My daughter Katie brought home a small black pig from the Jay Peanut Festival. She named her Sue Ellen but thanks to the family’s input she also answers to Pearl, Priscilla, Oinky and L.P. (Little Pig). She’s not a cuddly animal since she’s, well, a pig and I’m not sure how to relate to her. When she’s not inside her kennel in the garage, she’s outside with her nose in the ground, rooting. I’m not sure why she does this, but I understand it’s a piggy kind of thing to do. As to why she’s not always outside in a pen like other pigs, well, I can’t answer that either. She doesn’t like to be picked up but she likes to be held once she stops squealing. She squeals a lot and it’s loud. It hurts my ears. As long as we’ve had farm animals, she is the first pig we’ve cared for and I have to admit, I’m a bit lost. Who knew you can put a harness and leash on a pig? The dog and our trio of cats look on with curiosity but I’m not sure they know what she is, exactly and why she’s wearing a harness.
We took her on a trip last weekend to my parents’ house in Alabama (why? I’m not sure), and along the way we stopped for her to stretch her legs. While outside a fast food restaurant in Selma, she began to squeal and attracted a bit of attention causing random people to stretch their heads toward the truck and say to themselves, “Is that a pig?”
One lady approached us and tried to ask if her name is Babe but she was squealing so loudly no one could focus on a conversation. She gave up and walked away.
Sue Ellen Priscilla Pearl Holt is a nice little pig but it’s taking a bit of patience on both sides throughout the adjustment period. Katie is an industrious pet owner. She is keeping her well fed and gives her love and attention. As for me, well, I do love having farm animals. I’ve tried to do the “This Little Piggy” thing with her but she doesn’t have toes. Her nose is a bit squishy and pink but she doesn’t like it to be touched. It’s funny to touch her little hairs on her chin as you say the nursery rhyme of “Three Little Pigs” but I can tell by the look on her face that she takes issue with the story. It must not be politically correct.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin