
No pigs were injured during the shoot
The sunshine has come to my beautiful slice of Montana. Who knows how long it is here for but it has made me giddy and full of energy. It is the first day I have had my husband home in about a week, and there were fences to be repaired. I know this because too many times this week my Facebook status reflected the numerous times pigs showed up at the back door, and the frustration I expressed at my yard being tilled up by Miss Olivia. However exasperating all of these problems this week, I was not about to let it rain on my sunshine day parade. Little did I know the excitement I was in for!
Upon consuming my morning smoothie I heard the tell tale signs of pigs at the back door. I think we could set our clocks by them, as when they escape it seems to be the same time of day. I wonder if ten am is "let's get frisky" time or what? Before we could make our way to the barn my husband wanted to make sure I was bundled warmly and there was no chance I would get muddy or cold. I wasn't too keen on the coveralls and really do not understand why they can't come in red or hot pink but beggars can't be choosy! So, outfitted in coveralls 3 sizes too large and mud boots, we made our way out to capture 6 little pigs and their mama.
Thinking mama Olivia would just follow the slop bucket was an error in judgement. My oldest son Kenneth to the rescue. "Watch how I get 'er done" and we did but our sides were aching and we were out of breath by the end of the pig circus. Kenneth stalked closely on hands and knees to mama and babies who were scraping a bit of chicken food off the ground, his sites set on a particular piglet, which I have now come to learn squeals the loudest and causes mama and babies to chase him all the way to the barn. He grab the little tike, it set off to screaming wee wee wee all the while my son ran as fast as his legs could carry him back to the pig pen! Who knew a sow could run so fast. It was all I could do to get a couple of snap shots in of Kenneth being chased by mama and babies as they ran past!
Once all the little Houdinis were squarely back in their pen, we set out to find where the damage to the fences in order to keep them safely where they belong and out of my back yard! I am amazed at the amount of damage a few curious pigs can do! While there is not much we can do to keep the little pigs in their pens short of concrete walls, we were able to shore up mama Olivia's pen, for now. The little tikes should stay pretty close to her and as long as we can keep her confined...they should not be a problem.
Much to my dismay the next item on the piggy to do list was to check out my husband's bore. Apparently he has an injury to an unmentionable spot...yikes. My job? Scratch his belly, which apparently he loves, so my husband can check out the seriousness of the injury and then "doctor" it up if need be. I haven't scratched the underside of a bore before and you can imagine the conversation which ensued. We have lots of "conversations" around here. I never know if my sweetheart is just getting a good laugh or if the task is really a necessity. The farm boys sure do get a kick out of seeing what they can get a city girl to do.
Luckily Mr. Maxmillian Boaris' injuries were not too serious and only required a little soap and water. If only that could do the trick for his pen! I have heard tales that boars are not to friendly. While Mr. Boaris is pretty friendly with us, he has not been too friendly with his lodgings! I can honestly say teenage boys and pigs do have a lot in common but must confess they are not this damaging to their environment. The pen has had all the fencing boards removed and he had demolished the shed he had for shelter. I don't know what he did with all the parts but the only thing remaining was a few pieces of plywood and some boards.
This caring for animals is serious business and spring brings with it a lot of tasks to be accomplished. I look around at all we need to get done in the coming months and it can seem an all consuming and over whelming to-do list. However, if I close my eyes and turn my face toward the sun I can be thankful for all we have and how far we have come. We have made it through a long hard winter and the spring is much wanted and so far...it is so perfect...pigs and all!
Upon consuming my morning smoothie I heard the tell tale signs of pigs at the back door. I think we could set our clocks by them, as when they escape it seems to be the same time of day. I wonder if ten am is "let's get frisky" time or what? Before we could make our way to the barn my husband wanted to make sure I was bundled warmly and there was no chance I would get muddy or cold. I wasn't too keen on the coveralls and really do not understand why they can't come in red or hot pink but beggars can't be choosy! So, outfitted in coveralls 3 sizes too large and mud boots, we made our way out to capture 6 little pigs and their mama.
Thinking mama Olivia would just follow the slop bucket was an error in judgement. My oldest son Kenneth to the rescue. "Watch how I get 'er done" and we did but our sides were aching and we were out of breath by the end of the pig circus. Kenneth stalked closely on hands and knees to mama and babies who were scraping a bit of chicken food off the ground, his sites set on a particular piglet, which I have now come to learn squeals the loudest and causes mama and babies to chase him all the way to the barn. He grab the little tike, it set off to screaming wee wee wee all the while my son ran as fast as his legs could carry him back to the pig pen! Who knew a sow could run so fast. It was all I could do to get a couple of snap shots in of Kenneth being chased by mama and babies as they ran past!
Once all the little Houdinis were squarely back in their pen, we set out to find where the damage to the fences in order to keep them safely where they belong and out of my back yard! I am amazed at the amount of damage a few curious pigs can do! While there is not much we can do to keep the little pigs in their pens short of concrete walls, we were able to shore up mama Olivia's pen, for now. The little tikes should stay pretty close to her and as long as we can keep her confined...they should not be a problem.
Much to my dismay the next item on the piggy to do list was to check out my husband's bore. Apparently he has an injury to an unmentionable spot...yikes. My job? Scratch his belly, which apparently he loves, so my husband can check out the seriousness of the injury and then "doctor" it up if need be. I haven't scratched the underside of a bore before and you can imagine the conversation which ensued. We have lots of "conversations" around here. I never know if my sweetheart is just getting a good laugh or if the task is really a necessity. The farm boys sure do get a kick out of seeing what they can get a city girl to do.
Luckily Mr. Maxmillian Boaris' injuries were not too serious and only required a little soap and water. If only that could do the trick for his pen! I have heard tales that boars are not to friendly. While Mr. Boaris is pretty friendly with us, he has not been too friendly with his lodgings! I can honestly say teenage boys and pigs do have a lot in common but must confess they are not this damaging to their environment. The pen has had all the fencing boards removed and he had demolished the shed he had for shelter. I don't know what he did with all the parts but the only thing remaining was a few pieces of plywood and some boards.
This caring for animals is serious business and spring brings with it a lot of tasks to be accomplished. I look around at all we need to get done in the coming months and it can seem an all consuming and over whelming to-do list. However, if I close my eyes and turn my face toward the sun I can be thankful for all we have and how far we have come. We have made it through a long hard winter and the spring is much wanted and so far...it is so perfect...pigs and all!