But first, here is the picture Lori sent me of Wai. I have not seen him myself so this is all I know. He is staying in a crate pen in her basement so it is hard for her to get a good shot. This poor pig is so terribly fat I am very much looking forward to getting this pig outside so he can add exercise to his recovery regime. 
Here is the story of Wai in Lori’s words. (She calls him Johnny because he had no name – Jonny No Name).
No other pigs’ story has pulled at my heart more than that of Johnny, a two year old potbelly found left to die.
A couple on vacation happened to come across Johnny in Kentucky. With much coaxing, the owner agreed to relinquish him to their care. He was then taken to Purdue large animal hospital.
His platelet count was low and every move of this large boy that took place bruised him. His skin, opened with sores and places that had sores were now covered with what felt like armor holding the infection inside. Grossly overfed, Johnny had become fat blind, and the eyelashes have actually curled inside the eye itself. He is 170 pounds. His legs weak from trying to hold up the extra 80lbs that he is carrying, (note from C: think of 80 extra pounds of butter strapped around your middle) he stopped attempting to walk at all. Johnny was thought to have a blockage in his bladder or rectum but after a scope, nothing was found but infection. It took two weeks of a catheter before the infection was under control enough for him to urinate on his own. His organs had all taken a toll and though neglect was evident, why would his body be in this bad of shape? Prognosis was that his diet ( he was left with bags of chicken or goat feed) also had rat poison in it. Amazing how someone would leave their animal to die and still when help arrived, they did not want to let him go. They would prefer he just die.
I guess downsizing animals meant whatever wasn’t sold at auction meant that it would be left for death.
Johnny while at Purdue should have responded better, however he had given up and went into depression as pigs often will.
For now, he heals indoors and is still depressed. His spirits are lifted when he can be visited by a friend who brings her duck by. Even just farm sounds playing in the background gives him a little more pep.
He remains loving though he’s been treated horrid and will come over to people when he hears them. He even will give a snout kiss.
As the infection and poison works it’s way out his pores, Johnny’s skin peels showing good growth for the new coming in.
Jonny No Name, who now has the name Wai, is coming here tomorrow. If the vet gives him the all clear. One of his eyes has begun to open – there is just a triangle of space for him to maybe see a little. We have some work ahead of us with this boy. If there are any other vet interventions needed the Foundation that funds Lori’s rescue house will pay for them.
Yesterday Aunty Anna was dropping strands of mucous after she stood up. 
This is a very strong indication of pregnancy, plus I really do think her udder is beginning to plump up. If she is bred her first date would be the 19th of this month – but I am fairly sure that will not be the case. Maybe in three weeks from then. You will remember that Aunty Anna is a Hereford/Shorthorn cross so if she is pregnant and all goes well she will feed her own calf. I will not be milking her. She is too wild.
This is a very strong indication of pregnancy, plus I really do think her udder is beginning to plump up. If she is bred her first date would be the 19th of this month – but I am fairly sure that will not be the case. Maybe in three weeks from then. You will remember that Aunty Anna is a Hereford/Shorthorn cross so if she is pregnant and all goes well she will feed her own calf. I will not be milking her. She is too wild.Alex, the Dexter, is still hanging about glaring at everybody. 
Who knows when her date will be. I am not sure about the 23rd now, unless things happen very fast like they did with Lady.
I am picking the new raspberries. They are an old variety that starts off red and goes almost black when they are ripe.
Someone on instagram was telling me the old name of this variety when my phone spat the dummy. The screen froze. Now the phone is sulking in a bag of rice waiting to go to the phone shop but I really do not have time for a few days so it will have to wait. 
Thunder and lightning again last night. They even had a severe thunderstorm warning. This seems silly to me – a storm is obviously going to have severe components or it would not be called a STORM. Is there such a thing as a mild thunderstorm. Boo is spending a lot of time in his anti- thunder wardrobe hiding his head amongst the hems of my coats. He takes heed of all the warnings.
Tomorrow our new girl Rosie arrives. Just in the nick of time.
I hope you have a lovely day.
love celi
Weather Forecast: Good. .
Sunday 06/18 20% / 0 inCloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
Sunday Night 06/18 10% / 0 inMostly clear skies. Low around 60F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph
The Kitchen's Garden 
53 responses to “Aunty Anna”
Poor Wai – so glad there is a ray of hope in his future now.
Maybe that is all he needs – the ray of sunshine and hope.. c
A sad tale with a ray of hope for recovery. It will be his lucky day when he lands at the Farmy. Best of luck. The berries look yummy! Enjoy your new helper and your new pig.
What a horrid person, how could someone knowingly be so cruel to an animal. You would think that if he couldn’t be sold at auction, they would want to keep him for themselves as food? It is really despicable. I is lovely that you are going to take him in, he will love your farmy and family. Hope he is well enough to visit with us when we see you in July.
Do they eat Potbelly pigs?
Just do not understand cruelty to animals. That poor pig. I know that you will give hime the best care Cecila:)
He may need to be kept out of sun while his burnt skin is healing, hoping Tane will accept him. Vege garden looking good. Laura
Oh, the poor miserable boy…If he is meant to heal and get well, it will definitely be on the Farmy…yes, as someone mentioned..maybe not direct sunlight just yet but I believe that just the fresh air will help heal his wounds and hopefully his spirit! Along with the good diet he will have…tons of friends and definitely the singing…I’m sure he will be lovely in no time…Bless you C!
Chiming in on black raspberries– ours are Black Hawk, summer bearing. Usually picking begins last few days in June through the middle of July, if we beat the birds, that is! Looking at your photo, worried you may be sacrificing taste by not waiting till fully ripe. Hard to pick in bright sunshine because dark red looks black. Do you use the release test? Fully ripe berries will almost fall off into your hand. Any resistance means leave till next picking. They are my favorite of all the berries 🙂 Sending lots of good thoughts for you and Wai tomorrow, and for everyone at the Farmy, of course!
‘smile’ As if you did not have enough to do! Hope Rosie picks up what is needed quickly . . . methinks you do need that extra pair of hands . . . And, I had never seen black raspberries – another lesson from Miss C !
my phone spat the dummy.
I had to look it up! I enjoy learning phrases. thanks for this one.
It’s taken me all day to get here again today. I’m keeping good thoughts and fingers crossed that everything works out well. Too tired to think tonight again. I’ll check in with you in the morning.
Ah geez. I don’t understand people. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for him.
I couldn’t think of anywhere better for that pig to be ..
Kind of hard to “like” this post after I read about Wai. I “liked” to acknowledge I read it but it is such a sad story for sure…