Tribute to my beloved critters

[Tishrei]

I just watched the u-tube video title “In Memory of…” and my heart just wanted to write about my potbelly pig, Tulip, and my severe macaw, Ducky. They’re both still with me but Tulip is on her last legs of life. She’s old, arthritic, blind but still has quality of life for she still loves her food and is not in much pain. So I will start with her.

I was out jogging one day 14 years ago and ran by the local pet store. I thought I was dehydrated for I thought I saw a baby pig in the window. I really thought I was seeing things because I was tired and really thirsty for I had forgot to bring my water bottle. So I thought I would take a breather and go in the pet store and sure enough, there was this little piggy who was all of 20 pounds. This was a scared little piggy and for some reason, she let me pat her and hold her but shunned other customers. I fell for her so I ran back as fast as I could to get my check book. I drove back and purchased myself a pig. Keep in mind; I knew absolutely nothing about pigs except they like to eat. That was the extent of my knowledge. I purchased Tulip on an impulse.

The next morning, I went into the living room and was sitting on the couch and was looking at my very scared little piglet laying on the carpet and thought to myself, “what have I done? There’s a PIG in my living room.” For a few moments, I thought of returning her but I remembered how she was so scared in the store and seemed to like me. At the pet store, they told me the biggest she would get was 75 pounds. Well, that was a big fat lie. I have since found out that pigs grow for 5 years and she is 175 pounds right now. That is an average weight for a potbelly pig.

I used to walk her every day and let me tell you about the looks I would get walking a pig down a city sidewalk in the outskirts of Los Angeles. Tulip would stop traffic. Every day, we would take our walk and go to the local coffee shop where I would sit outside with my coffee while Tulip got a treat. I met lots of people that way. She was a real “ham” and loved the attention she got.

Then one day, and I won’t go into this very long story, but I was arrested when out walking Tulip. I refused to back down. I was not booked in a jail cell but since I had my beloved pig with me, my biggest concern was they were going to take Tulip to the pound while they took me to jail. I was able to make a phone call at the pay phone and got someone to come pick up Tulip. I figured I could handle the arrest, etc. knowing that Tulip was safe. But when the police showed up, they did an emergency release and booked me a court date. I went to an arraignment and was told that there would be a trial. I hired a criminal attorney and this ended up making the news. I was on the major news networks as well as the Los Angeles Times. Long story short, at trial and before it got started, the District Attorney’s office asked the court to drop the charges. I was not going to let them take Tulip away from me.

Tulip has been a wonderful animal. She has been a wonderful animal companion. She has pulled so many stunts on me, pigs are very smart and devious little creatures. One day I worked really late and came home at about 11:00 p.m. (normally I am home at 6:00 p.m.). I am really anal about turning off lights so when I opened up the door and saw a light on and heard noises, I thought there was a burglar in my house. I quietly closed the door but left it open just a crack and was wondering which neighbor I should wake up to use their phone to call the police. Then I realized the noise I was hearing was Tulip making noises so I gingerly walked in. Turns out the light was from the fridge. Tulip had finally figured out how to open the fridge and she was having a feast. She more or less cleaned out my fridge. I stayed up the next few hours cleaning up the HUGE mess that was all over the kitchen floor. I now have a lock on my fridge. But sometimes when I am home, I don’t always lock it. I can be in the other room and will hear the fridge open and I simply yell out “get out of the fridge.” And guess what? I actually hear her close the door but she stands there. She is waiting for me to come into the kitchen and reward her for closing the door. So I give her a little treat.

One day in the morning, I was watching her walk and her back legs gave out and she would stand back up but her back legs gave out. Then I watched this puss like stuff coming out of her skin on her hind area. I immediately called the vet and the vet told me what she had. It’s called dippity pig. It’ lasts about 24 hours but it is EXTREMELY painful. They don’t know the exact cause but not all pigs get it and some get it more than once. I had to put her on a cool floor and just let her stay there. She lost the ability to stand up and just lay there crying and crying. She was in a lot of pain and you could not touch her for her skin was like on fire it was so painful. At one point, she soiled herself and she started crying even more. I lay there on the floor with her the whole day and night while she just whimpered. The next day, she simply got better and the stuff on her skin just went away and she was able to stand up and walk like nothing ever happened. That was the only time she ever got it and I can’t tell you how it broke my heart to watch her in so much pain. The medication that I got for her pain really did not seem to help That pig was one hurting little girl. She really was in major pain.

