I get what you’re saying and maybe zen or meditation isn’t necessarily the right words to describe it. More like a stress reliever. Like a punching bag with a productive outcome that adds to its satisfaction. For me, the wood does not need to be cut, yet I cut it. Maybe someday I’ll need firewood and I’ll be ready.
What do you think is worse, taking really good care of animals you are exploiting and possibly going to eat, or taking really shitty care of that same animal?