I feel as though I have won a battle I have been fighting almost a year. Bacon bit and Pork chop have been very nervous of me since I got them last year. I have worked with them and worked with them. They will eat out of my hand and have been doing that for awhile. They have been giving me kisses for awhile also. They still didn’t want to be petted and didn’t want to flop over for belly rubs. This week they finally did the belly flop, both of them and don’t mind being petted on. The funny thing is to me is Bacon bit is top hog in that pen, Pork chop waited until bacon bit did the belly flop first. He did it immediately after. Like while I’m rubbing Bacon bit’s belly. I laughed so hard. I had to run both of their bellies at the same time. Now they both want to be loved on all the time. So sweet.

I have had Cracker Jack, Hercules, Romeo, Lucky, Spam, and Treat for a year this week. Never would I have thought that I would have a farm and we have now had it a year. A year!! I have been through it and so have they!! I am going to tell you about the last year. I have learned so much.  Romeo had coccidiosis which I didn’t even know was a thing... had to treat all of the animals in that pen. Thank goodness they were all fine. That and a couple cases of worms in that pen but that’s about it. Cracker Jack had some issues with his hooves, but got that taken care of also. Cracker Jack had never been in a horse trailer, so getting him in was a big thing in itself. He was 14 years old and never been anywhere. The first night he was pretty depressed but the goats came the next day and he perked  back up. Treat was sick when we got her. She has a severe case of pneumonia and mange. A few trips to the vet and I didn’t think she would make it, but she did. Spam got mange also, but she made it through. Not before giving me mange as well. I will never forget the horrors of that. Then we had treat running away several times for days, but she is doing fine now and doesn’t even try to get out now. We have had introductions to new pigs and another goat. Pork chop and bacon bit came next. Bacon bit and Pork chop ended up with ringworm, which they so kindly shared with me. Pork chop ran off once but Daisy got him back. Then came Gus. That poor pig was picked on for about 24 hours and then he showed them who was boss. Then came Patsy and Brutus. I have never seen depression from an animal that bad. I wasn’t sure they would make it, but they did and are good. A few months later we got Carlos who was attacked by a bobcat and really banged up, but his wounds have healed and he is doing really well. The donkey and other goats still protect him every night. Then we got another dog, Bella. She has had some challenges due to poor eyesight but is thriving with all of these animals. Last one is Russ. He has had some bad infection issues lately, but I think we are on the mend. We also already had Persia, Daisy, Bubba, Maggie, and Pepper. Pepper is having arthritis issues due to breaking her leg 10 years ago. Had a UTI with Bubba. Maggie has been having issues with hot spots. But, none of all of that matters. We have all been through a lot together in the last year, but we have a bond through all of that and these animals truly love with everything they have. We have made it on the farm a year and here is to many more years.

My husband came home last night. I got home and we dealt with Russ and his shot. I had fed all of the other animals before working to give Russ a shot. We got back in the house and that donkey started braying and he wouldn’t stop. He usually does that when he is hungry, happy to see you, or strangers are pulling in the driveway. I wasn’t sure what was happening. So, Ronnie and I went back outside. I wanted to check on Russ anyway. I went to the fence where Cracker was and he would not come toward me. So, I go check on Russ and Ronnie goes to get peanuts out of the barn for Cracker Jack. Turns out, Ronnie is his human and he needed his attention. I know they are all spoiled, but that just means they are extra loved. Let’s just say, I am definitely not his favorite, but that’s okay.

