Ruby Likes to Sit
Sit is the go-to behavior for Ruby when she wants something. Pancakes? Sit! Tangerine juice? Sit! Grapes? Sit! As you can see, Ruby mostly wants food.
We cannot help but feel sorrow for Ruby. She has no mother now, no siblings to tumble with in the straw. She is alone in her porcine world, except for us humans. When we move forward, so does she. When we sit down in weedy grass, she clamors into our laps, restless with childish energy.
For this brief period, we are her sun, the center to which she is pulled towards. This will change. She will be spayed and go to the pig barn and learn what it means to be a pig at a sanctuary. Undoubtedly, she will remember us as her first family, but we will soon become her second. This is always what we wish for, to play backup. And while it hurts, the joy and perfectness of a pig in a pig’s world overshadows the transient loss of being a shining sun in a piglet’s eyes.
Stephanie Ernst
Marji
Kelly G.
Deb
Mary Martin
she’s so lovely. I want to hold her!
That is what happened to me when Rowan went from being an only duckling to a teen duck. She was a great travel companion for a couple of months, and was well liked at the shows I went to. I knew that she would have to join the flock soon. Apprehensive at first but after a couple of days she went inside the coop at night on her own. She still comes running for her tomato treats and that always puts a smile on my face.
I’d sit for those things too! Seriously though, our pigs – Ruby, saved from a backyard butcher, and Lucy, from the last Charlotte’s Web – delighted in showing off how they could sit. You’ll still find them sitting now but, while beautiful, it’s not as ‘cute’ now that they’re 300kg plus.
And don’t worry about being her second family; the moment you rub her belly you’ll skyrocket to her first and favorite!!!
Adorable picture!
Ruby looks just like Missy, a 22-lb. pup rescued in Mississippi (by Shelley Bookwalter, who appeared on Animal Planet’s “Last Chance Highway” series this summer), and who was adopted by my sister’s family (I’m visiting them as I write this). Missy has a red collar (not halter) and she sits for food and looks up with an innocent expression, just like Ruby.
Would that all of us humans could learn how to think about — and act toward — all species consistently. That is, consistently lovingly and respectfully.
That face! She is simply too cute for words. Are you sure she isn’t asking for a kiss….and I don’t mean a Hershey’s kiss. What a precious little darling.
Hi — still haven’t seen your blog-name here, but looking around here a bit to know yu better.
I am charmed by your friend Ruby, a pig evidently not fated to be pork chops. I confess I don’t know any vegans, though I admire your principled commitment to not consuming meat.
I am the girl who read that stellar “coming out” piece and posted parts earlier today. I hope you’ll enjoy my readers’ comments!
Warmly,
Justine
What a great picture. I would love to see more of her as she grows up.