Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Micro-Pig Pets or Bacon on the Hoof?

They are called micro pigs or tea-cup pigs and according to London's Daily Telegraph they are the hottest new thing in pets in the UK.

Over there, pet loving Brits are snapping up teacup piglets at over $1000 a pop as fast as grown up pigs can produce them. They weigh about nine ounces at birth and top out at about sixty five pounds at around two years of age. They are, according to UK breeder, Jane Croft," about the size of a small spaniel" when full grown. She also swears they are intelligent, loving and make wonderful pets.

Maybe so, but I am definitely not in the market for one. They are cute, but when I look at them, honestly, all I see is bacon on the hoof. It's like making a pet out of a chicken. I just can't befriend an animal I am going to eat, especially at over $1000 a pop. I'm sorry, but for me a pig is not a pet. It's a meal--definitely bacon on the hoof. Yes, I know that there are places in the world where people eat dogs and cats, and other places where cows are sacred, but here where I live cats and dogs are pets and cows and pigs are meat. I wonder if I'm the only American who feels this way? I'll be interested to see if micro-pig mania makes it to this side of the pond intact.

The little pigs and the lady who breeds them were featured  by Tyra Banks today.  I watched the segment which is what inspired me to blog about it. All pig comments, pro and con are welcome:-)



14 comments:

In The Doghouse said...

What darling little guys! I would love one for a pet, but I am sure my husband, other dog, and turtle would not agree!

Unknown said...

Yes they are cute aren't they? I don't know why I just can't think of them as pets though LOL

Unknown said...

These little guys are so sweet; I'd love to have one. I've heard that pigs are wonderful pets.

Unknown said...

ooohhhh so cute. not bacon. I want one!!! :D

Marcome said...

Those are so cute! I love their pinky noses!I just wonder if you can train them to go outside like dogs!

Unknown said...

Well, it looks like there are a lot of potential micro-pig fans out there. Thanks for the comments:-)

LondonGirl said...

Very expensive way to get one's bacon (-:

Unknown said...

The piggies are really cute but I wonder how many people will buy one and be fed up with it when it grows big and fat.

Anonymous said...

Lol London Girl! I think they're adorable. The barn where my daughter rides horses has an enormous and hideous pig that wanders around. My kids love her, but my daughter now feels guilty when she eats bacon. "I just can't help it mom! It's so good!" Now she tries not to think of her "friend" named PorkChop!

Unknown said...

ah Londongirl, Wiebke and ndph. Thanks for your comments. I think we just can't eat animals who are our friends -- It's kind of like an incest taboo or something-- instinctual on our part. Interesting though that which animals are food and which friends varies from culture to culture.

terence yap said...

Adorable... simply adorable fellas!

*smiles*

LondonGirl said...

Wouldn't be a problem for us, ndph - we only eat Kosher bacon in this household (-:

Unknown said...

Kosher bacon??? ROTFL

LondonGirl said...

Like I said, the little chaps would be fairly safe chez LG (-: