Unless you know those pigs personally, calling them friends is a bit much. The phrasing makes it seem as if somone entered your petting zoo and started slaughtering your animals.
I understand your message, but the hyperbole just damages it and makes other people think you’re a bit off.
“Hello my friends” (says to complete strangers), or “My friends over in x country” (where you don’t actually know anyone), for example. Wouldn’t it also work in the human context, even if you don’t know the individuals personally? Just wondering. I’ve heard “friends” used to refer to people you care about simply because they’re humans and you acknowledge their (even theoretical) existence. So why not non-human animals as well?
Unless you know those pigs personally, calling them friends is a bit much. The phrasing makes it seem as if somone entered your petting zoo and started slaughtering your animals.
I understand your message, but the hyperbole just damages it and makes other people think you’re a bit off.
“Hello my friends” (says to complete strangers), or “My friends over in x country” (where you don’t actually know anyone), for example. Wouldn’t it also work in the human context, even if you don’t know the individuals personally? Just wondering. I’ve heard “friends” used to refer to people you care about simply because they’re humans and you acknowledge their (even theoretical) existence. So why not non-human animals as well?