Culture

Dog meat
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)

Energy: 1,096kj (262 kcal)
Carbohydrates: 0.1 g
Dietary fibre: 0 g
Fat: 20.2g
Protein:19 g
Water: 60.1 g
Vitamin C: 3mg (5%)
Calcium: 8 mg (1%)
Iron: 2.8 mg (22%)
Potassium: 270 mg (6%)
Sodium: 72 mg (3%)


I can imagine the baffled expression on your face. A strong feeling of disgust must have aroused on you while you were reading the table above. What is this girl talking about? You must be wondering. Is she kidding?
Well, everything started some months ago when I received an e-mail. This e-mail had been created by an animal rights group who was fighting against the slaughter of dogs. Yes! Dogs are considered livestock in many countries, mainly Asian countries. So, that animal that is playing in your back garden or lying on the floor next to you or sleeping on your lap while you are reading this may be delicious for some people. In the e-mail you could see a lot of pictures which illustrated how dogs were killed and later prepared in a great variety of dishes. It did not matter to whom I showed the pictures, reactions were always the same: Disgusting! Revolving! I can’t stand seeing them!
As I consider myself an open-minded person. I decided to find out a little more about this issue. And, I discovered that dog meat is consumed in a surprising number of countries all around the world and it has been consumed in almost every region at some point in history. But, this is not what I wanted to concentrate on. What I am interested in is in showing you to want an extent the place you are born and grown up in and the culture you belong to shape your view of the world. What is accepted for you and what is not. Which things are edible and which are not.
As I said reactions to the idea of eating dogs were always the same. But what makes a dog meat barbecue so disgusting and a meat or lamb or chicken or pork barbecue so tasty? And for me the answer is only one: culture. I admit that the pictures were revolving. Cruelty was depicted in each one of them. But, have you ever seen any picture taken at the slaughterhouse? I looked for some and the only thing that I found different, between those in the e-mail and these ones, was the size of the animals. I am afraid I may come over as a promoter of the killing and consumption of dog meat. By no means! I love dogs: I actually have got 5 at home. The fact is that I have always been interested in culture and tolerance.
If you are susceptible just do not click on the link below. I am including some of the pictures. Sorry...

PICTURES