Before I even fed him yesterday Wai had decided he was moving house. For the last few days I had opened the gate between him and Tima and Tane the Kune Kune couple and the kune kune had come across chatting and complaining but Wai had decided he had no time for that kind of pig and was leaving the barn to find other more comfortable and secluded quarters. 
The work on his new house was far advanced by the time I realised what he was up to. 
My first clue was seeing him trudge across the field with a mouthful of long weeds: just like a sow building a nest I thought then realised he was preparing himself a nice big dry bed in the old hut. He had chosen an old tin hut that no one but roosters had used for years.
I brought him flakes of straw and he grabbed each one jamming them into the Nor’West corner where the wind was coming from. Once he ran out of the straw I had carried in, he made several trips back to the barn himself and actually began to steal the straw bed from below Tima herself. Squeaking the whole time. He has a very high pitched determined squeal when he is up to no good. 
TonTon tried to go in and see what was going on but the little pig shrieked at him in fury and Ton took off. 
Later in the afternoon after a full day of building he crept into his bed, wriggled under the straw and went to sleep. Did you notice how his bottom is a bit crooked – his tail no longer in the middle. A result of his injuries. 
I bought a full bale of straw from the barn and closed off one side of the hut so his straw did not drift back out into the field – keeping his mattress intact. I was not thanked – rather I was told to Bugger Off. He has never been a particularly friendly pig. Honest, he calls it. 
Tima did not come close to the new condo in the back of the corridor paddock. She speaks pig and knows better.
Perspectve is everything.
WaiWai does not like other pigs and is not fond of humans either. And he has made up his mind to move out. My next task is to insulate his house somehow. It has holes in it and is not even rainproof. I wonder if he will stay out here when the real winter cold hits. We will no doubt find out soon. 
Fair enough.
Sleep well little grouchy friend.
Love celi
Monday 10/16 10% / 0 in
Sunny skies. High 63F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night 10/16 0% / 0 in
Clear. Low 43F. Winds light and variable.
Sun
7:05 am 6:10 pm
Moon
Waning Crescent, 8% visible 3:38 am 4:56 pm
The Kitchen's Garden 
72 responses to “WAIWAI MOVES HOUSE”
If I was a pig this is the sort of pig I’d like to be. Being nice can be overdone. 🙂
Ohmygoodness! I laughed out loud for a long time when I read your comment, Quercus. Quite honest. Hahaha!
🙂
good one! Made me laugh! Thanks!
In that case I have not lived in vain. 🙂
He’s like a cantankerous old man, who will not be looked after and prefers his cold, drafty solitude. But as you say, it will be interesting to see how things change when it gets really cold and really wet…
The wet worries me as the corrugated iron is recycled and still has rows of old holes
Well, there’s blobs of silicone caulking to seal the holes, or there’s waiting till he realises Chateau Wai is leaky and he moves back somewhere dry…
How funny – obviously the neighbours made far too much noise!
Plus never making their beds and Wai is very particular about his bed
Unmade beds! What naughty Kunekunes!
Appalling!
🙂
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Oh, Wai has been through so much, I think he just wants to be left alone to do his own thing. I can’t blame him!
You are right- I can’t blame him
Either
I had my words all ready until I saw you had already stated exactly the same . . . Methinks he deserves the latitude he is getting . . . many families have that odd one out . . .
Well… In view of his history, are we surprised he doesn’t like humans? It’s good that he’s not positively aggressive towards people he doesn’t know. Shame he doesn’t like Sheila though – another independent spirit. How is she now?
I had to go down into her bedroom to get her up this morning – but as a rule she likes the cooler weather
Wai is such a funny pig!!…I bet if he could talk, he would tell you how grateful he is to be living on your lovely farm. Pardon my ignorance, as I am a new follower, but if Wai had a really bad experience before you saved him, maybe that is why he is the way he is?..we need more people like you to help save poor animals from distress and mistreatment. Have a lovely day x
I am sure that is why he is- we are not sure of the details of his abuse but he was brought here with horrific third degree burns. The pig shelter people had expected him to die but Wai knew otherwise.
Glad he found his own space but now that means more work for you to make sure it is safe for him in all kinds of weather. What a funny grumpy pig.
Yes! I am not sure exactly what I will do but he loves his new shack and I am not forcing him back to the barn with the others
What characters live at your farm! Wai Wai reminds me of my father – that when he got an idea in his head there was NO STOPPING him and he complained and muttered the whole time. That man could not read a book over a period of ‘days’ or ‘week’ – once he started a book – he read it from start to finish even taking it to the bathroom and coffee pot. So we made sure to buy him short stories and short books after a 2 day marathon one winter.
Our high today will be 74 with blustery winds….. Fall has arrived in Texas.
Your dad sounds like he was a character too!
That is a great story. What a pig! I mean, can I repeat that: What a pig! They are so clever, those animals.
There are no rules when it comes to Wai- he has a mind of his own.
Smart pig, very self-determined. I’d probably put a good tarp over the whole thing and maybe a blanket of bubble wrap under that for insulation and leave the poor guy alone. He’s been thru hell. His trust factor for the world is pretty well shot I would imagine.
Yes – a big tarp might be the thing- I can put actual insulation on top under a piece of particle board- there will be tons of airflow that is for sure
God bless Wai! I think I remember he came from Kentucky so it will be interesting to see him handle an IL winter. If there is enough snow maybe that will provide an igloo effect for him. Nice that he is comfortable enough to pick his own living quarters.
I thought that too. And that he knew Miss C. would go along with his wishes & let him make that decision. I think he’s come far in healing his wounded spirit.
I have thought of that too. He is a young pig though so he will be working on instinct. If the weather gets very very bad I will put him in a sling and carry him inside – but we will see.
Wai may well march into the sun room and tell the Kunes it is their turn for the ‘outhouse’. Maybe cover with a rubber mat to waterproof and a couple of skifs of straw to insulate, the white stuff should complete the roof insulation – just as long as he doesn’t get snowed in 🙂 Laura
He is more sure of himself now
I keep remembering when he could barely move. And I thought you were on the road to breaking your kind heart with all the work you put into him. Now he’s Mr. Construction Pig. It’s such a happy grouchy thing. 🙂 You have wrought a miracle.
A happy grouchy thing- perfect description!
How resourceful of Wai. Even grumpy people find their place and comfort zone.
I love grumpy people !