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GLEANINGS
Going too far...
Quite often one hears of animal-lovers being labelled as "cranks”. Many of us come under this category because we are supposed to be peculiar, soft, sentimental-going a little too far...
But are we going too far when, knowing that many cosmetic and toilet preparations contain animal ingredients, we first ascertain that no animal has suffered and been exploited because of the beauty product we intend to buy?
Are we going too far when, given the choice, we select those perfumes made from synthetic musk and synthetic civet, rather than those containing natural musk and natural civet, when we know that the latter has brought death to the musk-deer and life-long torture to the civet-cat ?
Are we going too far when we insist on using only those shampoos that have not been tested on rabbits eyes? Such experiments are known to have resulted in these lovable, timid creatures going blind.
Are we going too far when we make sure that the cheese we eat is made of vegetable rennet, rather than animal rennet which entails the slaughter of an innocent calf?
Are we going too far when we desist eating such a delicacy as frogs' legs--knowing that more often than not, the legs are severed first and the remaining body left to succumb in agony?
Are we going too far when we refuse to use crocodile and snake skin accessories, because we cannot forget that snakes are nailed to a tree, then skinned alive; that they are known to live as long as three days after such an "operation"? We realize that a gruesome end also awaits the crocodile.
Are we going too far when we resist buying beautiful silk sarees, scarves, ties, etc, knowing that about 25,000 worms produce a pound of raw silk (12 oz of processed silk), and that while in their cocoons they've
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