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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.
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