So… I went to the pet store today to get some wet food from Natural Balance… because in just a couple of days, I’ve noticed an improvement in my dogs using the dry food.
While I was perusing the aisle, holding a few cans of the food, the rep from Nutro walked up to me and asked, “So, you have a vegetarian dog?” Of course I gave her the story… that you can read here… that I’m trying it out on them. “Do they have allergies?” she asked. “No, I just think it’s better for them,” I told her. She continued “but they need animal parts to be a complete dog. There are 28 enzymes they need to be a fully functioning dog, they only get 11 from a vegetarian diet.” Hmm. Sounds like classroom talk. I told her I’m working with my vet, watching them very closely, and we’ll monitor. Plus, it’s a super premium dog food (expensive… and good).
She kept talking. Asking me why I was vegetarian (vegan). I told her about the book – The China Study … and the overwhelming evidence linking diet to disease.
What she said next overwhelmed me, “I could never be a vegetarian because I’m a diabetic.”
Flabbergasted, I had to quickly decide… do I talk more or just nod MM HMMM and walk on. I opted to talk. I told her about the evidence that shows how a vegan diet can reverse diabetes. I told her about doctors who prescribed vegan diets for patients. I told her about my numbers improving so much. She stared, glassy eyed, into space.
What she said next… floored me. “Well, I’ve only got 10 years left,” she said. “What?” I replied. “Life expectancy is 75, and I’ll be 75 in ten years. So, what’s the point?” she explained. First of all, that’s an unreal statement. Second of all, it’s just silly.
Then, the truth came out.
“I really just like the taste of my meat,” she came clean.
Health be damned, I want me some rib eye. Stat.
I felt sorry for her.
But at least I know where she gets her protein.
