I have considered posting here a recollection of mine that perhaps those in the know may offer some insight into behaviours that pertain to the pig. Yes—the pig! :-) Many years ago while I was at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto as is custom I visited the swine exhibit. I love farm animals but whereas my wife favors horses I have always loved pigs. I went to one pen where there were two young pigs. I am not sure how old they were but they definitely were young. Two, maybe three years old? Anyway both pigs were at the back of the pen. I called them over and one got up immediately and came to me. I began to pet the pig on the head like you would a dog and talked to her. Then I asked her if she wanted a belly rub—she did. I got her to lay down and exposing her belly to me I rubbed it like you would a dog. She grunted with pleasure. Then when I had my fingers in her mouth she nibbled on them so, so gently. She could not have been any gentler. I asked for my hand back and then I proceeded to pet her again as I talked to her. The farmer who owned the pig came over to me and we had a great chat. How unusual was this? Some folks, including farmers, reacted with surprise if not alarm when I tell them about my fingers being in her mouth—I could certainly feel those big strong teeth! The thing is from the beginning she trusted me completely and I trusted her. Does anyone have any comments or similar experiences? Some say I was luck the pig did not snap my fingers off. But I KNEW she completely accepted and trusted me. Thanks for any comments you may have. Merry Christmas everybody from Canada, land of the Maple Leaf. :-)
I have considered posting here a recollection of mine that perhaps those in the know may offer some insight into behaviours that pertain to the pig. Yes—the pig! :-) Many years ago while I was at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto as is custom I visited the swine exhibit. I love farm animals but whereas my wife favors horses I have always loved pigs. I went to one pen where there were two young pigs. I am not sure how old they were but they definitely were young. Two, maybe three years old? Anyway both pigs were at the back of the pen. I called them over and one got up immediately and came to me. I began to pet the pig on the head like you would a dog and talked to her. Then I asked her if she wanted a belly rub—she did. I got her to lay down and exposing her belly to me I rubbed it like you would a dog. She grunted with pleasure. Then when I had my fingers in her mouth she nibbled on them so, so gently. She could not have been any gentler. I asked for my hand back and then I proceeded to pet her again as I talked to her. The farmer who owned the pig came over to me and we had a great chat. How unusual was this? Some folks, including farmers, reacted with surprise if not alarm when I tell them about my fingers being in her mouth—I could certainly feel those big strong teeth! The thing is from the beginning she trusted me completely and I trusted her. Does anyone have any comments or similar experiences? Some say I was luck the pig did not snap my fingers off. But I KNEW she completely accepted and trusted me. Thanks for any comments you may have. Merry Christmas everybody from Canada, land of the Maple Leaf. :-)