But the cows die surrounded by their loved ones as they slowly drift off to "sleep"

Constantine von Hoffman wonders why Whole Foods thinks live lobsters die any more inhumanely than all the other animals that gave their organic, pesticide-free lives for its customers' enjoyment, albeit out of their sight:

... So let me get this right - it's OK to sell meat, pork, fowl and fish (and probably lobsters) that are killed off premises but not something that's alive when it gets to the store? I think you should have to see the slaughter of all your food before you consume it. ...