Stuff
Is a Mini-Pig For Me?
By Matt Whyman - May 19, 2011
When I started writing Oink: My Life With Mini-Pigs, Butch and Roxi could both fit inside the cat basket in which they'd arrived. Midway through, Roxi had grown almost knee-height to me. Once I'd finished the book, she'd added a couple more inches. After that, she began packing on the pounds. As for Butch, he's certainly a small pig, but won't be climbing back inside that cat basket again.
When people hear about my book, or look at the cover, often their first response is 'I want a minipig!'. That's pretty much how my wife saw things when she first came across such pictures. Sure enough, when Butch and Roxi moved in with us they were ridiculously small. It's just they didn't stay that way.
It's fair to say we have two much-loved, very-friendly but appallingly-researched pets. Their welfare is our top priority, unlike our garden which is effectively their turf now. We've had to sacrifice a great deal in caring for them responsibly, but it's been a fun journey for us as a family and we wouldn't be without them. So, for anyone who thinks a pig would make their lives complete my advice is to look beyond the pictures.
In fact, reading the book should tell you everything you need to know about what happens when two implausibly small pigs outgrow their teacups.
For regular blog updates on family life with Butch & Roxi, check out www.oinkminipigs.com
When people hear about my book, or look at the cover, often their first response is 'I want a minipig!'. That's pretty much how my wife saw things when she first came across such pictures. Sure enough, when Butch and Roxi moved in with us they were ridiculously small. It's just they didn't stay that way.
It's fair to say we have two much-loved, very-friendly but appallingly-researched pets. Their welfare is our top priority, unlike our garden which is effectively their turf now. We've had to sacrifice a great deal in caring for them responsibly, but it's been a fun journey for us as a family and we wouldn't be without them. So, for anyone who thinks a pig would make their lives complete my advice is to look beyond the pictures.
In fact, reading the book should tell you everything you need to know about what happens when two implausibly small pigs outgrow their teacups.
For regular blog updates on family life with Butch & Roxi, check out www.oinkminipigs.com
