I'll attest to the notion that hermit crabs feel pain. I own 14 of them and they're quite aware of their surroundings and they're more than aware when something hurts [you should hear the sounds they make if they get into a fight].
I also will not eat any animal that is boiled alive including crabs, shrimp, and lobster. The idea of boiling something alive is horrendous to me. I understand why as people say it causes a bitter taste to kill them before hand and that it can be bad for a person's digestive system, but I still find it a horrible thing. It doesn't seem at all to respect the life of that animal to boil them; it's a cruel way to kill them.
On plants, I personally honor and give thanks to whatever comes across my plate be it plant or animal. They gave up their lives so I could eat and survive, even if they put up a fight doing so. It is the whole "circle of life" thing as creatures do need to eat to survive and live, but that doesn't mean respect shouldn't be given and that animal shouldn't be killed in a respectful manner. But it's my own personal beliefs on the matter of giving thanks.
