The process of becoming de-sensitized to animal suffering happens at a very early age. Though our innate compassion is unfettered and unconditional when we're young, we receive messages that indicate that not only should this compassion be left on the threshold of adulthood but that certain animals are here to love and certain ones are here to use. As a result, many of us go through our entire lives detached from the animals who once permeated every aspect of our childhood and detached from our own emotions and truths. Only when the spell is broken, when we are shaken out of our sleep do we experience a profound awakening. The key is being *willing* to wake up. The key is letting go of our self-deception and lowering the defenses we built up.