Here’s a little story to kick off this column. My wife and I were at a restaurant downtown having a dinner meeting. We were seated outdoors on the patio in front of the restaurant. We both were wearing business shirts, so it was pretty easy to see that were affiliated with the animal industry. After dinner we were discussing business when a young college student wearing an animal rights club T-shirt walking by made a quiet but direct remark insulting what our industry represents. Quickly I spoke up and invited her to an adult conversation. I offered to buy her a drink while we discussed our differences. To our surprise she accepted and sat down with us. We all politely shook hands and went through the introductions. I started the conversation by suggesting that before we get into our differences, we discuss our common ground. In the spirit of healthy debate, she agreed. I started by asking what kind of car she drives. I don’t remember the model but it was a smaller late-model Nissan. I kind of chuckled and said “We don’t have any common ground there. I drive a diesel pick up.” Next, I asked if she still had grandparents living. She smiled and said yes. I then told her about my grandmother and how she’s no longer with us but I can still taste her sweet potato pie when I remember the Thanksgiving dinner gatherings. Still smiling she shook her head in agreement saying, “Grandma’s cook the best.”At this point we had reached a likeness in our completely different worlds.
It was time to take the conversation in a more relevant direction so I said to her “Do me a favor and put yourself in this situation: You are driving to your Grandmother’s house for dinner and along the way a deer jumps in front of you. Naturally you swerve and slam on your breaks trying to avoid hitting the deer, however, your efforts fail and you strike the deer leaving it unable to use its back legs. What do you do next?” She quickly responded with “I would immediately call 911 and let them know that they need to send an officer our right away to put the animal down and end its suffering!” I agreed with her and told her that I too would do the exact same thing. Then I asked her to picture herself in another situation. I said, “You are at the market with your grandmother. The shopping is done and you’re headed back to the car when an irresponsible driver isn’t paying attention and strikes your grandmother while backing out their parking space. Immediately she loses the use and feeling in her lower extremities. Quickly you dial 911. At this point, are you expecting and ambulance, or are you expecting them to send an officer out right away to end her suffering?” She had a look of terror and confusion on her face for a brief moment as she answered “I would expect an ambulance to come and take her to the hospital right away!” Again I agreed with her and told her that I too would have the same expectations. Then in the same tone she took with us in the beginning I leaned forward and quietly said “There will always be a difference between animals and humans. We’ve determined that just by discussing our likenesses. I see no reason to discuss our differences.” My wife and I quietly got up and left her at our table speechless. It was an Epic moment!—Lucas Scott, Two by Two 4U President and CEO
