What I learned about baby pigs and Football in Florida.

Posted January 24th, 2011 by Nealia

As you know I have picked out the pig and since Mark and I were going to Florida and that is were the pig was, we decided we would pick up the pig and NOT fly her on a plane.  I talked to the man who had the pig and told him we would be driving the Excursion and we would have plenty of room for a crate and he agreed that would be suitable for our pig.  Mark and I both knew that picking up the pig before we went to his mother’s house was not an option, we would get the pig on our way home.  I did try and think of ANY way to ask Mark’s mother if she would mind if we brought a pig to stay for a few days but I was quite sure that most people who had a house decorated in white and cream colors from top to bottom, and whose house never had a speck of dirt, dust or  anything even close to slightly pig-like would think I had lost my mind. As I think about it now I am sure most people probably think I have lost my mind!

My week in Florida went a little slow as I was excited to get my new girl, and most of what we did in Florida was watch Bowl games.  Anyone who KNOWS me KNOWS I do not give a flying flip about football or any other sport that does not include horses.  I am sure that I must have watched about 1000 football games  (Mark said 5 at most) and I can tell you now the ONLY thing that saved me from poking out my eyes was instant replay and those lines they put on TV that are not really on the field (line of scrimmage the blue one & the first down line the yellow one).  Those two things sort of helped me understand what was going on. I also learned that 30 seconds left on the clock can totally change the outcome of a game and it can last up to 30 minutes.

At last it was time to go get the pig.  Oh, did I tell you we decided to drive Mark’s car down (an Infinity)?   Well, that comes into play when we get at the pig place.  We drive up and the man says I thought you were bringing your truck! I told him plans had changed and we drove the car instead. One thing you have to know is Mark is picky about his car, almost no dogs are allowed in the car, no mud, or dirt, and he cleans it all the time.  The (pig) man then proceeds to tell us that A) the pig will scream all the way home (20 hours) and B)  the pig will for sure “stink up the car!!!!”  I look at Mark’s face and I can see he looks as if he is made of stone!  His face has not changed but he is staring straight ahead not blinking or moving.  After I determine he is indeed breathing, I was hoping maybe he did not hear the “stink up the car ” part.  NOOOOOOO he heard it ALL and with one quick movement he shot me a look that told me with no words that he would not tolerate ANY stinking pig smells!!!!  I quickly shot into fast horse trainer mode and said “let’s just drive to Wal-Mart and get some cleaning supplies and a bunch of febreze……. Honey!” Mark said “that is an idea, let’s go before we take the pig.”

One trip to Wal-Mart and back to the pig farm and we pick up our new baby girl, KINDA…… Did you know that if pigs have not been handled much they are…. for lack of a better term… WILD!  Did you know that a screaming pig  is about like having a siren from a firetruck right next to you?  Well I did not, but I do NOW!!!  And I did not realize that not all pig people handle their baby pigs but you know what? I do now!

As we put the pig in the crate, and the crate in the car I was sure we would be driving for 20 hours with a screaming pig.  I was equally sure we would be A) deaf, and B) divorced.  Just before we started the car I looked at Mark and said “I love you”.  Mark started the car and when it started to move the pig got quiet.  Can you believe that?  Mark and I drove in silence for the first 15 minutes for fear the sweet baby pig would start screaming…. but she did not.  All we heard out of the pig were some low grunt-like noises.  I can tell you then I was sure I was a pig whisperer and we had the sweetest pig in the world.

Check in tomorrow for our trip home with our little piggy angel baby.