It's Not About Squirrels

Here's today's random thought. What is the difference between a hamster and a squirrel? 

Not really. I'm just curious as to where we draw the line on what we keep and what we kill. What makes something a precious pet, and what warrants an entire industry designed to eradicate it. 

Is it based on geography? Wealth? Necessity? Luxury?  I read this week about a restaurant in California that applied for a waiver permitting them to serve dog on the menu. The owners claimed religious and cultural exceptions and have been granted limited permission to serve a certain number of dogs per day. 

On one hand, as I think of my beloved sidekick, I'm horrified. But I can also get in my car and drive to Whole Foods if I want. And in some parts of the world, my furry family member would serve an entirely different role. Where is the line? Why is the cow relegated to a dinner item? How can some pigs make adorable pets, and others excellent bacon? Was one on Santa's naughty list?

As for squirrels, I don't know where they went wrong. They're furry, kind of cute and adorably mischievous. Growing up, there was one chubby fellow who would bang on my bedroom screen if my mom forgot to leave peanuts outside. People keep snakes as pets for crying out loud. Alligators. Freaking tarantulas.  

So there it is. Let that rattle around in your heads for a while. I'm going to bed.