A unique pig, animal 'pests' & 'aliens,' & Jersey

Brutus

I have to say that Sy Montgomery’s book about her family’s unique pet pig is “a good good book.”  Which seems only fair when the book title is A Good, Good Pig. 

In a spur-of-the-moment rescue, Montgomery and her husband, both writers, adopted a sickly runt piglet from friends, brought him home to their New Hampshire farm house in a shoe box and, utterly beguiled by him, named him “Christopher Hogwood” (in a nod to the famous early music conductor-musicologist whose work often accompanies their writing sessions).

The couple welcomed “Chris” taking over their lives and the consciousness of their little community as well.

Their baby pig steadily grew to about 750 pounds over his long life – one chief reason for the book title: he lived, and lived the good life, unlike most all pigs in the universe.  And he lived with such flair that most others around him happily petted, played with, fed, bathed and massaged him . . . and even brought him home after his frequent break-outs to explore. 

Christopher was widely known in his area, charming virtually everyone he met.  That included the gazillion friends, neighbors and relatives in his life – too many, in fact, for me to remember after Montgomery introduced them.  The pig was the thing.  

Just who’s the pest?

Burmese python

Consider a woman who’s fond of many animals that people regard as “pests”: pigeons, mice and rats, deer, snakes.  “Every location has a hated animal,” she says.  They include lizards, mice, Burmese pythons, cats, elephants – quite a variety, determined by location and human needs that can supersede any humane inclinations.

In reality, every “pest” species is trying to eat, reproduce and survive.  (Sound familiar?)

 The surprise in all this: to the “pests” of the (non-human) animal world, we humans are the ones seen as the “pests” – we, after all, are the ones who moved them out of their natural habitats and continue to make life hard for them.

All of which is why Bethany Brookshire has published Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains (Echo) – a book that’s no doubt painful, but accurate.   https://tinyurl.com/2p967wxf

‘Aliens’ = the not-us

(slime-emitting) Hagfish 

How often have we heard something new, different and not like us called “alien”?  Not practiced in accepting life forms different from our own, we may have said it ourselves.

“Blue blobs” recently found in the sea were described as “alien-like” and are likely to remain so till further study.  Even other humans, both ancient and contemporary, can be regarded – and treated -- that way. 

Illustrating anthropomorphism, we look at other organisms for “reflections of ourselves.”  Recognizing some similarities can make us more protective of those one-time aliens.  When we don’t see ourselves in new life forms, labels like “aliens” can arise.  

And meanwhile, we are probably seen as “aliens” by the very beings we see that way!  https://tinyurl.com/45fhva7v

Jersey boy @ home

Now part of our family for 5 months and a few days, Jersey has settled in and made his presence known, felt – and heard!  He’s still curious about any new thing he spies and must check it out (a door opened for the first time); same with unusual sounds (a new musical instrument) or sights (first seeing a pinwheel). 

He and Billy are best buds by now, apparently respecting each other’s differences -- like Jersey’s yowling, which is gradually lessening.  He may simply be increasingly comfortable, confident he’s loved and sure he’s here to stay.   

Food is his clearest vocal motivator: Jersey caterwauls before and after meals for reasons I can only guess.  Maybe he simply wants to assure he gets regular meals and after eating, announces he liked them.  

I foresee clicker-training in Jersey's future.  For both of us, that should be a real challenge.  

#