Intelligent Barnyard Animals = not food?

     I have seen many articles concerning the viewpoint that many of the barnyard animals we raise for consumption have a higher intelligence than most give credit for. This is the rational for not being able to eat them versus the cat or dog. An article of persuasion to stop consuming meat. So I am one who raises several barnyard animals solely for consumption. Pigs are in a way similar to dogs in their composition. They enjoy seeing you when greeted. They will lay to get their bellies scratched. It is all very amusing and delightful, but they have a purpose here. And that is to feed my family. While they are being raised here they are being treated with the due respect they deserve. They have a good life while they are here with us, unlike their cousins inside a factory that grocery stores buy from. My arguments to vegans is this....a vegetable is alive. Does it have intelligence? Maybe; maybe not. But you are still consuming something that is alive. Should I judge you for eating vegetables and plants. How about the millions of trees that you use daily to write a letter or build your home with. I believe as a human being we were built to consume both vegetables and meat. Our bodies need both for proper survival. We can live a long life eating either or, but is it quality? So why do people make these arguments? To persuade to not eat meat? I would rather people be persuaded to stop buying from the grocery stores and start raising your own animals for meat. It is a matter of opinion, and I am so tired of seeing these articles that try to deter people from doing what nature intends us to do because of an opinion.