The Swine Herd was sitting on a lawn chair, in the shade, just inside his stables. Like an old gunslinger outside a dusty tavern. He was an old man, tall, handsome and vigorous. He unfolded himself from his chair and strode across to open the door of the car as I came to a halt. He was slightly taken aback by the little silver German car, the Italian boots and the French scarf but recovered fast.
We shook hands and talked the small talk as we walked his little farm.
I’ve seen you before, he said as he showed me Sheila’s Uncle.
Oh, I don’t think so, I said. Though we have spoken on the phone often enough I was beginning to think that the pigs were imaginary. 
Oh no, he laughed, they’re real alright. He showed me white pigeons, and little goats and chickens with tails that stuck out at all angles. And some of the muddiest pigs I have ever seen.
Well that is going to bug me, he said, I just know I have seen you before. He shook his head, thinking. He took me into a big modern stock trailer and was shutting the door after us, when he literally smacked his forehead with his hand, and said. Have you ever been to the bantam swap meet.
Oh, I said looking at him. Well, yes I have.
Thats where I saw you, he said.
I knew I had seen you someplace, he exclaimed, very pleased with himself as the piglets scattered in horror, the forgotton door swung open and two of the piglets fell without sound out of the door and hit the ground running. Completely disappearing from view.
That is bad, he said as we scrambled for the opening. He is surprisingly agile for an old feller. He shut the other piglets firmly in. He wanted to swear I could see it in his face but he would not say bad words in front of a lady so He said, as we both ducked down and started looking under vehicles, Well, this is going to be fun. Then he said. Where did they go. Good question.
We stood still and listened then heard the grunt grunt of happy piggies.
So the Swine Herd and I herded the two tiny swine into the barn. I caught one who was literally hiding behind a tank, and if that wee piglet had been able to put her hands over her eyes she would have and she would have said, If I can’t see you, you can’t see me. Instead she put her ears over her eyes and crouched very still in plain view. I believe you are Sheila, I said after I had caught the grubby little runaway and popped her in the box in the car.
Mary’s Cat loves pigs. 
Wee Sheila the Babe settled right in, grubbing around in the straw in her new pen. 
But wait I have a surprise for you.
(laughter) A stowaway. Meet Charlotte. After we had caught them, The Swine Herd gave me such a good deal and reminded me that pigs do not like to be alone. And these two were so intent on coming with me that they had started out early… 
Who could resist these little faces. We will breed them both at Christmas. The Swine herd said I could put them to his boar. (horrible thought at this stage)And in case you think I am being irresponsible… these babies sell like hot cakes! Hereford piggies are the new wave! And before I forget, the gestation period is three months, three weeks and three days. He is a great teacher, the Swine Herd and I am sure we will see him again.
I know where you live, he had laughed, as he held the car door for me, shut it with a masculine snap and smacked the top of the car as though it was a horse! Off you go.
Good morning.
Well, all the baby milk is warming. Kupa is calling. The cats are minding Sheila and Charlotte for me and Minty is working on escaping through her newly fixed gate. Time Miss C got out there.
The light is lovely today, maybe I will do a Farmy walkabout this afternoon and we can take stock tomorrow!
Have a lovely day
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
83 responses to “Introducing Sheila who has spotty ears and .. um, Charlotte.. OOPS”
The piglets are an adorable addition to your farmy! Congrats!
What gorgeous girls……..so worth waiting for!
That’s just so…so YOU, C! Coming home with two piggies, instead of one…I’m sure John just shook his head when he found out. 🙂
They’re beautiful girls.
Have a happy, Farmy day!
I said to him as he came to meet the car, John I may have made a wee mistake, and stood back, he looked in the cage in the car, there are TWO he said. Hmm I said and shook my head like how could that have happened. He sighed and then said, you want a hand lifting them out? c
They are soooo cute!
It would have taken a stronger person than me ( and obviously you) to have kept those two apart!
Loving it!
Well, congratulations! This is great news for you and the farmy. Sheila and Charlotte will be sure to have long, happy lives under your care. Just one thing, though. Why am I not surprised that you bought the two of them?
Have a great day, Celi!
I know.. what can you do, she needed a friend! c
Are you raising the piggie wiggies to ummmmmm errrrrrrrrr make them into pork? Trying to imagine here what other new animal may arrive on the farm. Morning, Miss c
Oh mercy no.. these girls have names and Pet Status.. they will be the Mamas to the next generation.. so you can love them.. we all need a couple we can love! c
Just trying to guess what species will show up on the farm next 🙂
Good morning, you have been busy. I turn round for five minutes and blow me you have TWO pretty little girl pigs. I bet that puts the boys’ noses out of joint! Have a lovely day.
i’m not surprised that you came home with two piglets. i am surprised that you didn’t come home with six piglets!
Actually he did offer me a deal for all five!! But I declined! c
we’re proud of you 🙂
Oh Celi… You really are incorrigible! What a pair of cuties 🙂
I love that word.. incorrigible! c
Sheila the Babe, you say, has spotty ears. To me it looks like both Sheila and Charlotte have spotty ears. I wonder if the Swineherd remembers the therapy pig conversation yet.
I think he has blanked it out!! Laughter.. Sheila also has two brown spots around one eye.. and Charlotte looks a wee bit grumpy all the time.. so far! c
Oh what lovely piggies! I’m so glad that you got two, they are very gregarious creatures. oh how I wish you were just down the road and I could give their wee bellies a rub! (And ears a sctratch of course!) Congratulations – let the entertainment begin!
Christine
They have never been handled before so there is a little work ahead! c
Ahhh so cute – thanks for sharing the piglets! Happy Saturday!
Smart man that, giving you the pair of troublemakers, while keeping the (sheepish) obedient wee ones for himself. Should we be surprised you came home with extras? We remember the peahens, and so, we are not.
Good morning, Ms. C.
Morning bill, you have a good memory, i was waiting for someone to bring that up! (laughter) c