We once had a pet pig named Toby, and in the short time we had together he proved to be the best pig ever.
Well it became clear that he was meant to be ours after a couple of days. He adpoted us as his parents about 2 days after we adpoted him. He went from being afraid of us to being almost attached to us, never being mor than 1-2 feet away from one of us by choice.
We tried to feed Toby a variety of things that ferrel pigs eat, but being 1st time parents we ended up spoiling him and giving him mostly his favorite food, Half & Half. He would slurp it up out of his dish, usually with his two front hooves in the milk, and would end up with a thick cream moustach. He would smack his lips in between drinks, which was just one of his eerily human habits.
I built Toby a cage in the backyard to keep him safe while we were at work, but this was one thing Toby was not fond of. He knew it meant he would be alone for a while, and he would squeal and squeal when we put him in.
He did like the beach alot. Anytime he was in an area where he could root (dig stuff up with his nose) he was happy and there was lots of opportunity at the beach. He would get alot of sand on his nose.
Toby was adopted off of the Kipu ranch by Meghann. I wasn't cousulted prior to Toby's arrival at our house in Koloa, but Meghann explained to me succinctly and logically why it was that he needed to be adpoted: "I really wanted him!"
Well it became clear that he was meant to be ours after a couple of days. He adpoted us as his parents about 2 days after we adpoted him. He went from being afraid of us to being almost attached to us, never being mor than 1-2 feet away from one of us by choice.
We tried to feed Toby a variety of things that ferrel pigs eat, but being 1st time parents we ended up spoiling him and giving him mostly his favorite food, Half & Half. He would slurp it up out of his dish, usually with his two front hooves in the milk, and would end up with a thick cream moustach. He would smack his lips in between drinks, which was just one of his eerily human habits.
He loved attention and loved to be rubbed and scratched. (see video)
I built Toby a cage in the backyard to keep him safe while we were at work, but this was one thing Toby was not fond of. He knew it meant he would be alone for a while, and he would squeal and squeal when we put him in.
Because Toby liked to be so close to us, teaching him certain tricks was a snap. If we wanted him to go a certain way we just hadto go there first. This enabled us to "train" him to go down the slide and play on the local playground equipment.
Toby learned to swim very quickly and had a great technique. He would use his snout as a snorkel and paddle with all four legs. He wasn't super fond of the water, but would brave it to keep his comfortable 1-2 ft distance from us.
He did like the beach alot. Anytime he was in an area where he could root (dig stuff up with his nose) he was happy and there was lots of opportunity at the beach. He would get alot of sand on his nose.We still think about Toby all the time. I miss him alot, but in a way I am glad that I only knew him as a piglet because he might be 150 lbs with tusks by now. But he'll always be our Toby, and much smarter than all the other pigs.
2 comments:
I didn't know a pig could have such personality (well besides Babe or Wilbur). Please tell me Toby is living on a farm in Kuai'i with a great family and not in pig heaven.
I wish that I had been able to see Toby. He was really cute and from what I can tell had a great personality.
Post a Comment