Tom, I also appreciate everything that you have said, and agree with much of it. You have made me think about some things I had not considered before - ie: petroleum for tractors etc. I just did not want the discussion to detiorate to the point where someone - who is hurting already - gets hurt even more. Russ, I also appreciate what you have said re: what the Bible has to say on the subject - esp the eating of meat with the blood still in it. Based on the Bible, I also believe that we are the only eternal creatures (besides angels and the triune God himself) although I also believe that although my pets here will not greet me there, that there will be animals (the lion will lay down with the lamb). I stand to be corrected on that, though, if I am wrong.