While care-taking my neighbor’s farm I came know two steers. They have numbers, no names, and will at some point in the future be butchered for the consumption of the said farmer, his wife and several friends that consistently buy various parts of the steers for their own dining pleasure.

Going over all involved chores for my three-day farm marathon I was brought up to the steer pasture and warned that they would run from me. Apparently “stranger danger” is a big concern in the steer world. I was happy to hear this since I thought I would find it difficult to look into their huge brown eyes knowing they would be served up for dinner in a few months.

The first morning shift they did indeed run – but not far and both kept glancing over their shoulders at this strange person bringing them their breakfast. The second shift they met me at their feeding station – the third shift they greeted me at the gate and walked with me to their feeding station – the fourth shift they greeted me at the gate and ushered me to the feeding station, which is up a rather steep hill. The four-legged ton-sized brown and white wooly creatures managed the hill far better than I and would get a bit ahead and come running back at me – bucking and jumping and playing as back and forth they ran trying to get me to catch up with them. Feed and hay finally in place they dug in enthusiastically and allowed me a brief bit of contact on their furry faces.

Needless to say each shift thereafter came with a great display of joy and playfulness as I arrived with each meal. It was amazing to watch what some people think of as dumb animals or “just” animals engage me, play with each other and display their love of life’s simple pleasures just as we humans do. If everyone could spend a few minutes getting to know an animal on any other level rather than just food it may just be the true beginning of world peace - okay call me a dreamer - but I'm not the only one.

Does it bother me that these lovely creatures will eventually wind up as burgers, steaks or roasts? Not at all – they are having a great life – fresh air, grass and each other’s company. Could I raise my own meat – no way – but that’s okay because I know this about myself. On the other hand I do not buy meat, poultry, eggs or milk unless I know the source of each – I cannot participate in the practice of factory farming – an inherently cruel process of raising food.

Get to know your food – get to know a farmer – get to know a butcher who knows a farmer – ask where your food comes from – know what you are eating – buy local.

Animals suffer greatly at our hands but this does not need to be the case – look deeply into the eyes of any animal, take in the sweet scent of grass carried on warm breath, and you may just find your own soul.