Jen, barnyard animals, (pet-type..i.e. pigs, goats, rabbits, etc.,) and
since you mentioned beef, pork, & eggs,.....cattle, Lg,pigs,& chickens,
also,are here for our food, clothing, and many, many other by-products,
which we take advantage of, without even a passing thought as to where
they came from, every day.  Ferrets, and their cousins, Ermines, Otters,
Skunks, Weasels, & Minks, are usually not considered the same type of
"provider" animals as the barnyard bunch.  Don`t get me wrong, most all
of the `Musky` cousins WERE hunted for their warm coats, and depending
on the Geographical location of the hunters, possibly the 1800`s in
Alaska or the Great Northwest.  That is just a "no proof" example!  Those
"barnyard Animal" owners, may raise a chicken, or a steer, and name them
as `pets`, (turkeys too), and greet them each morning, along with others
of each species mentioned, and possibly someday, around Thanksgiving or
Christmas, invite them `inside` for `dinner`!!  On a working farm, this
is not all too uncommon!
 
You said, that they don't lash out at you for eating beef, pork, & eggs,
and your leather-products purchases!!  Well, apples & oranges, would you
lash out at them if you saw them practicing their ancestors beliefs about
skins for warmth from ferrets or ermines??  You presented an excellent
post, which invites many different opinions, on many different subjects!
I have hopefully only put forth my opinion on <one> part of your
post;"the flip side"!!  Basically, it comes down to how we, as "human
beings"(not much of a ++these days), perceive each individual animal`s
uses for us as a society!  These beliefs constantly change over the
decades, thank goodness,, and ferrets & the `musky` relatives, are
not used for ferret bacon, or to some degree, mink coats (much less
nowadays), and hence, beliefs will continue to change for the better!!
e.g.- the Black Footed Ferret`s comeback from near extinction from
Prairie Dogs` elimination, the BF Ferret`s main diet!!
 
I hope you receive many `good` posts to your letter!!  THAT was the
spirit of mine!!!
 
thanks, john r.  jdr.
[Posted in FML issue 4641]