The Big Adventures of Willie the Pig

You never know what could happen when you least expect it.

It was an early summer morning in August of 2023. My husband and I walk our three dogs daily in the unincorporated vegetation fields near our house. There are miles of nothing, and we have found a little slice of paradise to escape and clear our heads each day.

We stumbled upon a lost creature — a pig- this particular day. He was utterly out of place in the field as he wasn’t wild. He was somewhat tame, and he did not fit with the landscape. We see stray dogs, coyotes, and jackrabbits and have even encountered a rattlesnake (another story for another time that Mack the dog can tell), but not a pig. No, sir, this was strange indeed.

We didn’t quite know what to do with our friend the pig, so we went home and hoped he would find his way home.

The next day, he was still in the same general area. However, he was getting scared and tired and surrounded on three corners by coyotes, biding their time and waiting for him to get too tired to fight. I am sure those coyotes were convinced they would have a fantastic meal.

So, I made a decision. How could I possibly leave the defenseless and sad creature out in the middle of nowhere to fend for himself against three coyotes? I couldn’t. He was helpless, and I could help him, so I did.

I went home, got my car, and came armed with a bowl of dog food to lure him to me. Pigs don’t eat meat. I didn’t yet know that. He wouldn’t come to me, and he was pretty fast. So I went home and picked up hubby, who managed to chase him down and jump on him. When he captured him, he squealed, well……like a pig! And if you have never heard a pig shriek, it is the loudest, most shrill scream you will ever hear! We put him in the back of the car (much to the dismay of the coyotes) and headed home.

Pigs are prey animals but also intelligent—as smart as my dogs. They hold grudges, feel trauma, and act like they are prey; they are scared of everything. I learned a lot about pigs from Willie the Pig. Little by little, we learned how to care for a potbellied pig.

Willie was traumatized. We don’t know what Willie’s life was like before. We don’t know how he got there. Did someone dump him?

We had NO IDEA how to care for Willie, but we made it happen because he needed us. Over a month or so, he started to warm up to us, but we also thought he was a bit lonely. Pigs process trauma VERY slowly. They are not like dogs in that regard, so gaining the trust of this gentle giant was a process. However, he began to trust. After about two months, we decided to address his need for company. Pigs are pack animals and do better around other pigs.

Enter Ziggy, the baby pig.

Ziggy came from a farm in Lake Elsinore. He was tiny and took some introducing, but he took it to Willie, and they are inseparable now that he has grown up with Willie.

We converted the small stable area at the bottom of the property into a pig pen palace.

Fast-forward almost one year, and Willie’s facial expression and kindness, in general, are totally different. Willie basically says “thank you” every moment of every day, describing how he acts now (aside from his general grumpiness). He has amazingly kind eyes. He trusts us completely.

It’s incredible to see his transition and that “we” were able to give him this new life to experience. Willie the Pig and his sidekick Ziggy have the BEST life now, which makes me happy.

The barnyard is a simple place where treats and food are essential. It is a safe place where belly rubs are welcome, and things like mud holes are extraordinary. It is a place where I can go and remind myself that no matter what is happening in the world, I have these two sweet little pigs who rely on me for their well-being and safety and who are happy to live the life they do.

I am grateful for this simplicity. I feel at peace in the barnyard and know that things will be okay no matter what.

I am grateful every day that Willie the pig found us that morning and that I was able to help him and make his life a little bit better.

Immanuel Kant, one of history’s most influential philosophers, once stated that a man who is cruel to animals also finds it hard to deal with other men. We can judge a person’s heart by their treatment of animals. Our treatment of animals is an indicator of our moral character and compassion.

I also believe that Willie the Pig has given me more empathy for humanity. Treating animals with kindness isn’t just a nice thing to do — it’s humane. When we show compassion towards animals, we’re showing the world what kind of people we are: caring, empathetic, and respectful of all living beings.

How a society treats its animals reflects its values and ethics, influencing social cohesion and empathy among its members.

Communities that prioritize animal welfare often exhibit higher levels of compassion and empathy, fostering a culture of kindness and respect for all living beings. Teaching children to care for animals instills valuable lessons in empathy and responsibility from a young age.

My pigs and dogs have strengthened my compassion for all living things, both animals and humans.

They give me a fountain of joy daily, as I start my day each morning by feeding them vegetables and laughing when they greet me in the barnyard. They show me that things could be worse even on my worst day. Spending time with my animals has transformed me into a better person and taught me valuable daily lessons. (A lot of patience is required for a teenage pig who gets quickly bored).

I am forever grateful to have found the abandoned but rescued Willie the Pig.

I’m taking a break from all the chaos this week. I hope you will join me in gratitude for all the small things in your life. Have a good week, everyone!