This is the tale of a runaway pig. Fortunately, he didn't go to market; he came to my house instead. During his short stay, he savored a small smorgasbord of delights while I reveled in making a new friend.
I don't usually write about what I will term "domestic nature" other than the occasional mention of my dogs, but my encounter with neighbor "Waddles" the pet pig is too good not to share.
Fortunately for both Waddles and me, timing was everything. I am an early riser, especially in the summer, so that I can get outside chores done before the heat sets in. In this instance, I was cleaning up our fenced in side yard when something caught my eye.
Sauntering down our busy road was a creature about the size of small dog, only quite a bit more rotund like a football. It took me a minute or two to realize it was a pig! Now I've seen my share of loose domestic animals on our road over the years from cows to horses to chickens and ducks, but this was a first for me.
I realized that I had to get him to safety immediately. Our road is notorious for speeding cars and I didn't want him to get hurt. Instinctively, I called him much like I would call my dog. Miraculously, he came trotting at a snappy pace right up to me.
Wow, this was great, but now what?
He was too heavy to lift and he refused to climb the two steps on to the deck so the fenced in side yard became his temporary enclosure. I ran into the house, grabbed two bags of leftover salad and hurried out to feed him. My goal was to keep him calm and happy until I could find his owners.
Off I went to the neighbors across the road while he checked out the yard for munching opportunities. After visiting three houses, I returned home with a potential lead.
As it turned out, Waddles (I learned his name later and it truly fits him) had already made himself at home. His first priority was the fallen bird seed from the three feeders hanging in the trees. He feigned a little interest in the salads but obviously enjoyed the bird seed a lot more. He did what all pigs do, and started rooting out those little morsels with his nose, making nice humps of dirt as he went along.
As I sat on the porch steps and watched him, he decided to move on to even better snacks: my hostas. By this time, I had taken several still photos of him with my phone camera. He was naturally photogenic with his "hamsome" good looks, congenial personality and perpetually happy face. It was obvious that he really enjoyed the hostas as he grabbed the leaves with little snorts of pleasure. He could rival any deer for chowing down on those leaves!
As his contentment grew, he sashayed his way over to me and I started scratching his back as I talked quietly to him. Next thing I knew he rolled over just like a dog for a belly scratch. He was one happy camper.
About an hour later, as Waddles and I sat there in the shade enjoying the pleasant weather, his pet dad and grandmother came to fetch him. It turns out that 1-year-old Waddles belongs to Matt and Laurel Enoch who live across the road from me. Grandmother Paula Monroe-Davidson lives just down the road.
Because he doesn't like to be picked up, Matt lured him back home with a bag of bread. No problem there!
According to Paula, Waddles lives the good life with his pet parents, three kids, two dogs and a cat. His favorite pastime is running with the dogs. Paula claims he is the boss of the group and also the smartest.
Waddles' portly fifty pound figure necessitates a diet. He enjoys cream of the crop organic veggie leaves from farmers who lease land from Matt and Laurel (the diet could explain his voracious appetite for the hostas). He even uses a litter box but only if it is always clean. Everyone in the family takes care of him but he is really a Mama's girl, having forged a great attachment for Laurel.
How Waddles escaped his barn stall enclosure is still a bit of a mystery, but his quarter mile trot to our house is the furthest he's ever traveled. When I think about it, it's a miracle he made it as far as he did without a mishap. He had to journey down a gravel road, navigate ditches on both sides, put up with dust and heat, and dodge speeding cars when he finally turned on our road.
Personally I think it was destiny that he ended up at our house. We both added joy to each other's lives that day, him with lots of good food and back scratches, and me with a friend for life.
Thank you, Waddles!
sports@carrollcountytimes.com
410-857-7896
