Hanai was bred to be an FFA pig. Her tail was docked. Her ears were notched. She was meant to be killed and eaten. BLIND LUCK put her in the hands of people who wanted to spare her life…and after the fair, they took her home as a pet. City regulations in SoCal do not allow enormous pigs as backyard suburban pets. That’s where we came in. When we moved to Tennessee, the “Washington Bigs” found a private little holler all for themselves, and Hanai was the bouncer in the holler. You’d never guess she was the BOSS of the herd, but she was the strongest female, and so it actually made sense. She guarded her little herd and took no prisoners. She was built like a ‘76 Lincoln Continental, which is exactly the herd alpha every pig wants.
Hānai in Hawaiian culture refers to the adoption of someone into your family. You’re a “hānai sister” to someone who is your best friend. You’re a “hānai daughter” to someone who is like your mother.
Hanai had never met Hillbilly Wilbur. They lived on the same huge property under the protection of the same organization…they had the very same caregivers…received the very same food…got the very same bedding. But Hanai lived on the north side in the Washington/Minnesota neighborhood and Wilbur lived down south with the Old Guys. In an unusual set of medical circumstances, he became her hānai brother.
Wilbur needed blood…and Hanai donated blood in an attempt to save his life. In trying to save one, we tragically lost them both. Their deaths were not related…each had their own set of issues after anesthesia.
Hanai’s story is now linked to Hillbilly Wilbur, a pig she had never met. This was an indescribable loss, but we will press on, trying to improve outcomes and standards of care for farmed animals and practicing kindness and compassion for every living being. Hanai will be greatly missed by her pig family, including Grace, Jolene, Sid, and her human family.
