From a very young age it was apparent how strong my love for animals was. I grew up feeling a connection to animals and a feeling of empathy towards them. From the look in their eyes I could see the curiosity and love for life that they possess. This eventually lead me into my decision to stop eating meat. It was a decision that I made after seeing a farm in which the cows, chickens, and pigs were fed and cared for for the sole reason of being slaughtered and sent to consumers. This changed my perspective on meat and I decided to focus on leading a healthy and meat free lifestyle. When I was in the fifth grade I went to Russia where my parents were born and grew up. The way of life in Russia is very different than in America and I got to see how my parents grew up. My parents were raised on a farm and my mother's mother worked with the chickens. She would show me where the chickens were kept in cages and how they were used to make dinner every night. I saw how one of the butchers cut off the chickens head and how it was still moving afterward. This really never left my mind and began my separation from eating meat like my family did. I also remember seeing the outside of the slaughterhouse that looked like it was straight from a horror movie. I will never forget the cries of the pigs and cows from inside that house.

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