free to subscribe if you like what you see! Can't seem to include the videos, but you can find the channel on Youtube @Dharmacats230- look for the cow videos under "most popular" shorts.
Hi Sharon,
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring journey with us! 🌱 Your story is a beautiful example of how a single moment of awareness can transform our lives and spark a lifelong commitment to compassion and ethical living. It's incredible to see how you've extended your love for animals into actionable change, not just in your diet but in educating and inspiring others through your YouTube channel.
I can relate to the eye-opening realization about the dairy industry. It’s stories like yours that remind us of the power of informed choices and the impact we can have. I'm definitely going to check out your channel and those popular cow videos! 🐄 Keep up the fantastic work, and please continue to share your insights and experiences. The ripple effects of your advocacy are surely making waves.
With Love, Cheryl