Rocky the pig

On Life and Love after 50 eNewsletter

Tom Blake columnist

August 5, 2022

Rocky The Pet Pig

I don’t make this stuff up.

Champ Carl, Palm Desert, California, emailed: “What a great story last week about 84-year-old Jay and his pet cow. “You and your Champs are right about Jay, he probably has a great heart, and anyone who loves animals understands how intelligent and insightful animals are.

“People would be shocked to learn some of the latest studies about animals. Particularly cows! “I’m not an outspoken animal activist, but I recently stumbled upon some scientific data about certain animal intelligence. Cows especially.

“The reason I learned about this: After my divorce, my ex-wife took two of my greatest loves away from me. Not only did she get custody of my two young kids (for a while), but the two dogs that I considered my other two kids!”

Comment from Tom: Carl is right about the hurt of having animals you love taken away from you. When my former wife informed me that she had moved out of our home, while I was visiting my 83-year-old mom 500 miles away, one of my biggest concerns was what had happened to my two dogs.

Were they gone? Were they fed? Did they have water? Nine hours later, when I pulled into the garage, I heard them bark. I said to myself, “They are here at home, and safe. Nothing else matters.” They were sure happy to see me.

Carl continued: “Thank God, my ex left me with a young pig we had given our boys as a gift, and this animal was so full of love, affection, and appreciation for his dad (me) that I couldn’t believe it.

“I had BRILLIANT dogs. But, my domestic pig, Rocky, was so amazing; he became my awesome friend. He was housebroken within three days, and when he was hungry, he would bring me his dish and sit up, asking for dinner. I never taught him that.

“He slept next to me and when the alarm would go off in the morning, he would kiss my face to make sure I awakened. “He brought me my skippers, and my paper, and laid by my side. His intelligence level was so superior to my dogs’ intelligence levels that it was hard to believe. However, I saw it and loved him for eight years. “When Rocky died a few months ago, I felt I had lost the rest of my world.

“Just a word to those that have no idea: Pigs are incredibly intelligent, and by eating pork, you’re doing the same as eating a dog, as they do in the Far East. “Please hear my story: I haven’t made up one bit of my experience with my buddy. I wish the world only knew.”