Why do we feel the need to justify our desire and delight in giving attention, affection and fuss to our livestock?
Actually, I don't feel the need to justify it, but I do have to keep telling people that I know they're for eating and I'm okay about that - and will send them when the time comes. (Not without a backward glance, far from it. But I send them away knowing that I couldn't have had them as pets, and that they've had as happy a life as it's been possible for me to give them.)
Some are not for sending away - Hillie will never go through a mart, she owes us nothing and we owe her freedom from distress and a dignified end when it comes. But she's paid for her suppers through the milk that's fed so many calves, lambs, hound pups, people, chickens, made so much butter and cheese, etc.
BH used to be a secret 'fusser' of his livestock. Now that I am on the scene he's as open about it as I am. And the more I see of other farmers, the more I discover that many of them, too, enjoy giving their livestock a bit of fuss and attention.
I heard that stroking a dog or a cat lowers your blood pressure - I'm sure the same must be true of playing with pigs, scratching a cow, whatever. So not only is it enjoyable for them and for us, makes them more manageable and taste better, it's good for us too!
Topic: Human Interaction... (Read 4726 times)
