Tucker was one of the 159 pigs surrendered to OMI when we moved to Tennessee and took over the herd in 2021. When animals of any species come into rescue, the common denominator is compassion. Someone shows them enough compassion to place value on their life. Tucker was intended to be a “show pig,” which promotes perfection in breeding for the intention of selling an animal into the slavery of the food chain. Young people pour their hearts into caring for young animals to show them with pride in the community, and they then have to sell the animal to be slaughtered as a final act of betrayal of the relationship they have formed. Tucker was destined to go down that road, but he was born with a form of dwarfism. He’s a far smaller version of a Gloucestershire Old Spots pig than is considered acceptable for the breed, which means he was deemed unworthy of being taken to the “show.” It saved his life.
Tucker was an adorable baby with his little spots, and the people sought out a sanctuary home for him. They showed him compassion for being differently abled and vulnerable. Instead of exploiting his life, they reached out and asked for help in saving it. He’s a big boy at over 500 pounds, but he still has a very adorable face and distinct polka dots. He’s a friendly boy who lives on Solsbury Hill with a huge family of pig friends, including Pheebee, Dandelion, Clover, Violet and Periwinkle. He’s notoriously LOUD at meal times, often sounding the alarm for the rest of his herd that the MeepMeep is coming with breakfast.
