Little Pig Big Problems- Life with a smart little curmudgeon

Pablo came to me as a tiny little pig 3 lbs and nearly frozen to death in an unheated barn.  He was literally the cutest thing I have ever seen.  His first night he would cry if I put him down so he had to sleep in bed with me. Mike wasn't the slightest bit happy about a pig in bed even a just bathed tiny guy. We tried a pack and play but there was no soothing him. Pablo made a fuss,  his tiny nose curl up as he squealed. This was the beginning of Pablo getting things his way.

He was supposed to be less than 50lbs when he was full grown,  so far he's over 100 lbs and keeps on growing.  He knows all sorts of cute tricks including a tap dance with a big finish. He will do tricks only if he sees and smells a treat. Pablo has to make sure what ever he is being bribed with , is worth the effort. He makes me laugh nearly every morning. I say Good Morning Mr Pab he responds with a low pig grunt. I say are you hungry ? He squeals until food is placed before him. If he doesn't like his breakfast he flips his bowl over and demands something different. Pig chow is low on his list of good foods. In his defense a tiny adorable pig gets lots of handouts. By the time he moved to the barn he had already tasted all sorts of people food.  He won't take pig vitamins but gulps down Flintstone gummies. He will do almost anything for cheese.  Sharp cheddar is a sure way, to get him to go back into his stall, when he refuses.

At just under 24 inches tall he is a Sherman tank. capable of knocking down fences and uprooting walls. As a baby he completely tore up the entire bathroom floor while I was out.  He's been adorable and a handful always. He used to nip as a baby whenever he was challenged to do anything he didn't want. He's fabulous to me, loves children but doesn't like my partner Mike. He rams the fence and growls whenever Mike is over.   At 6 months old a police car showed up because I was trying to put a harness on him. His screams rival any good horror movie. He loves taking bath and lets me clean his ears and brush his teeth. He will not however,  allow any foot trimming. I get the nail clippers he shows me his considerable teeth.

 Earlier this year,  he went out of the back of the barn. He actually head butted his way out,  then came to the front door after upsetting a few neighbors and knocking over some plants. I heard a huge thud at the door and found Pablo waiting to come in. In hot pursuit  behind him , was a new neighbor , holding broken pot, yelling bad, bad , bad. He knows what the word bad is , he's heard it lots of times. I guess he figured it was time to come home. Once I calmed  down my distraught neighbor , introduced myself, reminded her farm animals are actually allowed here and no Pablo  couldn't be arrested for coming into her yard, all was well.  I paid for the damages and later brought over a bottle of wine and a new plant.  She still doesn't like me or Pablo for that matter . That's ok I'm not particularly thrilled with developments replacing farms or people moving to farm country and trying to regulate animals out, so they won't have to look at barns from their McMansions.   I added the pot to Pablo's tab , wines on me. I once again remind him that he seriously needs to get some kind of employment, if he is going to continue to damage things at this rate.

Keeping everyone warm is a challenge as the temperature dips into the 20's.  There are lots of heat lamps, heated water holders and heat mats.  Pablo has decided to complicate things by constantly opening his door. I lock it,  he breaks the lock.  I added a carpet to cover the door way so he could see out but keep things warm. He immediately tore it down. His pig apartment shares a wire wall with the chickens .When Pablo's wants air the girls get it too. I find them all huddled under heat lamps because Pablo wants to watch the neighbors. He just gazes out the door. His head swaying as people go about their lives. Every couple of weeks someone stops on my busy road to ask about Pablo. I am surprised by the number of people that think I am raising him for the table. I am greeted by Pab every time I come home. No matter how late he opens his door and pops his head out to say hi. Its nice to have a pig friend. It's nice to know someone waits up.

This spring he's moving to his own straw bale house complete with front porch and plenty of viewing

windows. My son Dave and I are building the pig mansion once the weather gets warmer. I have wanted to build a straw bale structure for a years. This seems like perfect opportunity . I am really looking forward to seeing Pablo in his own pig house.  Hopefully I can find a sow to rescue , he is quite lonely. I think he would fight with a male pig.  He loves it when I sit in his stall and read or just rub him. He's affectionate he likes a good cuddle. Pigs need company like dogs. He is good friends with my horse but can't be trusted to stay in the barn with him. He eats everyones food and hits on the sheep. Andy the miniature horse kicks, if you go near his food. Pablo can't really defend himself against Andy's rapid fire hooves. So visits have to be regulated. I let them talk throughout he fence. Pablo complains loudly when I put him back. it makes me sad to see him lonely. His new house will border the pasture so he can chat with his buddy.  Pablo isn't an easy pet but he's well worth it. I am thrilled I was able to give him a home. I can't imagine a day without seeing that cute pig face.