This is article is not written as someone who is enjoying torturing animals like a serial animal killer it is out of fun and i think it was a great story and the people taking offense to it please relax, there are so many bad things going on that this was a nice change and very enjoyable to read.

Wow...RUKIDDING...I find it ironic that this is your name since you seem to have no sense of humor at all about this story and are so angry toward others who see the fun.

For the record, I do not eat meat, and as much as I can, I avoid products that are cruel to animals.

However, I did find this story funny because I remember what it was like to be a child and be around pigs. In fact, my cousin was once bit in the butt by a pig. Pigs have thick skins, apparently thicker than those who were offending by this story.

Geez, RUKIDDING, mousemarie hit the nail on the head. Chill!

I love pigs. I have spent more years not eating pork then eating it. I want a pet pig but my husband wont have it. I mention all of these things so you know I am not an animal hater.

Good lord get over yourself, sometimes people share stories. If you don't like the story O' well, you do not have to like everything. Everything does not have to please everyone.
The story was not meant to be politically correct, nor was it about you.

Do we really always have to make things about other peoples feelings. I enjoyed the story. I understood that it was not advocating for harming animals.
You have the right to not like it, and to say so but by no means should anyone have to label an article so you can bury your head in the sand. Welcome to reality where most people I know agree, twisted humor is the best kind.

I have known several people who say they "don't eat meat" but still have leather goods and other animal products all over their home.

I believe she had 3 or 4 kernels of corn in her hand. Of course we all know that a kernel of corn thrown by a 3 year old at a distance 10 feet will kill a 500 pound sow. Judging from her stance and the position of her arm it would be a great effort to miss her feet.

Since the line about throwing rocks is getting so much attention, I zoomed in on the picture to see what was REALLY in my hand. To be honest, I can't tell. I (ahem) may have said "rock" because it fit the story. But the sow in the front is chomping on an ear of corn. Maybe I threw an ear of corn. Or maybe I was just waving in a ridiculous three-year-old way.

This is just one of many childhood pictures that scream, "What the heck is Beth doing??!!!"

Just be glad I didn't use the one with the goats. ;)

There's no way it was a big deal to hit those pigs a little bit with rocks and sticks. Read garyprimer's post. The pigs probably liked the attention.

Well written and funny story, Beth.

blinkie, since you ask, no I do not eat pork. So I'm guessing, according your regulations, I am now allowed to an opinion.
There are numerous reasons not to eat meat, mine just happens to be having a conscience. You stated that "the process of raising and slaughtering hogs is not a kind process." Why is that do you think? Why with the technology available does the process itself need to be so brutal? Could it be a complete and utter disregard for life itself? Or is it greed?

Apparently it's not enough that these animals give their lives to feed you, but they need to be viciously abused for the entirety of their short existence too?
So maybe in the big picture, pitching a few rocks at pinned up pigs for no good reason is not that big of a deal.
Pigs are actually much smarter than dogs, maybe we can get a few pictures of kids throwing rocks at puppies. Wouldn't that be a hoot!

Beth, I apologize for those that don't see the humor and "tongue-in-cheek" writing that you so eloquently used. I found it humorous. And I thank you for the truce and white kleenex waving. =D

Nice pants!!!

Great story Beth........

First of all, I thought this article was very funny. I know that it was written with humor in mind.

Second, for those of you who are offended by someone being so cruel to a pig, how many of you eat pork? The process for raising and slaughtering hogs is not a kind process.

Does anybody eat pork brains in milk gravy?
http://thewvsr.com/porkbrains.htm

As always, people will pick apart an article and find something to be offended by.
Just another day at the Gazette.

It's hard to believe anyone would admit to being so senselessly cruel, much less brag about it.
If I caught one of my kids pitching rocks at helpless animals, I'll guarantee you the last thing that would have crossed my mind is photographing it.

They say the pigs AREN'T the cause of this epidemic (if you'd do your homework, you'd know this). Most educated people say that it was an unfortunate choice for a name. You are entitled to your opinion, but the next time you want to talk about throwing rocks at animals & enjoying watching them get hit with canes, could you please put a "Note: Animal Abuse is Enjoyed In the Following Article" as a beginning, so people who LIKE animals can at least just SKIP IT?

And that, boys and girls, is how the swine flu pandemic of "09 began.

Beth's entire story was a fantasy, she is really fond of pigs. Check out this picture recently appropriated from the family photo album...
http://www.ugoto.com/picture_babys-first...

Ok, maybe "hitting" was too strong a word. It's more like a love tap. Tappa, tappa, tappa!

garyprimer, your post perfectly describes Janesville's most prominent malcontent.

YUMMY - bacon.....Thanks for trying to settle things with the pigs for the good of society Beth!

Pigs are very tough. Rocks and sticks do not have the same effect on them that they would on a human, but I would not condone annoying them in this way for no good reason. The pig has very tough hide with cushioning layer of fat under it and an extremely muscular and compact body. The only sensitive spot on them is the snout, although that is also extremely tough. The only reason that is sensitive is because they use their snouts to root and they have many nerve endings there so they can feel what they rooting for to locate food.

It's true. We do talk about livestock quite a bit.

Great story! It sure brought back memories of growing up on a pig farm and showing pigs at the fair. I had the opportunity to partake in a few slaughters which the meat was immediately prepared and used for a pork cookout. Ribs, loins, chops...had it all and it all was extremely tasty!

Throwing rocks at pigs' heads and getting satisfaction out of seeing a pig hit with the wooden stick? I really didn't enjoy this article. It was not humorous. And, good idea to put your farm animal stories on the shelf.

I thought this was cute.
Very funny, we needed this story today.

very nicely written

Thanks Beth for putting a smile on my face!

Beth, The pigs didn't do it! Those fine porkers are not the cause of the so-called "swine" flu.
Pigs are good, pigs are your friends, and...oh never mind, I'm going out for BBQ pork.

thekid, I didn't know they had internet in the cookie aisle at Woodmans.

Actually, you'd be surprised how often we talk about livestock in the newsroom. The radio newsroom, at least.

Slow day in the news I see.

whatever gfan. my moneys on the swine;)

Pigs aren't that smart: I usually beat them two out three in tic-tac-toe.

buahahaha!