I remember another story. She was about two years old and it was in the morning on a weekend. Without warning, this animal charged me and was trying to bite me. She kept coming at me and would not stop. She was attacking me like you wouldn’t believe. Luckily I am rather agile so I jumped over the couch and ran to the other room and called the vet. Well, Tulip was at the age where she was trying to move her status up in the herd. I was the head herd person but that’s the position she wanted. That’s what pigs do in the wild and she viewed me as a member of her herd. She wanted my position. The vet told me to treat her like another pig would and fight back by knocking her on her side, make her fall over on her side. Well, at 2 years old, she wasn’t that little so I wasn’t sure how I was going to accomplish that. I’m not that big at 5’3. So I took a deep breath and went into the living room and she came at me again, full charge. At one point, I fell over and was on my butt and she was coming at me again. I scooted to the side and put my bare feet against her side and shoved with all my might. Well, that did the trick though it was harder than I intended. She fell against the side of the couch and I heard the wind leave her lungs. I thought I had hurt her. But no, she stood up, tail wagging and came over to me for a pet. I was breathing hard from fighting an attacking pig but I had maintained my head herd status and she knew it was submitting to me. The vet told me that is exactly what they do in the wild.

All these years with her have been wonderful. One morning I woke up and had figured out how to climb up on my bed. I woke up looking down the snout of a pig. Oh brother. I had divorced a cop and was now sharing a bed with a pig … LOL. This was a bit weird for me so I purchased a little trundle type of bed and put it next to mine. She likes to sleep under covers so I would reach down and pet her to sleep.

One time when I went on vacation, my friend who was taking care of her by coming here to my place told me a story. Apparently Tulip was ticked that I was gone. So she pulled over my CD holder and when my friend walked into the house, there as Tulip stomping all over my CDs.

Oh gosh, I have stories after stories after stories of our time together. She is very affectionate and very loving. She would love to wrestle and play and take walks. Now she is old, can’t walk that much, is blind and her time left is short. What I do now is try and make her as comfortable and happy as possible for the remaining time she has left with me. Because her arthritis is so bad, the vet has said that she may have a year, two at most before she will need to be put down. I will do it as I cannot bear to make her live in excruciating pain to relieve my pain of losing her. Right now, as I write this, she is outside on the porch enjoying the evening air before coming in and getting a treat before bed time. Every time she comes back in the house, she makes a bee line for the kitchen for a treat.

I know her time is short. Just a few months ago, she was in so much pain walking that I thought it was time. Fortunately, we were able to do a fix for now. She was on a steroid medication for a week and that gave her the needed boost so she can walk. I have her on glucosamine daily and it helps a lot. I have already decided how I am going to handle it. I won’t take her to the vet. It will be too much stress trying to get her to the car and I certainly can’t lift her. I will have the vet come here (we’ve discussed this). I will get her a pie from Marie Calendars and let her eat the whole thing.

My prayer for her is that her little hooves last for a few more years before they get so bad that she cannot walk. She gave me so much in all her years and now I just want to make her happy and comfortable. She is not able to give me much anymore, she is too old. It’s her time to rest and be taken care of. If she does something naughty, I pretend I don’t notice for I don’t want to scold her.

That’s a little bit about my potbelly pig. I will write about Ducky next.

[KDK241]

Tulip sounds so cute! My aunt used to have a pot bellied named Hoover. They can be the sweetest animals. A lot of people don't realize that pigs can really be very loyal. There have been quite a few stories here about pigs that have woken up their owners when the house was on fire, or they were hurt. A lot of people get them as piglet thinking they are so cute, and then when they get bigger get rid of them. I am so glad that you and Tulip found each other, and thankful that she has had such a great life, with such a great owner. Give her a scratch for me...I just love piggies!

[Tishrei]

Originally Posted by KDK241

A lot of people don't realize that pigs can really be very loyal.

You just reminded me of another story. I had a friend over, it was a guy. Actually, it was a guy that I had dated for a short time. But anyway, we were sitting on the couch and it was the middle of the day and Tulip was laying on the other side of the living room where the sun comes in but she was facing us but her eyes were closed. He had just come over and we were going to go out to the movies. Anyway, he was telling me about this movie he had seen, it was some mafia type of movie. He was showing me this scene. He put his hands around my neck play acting the scene in the movie where someone was getting choked to death. Well, that seemed to bother Tulip for she got up and before either of us noticed, she bit him on the leg. It wasn't a hard bite but a bite to tell him that she was watching and this was not acceptable behavior.

