I became vegan in 8th grade when I was 13-years old. That was almost 4 years ago, and I still consider it the best decision I have ever made.

Vegans eat absolutely no animal products, nor do they use anything containing animal extracts.

I became vegetarian in 6th grade, and upon doing so made it my goal to become vegan. My first step was to stop drinking milk.

Up until that point I had suffered from allergies which left me with a chronic runny nose and a reliance on claritin to supress my allergies. The week after I stopped drinking milk all of my allergies went away, and I have not had any since.

It took me another 2 years to stop eating yogurt and cheese because of my parent's opposition to my diet. It was on the day that my Dalmatian Pearl died that I decided it was time for me to become completely animal free. Pearl was born 5 days after me, on June 8th, and we had grown up together. She was afflicted with cancer when she and I were 13, and the decision on her course of treatment was left up to me.

The situation was grim, and I did not want her to suffer any more than she already was by subjecting her to surgery and chemotherapy. But I also could never make the decision to kill her. She died one week after being diagnosed, on May 30.

I became vegan immediately following her death. After having seen someone I loved so much suffer I knew I could never contribute to the suffering of any animal. Just as it had been my decision to let Pearl live out her life, I realised I had the power to choose to let other animals live.

I bought Diet For A New America by John Robbins, and got the facts to support my choice, as well the knowledge of how to eat a balanced and healthy diet.

My mother was still vehemently opposed to my diet, and warned that I would never grow and would be malnourished. Now at 17 I am almost 5'9", and feel better than ever before. I know I will be vegan for as long as I live.