Louise's Utopia: The Freedom of Cows And What Is For Dinner

I've been seeing a lot of cows lately. I think I have come to understand who cattle really are, deep down inside. For example, cows stand in the field and stare at you for long periods of time. They seem to be in awe of the spectacle they see in a human. Often, while these cows stare intently, other cows come and ram their heads into the sitting-down side of the staring cows. Those cows fly forward and the butting cows continue butting the staring cows. It would seem the cows that were head-butting had plans for their victim cows, but that is not the case. Afterwards, they stumble off and keep grazing.

I have come to believe that they do not like fields of recently harvested corn. I can tell because they get this look on their face, a look of disgust. What it is about the fields is that I think they mostly dislike walking in the trenched lines made by tractors. Cows' legs seem to be too short or too weak to hold their fat bodies up. They do, on the other hand, seem to like hay that grows in the fields. I think they prefer grass. Grass that they can pull with their own teeth. Maybe there is a certain satisfaction for cows to know they worked hard for their meal, pulling it out of the ground with their teeth. Perhaps, too, they stay warmer by the act of grazing. I do not know. I do see that they flock toward the grass on the ground, the stuff they have to pull themselves with their teeth.

I have also noticed they like to look at fences with a curious look on their faces. Some cows will stand and size up a fence line. They seem to actually ask themselves if maybe they could charge through to the other side. I respect that about cows. They are not as stupid and menial as some claim.

Cows low a lot when upset. It sounds just plain sad. Their moo makes me feel really sorry for them. I think they get cold in the night temperatures. I don't think they enjoy it when it is too cold. They seem to huddle together in groups in the cold. They really use their brains. They resemble a flock of Emperor Penguins.

I've heard a lot of people saying they love cows and that they prefer "breathing cows," instead of the opposite... eye roll. These cow lovers do not want to see one single cow go off to the hamburger aisle in the local grocery store. Looking at cows in the field, I tend to agree with them, but strangely, I still eat burgers.

I feel bad for cows. They are tricked into this life of eating hay and being treated well by humans. They are taken to the veterinarian and provided for. Some are even patted and talked to by their masters. Most cows receive food and shelter and seem well taken care of. I believe cow owners love their cows. Sadly for the cow, though, and happily for the hungry man, it always ends the same for the cow. They end up between a hamburger bun, smashed with ketchup.

I'm unsure if I love cows so much. Feeding them and taking such care of them, and whatnot. Only one day to then pull up in a stock trailer with one thing on my mind, and it's called ground round. Sadly, many cows are betrayed by their masters. They get sent to the meat mill. Most of us piddle off and further betray them by purchasing their meat in the grocery store. I buy hamburger meat or steak, or all kinds of red meat. I wonder if people ever see a sweet cow face staring back at them as they push the cow bones around the grocery store in their shopping carts. I hope I do not cry the next time I pass by the meat section of the grocery store. I fear I may remember the inquisitive cow from the field that stares sweetly at me. Why do we all pay hard-earned cash for a cow's pricey meat?

Cows deserve freedom, or so some say. I am unsure of what that means. I guess you would have to start from the premise that a cow is entitled to freedom. It is just a cow and not a human being. Still, a lot of people in the world feel pretty strongly about cows. They would love to close down the burger joints of the world. I wonder how genuine these people are. For example, I know people who love cows, so they betray the chickens. Why don't chickens deserve freedom? I suppose they decide who deserves the freedom and do not really base their opinion on any rational thought.

Cows are cute and curious, but I hardly expect them to run for a political office. Well, wait, perhaps that is not the case. It seems we have already elected cattle into the political offices of the world. That is why so many people now believe that a cow is entitled to freedom.

I don't know. I am just musing about some cattle I saw in the field. And I am still undecided about whether to eat steak for dinner or wait a few days.

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