Minnie and Pearl

 

I got Minnie and Pearl (two Hampshire pigs) last September for one of my billy goats.  The trade was so much fun and I hope the other folks did/are doing just as well with the goat. 

 

Wow.  Those pigs, Big J.'s dog, and I have been through a lot!

 

Shortly after getting the pigs, Big J.'s dog broke her leg, and after weeks in the kennel, she was permitted to take walks.  Because I had more time, I'd walk Lighting for my brother.  Lightning really liked the pigs and I figured they needed a good walk, too; therefore, Minnie and Pearl joined us in our daily walks. 

I wonder what people would have thought if they could've seen a girl taking a walk with a dog, two piglets, and some cats. 

 

Well, things grow and finally we could see some growth in the pigs.  We have some amazing friends who shared scraps and other food for the pigs and the girls ate most of it up.

 

The last time I let the girls out for a run around, they took off in the pasture and spooked our horses.  They had tasted green grass and stopped listening to me, so clearly that was the last time they were turned out.  Truth be known, it was tough to get them back in their pen that time. 

 

They knew their names and would most of the time come when I called (except the last time when they chased the horses), we took a bunch of walks together, and they gave me so much pleasure in owning them.

 

I guess now you are understanding that I'm using past-tense when I talk about Minnie and Pearl.  Yes, I no longer have them.  Dad and Mom agreed to letting me have them as long as we could eat them.  As time progressed I got more and more attached, but the time came and we only had one choice: butcher them.

We aren't set up for raising little pigs, we don't do shows, and summer is hot, so keeping pigs would be tough. 

Dad made arrangements to get them butchered and the day finally arrived.

 

It was harder than I had first thought it would be, but I knew it had to happen and I didn't cry, if you're wondering.  So, now you know.  The good ol' pigs Minnie and Pearl are no more... 

 

In fact, we are fixing to eat pork burgers.  I hope they taste good! 

 

All said and done, I would really like to get some more pigs.  Can you just imagine having a pig or two each year?  How fun!  So, we'll see what happens.  : )   

 

The girls on the first day I had them

 

Minnie has more white on her back than Pearl

 
 

The very last day I had the piggies