Sleepy Piggy
When my kids were little I read them books about a pet pig, Mercy Watson. Never, while reading those books, did I dream that I would one day have a pig.
Last week I was at the feed store. On the way out I heard a man tell the folks at the counter that he had found a pig in a field. Could they take him and find the pig a home?
"I need a home."
As I put my purchases in my van, I saw a bunch of people gathering around the man’s truck. I couldn’t resist going over to see what all the commotion was about. Several people were looking in the back of the man’s truck at this little pig, who was in a little cage.
One of the ladies was talking about how smart pigs are and how you can train them to do things. She said they’d follow you around like a dog. The pig kept coming up to the wire on the cage and touching it’s nose to the visitors hands. One by one each of the pig’s admirers gave a reason why he couldn’t take the pig.
“I was just changing out an air conditioner, and there was this pig all by itself in this field. Guy didn’t know anything about it. I’ve got chickens but I don’t have room for a pig. I couldn’t just leave him there,” said the man who had found him.
“If I wasn’t going out of town…” one lady said.
“If I had a pen…” another person said.
About that time the lady from the feed store came outside and said that the owner said they couldn’t keep the pig there.
My mind was going 100 miles per hour. A pig. What in the world would I do with a pig? My vegetarian children would certainly not let us eat him. But he sure was cute, and something told me I had to have that pig.
“I don’t have my truck. I don’t know how I’d get him home,” I began.
"I won't take up much room."
“Well you can have this here pen,” said the man who had the pig in the back of his truck.
“Okay, let’s see if it fits.”
Sure enough, we found a way to get the pig into the van.
During all of this my mother texted me and asked me what I was doing.
Imagine her surprise when texted back, “Getting a pig.”
"I was so hungry my sides were all sunken in!"
Back at home, I set up a pen for the pig and fed and watered her. When the kids got home and saw her, they were thrilled. Even my teenager thought the pig was wonderful. They figured out it was a girl and named her “Petunia”.
A popular addition to the family
Life with pig is more funny and exciting than I ever could have imagined. She gets out of her pen constantly now. (Gotta build her a permanent one.) And she and my dog Sebastian have become fast friends. I will have to take pictures of that.
"I think I could get used to this place."
Have you ever raised pigs? Or had a pig as a pet? I’ve ordered a book on raising pigs, but I would love for you to leave me a comment with any advice you may have. This pig will be a pet so I’ll skip the stuff on slaughter. She’s so attached to the dog and kids… Please Lord give me the strength to keep her an “outside pig.”
A pig? That is awesome! My cousins raised swine for 4H. They never kept them except to raise them during 4H season. They earned a lot of money for college that way. I look forward to you sharing your pig stories. I already have visions of Charlotte’s Web in my head.
Awww, she’s absolutely adorable. You did a good thing!
I had a pet pig named Trevor! He escaped constantly and loved any dog/cow/cat/human company he could get. They’re awesome pets.
Petunia is a beauty! In college, my boyfriend’s family got a pot bellied pig. he used to walk him to school … it was quite a sight. Other than that, my only experience with pigs is hanging out with rescued pigs…both pot bellied (because too many people got excited about that trend but didn’t really know what they were getting into) and pigs that were rescued from slaughter.
Petunia looks lovely. She really does… and if she stays smaller… you might love having a pig inside! LOL>>> OHH> just keep her away from the beer… my friend had a collection of beer cans… she … helped herself.
cant wait to hear about your piggy adventures!
Haha! Yes! She escapes constantly, and adores others.
Thanks Phoenix! It feels like the right thing.
That’s awesome. I will try to keep her out of the beer! She’s been in the house twice. I told Jim she had to eat on the porch because she makes such a mess. He looked at me funny and said, “She IS a pig…” Point taken. Lol.
Pigs can be soooo much fun and make you want to tear your hair out!!! Any pen for Petunia must be high, tight and beyond what YOU think is escape-proof! We fed ours marshmellows and, until we learned the above lesson, they would escape and come running to the house to be lured back to prison with marshmellows. They are also very destructive, rooting is their nature. They can tolerate cold much more easily than heat; they do not sweat. If the temps are above comfortable for you, it is even worse for Petunia. We misted our pigs and made wallows for them to keep cool. Shade is VERY important. If you can, put her piggie palace where she can be shaded most of the day in the summer. She will enjoy the sun but with that pink skin, can sunburn easily. Hope she does not get so large that you will have to send her off…that is what happened to our sows.
What a wonderful new friend! I’ve never had a pig, but our family does keep pet chickens, and my sister often struggles not to bring them inside as well! These pictures are adorable, you should submit some of them to the farm photo contest hosted by The Green Life. Check it out, and keep writing! http://site.thegreenlifeonline.org/photocontest/
Oh I love her! And I love the way you tell the story. I think she is one lucky pig.
I am jealous! hes so cute!
I had a pot bellied pig .Cee Cee was 15 when she passed away. I miss her so much.
Pigs will eat anything……….don’t give her everything!
I only fed her healthy stuff
all the veggies she wanted,fruit was minimal ……….NO MEAT and her pot bellied pig food 2 times per day.
She will get big if fed unhealthy foods.Pigs are very trainable and remember like a ELEPHANT
Cee Cee got a bath once per month..no soap,as they have dry skin.
She also had her own wading pool…..I cut the side down a bit so she could get in when she wanted to.She would go in and throw herself down and shake all over ..lol…….I called it “the piggie float”.Cee Cee became like my best friend.
They love to cuddle,Cee Cee had her own blanket and would burrow in it.You guessed it ………pigs can get out of anything…..don’t let her see how you open stuff…..lol
Miss Petunia looks like a pot belly …..her tail is straight………..only farm pigs have curley tails.If you have a vet for other animals they can help with her.
Wish you the best of luck with Miss Petunia!
My sister has raised pigs for 8 years! If u have questions I know she can help. Her name is Rhoda rzjrlucia@yahoo.com