I posted awhile back that I thought Russ had something going on but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. He was eating and drinking and up and moving. He had even started going into the other pen with those pigs and hanging out. I thought maybe I was just being too protective. I would check his pee and poop everyday. I started noticing a dark tint and weird color in his poop. Of course I call the vet and they have no openings until late Friday. Well it was Tuesday. So, the vet called me and we discussed what was going on. He was so wonderful, he wrote a script for me for a shot for me to pick up. It was closing time so I was going to have to wait until today. I got home yesterday and started the chores or feeding and watering and all the other things there is to do. Russ wanted some attention so I gladly gave him belly rubs. As I was petting him, I noticed a swelling spot close to where he was neutered. I pushed on it to see what it was and literally infection started coming out. Quite a bit. He would squeal like it hurt every time I would get more out but he just let me do it. He then got up and started wagging his tail like he felt better. I sent pics to the vet. My husband picked up the shot and when I got home, we went out to give it to him. I’m not sure how much you know about pigs, but they are fast, strong, and extremely smart. Russ knew I was trying to catch him and he wasn’t having any of it. I really don’t blame him. Finally after who knows how long, my husband and I caught him. Yes, it took us both. Ronnie was able to give him the injection. I got stepped on and my wrist is swollen and got cut up on a tree but other than that there were no injuries. He did get upset and went into the other pen and those pigs surrounded him like they were protecting him. That blows my mind but I love it. He finally got over it and I was able to pet him, but only through the fence. I’m hoping he gets better soon. He doesn’t act sick but I’m so grateful I listened to my gut. It would only get worse. My poor guy.

You guys, this pig... Russ is so stinking smart. So, you all know I tried to get him in the herd and he wasn’t having it. He got out of the pen and didn’t want to go back. That was fine with me. I set him back up in his own pen and he has been totally fine. When they were first getting to know each other through the fence, they started digging holes under the fence. We figured he got under the fence and since I didn’t latch that gate, that’s how he got out. Well, tonight, I decided to feed the pigs really well. I had some baby food that was almost out of date and some fruit that was going to go out of date faster than I would eat it, so I cut up all the fruit and brought out the baby food. I went to the little pig pen first... next thing I know, Russ is standing beside me wanting food. He was in the pen that he didn’t want to be in. I just laughed and made him a bowl, too. I left the pen and all of them had eaten. So since Russ ate with the little pigs, I moved onto to the big pigs. When I got out of that pen, I gave fresh water to all of them. I get over to the empty pen and here comes Russ, through the fence and back in his pen. It was so quick that I couldn’t get it all on video. That pig does not want to stay in the pen with the little pigs. I have him set up on his own and he is happy. I’m not sure why the other pigs aren’t going back and forth but they don’t have any desire either. I was cracking up at Russ tonight. He knows what he wants and that’s to be alone... unless food is involved. Smart little guy.

In getting Russ, the new pig, my other pigs have gone nuts. The smaller pigs are trying so hard for my attention. I sat in their pen tonight. Brutus got his belly rubs for a long time which he loved. Pork chop and Patsy even let me pet them. Pork chop almost did a belly flop for me. It was so close but didn’t happen. I know it will eventually. Bacon bit did her first belly flop for me last week and I almost got another one tonight. It really was a great night with them. They deserve so much attention. It’s been hard with them. I’ve had 2 of them for about 9 months and 2 for about 10 months. Brutus is the o my one that loves attention. The other 3 are still unsure, unless I have treats in my hand. I’m still working with them like crazy. They have made great progress but we still have a wall between us. It will happen one day. I’m being patient.

I know I have been talking about Russ a lot lately. I promise I’m not neglecting any of the other animals here, but at the moment, he is the one being so funny. So last week I had a really long day. I knew it was going to be long and all I could do was leave all the lights on for the animals while I was gone. I left that morning at 6:45 am and wasn’t home until 8:30 that night. I’m not usually gone that long but sometimes it just happens. When I got home, there was complete silence. They were all so mad. Cracker Jack always brays at me when I get home and he didn’t at all. I knew he was mad. To top it all off, it was going to be in the 20s that night so I needed to take extra precautions for them all to be able to stay warm. I hurry as fast as I can to get everything done. As I walk over to the pig pens, Riss is so mad he had turned his house all the way over and broke it apart and scattered all of his straw everywhere. I’m sure that wasn’t supposed to be funny but to me it reminded me of a kid throwing a tantrum. I went in the pen and fixed it up after feeding them all. I got out new straw for him to make sure he would be warm. And as soon as all that was finished, I sat down on the old straw  and he did a belly flop for belly rubs and all was right with the world again, for him anyway. Now every time he gets upset or I’m late he does this with turning over his house. He is a mess. What some people don’t know is that animals love a routine. They want that stability and do better when there is a routine. I try really hard to keep them on a routine daily, sometimes it just doesn’t work and they tell me about it and not nicely usually.