It was a gloriously hot day yesterday. The heat does not bother me as long as I have my heat stroke smoothies for lunch. But all the pigs were swimming in mud. I took the hose around and gave them lots of wetness to lay about in.
Sheila looks more and more like a rhinoceros as her old skin goes a bit saggy. She is such a good girl.
I completed two lots of fences yesterday.One to form an enclosure for the calves across the way in the West Wing Barn. Only two of the calves can come out yet. Difficult Bobbi and Pinhead. The other two are separated as they are both Suckers, and seem to want to suck umbilical cords. Not good. But they are in airy sunny pens on either side of the door. 
I am thinking that I might keep Difficult for a while – we will rename her Bobbi. John wants to call her Skelator she is SO thin. But today she was drinking strongly, and head butting the bottle and mooing like crazy when I was too slow getting to her. Her breathing is much better and her wet cough is all but gone. I think she is doing well. So is Little. I will put them together as soon as I know I can buy her off the man. But not yet, all these stages must go slowly so they do not lose condition.
In the afternoon I began the other fence, repairing a fence really in the pigs garden that was begun before the calves got sick. (So much went on hold). Once I finished I let Poppy and her brood out to play. No-one escaped – so far. Last night I went to lock the gate again, not wanting them to discover any holes when I was sleeping. But there was no-one in the barn. I quietly moved to the gate and peered (in my nightie and gumboots) into the overgrown pigs garden. Poppy, I whispered. Not wanting to cause a ruckus. Are you there?
There was a pause then a quivering in the tops of the very tall weeds and then a rustling and up came Poppy – she tiptoed out. I said to her, where are your babies? It is time for bed. She grunted. Very slowly all five piglets in various states of awakening popped sleepily up from their places, appearing out of the weeds like tired toy trains on the wind down. Obediently everyone moved up past my feet and into the barn so I could shut the gate. It was all quiet and gentle and sweet. Everyone had a big drink of water then flopped back down to sleep in the straw. 
What a great day we had the animals and I.
Boo is not up to par today though. I have a feeling about him. I found him sleeping on the floor of the verandah with Ton beside him. TonTon had one of Boos paws trapped between his own two front paws and he was cleaning Boos foot. I think Boos infection might be returning.
Off to the vets again on Monday I think.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farm
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
55 responses to “Pigs in Mud.”
Sending healing energies to Boo Boo! xo
For Boo’s paw – 1 bottle of witch hazel, 16 drops of genetian violet and 4 tablespoons of boric acid. (My CVS/Rite Aid carry it all). Mix, shake, apply 2-3x a day. I use it in my cocker’s ears and it works like a charm. Use it outside bcs the genetian violet turns everything it touches purple for a while. You can add a pinch of the boric acid right between his toes too to keep it dryer. Also, any of your homemade essential oils would work. I use a variety of oils on my dogs and they are all antibacterial. I only dilute the hot oils – peppermint and lavender I use straight.
Huh – well I have the lavender.. but this is a staphylococci infection – will it work for that ?- his glands are already swollen and his mouth is getting redness too – just like last time – I will still take him to the vet though so we can do a scrape and see what we are dealing with – c
Yes, lavender works on Staph. Here’s a one of many research reports on it: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19249919 I’d take him to the vet, too, but the lavender will help him feel better till tomorrow. And, it’s hard to over-do it with lavender. It really is a gentle healer.
I wish I had a book containing every single post on the KitchensGarden – each one is special. Happiness at the news of the calves. Concern for dear Boo. – please get better. Thank you Tonton for your loving care.
Love,
ViV xox
“…like tired toy trains on the wind down.” Great imagery.
Your sleepy piggies make me laugh!
Aw, Ton holding Boo’s paw. That is so very sweet.
Ask the vet about FortiFlora please. I give my guys Plexus ProBio because they get ear yeast. It is doing wonders for them. FortiFlora is a purina product and works almost as well.
Hugs to all
Proviable is another great probiotic for pups.
Sometimes it would be nice to be a pig. Especially on the Farmy.
Cute dogs. Best wishes for Boo.
Have a nice Sunday afternoon, Celi.
oh the dearness of rustle of leaves and then poppy’s ears; what a sweet passage; Boo should go to vet; dear Boo get better; thanks, as always C for your enchanting blog, prayers for all the animals!
Lovely story about the piggies. Poor Boo – do hope you get him sorted.
You did have a lovely day! Hope Bo will be ok! You almost need a resident vet! Take care.
Grrr! earlier today I tried to post a comment from my phone, alas the blog did not recognise me. Boohoo! I’ll try again…
Celi I was out there with you in my bare feet and jammies as you spoke sweetly to Poppy and the sleepy piglets, I could hear the grass under their little feet as they tip toed back into the barn not really wanting to wake up. The hush was sending me back to sleep! Poor Boo, the St Francis of the farmy, with that horrible strap. I hope Your and Tonton’s ministering healing helps while waiting to see the vet tomorrow.
Aw, bless Ton Ton for taking care of Boo. What a heart-warming sight. Momma Poppy is too precious, knocking out in the yard with her babies. They must exhaust her! I don’t know if dogs eat garlic but that’s a natural antibiotic.
I hope So glad to hear the calves are doing better! Sweet Poppy and piglets. I guess they know when Miss C is in her nightie, it’s bedtime for everyone. 😉 I hope Boo is on the mend soon!
Oops, hit send too soon. I meant to add “I hope Sheila didn’t read your comment regarding rhinoceros” today. That could hurt a girl’s feelings.
What a sweet description of Poppy and her piglets being called in. There is always something new to report.