I admit to having been to a circus-my parents took me, and I took my son also. To be honest, at the time I was thinking only of his enjoyment. I wanted him to experience “the greatest show on Earth”! After he outgrew trips to the circus, I noticed that each year, right before the circus came to town, a friend posted on Facebook about the horrors of them and their inhumane treatment of animals. She also then listed several alternatives that would be as fun for a child to attend. At first (maybe because I felt guilty), I told myself she felt that way because she was “one of those crazy vegetarians”. Since then, I have educated myself and have to agree with her. I’m not sure how I could have ever considered myself a die hard elephant lover, and then actually paid money for my son to ride one while its foot was chained to a center pole. I have done a 180 and would only attend a circus today if there were no animal acts.