You have a point BB, but still it is incredibly sad having to do this to a pig in such peak condition. After chatting with Rosie every day for 3 years she now seems more like a member of the family than a pig, and I feel very differently about this than routine trips to the abattoir with finished pigs. Never thought this would be her fate - not yet at least. Still, I will never need to worry, as I would have done, that she is not happy in another, unknown home. Also, she is still very lean only 2 weeks after her piglets were weaned, but even so - I wish with all my heart it wasn't having to end this way.
Thanks for the idea of the rescue centre, but don't think that would have been the solution, as what she really needed was to go somewhere where she could grow and nurture more babies.
I am not looking forward to waking up on Wednesday morning, knowing what has to be done - Tamsaddle