to buy my children a mini-pig for christmas, because I want one for myself?

[standandeliver]

Have got a black labrador who I love to pieces, but have recently been dwelling on enlarging the family by getting another dog to keep her company (it's much more fun walking two dogs than one - they play more and get more exercise).

And then I saw this:
piglet

Can't stop thinking about how delighted my children would be with its sweet little snuffly pink nose and soft tummy. I just wonder if my attraction to these creatures is hormonal in any way, whether at 43 and feeling a bit peri-menopausal that this might be a bit of a baby substitute.........

Does anyone else crave after piglets? Would it be hideously decadent to buy one, and would it prove socially awkward when entertaining muslim/jewish friends if I let the pig run around the house and kip on the sofa with the dog?

They are just gorgeous - YANBU

Sweet, but you would be subject to all the DEFRA restrictions on owning livestock, and you have to fill out a movement book everytime you take it out. And they dig up your garden

hmmmmm, have you read the comments? lots of posters reckon the pigs would be very destructive inside

Ooooo never thought of that CMOT. DH has been banging on about getting a micro-pig for Christmas.

If you want one then go ahead and get one.

If you are already a dog owner then I guess you are used to the commitmet of having pets so you have no doubt got the time and facilties to care for it.

Why pretend it is a present for the children though? Just get it for the family and yourself.

Actually you might find the people selling them would be a bit unkeen to let them go for Christmas presents anyway.

Is it decadent? Well they are a bit expensive but if you can afford it then why the hell not. Can't see it being socially awkward unless you have very sensitive friends.

Apparently the Beckhams own a couple of miniature pigs (useless fact of the day...)

Just remember that pig is not just for Christmas - it's for life!

i would love one too and i have the same photo you have put up as my screen saver.

I have been wrestling with getting one. You need to get the license first btw.

I am put off because they are much more intelligent and headstrong than dogs. They are massive escape artists and will dig their way into the neighbours garden in a heartbeat. They grow up to about 14-18 inches tall and they are very strong.

They need constant access to outside and in about 6 weeks they will completely destroy a normal sized garden.

But I still want one

I actually think that you wanting one is one of the safest reasons to buy a pet for your DCs (assuming they want one, too wink])

It's when people buy them for the DCs, but don't really want it themselves, and then the DCs lose interest and it is all left to the parent who never wanted it in the first place - that is when it all turns sour.

I want one more than anything in the world. DH says no

Oh, and you would have to be prepared for things like a blue tongue or foot and mouth outbreak where at best you have to take full bio haz precautions, and at worst you have to explain to the kids why the pig is going to be shot in the garden.

I remember well when Vietnamese pot bellied pigs were considered to be an attractive pet. And the number of times my dad got involved in teaching people to look after them, then arranging to dispose of the pig when they realised that pigs are very strong and very intelligent

Remember that they end up a similar size to a labrador but will be much heavier and stronger (and may rootle up your garden), but they are really, really cute, and not that much more expensive than a pedigree dog!
(I'm not convinced with the allergy argument though - I'm allergic to most animals, including pigs)

I think I read that they should be kept in pairs -

YANBU - providing you promise to invite me round and let me cuddle it

"lots of posters reckon the pigs would be very destructive inside"

More destructive than my children? [looks worried]

But a pet that could become your boxing day lunch if it starts to get on your nerves. Hmmm

I think I've been reading a bit too much Laura Ingalls Wilder......

I'd love a pig too - go for it. Can I pig sit for you sometime?

"Just remember that pig is not just for Christmas"

I think it will just be for Christmas - there won't be any left overs.

"there won't be any left overs"

Now a £700 micro-pig Christmas dinner would be decadent.

Bet the crackling would be good though. It'd be like a sort of 'uber' peking duck.

A few years ago it was Dalmatians, dumped onto the streets, into rescue and put down in pounds because people thought them a great idea thanks to the film, realising only too late how demanding they are. Now its pigs.

They're highly intelligent creatures and I like them a great deal. I don't look forward to meeting any of these mini ones though, because I know for sure that the when I do, it will be in rescue... along with lots of other mini pigs people can't cope with and/or the kids have got bored of.

So, unless you are committed to one for all its natural life, can afford to keep it and are prepared for the work/damage/finding holiday care etc then you would be VERY unreasonable to have one.

Bet you'd only get cocktail sausages from a pig that small

Pigs are destructive, are subject to any rules set down by DEFRA, and if you are determined then I suggest you go on a pig keeping course.