The Thing about Swine is that they’re pigs. More or less.
They hang around in mud, dirt and flies. Those components are like magnets to each other. Still, these dirty animals have got something about them making people go ‘awww’, even though their smell is really awwwwful. Believe you me. When I was young I went with my aunt, a veterinary, to circumsize young piglets. Piggy boys. Well, they ain’t boys nomore, I can tell you. Was an event of a lifetime! Looking at these noisy creatures, with a bit of an arrogance in their ways, dragging their drugged legs behind them. (Ah, those were the days!)
So. They’re noisy, they smell, they have got a really bad reputation, but yet there’s something likeable about them. Speaking about eating them, of course, they have alot to offer:
I knew a couple who had a Viatnameese pork in their house. You know these little, short-haired, black buggers who’re always up for a treat. They’re great domestic animals, I can tell you, apart from when you’re trying to give them a bath. I participated once and even today, sometimes at night, I can hear the soultearing sound of a pig who really don’t want to be cleaned.
The thing about them, however, is that they are so much like us. Genetically speaking, if you compare a human and a pig fetus, you would possibly be unable to tell the difference. This, however, applies to other animals as well. Like chickens.
We have to dig deeper, folks. Deeper into ourselves.
‘Cause pigs are human. Even more human than we are. Pigs don’t wage wars or murder each other for worthless jewelry (or even a nice pile of mud)! Sure it happens that pig-mums eat their children after birth. It’s gruesome, some would say. What we do is just giving it another name; abortion. And sometimes, abortion is a good solution. Nature knows this, as well.
Pigs are really great animals. If I’d been a politically interested American, I’d surely vote on any Swine before letting Bush into the White House (or the backyard of it). I think pigs could really do something about the global situation. Pigs don’t tend to solve problems with making up new ones. And they certainly wouldn’t tolerate racism.
I think the Time of Swine is coming. Just a notion.
(Picture courtesy of Oklahoma State University: Department of Animal Science and some Polish butcher or something.)
Actually, they will murder each other, fight for social rank, rape and all sorts of other behaviors you might not like. Normally this is minimal in a herd once things get settled and everyone stays in their positions in the rankings. As to dirtyness and smell, you’re thinking of penned or factory pigs. Pigs out on pasture smell fine and are not particularly dirty. They graze the grass, shrubbery, catch the occasional snake or mouse, etc.
What I’m trying to say is your stereotypes are just that.
I am perfectly aware of this. Since 2004 (when the post was written) I got into an argument with a co-worker regarding the nature of pigs (spurred by the Hogzilla story) and I have been quite educated on the subject ever since.
What especially caught my attention was the minimal difference between the Sus scrofa domesticus and the Sus scrofa fera; I especially enjoyed the DNA analysis conducted in Sweden (referred to here) proving the separating element between wild pigs and domesticated pigs to be the fur.
E.g, that domesticated pigs turn feral over a very short period of time (if we compare with sheep who are genetically impaired these days and would probably die in great numbers if released).
As for the traits “I may not like” these are typical of human behavior as well. As in flocks of wolves, caribou herds, etc. etc.
Thanks for your input. You’re perfectly right, and it’s my privilege inform you that I had already changed my mind regarding the matter. Then again, it wasn’t meant to be as serious as your comment implies.
Sigg3, I didn’t mean for that to be taken critically, just to question the stereotypes. We can all be such beasts at times. :) Cheers, -Walter