This is one topic I should probably run screaming from, but since it's raining, there are realtors whining about showing my condo and I'm generally in a cranky mood, I shall dive in. Leather clad feet first.
I wear fur. Real fur. Dead animals. I have two fur coats. One "good" one that I wear out for fancy and one "every day" one that I sometimes even cuddle up under to read when I'm cold and miserable. I love my fur coats and make no apologies for them.
I struggled with the morality for years before finally giving in to my life long desire to own fur. My earliest recollections of loving fur coats are when I was about 2 years old, sitting in church, patting the coat of the woman sitting next to me saying "boo-ey, boo-ey" and my mother telling me to quit it.
Animals did die so I could revel in the luxury of my fur coats. By the price I paid, I'm sure someone didn't collect up road kill or natural death animals. It's kinda sad. It's less sad, though, than thinking about the animals used to create milk, cheese and eggs. Those animals live a horrible existance. Remember, the by-product of milk is calves. I've worked on a dairy farm and seen the treatment of these little creatures.
Ever been to an egg-laying plant? Or a slaughterhouse? If not, Google it sometime and tell me that my fur coats are more cruel. At least the animals that died for my cause lived a happy, free life before they died.
I was vegetarian for nearly a decade because there is a part of me that truly believes eating meat is wrong ... unless I'm willing to go out, kill a beast myself and prepare it for the table. The sanitized version we get at the supermarket allows us to be all self righteous about things like wearing fur while we dine on our burgers and steaks and eat the eggs produced by chickens living in detestible conditions.
I spent years working on my friend's ranch. Cowboy hats, boots and chaps were not a fashion statement. Being out in the rain and sun, riding through thick brush to round up an errant cow, sitting in a saddle (leather, btw) for 8 to 12 hours one needs all the proper gear. I loved my cowboy gear! I still have my boots. That I felt like Annie Oakly out there in my duds doesn't take away from the practical need to wear certain clothes.
I also owned a Harley. Ya, I admit the tassels on my leathers were for show, but the leather coat, chaps and boots were necessary equipment. If you've ever seen road rash from someone who had a small oops while riding a motorcycle, you understand the wisdom of the equipment.
So, basically, I am forced to offer some sympathy for those who wear cowboy hats and have to pay an increased price for them. But not too much sympathy ... I think the higher the price, the less disposable these items become and the fewer animals required to fill the demand. I think those of us who choose to wear animal products should pay for the privilege. Especially cowboy hats, since they can be made from felt or leather and be just as attractive and functional.
