Pig Mania

We are experiencing pig mania here....the addition of Winston had brought quite a bit of excitement to our little zoo!!

Now - let me be honest with you - getting a pig was a bit traumatic for this zookeeper.  I know nothing about pigs and I had some romantic idea that getting a little sweet cuddly piglet was like getting a kitten or a puppy.  Um - no... not so much.

Winston is one month old - when we got him we were the second humans to ever handle him - he was very frightened.  Piglets squeal when you pick them up.  Squealing sounds so nice - its a cute word.  Let's be very clear - piglets scream at the top of their lungs and they won't stop til you put them down.  It's a very deafening and uncomfortable interaction.  We picked our piggy and I got in the car and spread blankets on my lap - he got in the car and it was awful - screaming, biting, bucking like a bronco - ugh.  It was a long car ride home - none of us happy....

Then we got him inside and settled into his space.  He was scared of us, scared of his new surroundings - he was not a happy piggy.  We got him calmed down and ready for bed - he finally fell asleep and me - not knowing anything about pigs - tried to cover him up.  Big mistake - he freaked out.  We got him settled down again and with some coaxing - got him covered up.  He did pretty well his first night - only up one time.

On Sunday - more screaming if he was picked up but less afraid of us.  He was eating treats of carrot and zucchini and was relaxing a bit.  Sunday evening was the start of the good things I think.  We had a friend over and we brought Winston downstairs.  We figured out that its not actually the act of being picked up that freaks him out - its the not having his hooves on the ground.  We put him in the carrier we use for the ferrets which has a very sturdy bottom.  He doesn't love it - but we can get him downstairs and back up again without losing our hearing.  He was great - interactive, social, playing with toys, eating.  A happy piggy...

Today - he spent a bit of time alone as I had a breakfast meeting.  Then into the carrier and downstairs where he spent the bulk of the day snoozing and playing and interacting.  Then we had a major break through - he actually climbed into my lap and went to sleep!  I think he might like me and even though we got off to a bit of a rough start - I adore him!!  So much fun!

So - here are some random pictures - more to come soon.  Tomorrow - a post on how everyone is getting along with Mr. Piggy:

meeting Emma

Meeting some of the gang - Madison (Left), Phoebe (Center), Oliver (Right)

Getting used to drinking out of a bowl

Settled in for his first night home - this was before the failed cover attempt

Re-situated after freaking out about being covered up - having decided it isn't all that bad 

First meal at his new house

Napping on the dog bed

Toys Toys Toys!!!

Snoozing in the afternoon sun...