I couldn't believe it and my heart sort of soared at her protectiveness of me even though I did not need protecting.

[Tishrei]

Ducky’s turn. Some of this everybody has already heard but he has been a major blessing in my life. The bird I got and the bird I have now are like two separate birds with different personalities.

I got Ducky from an acquaintance. They still live only about 4 blocks from me but have never visited him nor called to see how he’s doing. That makes me sad for Ducky for they had him for years. I have been to their house several times before Ducky became mine. The whole time I’ve known Ducky, he’s been bald, self plucked. I remember always feeling sorry for Ducky for he was such a screamer that he would drive them nuts. What they would do is take a black cover and place it over his cage so he would be regulated to sitting in his cage in the dark for hours on end. I would go over to his cage before the cover was put over him and try and talk to him but he was just so scared and would try and bite me. I didn’t like going over there because I always felt sorry for Ducky. But there was nothing I could do. He was a biter and bit anybody that tried to approach him.

One day, they asked me to baby-sit for him while they went on vacation. So they brought his big cage and everything and left him with me. In hindsight, it seems that they wanted me to keep him for it would have been easy for me to drive the 4 blocks to their house instead of them lugging everything over here. I just didn’t think about it. I had them place Ducky’s cage next to the sliding glass door that looks out to the back yard with trees, squirrels, etc. The very first night here, he just settled in and made himself at home. I left his cage door open as I figured I would give him some happy time before going back home in 2 weeks. But I was a bit apprehensive as I did not want to get bit. And to be honest, I really did not like birds that much. I liked seeing them fly around in the sky but not to live with me. I thought of birds as noisy, messy and pooping machines with no personality. Why would I want something like that to take care of?

I had already knew some of Ducky’s history. They were Ducky’s third home and his second home was physically abusive in that they would hit him with a stick and the kids in the house would punch Ducky in the face to see if they could knock him of his perch. The folks I got Ducky from did not physically abuse him, he was just neglected. He was well cared for in that his cage was very clean, had some toys, but spent most of his time sitting in his cage all by himself with little interaction. So he plucked himself and was extremely aggressive towards people.

So here’s this bird that I thought would go home in 2 weeks. Like I said, his first day here, he simply settled in and left his cage and went exploring. But he kept trying to come at me and it scared me. I thought he wanted to bite me but what I found out was he was approaching me for interaction. One evening he climbed up on my knee and I let him stay there. I figured a bite to the knee would be bearable. He just stood on my knee preening and then when I offered him my finger, he nibbled a bit gently and then before I could blink an eye, he ran up my arm to my shoulder. And that’s where he stayed. I feel bad that all those days, he was approaching me for loves and I was rejecting him because I thought he wanted to bite me. I still did not want him on my shoulder for I could deal with a bite to my hand or arm but I did not want a chunk taken out of my face. But I could not keep him off of my shoulder and he never bit my face.

Well, the time came and went for them to call to come pick up Ducky. So I called them. By now, I was really feeling sorry for Ducky for he seemed so happy with me and so gentle but the screaming was driving me nuts, and I mean nuts. If I left his sight, he would go into some screaming frenzy like the world had just ended. It was nuts. I felt sorry for him and the life he was going back to, but I could not wait for him to leave. At the time, I did not know or realize that he chose me, I just figured that since I did not lock him up and did not cover him when he screamed, he liked it here. So I planned on telling them what I thought was positive reinforcement to help alleviate my feeling sorry for Ducky. I figured that if I told them how to treat Ducky better, he would have a better life and I would not have to feel sorry for him.

Well, I called them and they asked me to keep him a little bit longer as they wanted to do some painting or something and it would be helpful if I kept him for a couple more weeks. I said okay. Well, a couple of weeks came and went and Ducky was still with me, and still screaming if I left his line of sight. I’m telling you, it drove me bonkers having to take him everywhere with me in the house just to keep him quiet. Finally I called them and asked them the status of their painting and when they would be picking up Ducky. That’s when they hit me with the next statement which was “how would you like to be Ducky’s new owner?” I was rather stunned and had not even considered that. I told them I would think about it for a couple of days or so and then get back to them. Well another friend of mine sealed the deal for me. She told me that I should sacrifice and keep Ducky for it would be mean and cruel to send him to a home where he was obviously miserable. I finally called them back and said yes.

