"Earthlings is written, produced, directed, and edited by Shaun Monson."(846) The "Earthlings" documentary was a sad and eye-opening experience for me. The scene where I was able to extend compassion for the animals, was the roping scene. I never took the animals' feelings into consideration when I thought of roping. Throwing a rope around the neck of a frightened animal running at full speed seems very painful. After watching this, I have compassion for animals that have to experience this. I was able to send out love to all the animals that are used for entertainment. Something that we use for enjoyment is such a painful experience for animals. "Ignorance is the spiciest's first line of defense."(880) I've never considered the pain that animals experience when we go to the zoo, watch bull riding, or roping.

    I desired to alleviate suffering in the slaughter houses. It was said that ten thousand times a minute an animal is killed for food. They way the animals are handled and talked to was disturbing. My heart melted for them and I was so disappointed. When they brand the animals on the face I feel their pain. The dehorning of the cows with pliers and how the cows are transported is awful. In order for the workers to get meat, they send a bolt to the cows brain, slit their throat and even do this while they are still alive. Actually watching this happen was disturbing. Seeing an animal bleed out and watching them send bolts into their brains was so sad. This cruelty is unacceptable and no animal or person deserves to be treated that way.

   I was not able to feel the desire to alleviate suffering when hunting and fishing was talked about. Hunting and fishing are apart of everyday culture that Americans partake in. This is something that I have known of my entire life and it has never had a personal effect on me. I do not hunt or fish and neither do my close relatives. I feel the reason I have never been able to have compassion towards the killing of fish and deer for example, was because it has never been a huge part of my life. That is still not an excuse for why I have no compassion for these animals. In order for there to be a change, we must first start with ourselves. I have to understand that like us, animals have feelings too. Their lives are just as important as ours and our excuses are no longer acceptable!

   However, I have been able to return to the feeling of compassion which generates love, peace, and joy when they spoke of pets. "The whole family shares a tremendous love of animals" (901) A pet is usually considered a part of the family and is held at a high regard. This scene of the documentary left me feeling warm and connected. It was a nice reminder to see that animals are treated with respect and the dignity they truly deserve. I do realize that not all animas are treated the way they deserve to be treated. I was able to finally see the big picture and realize that there is a huge problem. It is said that there are 25 million homeless animals. Shelters do their very best to accommodate them and take all of them in, but unfortunately that is not possible. 50% of the animals taken in by families and the other half's fate is sometimes unknown. I finally have allowed myself to see the big picture. There is a real need for homes for millions of animals. Seeing the animals suffering left me feeling disgusted and disappointed. After watching "Earthlings", I do not feel at peace with what is. What is happening to animals is unacceptable and a change needs to occur.

   While watching "Earthlings", my emotions ranged from disbelief, disgust, disappointment, anger, and heartache.  One scene that was so troubling to watch, was the whaling. They way they are killed and transported around is disgusting. I experienced compassion fatigue. I felt overwhelmed and numb while watching this. What made it even worse, was that kids were passing by while this was happening. Having a child see this on the way to school must be traumatizing.