Miscellaneous stories
Viewing comments for Chapter 10 "Bobby"Fiction and non-fiction prose
9 total reviews
Comment from Teri7
Craig, This is a very interesting short story you have penned for the 75 Word Flash Fiction contest. At first, even after reading the note, I was confused as to if it as a baby or baby cow. You did tell it very well. It is very sad to me! Blessings, Teri
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2018
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Craig, This is a very interesting short story you have penned for the 75 Word Flash Fiction contest. At first, even after reading the note, I was confused as to if it as a baby or baby cow. You did tell it very well. It is very sad to me! Blessings, Teri
Comment Written 20-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 20-Mar-2018
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Hi Teri, The confusion was intentional in a way. What I was after was that people would think of a baby at first, only realising after they had the natural reaction of "how horrible!", that it wasn't a human baby being talked about. Thanks for the kind review. Craig
Comment from BeasPeas
Bravo, bravo! You and I are on the same wavelength with many things and the continuing fight for animal rights is one of those things. Animals suffer horribly at the cruelest hands--human hands and minds. What sadists to come up with these diabolical things. Thank you for keeping this important topic before us. Sorry I'm out of sixers. Marilyn
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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Bravo, bravo! You and I are on the same wavelength with many things and the continuing fight for animal rights is one of those things. Animals suffer horribly at the cruelest hands--human hands and minds. What sadists to come up with these diabolical things. Thank you for keeping this important topic before us. Sorry I'm out of sixers. Marilyn
Comment Written 19-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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Thanks, Marilyn. Yes, our capacity for cruelty seems unlimited. And those of us who are just "consumers" can go our whole lives without knowing. Cheers, Craig
Comment from Gloria ....
This has powerful emotive impact, Craig. Your opening lines, brief, and grab our attention right away, as we can't imagine losing a child at six days old. That works. We humans are such a conglomeration of dissonant beliefs. It wouldn't even occur to people that a cow mother would be as distraught as a human mother, or dog or cat mother at having her child taken to slaughter. Keep fighting the good fight, this battle is going to be a long and hard haul when humans believe they are the chosen ones and have the right to do whatever they want to anything they want.
Great job and thanks for sharing.
Gloria
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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This has powerful emotive impact, Craig. Your opening lines, brief, and grab our attention right away, as we can't imagine losing a child at six days old. That works. We humans are such a conglomeration of dissonant beliefs. It wouldn't even occur to people that a cow mother would be as distraught as a human mother, or dog or cat mother at having her child taken to slaughter. Keep fighting the good fight, this battle is going to be a long and hard haul when humans believe they are the chosen ones and have the right to do whatever they want to anything they want.
Great job and thanks for sharing.
Gloria
Comment Written 19-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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Yes, it's a never ending fight, Gloria. And a difficult balancing act. Say too much, and you're a crackpot or on some sort of self-congratulatory ego trip. Say nothing, and you're betraying the ones who can't say anything on their own behalf. Still, it's up to everyone who understands that all suffering is "evil" to keep up the fight, I think.
Comment from --Turtle.
A rough read this morning. I forgot that my milk is blood-soaked. Here I've been working on cutting down on meat, and forgot about the cheese and milk, and pretty much everything else. I've been leaning on the almond milk, but the protein additive is all milk whey protein.
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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A rough read this morning. I forgot that my milk is blood-soaked. Here I've been working on cutting down on meat, and forgot about the cheese and milk, and pretty much everything else. I've been leaning on the almond milk, but the protein additive is all milk whey protein.
Comment Written 19-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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LOL it can seem like that - pretty much everything else. I prefer soy milk to almond, and the several brands stocked at our local supermarket are all certified vegan. Thanks for reviewing, Turtle. Sorry to be a bugbear. Cheers, Craig
Comment from Joy Graham
Oh no, this is so sad! I would think the animal rights activists would be all over this. I don't understand how people could be so cruel. I'll be eating less beef after reading this. I'm not much of a milk drinker.
Thanks for sharing this. My husband has switched back to eating butter because he says margarine is one ingredient away from being plastic.
Joy xx
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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Oh no, this is so sad! I would think the animal rights activists would be all over this. I don't understand how people could be so cruel. I'll be eating less beef after reading this. I'm not much of a milk drinker.
Thanks for sharing this. My husband has switched back to eating butter because he says margarine is one ingredient away from being plastic.
Joy xx
Comment Written 19-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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Is hubby a "meat and three veg" guy? There are so many different types of vegetable based spreads these days, it takes me half a day at the "dairy" chiller. There's, margarines based on canola, olive oil, various nuts, even ones made to taste like butter. The activists are "all over" it, but the industry is very powerful, and does a good job of hiding its dirty laundry. Cheers, Craig
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He reads labels because of health issues.
Comment from Dawn Munro
OMG, I had no idea. I can't believe I reached the age of 66 without knowing this, although I honestly did wonder about dairy cows, and how/why they always had a supply of milk. Good Lord!!!!!!!!!! Are you sure of your facts? Now I have to research it here, in Canada. Thank you for sharing it, as gruesome news as it is... I don't eat veal. Now it seems I will have to give up milk, AND write about it. BARBARIC!!!!
