Man's Best Friend?

As I was driving to work this morning I noticed this woman walking the most adorable puppy in the world.  It was a Shih Tzu.  My favorite dog breed.  Ask me why....  Because they remind me of cute little versions of Ewoks!  Hehe  Yes, my husband shakes his head everytime I squeal with delight upon seeing this adorable breed.  I go gaga for their cute, fuzzy faces.  I promised myself that, one day, I would have a cute, fuzzy Shih Tzu to call my own and name it Wicket!

After such a high, it is disheartening to read the following news article: Special Report - The Dog Meat Mafia.  It's the first of a four-part series of articles highlighting Southeast Asia's dog meat trade.  Here in the United States, dogs and cats are pets.  Most of them are treated like they are part of the family, like another child or sibling that you love and care for.  That is why most people react with horror, distaste, and sadness when they hear dogs and cats are considered food in other parts of the world.  I understand the argument that we as American citizens cannot impose our view on other cultures.  I get that.  However, the emotional part of me asks how you can do such a thing to our pets.  I remember seeing another article on CNN (Inside the Cat and Dog Meat Market in China).  Some of the dogs and cats were stolen pets! 

Whether it's illegal or legal, I just can't tolerate the thought of dogs and cats being used as food.  They are our family, our best friends.  Everytime I see a video of dog or cat slated to go to the meat market, I look into their eyes, and it makes me cry.