(This is an attempt to make my blog less of a waste of time.)

http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/this-little-piggie/

So basically this is an article titled "This Little Piggie..." and it talks about how there is this new craze of Micro Pigs which are described as "really...fantastic fun, highly sociable and make amazing pets…" which will "sit on your lap while you watch TV so you can scratch their belly. They will even talk to you and have you giggling for hours."

There are two points in this article that I find particularly interesting.

"In a time when animal shelters are overflowing with unwanted 'pet' animals, this is just exactly what we need isn't it? A whole new craze in 'pets', complete with the endorsement of celebrities whose target audience is young children. Sure, the price tag is high right now, but once Petland and their friends get wind of this idea, what's to stop them and others from selling miniature pigs by the thousands?"

Humans are forever coming up new stuff to have fun with but most of us lack the sense of responsibility to see it through. Like fashion, these sort of crazes would lose popularity after a very short period of time, but the main difference here is the fact that unlike fashion, this involves animals, who undergo manipulation by those seeking to earn quick bucks and in the end get victimised by irresponsible owners who lose interest in their pets very soon. It'd be ironic if in the future, aside from associations compaigning for the welfare of dogs, cats, and other currently common pets, there would be MORE of such associations trying to protect the rights of MORE types of animals. As if people don't already have enough problems with society, environment and whatnot.

"I can't help but wonder whether the owners of these miniature pigs eat pork products. One must assume that at least some of them do… Which begs the question, considering the generally accepted position that some animals are meant to be pets and some are meant to be food… how on earth do they reconcile that inconsistency?"

I remember that in one of my first posts on this blog, I recorded a conversation between my mum and me when we were shopping that revolved around why society condemns the butchering of some animals for meat and skin, etc. whereas it is ok for other animals' lives to be sacrificed for humans' benefit. (We were walking in the handbags section.) And in the end, it all boils down to why humans have the right to lord over all the other organisms in this world and manipulate them as we like? Why do we consider ourselves as superior to the other organisms and even Mother Earth? Isn't that exactly the reason behind the countless environmental problems that we are facing right now? I suppose no one can really give any answers, but I feel that it is important for all of us to at least consider this issue. It is always important to constantly reflect on our own actions and remind ourselves of the importance of humility.

Ok so i found some photos of micro pigs on google. I picked a couple from this website: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1219140/Yours-650-The-micro-pigs-latest-designer-pets-Jane-Croft.html


Micro pigs the size of a teacup. They are really cute...


But guess what, they cost £650 each!!!

I suppose Ms Jane Croft who breeded the little pigs really meant well. But it will be hard to monitor if the pigs are treated well, as well as to differentiate between buyers who genuinely want to love and take care of a pet, and those who just want another expensive assessory to their already glamorous lives.

Labels: micro pigs

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Thanks for reading :)

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