Sigh No More

I am in Wichita, Kansas to visit my cousin. I drove here from Oklahoma City for the first time by myself on the 15th - it was the 2nd anniversary of the worst day of my life. But let us not dwell on that much.

We went to the zoo yesterday, and I swear, we would be the only 19-year-olds to go to the zoo for fun!

I love animals. All animals. That is why I became a vegetarian after reading E.B. White's Charlotte's Web at the age of 10. I love how you can see glimpses of humanity within all of these animals - you cannot deny that they do have a soul once you really observe them. All pet owners will tell you that each dog or cat or hamster has a personality and they are so much like us. 

These creatures, however, are scientifically closer to us than dogs or cats; therefore, they are more intelligent. I felt as if these gorillas knew that they were trapped within a zoo for the entertainment and pleasure for us, humans. They looked sad. And bored. Tis particular gorilla actually hit the glass window with its fist at a lady sitting right at the front. If the glass had not been there, the lady would have been knocked out. It reminded me horribly of the movie "Rise of the Planet of the Apes". 

I am aware and understand that zoos are established for humans to learn more about creatures whom we share this Earth with, but I cannot help but feel like it isn't fair. Why do humans rule over all of these animas - that are horribly like us - and treat them so unequally? We breed them to eat, to become our designer bags and shoes, and kill them for our desires. I just don't understand. My life's goal is to become a vegan, and keep from using any leather or fur, and I do plan on achieving it. 

These shoes I probably cannot wear again...I was atop an amusement park ride with my cousin, and it was so dizzying, I puked while the ride was in full motion! My vomit went all over the ground, my shoes, and legs, soooo goodbye my beautiful oxfords. Wah.

"Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself." 
--Animal Farm by George Orwell 

shoes: Urban Outfitters