When we took over this herd of pigs in 2021, Spanky was part of a group who were terribly difficult to identify. They lived in the back corner of the barn like little hobbits. They were filthy and grouchy and mostly all black. No markings. Spanky was one of those characters.
Spanky became a Sanctuary Babe in very subtle ways. His bed was cleaned each day. His wishes were respected. His family was all together. His meals were warm. His water was clean. His door was closed each night to make sure he didn’t catch a chill. He had pain meds every day. He was excused from the human compulsion to rub someone’s belly.
Spanky’s arthritis was absolutely awful. When his friend Button passed, it made it more evident how much he was struggling with his quality of life…and pain is not always fixable.
Spanky made the trip to the University of Tennessee with his good friend Rhonda. They had been snuggle buddies in the little herd we called the Curmudgeons. Rhonda had her own issues that needed to be addressed, and we sent Rhonda along with him so that they could be evaluated together. These friends made the final journey hoof in hoof…snout to snout. It was the very best we could do for both of them.
