The Bridge Between the Two

The topic of animal testing and pain has always been an intriguing topic for me. It's always been a heated subject to talk about because I believe that animals have rights and deserve to be treated with the upmost respect. Now, I'm not saying that they should be put on a pedestal and given crowns. I'm referring to puppy mills or dog fighting.  In Rifkin's editorial, he argues that, "Animals have the ability to feel pain, suffer, and experience stress, affection, excitement, and even love." much like human capabilities. Dogs used in dog fighting are used for human's own selfish tendencies and the result of fighting often leaves a negative reaction on the dog in action or the dog being used as a pin, or practice dog. These dogs tend to become aggressive and depressed as they age into adulthood because they've been bred to become aggressive creatures. He then beings to appeal to our emotions by using pathos to make readers feel empathetic for the animals he writes about. He writes about pigs and how they need affection or they become depressed. Overall, Rikin focuses on appealing to readers who believe in animal rights and animal activists who only wish to see the best for the mental, emotional, and behavioral state of these animals.