I’m about two feet away from hopping on the PETA, animal rights, ASPCA train. I’m about to give up meat, volunteer all my free time at an animal shelter, go back to school to become a vet, the list goes on and on and on. (And maybe I’m not really planning on becoming a vet…but perhaps working in a vet’s office?)

All this to say, traveling around Spain has been a little tough on that front. I’ve wanted to start a “Spay & Neuter Your Pets” campaign, as well as bathe every animal I see (to include cats…and that’s a big step for me). I saw a dying sparrow in Cordoba and I couldn’t stop thinking about it for the rest of the night…I passed by the line of horse-drawn carriages a few times in Seville yesterday, and a few had sores and scars on their noses from the bridles. And then there’s Pamplona coming up in the next couple of weeks. We’ll be on a balcony overlooking the running of the bulls…but I’m already prepared to be in the fetal position for most of that day. (And if you’d like to join Ricky Gervais in a step to end bullfighting, you can do so here.)

So…that’s it. That’s where I’m at. Someone…tell me I’m crazy. Tell me there’s room for moderation. Tell me it’s the cycle of life for birds to die. Tell me dogs have done just fine with all of their organs and limited baths. Tell me horses get scrapes and sores just like humans do, and they seem to carry on. And someone *definitely* tell me if I hop on the PETA train they’ll stop being my friend. And remind me how good a juicy cheeseburger is. And how life simply isn’t the same without bacon. Please?

And for now…here’s a peek into my life in Spain so far.

Yep. Lots of beautiful architecture, babies with forks, fountains and peeking into doors. I love it all.