This Little Piggy Went To Market

 

I am tender hearted. 

I am sentimental. 

I get emotionally attached. To everything. 

Never in a million years would have thought I could raise my own food. In fact when Dustin first said he wanted to raise pigs I said no. No way. No how. 

But in true Dustin fashion it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission so if memory serves me correctly I think he just showed up with two pigs. 

The first few days I said I wanted nothing to do with those pigs. There was no way I could feed something every day and then later on eat it. I just couldn't do it. Or so I thought. 

Maddie was maybe three when we got that first set of pigs. How could I tell her that her dad planned on us eating them? I couldn't do it. 

But Dustin said we were not going to lie to her. And then Dustin put it in a way that was just perfect. Words so simple but so heartfelt and sincere.

Dustin explained to Maddie that our job was to provide for our pigs and give them the best life we could possibly give them while we have them. That we will provide for them and then they will provide for us. 

Sounds simple. But those words still resonate with me all these years later. 

And those words are true. We do everything we can to make sure our pigs live a happy life. And that even means cooling off in the creek on hot days. 

Now I still keep my distance - even all these years later. In that I do not pet the pigs. I feed them, care for them but try as hard as I can not to get attached. Now Dustin on the other hand gives them belly rubs. He and Maddie brush them and pet on them. 

True to his word Dustin does his best to make sure our pigs enjoy life. Plenty of food. Places to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Every few weeks we move the fence so that they always have fresh things to forage. 

I can tell you the name of every pig we have raised. And at least a little about their personality. But our two this year, Fern and Charlotte, whew they are two I will definitely never forget. 

Moving always comes with some complications. Throw some animals in the mix and welcome to the chaos that is our life. 

To say we were not prepared for old farm to sell so quickly would be an understatement. We had been moved into our new home for one day when Dustin left to go out of town on his annual hunting trip. 

If something is going to go wrong it will always happen when Dustin is gone or on shift. Never fails. 

So imagine my surprise when I come home that second night to find pigs standing in my driveway. With a "Here Girls!" and the temptation of my dinner leftovers I had in the car they were more than happy to follow me back to their pen. 

But then there was the time Maddie and I came home and the pigs were gone. I mean gone. No where in sight. Gone. 

I raided the pantry and with chip bags in hand I ran around calling for our girls. They were no where to be found. 

So I try to make our border collie a blood hound.

Doc led Maddie and I through the woods, through a briar patch, back to the pig pen and all around with his nose to the ground. I have no doubt he was following their scent. But fresh scent.... that I wasn't so sure. So I started walking through the woods calling these two pigs as you would a dog.... "Come here Charlotte! Here Fern! Come on Girls!"

And then as we make our way down the mountain Maddie spotted them over on the next ridge. "GIRLS! What the h*ll are ya'll doing!?!" With a delighted squeal Charlotte came running to us with Fern not far behind. 

What I sight I'm sure we were! Me, Maddie, Doc and two pigs hiking up the mountain. 

I would like to say that was the last time they escaped. But no. Our new home was not quite prepared for pigs. And our portable fence was often tested by these two girls. 

Many days I would come home to Charlotte hanging out with the dogs on the carport waiting for us. 

Today when they were loaded on the trailer to go to the processor it was bittersweet. I'm not going to miss Fern.... but Charlotte. I will miss her and her antics.

Today I say a prayer for Fern and Charlotte thanking the Lord for allowing us to care for his creatures. And thanking Fern and Charlotte for providing for our family for the coming months. 

Before having Maddie I never really thought about where our food came from. Or about the farmers who raised it. Now I like knowing what we are eating. 

Farming isn't always easy. But the lessons it teaches are ones that I am glad Maddie is able to learn