Posted on 01/28/2007 3:00:36 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
You are absolutely right, pity is the word. Saying that Barbaro was just a horse is like saying Picasso is just a painter, Hawaii is just an island, Farve is just a football player. It is going to be interesting to follow Barbaro's full brother to see what kind of talent that horse has and I understand there is going to be another full blood sibling in April. Kind of interesting to follow.
It is a sad story about Barbaro, but when was the last time anyone got upset over a cow. I mean they are the same size nearly and all.
But anyway, I must admit I had to go in the bathroom a couple of times when I read what the vet had to say about the horse and looked at Barbaro's pictures.
I think the thing that separates horses and dogs from cattle (at least for us in American society) is that equines and canines seem to forma partnership with us in performing our labors, and sharing our fates...whether that be winning a race, detecting explosives, or riding together into battle. Yes, cattle 'serve' us, but mostly for dinner, and are probably kind of reluctant regarding that goal. When a cow gives it's life to satisfy us, we kind of expect that. When a horse or dog dies in service to us, we view it more as the loss of a partner that helped us obtain our objectives.
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