I love this cartoon that was sent to Colleen and I by a friend. If you have ever noticed how intelligent animals are, you may enjoy a good laugh reading this cartoon. And, I hope you will take the time to appreciate how animals live in families and communities as we do; they teach their young, they have great beauty, and they make our world a better place to live.

Today, my sister reminded me of how we used to lop the heads off chickens back on our farm, hundreds of them. Brought up in surroundings that included the spilling of animal's blood often, it isn't any wonder that when I saw a chicken, a pheasant, a deer, or an elk, I saw dinner, rather than life and beauty. As you consider this cartoon, consider also the Hebrew definition for God's command to men to have dominion over the earth. The translation of ancient Hebrew text indicates that such dominion meant "to fill space, or the earth, with life and beauty." Consider the dominion over your homes, yards, farms, and so forth and seek to create your own Garden of Eden that is filled with life and beauty."

Because of my own upbringing, it is easy for me to feel compassion toward those who think folks are nuts who don't like to shed the blood of animals. It is also why I only invite folks towards a more plant-based diet, rather than suggest that morally such a diet is better.

Most of us grew up similarly. We don't need to preach morality in order to help each other come to an intelligent conclusion that eating animals comes with certain real risks that can be avoided if one limits their consumption primarily to plant-based foods.

A shift towards a more healthful and sustainable plant-based diet takes time. Just getting started down the path enables a person to see the world a little differently, even if the consumption of animal flesh is still enjoyed to some extent.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the intelligence of my good friend Henrietta. Break a leg Henrietta! Oh wait, you better not or you may end up in my soup:)