They’ll have a cruel Christmas. (Or, “Santa is a terrorist.”)

Let’s cut to the chase, as I’ve a lasagna in the oven and five dogs vying for my attention. It’s Christmas. I’m crabby. The holidays can suck when you’re an atheist; doubly so when you’re a vegan and an atheist, and have to sit through “tidings of good cheer” and wishes for “peace on earth” – all made across a table littered with the corpses of once-living animals.

Pigs, cows, chickens, turkeys, ducks (or perhaps some combination thereof), all of whom once had families of their own, tortured and slaughtered…for what? The aforementioned cheesy, hearty vegan lasagna cooking in my kitchen is every bit as delicious as the “ham” my family so delighted in sharing with me several hours ago. Yes, there’s a very good reason I’m wearing my “What kind of asshole eats a lamb?” tee today!

In a way, I’m lucky; since my family lives halfway across the country, I only had to hear about their “ham” dinner, rather than witness it. On the downside, no one got to see my t-shirt of defiance – aside from my husband and dog-kids, all vegans, natch. Plus, holidays spent away from one’s extended family can get a little lonely.

Just as I was planning a pity party, though, I caught this video on Twitter (hat tip, Harvest Home). As down as I feel, the holidays are much, much lonelier when your “home” is a factory farm (or any “working farm,” really). Cue: two Santas from the Austrian animal welfare group Association Against Animal Factories, who broke into a “pig farm” to deliver a few “creature comforts” to the pigs – no doubt, good boys and girls, them all – unfortunate enough to be imprisoned there: yesterday, today, tomorrow, and every day after for the rest of their short lives.

Since the video’s description is in German, I provided a translation (via Google) below. It may be in hilariously broken English, but I think you’ll get the gist of it, nonetheless.

Santa Claus visited Austrian factory farming!

“Christmas for everyone!” The thought two welfare advocates, who – dressed up as Father Christmases climbing – into a pig to give the animals living there a little variety. The gifts, straw and apples, were adopted by the pigs bouncy and grateful!

Photos on www.vgt.at

And that is the true Christmas story:

It so happened on a cold December night. Two Christmases were on their way from the far north to the brave children who had completed their shopping lists placed on the windowsills. By loud shrieks became aware of the Santas looked through the window and saw a large hall frightening: instead spacious and comfortable living quarters, as usual for the Christmas reindeer, they saw bleak rooms, crammed with poor pigs. Although they have very much to do decided at Christmas Santas, soon to come back and bring the pig children gifts.

And so they packed tags to a bag full of straw and a bag full of apples and climbed into the pig facility. She cautiously opened the door to the animals too much to frighten. Excited, they were received by the pigs, which they reviewed anticipation.

The two Santa Clauses were visibly moved by the reaction of the pigs. After initial skepticism, our pink friends used their fine and delicate nose, to explore the completely unknown material, which they had never seen before, too. Since there was sniffing it dug and chewed. They must be modest, the pigs, because they do not get a lot of straw, not enough to be able to lie comfortably – but still! Alternative to other food for monotony also brought the delicious juicy apples. They were eagerly devoured by the connoisseurs! It was wonderful to watch these kind of animals, thought up the Santa Clauses. But the time had come to collect more shopping lists of window sills, including those of children of farmers. “Oh, the farmers would understand that, that they do nothing good pigs, when they piled it so completely without the ability to behave in a species-appropriate,” said Santa Claus to the other. That gave them an idea: “We’ll give the peasant children with books and films that will tell them what an intelligent and interesting animals are pigs!” The dazzle them!”

And so, it wants the story, the visiting Santas are many many stables, and give hope for many animals. But the farmers will be rewarded with knowledge and wisdom to be locked up at the end of an animal has more – and people and animals live in respect and regard for one another in peace with each other. As Christmas, and on all other days!

Background Information:

Pigs are highly intelligent mammals. They are the people in many ways similar and closely related.

But instead entgegenzubringen respect and respect for our fellow creatures, are held prisoner in Austria, 3.5 million pigs in disgraceful conditions. On a concrete floor, they must stand and lie, with no soft bedding. Exposed to the psychological stress, lack of or inadequate employment material. This leads to aggression within the groups, which often lead to injuries. Instead of countering the causes, the animals are adapted to the system: teeth and tails are pinched off due to injury has just been cut.

Every year in Austria alone, 5 million pigs slaughtered and eaten. Even at Christmas, the feast of contemplation and peace …

The film about the visit of two Christmases in a pigsty was the VGT – The Association Against Animal Factories sent – anonymously, with the request for disclosure. Which we have agreed because it is a peaceful and very beautiful symbolic action. We wish also to farmers whose animals have been visited, a beautiful and peaceful Christmas!

Wishing you a compassionate holiday season! Next year: liberation for all (and for all, a good life).