~~~add-on:
I have just signed up with PETA, and shared the information they have on their web page on my FaceBook page. I would like to add this to it, with your permission. (I will of course credit you as the author.) I have book-cased it for my own reference, but if you allow me to, I will add it to PETA's videos and article.
https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/animals-used-food-factsheets/cows-milk-cruel-unhealthy-product/#.Wq95IkR5juY.facebook
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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OMG, I had no idea. I can't believe I reached the age of 66 without knowing this, although I honestly did wonder about dairy cows, and how/why they always had a supply of milk. Good Lord!!!!!!!!!! Are you sure of your facts? Now I have to research it here, in Canada. Thank you for sharing it, as gruesome news as it is... I don't eat veal. Now it seems I will have to give up milk, AND write about it. BARBARIC!!!!
~~~add-on:
I have just signed up with PETA, and shared the information they have on their web page on my FaceBook page. I would like to add this to it, with your permission. (I will of course credit you as the author.) I have book-cased it for my own reference, but if you allow me to, I will add it to PETA's videos and article.
https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/animals-used-food-factsheets/cows-milk-cruel-unhealthy-product/#.Wq95IkR5juY.facebook
Comment Written 19-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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So much is carefully kept out of the public eye when it comes to the livestock trade. They will make claims about how wonderful they are, as in the US example below, but you can't believe it. The methods of torture vary from place to place, but the level of suffering is the same pretty much everywhere.
I've put links to a couple of short videos below, you will find hundreds more if you care to look, but be warned - it's not pretty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u80_IrSILI4 (UK)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7akjzK-_U0 (Australia)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPcD7ejJ0nk (US)
The good news is that there are many substitutes for dairy milk - like almond, soy, rice, oat, coconut... some of which one can even get used to the taste of after a while :)
Thanks for the wonderful review, Dawn. I'm sorry it's upsetting, but it's more upsetting for the calves and mothers.
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It seems our replies crossed. I can see the discovery of what these poor things go through has had a profound effect on you. I find it hard to understand how, once people know, it couldn't. As far as reposting my little flash, sure - feel free, but it's not really anything great. There's very little that can be said in 75 words.Good on you for getting on board - every voice helps! :)
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I am so horribly sad right now, and yes, our replies crossed. I thank you SO MUCH for the wake-up call. I will now do my best to share it. (I just sent you a PM on how to reach me on FaceBook. Your story and notes are now on my page, along with PETA's.)
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There is a feature-length movie that has changed many people's perspective on things. It used to be available for free viewing online, but I have a feeling the only way to see it now is by paying. Although, it might be on Netflix, or Stan. It's called "Earthlings". Another very informative one is "Cowspiracy" :)
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Yes, and I'm terribly sad every time I have to think about it. But I tell myself that's no reason not to. Someone has to speak for them.
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Thank you - I will watch for them - I have Netflix. I no longer know how to watch a video on YouTube, since they changed their homepage. VERY frustrating!
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100% agree!
Comment from tfawcus
A pity this wasn't in time for the contest. My daughter has been trying to persuade us to become vegetarians for just such reasons as this. We currently have seven bobby calves on the property, rescued from a local dairy and bucket fed by a neighbour for the first six months. At least they will have a year or two grazing our pastures before their inevitable demise. My poem "Ruminations" a couple of weeks ago was written with them in mind.
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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A pity this wasn't in time for the contest. My daughter has been trying to persuade us to become vegetarians for just such reasons as this. We currently have seven bobby calves on the property, rescued from a local dairy and bucket fed by a neighbour for the first six months. At least they will have a year or two grazing our pastures before their inevitable demise. My poem "Ruminations" a couple of weeks ago was written with them in mind.
Comment Written 19-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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I remember the poem :)
Yes, your calves are "lucky" compared to many of their siblings (but I still wish your daughter success in her endeavours)!
Many thanks for the thoughtful review, Tony.
Craig
Comment from Pamusart
I applaud you for publishing this. I refuse to eat veal or lamb or other baby animals. I eat very little beef. Mostly chicken. But, I am going to halve my chicken and switch to tofu. Fish too. A lot of people are not aware of the conditions the calves face for the veal industry. I just refuse to buy veal or lamb. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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I applaud you for publishing this. I refuse to eat veal or lamb or other baby animals. I eat very little beef. Mostly chicken. But, I am going to halve my chicken and switch to tofu. Fish too. A lot of people are not aware of the conditions the calves face for the veal industry. I just refuse to buy veal or lamb. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 19-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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Thank you for the very kind and supportive review. And I'm very pleased to hear of your resolution with the chicken and fish, as well as the steering clear of veal and lamb. There is cruelty in every animal food industry, unfortunately, so whatever we can do to reduce that is worth doing. Cheers, Craig
Comment from Alcreator Litt Dear
This speaks the tragedy in cow dairy in Australia; mortality rate of calves is very high there, they can't raise their voice for right to living; well written, well done. B A CHANGE INSPIRER-WRITER -- DR ALCREATOR
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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This speaks the tragedy in cow dairy in Australia; mortality rate of calves is very high there, they can't raise their voice for right to living; well written, well done. B A CHANGE INSPIRER-WRITER -- DR ALCREATOR
Comment Written 19-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2018
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Thanks for the kind review, much appreciated. Craig