When we first brought Charlotte home we could only dream of the clitter clatter of little hooves. Especially since she has lost her first litter right after she came to
us, probably from the extreme winter that we had last year. After all, there is not many instances of sows having an immaculate conception.
So having NO boar, we were in a pickle! But as luck would have it, a few months after bringing her home I noticed that her love Wilbur was also for sale! I was SO excited! So I quickly got in touch with Dawne, and a day was set to go pick him up and have the two lovebirds reunited.
Wilbur who?
At first, Charlotte was having NONE of that business! She wanted to know just where he had been!? What he had been doing these last few months! Had he been seeing any of the other sows back at Dawnes farm? As much as Wilbur tried to convince her that he had been a good pig, she was cold as ice! She was one biting sow!
And STAY OUT!
But then her heart melted and we noticed that they were spending more and more time cuddling, they were nustling together in their hut. Then we knew, Charlotte had buns in her oven! We were so excited! Now we just had to wait. Three months, Three weeks, and three days! It seemed like forever! But them one day I went out to check on the every expanding mama and it was time! I could not believe the day was finally here, and we were gona have babies!
Of course I had to get the family rounded up to witness the event, and there we sat, in lawn chairs, squinting into the sun hoping to see a baby born in the dark piggy hut! We decided, we were going in!
Up and running in no time at all!
And before we knew it there were babies! Cute, wiggly squealing babies. Charlotte is an awesome mother. She shifts and checks every time one of her little bundles makes a noise.I keep worrying that she will lay on one, and she may, but I can say that she tries so hard to make sure that each little oinker is safe and sound at all times.
So far, it has been two days and she still has all eight babies. I called the vet today and they recommended an iron shot and also an antibiotic just to make sure that they stay healthy. It seems that there are quite a few things going around that are fatal for pigs these days. One is Parvo, yea, like for dogs. But his is for pigs! Not to mention the flu (PEDV) that has been killing so many little piglets. I was not sure if we had been having these issues in Tennessee, but the vet assured me that we were actually seeing both diseases, which is scary! If you wonder what PEDV is, and how it is effecting the piglets and the price of pork here is a link explaining the disease.( PEDV)
We went out to check at lunch and they are all having a blast rooting in the dirt and climbing all over their mother. It is hard not to stay out there way too much just watching them root around and be cute! Here are a few pictures I took today.
So much dirt! Must Root, but SO tired!
There's always those two that just will not listen!
Just grab one and HANG ON!
Trina checking on Charlotte and the babies
And, for your viewing pleasure, and so you can HEAR the cuteness, here is a video of the little ones getting lunch!
Well, I am sure everyone is just sick to death of hearing about piggies! But I will say, they are so darn cute and it is so hard to leave them alone, lol But just in case you are still wanting more "pignews", I will keep you updated as they grow so that you can follow along with all the fun! Feel free to leave a word or two on here to let me know what you think about these little cuties!
I think it might almost, kinda, sorta be moving toward Spring!! I know, I am scared to even say the word, especially since this week is supposed to slam us again with freezy temperatures! But, yesterday I got a little pick me upper that at least made me believe that Spring might be more than the fluff of fairy tales!
It started when Pud'nin and I were going to town for the millionth load of feed for the animals. I swear, that seems like the unending chore! But, I digress, lol There a couple of things that Pud'nin does that makes him a keeper, well, actually a million things but today I will share one of them. Whenever we go to town, especially in late winter/early spring he stops at the end of a certain road where every spring we hear the first Peepers. What you ask are Peepers? They are the little frogs that mark the arrival of Spring in my book! I absolutely LOVE hearing them. They are warm weather, end of freezing, and I can almost plant seeds all wrapped into one shrill little package! So, this time, when Pud'nin stopped for me to listen, I HEARD THEM!! I was so excited! Sometimes, it really is the little things. I actually recorded the sound, because everyone should be able to hear how awesome and Springlike these guys sound!
See! Isn't that just the sweetest sound ever?!? I know that we are not out of the deep-freeze yet, but it sure was nice to get a glimpse of spring.
I will also share the other stopping spot that we drive by when we go visit Josh. On the way to his house you cross an old country bridge, and the view down the creek is just breathtaking. No matter the season, it is just wonderful to stop and take a few minutes to enjoy the view. I always feel a little less stressed after watching the water and listening to the birds while we relax, if only for a second.Sometimes you even get to see a huge waterbird trying to catch his dinner!
Just look at that view! I bet if you use your imagination, you can almost hear the water flowing over the rocks. See, that is why I love my Pud'nin. He always makes sure I get the time to do the things that make me happy. He never fails to stop and let me enjoy these two places because he knows how much I love them. Even if it is only for a minute.
