The Piglets' Big Day Out

Today my friend Ellen and I were cleaning the barn and decided to let the pigs into the front/side yard of the house – the big yard (it’s about an acre or more). Scotch and Soda had been out there before – they love to explore around the place and especially to crunch up the nuts under the hazelnut trees.

Soda and the piglets were out in the pig yard when we opened the stall gates and the other barn door that leads to the lawn around the house. Scotch, in his stall and nearest to that door, took some coaxing but soon wandered out in pursuit of an apple. Soda noticed the main part of the barn was now accessible and hightailed it straight over to the bins containing the alpaca food – she has never forgotten the day she knocked it over and helped herself to a midday feast. In fact, she knows exactly which bins contain food and which aren’t worth bothering with!

While we were trying to chase her outside, Whisper, one of my braver piglets and the first to become really bonded to me, trotted off through the doors and out into the big wide world. He was soon followed by the others and eventually by Soda. And what a time they had!!!

Pigs, like people, get cabin fever, winter blahs, seasonal affective disorder. They need mental and physical stimulation, fresh air and natural light. They have been cooped up for too long, and their own pen is too barren and boring for them now that all the grass is gone and the shrubs are dormant. But out in the big yard…….talk about a bunch of excited kindergarteners on an outing to the big city!!! They were racing around, kicking up their heels, chasing each other, playing games, squealing and oofing and oinking and arfing, and having a blast.

Needless to say, cleaning up the barn lost its place on my list of priorities, and watching the pigs became more than a slight diversion. At first, every time a car went along the road the piglets nearest the fence would come racing and squealing back to the safety of the trees near the barn. Then they would venture out to the fenceline once again….until the next car went by. Squeeeeealllll…….back they ran. Before long, they were scattered all over the yard – some visiting the alpaca, some checking the driveway, some up by the gate, others under the trees and shrubs.



To prevent them from rooting up the lawn, I scattered large pieces of dog kibble around, amidst the leaves and gravel and grasses, and they had a treasure hunt, with all the excitement of children hunting for eggs on Easter morning.

Cars along the road stopped so their occupants could watch. Neighbours came out and shared the fun. The llama next door sent out his distress call at so many unfamiliar unidentifiable black animals. My dogs waited not-so-patiently in the house. And I snapped picture after picture and video after video.

Notice how Scotch's bristles are standing up like a mohawk on the top of his head and neck - a sign of happiness in piggies!

When playtime was over – for Ellen and me, as we needed to finish up the barn – I rattled a pan of pigfood and they all came racing back inside and into their stalls and pigyard en masse. I wish my dogs had such reliable recall!!

It was a great day for the piggies, the neighbours, the passers-by and us. Entertainment unlimited. A guaranteed smile on every face.

Janice the piggy lady (www.Heartsonnoses.com) came over a bit later in the afternoon to admire the little gaffers and to feed them all graham crackers. We then shared a pizza and watched the videos I’d taken earlier as well as an awesome video of Hearts on Noses made by a high school student for a class project – way to go Kelly, you did a GREAT job!

In other news, Caleb saw his holistic vet today. He continues to do poorly and she suspects a bleeding ulcer from the meds he takes for his cancer. Our visit was two and a half hours (during which time Ellen finished cleaning the whole barn – thank you Ellen!!!) , we made up a plan for various holistic remedies and supplements, he had acupuncture, I was taught to give intramuscular injections of some anti-nausea meds, and she phoned for a consult with another vet who specializes in canine cancer. Caleb just lay there, docile for the whole time, never even lifting his head at injections or acupuncture needles, refusing anything to drink. We are very worried about him, and tonight, despite several injects of anti-nausea meds, he still vomited the tablespoon of broth I was able to get him to eat.
But I feel more optimistic with the care and attention he received.

We have taken him off the prednisone, which may mean a shorter time with him, but my goal is to keep him comfortable not to extend a life of pain.

And now it is almost time for his next shot, and then I’m off to bed.