Peter joined us on August 12, 2004 when he was about 1 to 1 1/2 years old. He originally was purchased from the awful breeder in Chautauqua County (think DUMP) by a woman who lives in a lovely home in a nice development outside of Buffalo. She'd previously had a pet pig for over 11 years who'd stayed small and adapted to a life indoors. She couldn't fence an area for him or walk him on a leash because her development isn't zoned for pet pigs. If she was spotted with a pig, animal control could take it from her...so her pigs were forced to remain totally indoors. After Budda died she yearned for another, but wasn't prepared for a young rambunctious Peter who, out of boredom, began to tear apart her kitchen. While he was tiny the area provided him enough room to trot around and explore, but as he grew so did his curiosity and his need to get out and do pig things. Confined to a small kitchen and hall, he was restless and bored and looking for entertainment. That he found by dismantling the dishwasher and chewing the drywall to bits. I met Pete when his lady called and asked me to board him for a week or two while her kitchen was repaired (to the tune of over $2,000) and "pig proofed". She wondered if I could train him NOT to destroy the house and I explained that it wasn't possible unless she allowed him more freedom and a lot of time outdoors. He'd soon learn to pop her new tiles off the replaced drywall and find other ways to spend his time...perhaps tearing up the floor, mouldings, cupboards and again trying his luck at dishwasher dismantling. So Peter came to Camp Skipping Pig as a boarder and simply stayed, enjoying his outdoor time, running, rooting and romping, sunbathing and being a perfect ambassador for the resident pigs, greeting guests and becoming a favorite character with everyone. He's much loved and is a happy boy living in an environment more suited to his busy personality. When in the barn he stands with his front feet on his gate and cries and howls if anyone other than himself is getting attention, be it another pig or perhaps the horse or donkey getting a hoof trim. Pete thinks he should be the center of attention and does his best to be sure he gets more than his fair share. Outdoors he can frequently be seen running just for the joy of it. Pigs really are meant to be outdoors, at least a majority of the time. Trying to confine them to a house usually leads to a destructive and frustrated pig and expensive repairs. So many are dumped just because they can't "be pigs". It's a sad and inexcusable situation that could be prevented by having a securely fenced area just for the pig. Peter was NOT dumped by his lady. She desperately wanted him back, but he wouldn't have been happy.
UPDATE...sadly, we lost Peter in May of 2015 at the age of 13 to a nasal tumor. He was a great boy and his presence is missed.
