This will be a quickie. I posted these pictures on Facebook but realized I really should journal the move of Shucks, our pet potbelly pig, here. “Move the Pig” is terminology known in the piggy world as a technique used to establish dominance. In a nutshell, when in a stand-off with a pet or farm pig, the first to move loses (whether pig or human). “Move the Pig” is practiced to keep order and to establish dominance in the pet/parent relationship. But “Move the Pig” in this scenario is literal.
Saturday morning we moved our 5yo “teacup” potbelly (all 200lbs of him! – NOTE – there is NO SUCH BREED as a teacup). I was positively dreading the transport because Shucks had not been on a ramp in appx 1.5 years and there was no way Keith and I could lift him. So, I upped the ante in a big way by making him a treat I knew he’d be hard pressed to ignore…a cheap box of macaroni and cheese.
The mac & cheese worked fabulously! Within 10 minutes Shucks had traversed the steepish grade of the ramp and was safely tucked away in the back of my Subaru. There were loud protests as Keith nudged his ham hocks uphill, but the delicious cheesy noodles successfully diverted his attention and determination.
The ride over and unloading were uneventful. And Shucks seems already at home. Once we’re completely settled, we will begin work on his new outside pen. Shucks will be getting a buddy as soon as possible. His name is Frankie, and he’s a darling, much smaller, white potbelly about Shucks’ age. Frankie is deaf and has had a hard time of it at a local sanctuary, because some pigs, like some humans, take advantage of other’s vulnerabilities. The rescuer and I think Frankie and Shucks will be a super fit. Shucks is super chill because I’ve been hardcore about socialization and establishing dominance. And by establishing dominance I want to emphasize pigs are NEVER to be physically disciplined – NO HITTING PIGS!! If your only discipline recourse to any animal is physical retaliation, then you’re probably not smart enough to own an animal and especially a pig!!
So without further ado here’s a little pictorial of Shucks’ move to Yonderways (to read explanations of each picture, select the “i” after you’ve selected the picture).