I think this is the real issue. I was pretty certain this show would never go there, but I still could barely follow the scene until they put down the puppy.

This is me. As I have stated, I cannot abide TV or films where animals are (yes, even fictionally) harmed.

I think it was in Movies that I mentioned my embarrassing meltdown over the trailer for Frankenweenie...even a _cartoon dog_ triggers me.

I just can't bear seeing animals in jeopardy. I can't see anything entertaining or edifying in it.

What is entertaining or edifying about people in jeopardy (ones we may or may not know)?

There is a cultural void here, because I can't put myself in the place where it's always much worse than any person. The world is too big for that, to me.

This discussion reminds me where 5,000 Israeli's in Tel Aviv demonstrated blindfolded against animal cruelty. [link] And you know maybe these same demonstrators care about what is being done to Palestinians and Bedouins. But a lot of people in human rights organizations commented sardonically that the demonstrators wore blindfolds to avoid seeing the cruelty to humans all around them.

Understood.

While I can't speak for anyone else, I can say that I am equally triggered by innocents in jeopardy. It comes down to power over the powerless.

It is absolutely NOT logical in any way.

So much so, that I can't even talk myself out of feeling it.

I know my needle phobia is irrational. Still, I yip and have to hide my eyes when a hypodermic appears on screen.

One thing, for me, is choice. My friend teased me after we saw "Up" because I was glad none of the dogs died - she thought the guy was more important. For me, I think the bad guy made his choices and put himself in jeopardy, where the dogs weren't given a vote. (This argument doesn't cover innocent human victims, obvs).

This is me. As I have stated, I cannot abide TV or films where animals are (yes, even fictionally) harmed.

This is me as well, and my mother's even worse. December a couple/few years ago, I was trying to find out whether I should avoid The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, for rape/assault triggers - at the same time my mother was trying to confirm whether she could see War Horse, because she really wanted to but wouldn't if the horse dies.

There is a cultural void here, because I can't put myself in the place where it's always much worse than any person. The world is too big for that, to me.

I don't think it's necessarily cultural, I think it just varies from person to person. My friend in the paragraph above is more like you, then there's me, then my mom, then there's the friend of hers who switched off The Green Mile (which my mom had recommended to her) because apparently something bad happens to a rat in the prison? It's a spectrum!

Human violence in movies is obviously faked (considering I don't watch snuff films). There's something in my head that says violence against animals on a movie set is more likely, despite all the disclaimers.

It's why the movie Toys is so horrible, because the violence against the toys is real, actual violence. It's OK to blow up a stuffed bunny on camera.

I don't think it's necessarily cultural, I think it just varies from person to person

If a Jamaican had made Morgana's post (or brenda's, or sarameg's about kitten poker, or any of the animal empathy a significant number (that I won't argue is the majority) of Buffistas express) my jaw would drop. Literally mouth open as I read the post.

My sister told me that there's an anthropologist she knows coming to Jamaica to study pretty much that--pet vs. animal in Jamaica.

Innocents are put in jeopardy quite often--wives and children are held hostage. But I'd wager an internet dollar there are more posts here akin to "I can't look! The [animal] was in too much danger, I couldn't take it!" than "I *hate* when they threaten kids! It's too much for me!" Maybe one is understood and unremarkable? So common it's exhausting to comment on? I don't know. But for one reason or another, rarely mentioned.

Yeah, I feel worse for innocents getting hurt than willing participants. So, animals and kids, I guess. My empathy doesn't extend far enough that I can't watch, though.

This really makes me wonder about the role of both early learning on this issue.

Americans I know are hardcore trained to cherish, enjoy and protect small animals far earlier in life than we are trained to value each other.

Our responses as adults might be semi-conscious knee-jerks.