High On The Hog

When our youngest son Colt Wrangler was about 4 years old, we were at a friend's house in NM, working our way back home from a run. At their house was this little Hampshire gilt that must have fell out of someone's trailer...? Who knows, she just showed up one day, wilder than a March hare. We decided to catch her and take her home. (Much to my husband's dismay.) With all the kids working together we finally got her cornered and caught. She wasn't much bigger than two hands cupped together.

Off we drove, waving merrily and my husband murmuring something about the whole barnyard being in our bus. I carried her in my arms, wrapped in a towel, holding her tail to keep her from squealing and paper towels handy to clean up... well, you know. I knew she would eventually settle down and make a pet but I didn't think she'd end up being quite the character she was! She was a full-blown hoot! It became a huge game every morning just to make it from the yard gate to the Jeep with the kid's school lunches still intact. The kids and me would kinda play "reconnaissance missions" every morning going to school. One of us would sneak out the back door, quietly look in all directions, ease over to the yard gate and get it unlatched without making any noise, (not at all easy to do) then signal the others. At that moment, the all out dash for the Jeep would begin. Pork Chop would begin squealing and running from wherever she was to try and cut us off at the pass ...getting between one of the boys and the Jeep. It was their sack lunches she was after. "Give up your lunch and you can go free!" We'd jump in the Jeep all breathless and laughing while Pork Chop circled and complained.

But THE most absolute fun we had with Pork Chop was the day we got the brilliant idea to saddle her. We had the tinniest saddle you ever saw, one that would fit a large dog. We got it on her and tightened the girth. She couldn't have cared less. Then we called for Colt Wrangler. (Ain't that why God gives us kids?) I got a coffee can of dry cat food. (Pork Chop's favorite.) We put Colt in the saddle. Told him to hold on. I walked off a ways and shook the can. She came running and grunting, Colt laughing and bouncing... until he fell off. "Do it again, Mamma... Do it again! Go fast this time!" We'd stick Colt back up there and just double over with laughter! When she'd take off, Colt's head would whip back. He looked like one of those monkeys on a sheep dog. We had MORE fun with that silly hog! Who would have ever thought that ugly, scared, scrawny looking pig would have sooooo much personality! It was always there... It just took love and attention to bring it out.

I wonder just how many "ugly" people there are in the world who would be able to bring such joy into the lives of others if someone would just take the time to put up with their "squealing" and clean up some of the "messes" they create? It takes time to break through their fears and show them love. Oh not everyone wants it, I know. Some "hogs" are just mean! But kids... how many kids have just "fell by the wayside" and no one cares! Unless YOU care, who's gonna "capture" their hearts? YOU'VE got something to give... GIVE it! It's amazing how something that may look so ugly now, can "blossom" and bring such joy into your life and others, when given time and attention.