Yesterday during lunch I ran to the pet store to get more food and litter for the cats. Right when I walked in there was a dispute going on up at the front counter. A young pimply guy was in an argument with the woman at the register. Apparently he wanted to buy a hamster/gerbil/etc. to feed to his snake, and the woman was refusing to sell him a "companion animal" to use as food. Eventually he gave up and drove off in a huff, but that got me to thinking; why wouldn't he just buy the mice that are bred for that purpose? Was he trying especially to show off for friends or a girl that he could kill something a bit "cuter" or more familiar? Then I also thought about the morality of the whole situation. What was the difference, really? I mean, the cat food I feed my boys is made with animal products, so while I don't have the same active participation, the end result is the same. There are no moral absolutes in this complex world we live in, but what do you think the woman at the counter should have done?