Contradication 1: I am a vegan who shocks my dogs.
I installed an electric fence in my backyard the same week that I became a vegan. More specifically, my parents and fiance installed an electric fence in my backyard, and I stayed in side and entertained the dogs it is designed to shock. I am a vegan who shocks my dogs. Lovely.
The fence is not designed to shock both of my dogs, though it's done just that since its installation (although, thankfully, each dog has only gone near it once). The fence is designed to shock my near-feral, completely deaf, highly dog-aggressive, rescued pit bull, Lily (see adorable picture of her jumping on the bed to the right).
I love Lily borderline obsessively. I worry about her, I pay irrationally close attention to her moods and mannerisms, and I love to cuddle her on the couch. She is a world champion snuggler, a people lover, and has a big, amazing personality. She is fearful and highly aggressive toward moving objects (like cars and bikes) and dogs (especially small ones that ignite her prey instincts), and has been known to display displaced aggression (in which, in the throws of her aggression, she will turn on anything in her path). Thus, when Lily realized that she was strong enough to use her head/face/teeth to break our fence boards (literally pry them off and chew off pieces of the bottom) and go after the 6 tiny dogs (one of whom is deformed...but that's a whole other story) in the yard next door, quick action was necessary. We are committed to training Lily and to working through her fear and aggression issues, and in the meantime we can't risk her killing the 6 weiner dogs next door and possibly harming their owners (remember that displaced aggression thing) in the process. Enter the electric fence.
For me, this presents a world of conundrums and contradictions: is it worth it to FOR SURE cause pain to my dog to prevent the POSSIBILITY that she would inflict harm on others? Is it worth shocking Lily to prevent the possibility that she might have to be humanely euthanized if she got through the fence? Is it worth shocking Elle - the good dog who has no problem with breaking the fence and trying to kill weiner dogs - to protect Lily?
I installed an electric fence in my backyard the same week that I became a vegan. More specifically, my parents and fiance installed an electric fence in my backyard, and I stayed in side and entertained the dogs it is designed to shock. I am a vegan who shocks my dogs. Lovely.
The fence is not designed to shock both of my dogs, though it's done just that since its installation (although, thankfully, each dog has only gone near it once). The fence is designed to shock my near-feral, completely deaf, highly dog-aggressive, rescued pit bull, Lily (see adorable picture of her jumping on the bed to the right).
I love Lily borderline obsessively. I worry about her, I pay irrationally close attention to her moods and mannerisms, and I love to cuddle her on the couch. She is a world champion snuggler, a people lover, and has a big, amazing personality. She is fearful and highly aggressive toward moving objects (like cars and bikes) and dogs (especially small ones that ignite her prey instincts), and has been known to display displaced aggression (in which, in the throws of her aggression, she will turn on anything in her path). Thus, when Lily realized that she was strong enough to use her head/face/teeth to break our fence boards (literally pry them off and chew off pieces of the bottom) and go after the 6 tiny dogs (one of whom is deformed...but that's a whole other story) in the yard next door, quick action was necessary. We are committed to training Lily and to working through her fear and aggression issues, and in the meantime we can't risk her killing the 6 weiner dogs next door and possibly harming their owners (remember that displaced aggression thing) in the process. Enter the electric fence.
For me, this presents a world of conundrums and contradictions: is it worth it to FOR SURE cause pain to my dog to prevent the POSSIBILITY that she would inflict harm on others? Is it worth shocking Lily to prevent the possibility that she might have to be humanely euthanized if she got through the fence? Is it worth shocking Elle - the good dog who has no problem with breaking the fence and trying to kill weiner dogs - to protect Lily?
My conclusion: The answer to these questions right now is "yes". Will that be the answer forever? I don't know...
Contradiction 2: Vegan fare at Thai Spice, El Tiempo, and Dolce Vita - how vegan is vegan?
I ate out 3 times this week: at Thai Spice in Rice Village on Monday, at El Tiempo on Richmond on Thursday, and at Dolce Vita on Westheimer on Friday. By all standards, an exceptionally kick ass week of dining. Here's the thing: I THINK that I was a vegan during this dining experiences, and I just have no idea how to be sure. I believe more in the spirit of veganism while dining out with friends than in the letter of veganism (I'm not trying to throw a fit or get an ingredient list every single place that I go), and I can't decide if I have violated my new code of eating in a way that is fundamental. Do I have to be militant to be vegan? I don't think so...and I'm working on where my personal lines are drawn.
Thai Spice: I consumed Pad Thai with no shrimp, egg, or chicken. Only tofu. It was delicious. Is there fish sauce in Pad Tahi? Is fish sauce vegan? No, right? What sauces can a vegan eat at a thai restaurant? Beer = vegan.
El Tiempo: I ate a) my weight in tortilla chips, b) guacamole, c) "meatless" black beans, and d) poblano rice. First, let me say that the poblano rice was definitely not vegan, as it was covered in cheese that I removed and gave away. The "meatless" black beans tasted A LOT like chicken stock...but who knows? Guacamole is the food of the gods, and - as far as I know - completely, safely vegan. Score. Margarita on the rocks = vegan.
Dolce Vita: One of the first times I was authentically sad to be vegan. Arugula + roasted tomatoe salad and a side of fried baby artichokes really has nothing on pizza with buffala mozzarela and proscuitto. Serrano lime martini = vegan.
Contradiction 2: Vegan fare at Thai Spice, El Tiempo, and Dolce Vita - how vegan is vegan?
I ate out 3 times this week: at Thai Spice in Rice Village on Monday, at El Tiempo on Richmond on Thursday, and at Dolce Vita on Westheimer on Friday. By all standards, an exceptionally kick ass week of dining. Here's the thing: I THINK that I was a vegan during this dining experiences, and I just have no idea how to be sure. I believe more in the spirit of veganism while dining out with friends than in the letter of veganism (I'm not trying to throw a fit or get an ingredient list every single place that I go), and I can't decide if I have violated my new code of eating in a way that is fundamental. Do I have to be militant to be vegan? I don't think so...and I'm working on where my personal lines are drawn.
Thai Spice: I consumed Pad Thai with no shrimp, egg, or chicken. Only tofu. It was delicious. Is there fish sauce in Pad Tahi? Is fish sauce vegan? No, right? What sauces can a vegan eat at a thai restaurant? Beer = vegan.
El Tiempo: I ate a) my weight in tortilla chips, b) guacamole, c) "meatless" black beans, and d) poblano rice. First, let me say that the poblano rice was definitely not vegan, as it was covered in cheese that I removed and gave away. The "meatless" black beans tasted A LOT like chicken stock...but who knows? Guacamole is the food of the gods, and - as far as I know - completely, safely vegan. Score. Margarita on the rocks = vegan.
Dolce Vita: One of the first times I was authentically sad to be vegan. Arugula + roasted tomatoe salad and a side of fried baby artichokes really has nothing on pizza with buffala mozzarela and proscuitto. Serrano lime martini = vegan.
My conclusion: dining out vegan can be lackluster, and at least a tasty beverage is almost always an option to bolster an otherwise less-than-filling meal.
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