Write On!

              PETUNIA: PIG EXTRAORDINAIRE
Margaret Dinnsen, Eagle Valley W. I.
2nd Place, Non Fiction, 2001
Petunia trotted into our lives behind a small herd of cows we had
purchased from a neighbour upriver. She was a runty little thing, and rather
than try to herd her back home, they threw her in with the deal. The children
were delighted! The horse was confused, not knowing how to take this
arrogant, confident, fun loving addition to our barnyard.
We read what little material we had on hand about raising pigs, and
learned that by adding vitamin E to the pig's diet at a critical time of
development, a runty pig could fully develop. Being the only pig was also an
advantage, as there was no competition for the grain or scraps set out, other
than a few chickens which were easily intimidated by Miss Piggy.
She soon fit into the family routine and was readily accepted by the
milk cow, who came with the herd. Petunia shared a space in the incomplete
barn with the cow, the rabbits, and any stray chicken that had missed out on
being tucked to bed in the old car which had become their nesting place.
She became impatient if the children had not finished their lessons at
the regular noon hour. She learned to knock on the door. Coming to the porch,
she would root at the wood pile, then bang her snout on the door. The children
would let her in ( much to my consternation), but she never disgraced us or
herself She had much better manners than the cat.
She would follow the children or visitors fishing. We would tell them to
safely secure their catch, for Petunia loved fish. If the fisherman had strung his
catch on a pole, a common habit, and slung it over his shoulder, Petunia would
quietly come up behind and delicately bite the fish from its resting place,
swallowing it before the fisherman could turn around.
We tried to warn our guests that Petunia considered their tackle boxes
fair game But finding themselves alone on the river, with not another human
being for miles, the peace and tranquility of the situation caused them to
become careless and forgetful. Petunia would root quietly up to the tackle box
and the peaceful scene would suddenly erupt into a nasty scream as Petunia
overturned the box, often getting caught up in the fish hooks.
The children found her to be as much fun as the dog, and she
followed them everywhere. It was a nuisance when we went berry picking. She
relished the fruit, and could pick faster with her snout than we could by hand.
However, as she was well fed with grain, her appetite sufficed, she would
snuggle down in a hollow and watch as we completed our task. We were
careful with our pickings, and didn't leave any open pails about.