Post by bubi-the-bear

Bubi's Animal Corner: Cowtastic Facts

Some years ago I've read an article about elementary school children in a west European country who thought cows were purple. They were given a questionnaire and one of the questions was "what color is a cow" and many of them said purple. Why is that? Well, there's a major European chocolate company whose brand color is purple. The company often has cows on the packaging and they are shown as purple too.

It's an interesting example of how easily brands can influence our view of the world. The kids never saw a cow, but they ate the chocolate and they thought cows are purple. Yes, these are kids and the story can even be funny and sweet in a way if that'd be an exception.

However, did you know that many adults think that cows give milk just because they are cows? It's true and has nothing to do with the level of education or intelligence. It has everything to do with how the industry wants us to think or maybe even better not to think about cows.

Well, cows don't produce milk because they are cows but because they are mothers. Just like any other mammal including humans. And just like other mammals that milk is meant for their children. Now we can think, wait if humans drink cow's milk what does the calf drink!? And that's exactly where the story gets dark.

If the calf is male, for the milk industry he is a waste product and will often be "eliminated" right after birth. If not he will be sent to be raised for veal and the same end awaits him 6 months later. If it's a female calf she will also be separated from her mother, fed milk replacement formula, and raised to be a "dairy cow". There she will relive all the same horrors as her mum; a constant cycle of impregnation, giving birth, separation, and serving as a milk machine. That cycle repeats 3-4 times until the cow is 5 years old. Then the milk production fades, she is no longer profitable, and is sent to slaughter.

Isn't that perverted? These sensitive social beings with a life span of up to 20 years are exploited beyond belief for something we can easily live without. We can do better!

Please choose plant-based milk and cheese. Cows, the planet, and your body will thank you.

Stay kind my friends!

#Vegan #veganuary2022 #ditchdairy #cowsarefriends #friendsnotfood #dairyisscary