Big Boy was a massive Hampshire pig who easily weighed 850 pounds. He spent the last few years as part of Charity’s entourage in the Feral Neighborhood. He was king of the swamp and the smiliest pig you’ve ever met. He was fed his med sammies on a shishkabob skewer when we couldn’t reach him in the wallow. He had his hooves and teeth trimmed regularly. He had his bedding fluffed and replaced.
Towards the end, we had to start lifting him out of bed because his arthritis was so severe. He’d gingerly make his way to the swamp, but it became harder with each passing day. He had meals delivered straight to his door when he could no longer walk to the bus stop. His body was giving out on him fast.
Huge pigs like Big Boy are almost always 100% aware that their time is up. You can sense it. On his last morning, we physically helped him up out of bed, and he leaned his huge backside on our legs in resignation. He knew. Unfortunately, arthritis wins every time.
Big Boy is missed by us all, but we also feel a sense of relief for him. He’s no longer in pain, and he lived a BEAUTIFUL life of safety and peace with us. You were loved, giant sir.