So now I had this neurotic bird that I had no idea what to do with. However, I refused to keep him locked in his cage. Initially, I would cover him with that blackout cover only at night but after a few months, I quit doing that. I still have that cover but it’s in the cabinet never to be used. I never covered him when he screamed but I decided to take matters in my own hands for that screaming simply drove me bonkers. Every time he screamed, I ran up to him with my arms flailing like a mad woman, hoping it would scare him and then I grabbed his little face in both my hands and brought his face to my face and yelled “QUIT SCREAMING” – I did that every time he screamed. Little did I know that this was supposed to teach him to get me to come to him. But for some reason, he hated it when I grabbed his little face like that but for some reason, he didn’t bite me.

Oh my gosh, if I told you all the mistakes I made with him, it would shock all of you so much, you would fall of your chairs. I’m shocked at all the mistakes I made.

But Ducky slowly learned that life with me was different and he calmed down. I could leave the room and he wouldn’t scream all the time but it was only an occasional scream. If I was on the phone too long, he would scream but he doesn’t do that anymore. But the first few years with me, whenever I was home, he was attached to me, it was like having another body part. It was like he was scared that I would disappear from his life or something so he had to be on me somehow.

The person that used to own him came over once because I needed his nails & wings trimmed. Ducky pitched such a fit it was unbelievable. He saw her and became frantic. It was really a sad sight. I think he thought he had to go back. Once I went over to her house with Ducky for a nail trimming and when I walked in, he was scared. He tried to climb down my shirt, it was really pathetic. They never called or visited him on their own, and it’s been years since Ducky has been there or they here.

Ducky and I have this bond that is rather silly. Today, I went out with a friend to an outdoor coffee house. I took Ducky as it was really nice weather and he could use some sun. I had a really bad day today and Ducky apparently could sense that. Instead of his usual perching on the table eating his banana nut muffin, he wanted to be on my shoulder and preen me. I guess he sensed that I could use some loving and he gave it to me without me asking.

Ducky rarely screams anymore. I can leave his sight and that’s fine with him. He knows the routine and on weekdays before work, he has his time out of his cage and then when I am locking up, I put out my finger and he steps up without me asking and then I put my hand towards his cage and he willingly climbs in on his own. He knows that his the only time he is locked up and when I am home, he can do as he pleases.

He used to attack my pig relentlessly if I was not watching but now he simply avoids her. He is not always attached to me, in fact, he spends more time doing his own thing than being attached to me. He seems like he doesn’t need me as much, he is secure I guess in his home and when he wants me, he comes to me. He is not as needy as he used to be and I will say that one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life is saying yes to keeping Ducky and purchasing that wonderful potbelly pig.

Tulip is in her bed covered up in her blankets and Ducky is perched on top of his cage having some dinner.

I’ve been blessed with two wonderful little critters. I just wish that I could have Tulip for many more years. Lord willing, Ducky will be with me for many, many, many more years for he is only 20 years old.

As I write, Ducky has finished his dinner and is climbing up the china cabinet to perch on top.

All is well here.

[KDK241]

I love Ducky. He is the cutest little bird! And once again, I'm so glad that you found each other and that you had a big enough heart to keep him. When I first got Zeke, he was very territorial and bit hard enough to draw blood everytime I would put my hand in his cage. Now I don't know what I would do without him. He is the best. My favorite thing is when he knows I am upset about something, he will start whistling Old MacDonald cuz he knows I will laugh. He just looks so cute doing it I can't help it. I used to have parakeets years ago and thought that birds were just things to look at...little did I know. It sounds like you were lucky to find 2 pets to share your life with, and they were even luckier to find you.

[birdlady49]

Those are wonderful stories. Thank you for sharing. Potbellies are very misunderstood critters. I remember when they were "all the rage" ... until they grew up that is. I'm grateful to you that you kept Tulip through thick and thin. She's enjoyed a life that few of her species can share.

Memorializing Ducky is a little premature, because she may outlive you! Nonetheless I love reading stories about her and I hope you'll continue to share.

[Kevin]

This thread has been moved to the correct area...

[Tishrei]

This thread has been moved to the correct area...

But they're not dead.

[Tishrei]

Memorializing Ducky is a little premature, because she may outlive you! Nonetheless I love reading stories about her and I hope you'll continue to share.

Actually, come to think of it, I chose a bad title. I didn't mean "memoralize" in the sense that they were on death's bed and I was making a memorial of their lives. However, after reading some really sad stories, I just felt like talking about my critters and what they've mean to me and how wonderful they are. I guess I meant it more like "memoralizing" your child's grade school years before he/she starts high school or something like that.

Yep, Ducky is still a young guy and should be around for many more years, Lord willing.