And the Piggies went “Weeee Weee Weee” all the way home!

Babe the Farm Pig has been mentioned on this blog a couple of times. How we decided pigs should be here here is an adventure that we haven’t discussed yet. As with several (OK – many) of our adventures, it started with City Chick getting fixated . . .

City Chick’s mom, Mama Lou (sorry if you don’t like your blog handle, Mom!) volunteers for a large rescue ranch in Missouri that primarily handles horses, but also takes in a full assortment of creatures you would expect to see on a farm – chickens, ducks, llamas (ok, maybe you wouldn’t expect to see llamas), sheep, goats and . . . pigs! City Chick was getting the tour of Mama Lou’s most recent favorite creatures on a snowy winter day in early 2011 while waiting for (the running on Farm Time instead of City Time) Farm Girl and Kuhs Kid 1 and Kuhs Kid 2 to show up for some poultry adoption. It is always a fun trip to make and this time was no exception – in one of the special areas was a cute little mini pig! This darling little chap had recently been surrendered by the family of the older gentleman who had owned him and could no longer take care of him. He was a charming little guy and eager for attention and any treats that could be pushed his way. He is such a personality that the ranch has kept him on to be one of their mascots that goes out and interacts with the public instead of being available for rehoming – so, you can see that City Chick was pretty enamored with the thought of adding a pet mini pig to Farm Narnia. Farm Girl finally arrived and somehow missed the pig between all of her poultry procurement for the farm and Kuhs Kid 1 & 2 rolling down snowy hills in the chilly winter sunshine.

But City Chick did not forget. City Chick got on Google and started researching. Turns out mini pigs are pretty great pets – similar to dogs and tend to be quite clever. Food consumption is an issue that they face – they can reach enormous proportions and some breeds are “mini” in only that compared to a 600 pound hog, they only weigh about 150 pounds! Other breeds or mixes of breeds can produce a pig anywhere from 15 pounds to 60 pounds, which is a manageable size. They can be taught tricks, house-broken and can be completely snuggly. Plus . . .the oinking is the cutest thing ever. City Chick’s research into what mini-pig keeping complete and a local vet who sees them, she begins to utilize Google to search out pig breeders and (her other addition) CraigsList to see what realistic prices in the area are and what is in the vicinity. The obsession intensifies during the summer once her wedding and honeymoon are over, finally scoring in October for a litter of pigs that is an acceptable mashup of mini pig breeds and isn’t too far away from St. Louis.

So on a golden Sunday afternoon in October, Farm Girl hops into City Chick’s car, along with Kuhs Kid 2 and begins the trek South to the Pig Lady, about 90 minutes from the farm. It was nearing twilight as we came down a country lane with a picturesque bridge to the small farmette where the piglets were. City Chick was interested in a small black female with a pink spot on her nose . . . the little girl was quickly handed over for inspection and cuddling. Farm Girl was then asked if she wanted to hold a piglet . . . and a small squirming bundle of pink with black spots was promptly handed over into her hands, squealing his indignation at being removed from the warm pile of his brothers and sisters. It was love at first sight for Farm Girl and the completion of yet another mission for City Chick. The piggies, named Penelope and Teddy were coming home to Farm Narnia just as soon as they were old enough to be separated from their mother.

Here are some pictures of them and a video of feeding time!

Sure, pigs and bunnies get along. Doesn’t everyone like a Pig Scarf and a soft Bunny Bed?

Can I chew on your shoe?