Spring is coming... I think
We here at Ruby Ranch, human and pig alike, are awaiting spring anxiously. The babies, especially, I think. Doc, Truly, Stormy and Wuzzle are so bored. I can’t wait for the barn to thaw out sufficiently, so we can give it a good cleaning. We’ve had the bigpigs and Wuzzle out a few times, but not for very long. Their feet, noses and underbellies turn quite an alarming shade of pink when they’ve been out for very long.
Every once in a while, Wuzzle will wait for the man-door of the barn to open, and leap out, running down the path full-tilt, spinning and barking happily. Well, he doesn’t so much leap, as throw his upper body over the raised threshold, and grunt and strain to get his back end over. He’s definitely put on a few pounds this winter!
He was sick for a few days, but a day in the house and TLC seemed to put all that right. I think it was some kind of virus, because shortly after Wuzzle felt better, Beau came down with the same symptoms. Just like Wuzzle, Beau’s malady lasted about 2 days. Strange. None of the bigpigs appeared to be affected.
Baby Truly was spayed 4 days ago. She went to a wonderful vet, one recommended by a friend who also rescues pigs. I can’t say enough about Dr. Halbert. She is compassionate, with a very calm and soothing manner. She let us stay with Truly even after she was out, lying on the table being shaved. I got a little panicky after she had her second shot of sedative, when she was fighting it so hard, and trying to get up. The vet quickly calmed my fears. The incision is undetectable, I’ve never seen such a nice sewing job. Truly will definitely be able to wear her bikini this summer! Dr. Halbert even called Sunday evening at 8:15 to see how Truly was doing. Truly has been inside the house since the surgery, and I love having her here. She is so cuddly, and wants to be wherever we are. I think she’ll have to go back out to the garage soon, though, her “brothers” Stormy and Doc miss her, and L.J hates her. It’s really hard rotating through three groups of pigs being in the living room. Ruby and Bart come out while Stannie and L.J are in one bedroom, Truly in another, then Stannie and L.J come out, then Truly comes out. Musical pigs. Truly is not used to being alone, she’s been Stormy’s constant companion since she arrived. She’s so darn adorable.
Willa and Bob are really developing an amazing bond. Each evening after feeding, Bob will lie in the hay in the bigpigs pen. Willa will come over, sniff him all over, and then push her way in behind him and lie down, right up against him. She’ll lay there, happily getting her belly rubbed, until it’s time for us to go. It’s really something to see, great big Willa, dwarfing Bob. I told Bob his head looks like a grape next to Willa’s. Willa and Harry are like giant puppy dogs.
We are off to put the latest delivery of hay and straw into the barn, the pigs will be so happy.