I have been a vegetarian since I was 13 years old, and a vegan since the age of 40. I became a vegetarian after reading a short story in school in junior high by James Agee, called "A Mother's Tale". I urge you to read it. I used to have a link to it but the "James Agee Trust" forcibly removed it. It is my strongest belief in life, that Animals Are Not Ours To Eat, Wear, Experiment On, Or For Entertainment, as the PETA saying goes. Another saying I fully and adamantly believe is that Meat Is Murder. I believe it is wrong to kill an animal for food, clothing, entertainement, research, or any reason. I respect and love all life, including that of helpless animals!

Veganism is truly the most passionate belief I have, and takes the place of any standard kind of religion for me. What I mean is, it takes the place in my life that religion fills in many people's lives in that it is what is most important to me in the world, I believe more strongly in it than I do in anything else, and it affects my life every day. Now that I put it that way, I guess veganism is more important to me than religion is to most people! Or at least I am more devout in it than many people are with their religion. Anyway, veganism is the issue that is most important to me in the world, fundamentally, and has been for as long as I've been meat-(and dairy-)free.

There are so many reasons to go meatless and ditch dairy! If not a love and compassion for animals, then how about climate change concerns? And doesn't your health matter to you? I drew these cartoons for a Meetup. It got my sentiments across, I hope.