Firstly, thank you so much for your incredible outpouring of support yesterday. It means so much to me to hear such care from so many of you.
For the moment I will stay public and if I do take the blog private I will come back to yesterday’s comments and send a note to each one of you. Thank you all. 
And now to the normal chat of the day!
Jude the little rescue piglet is being a bit naughty- I have to be careful that his behavior now will be appropriate for a two hundred pound pig when he is grown so jumping on people and biting at dangling hands, etc has to stop. I think that most of the problem is lack of parental piggie company.
So I have created a little door that allows him to visit Tima and Tane and Wai but still return to his warm light whenever he chooses. I spent a good part of yesterday blocking holes from the field to the outside world to ensure he is safe while still allowing the ducks to come and go. It is taking a bit of sorting out. We don’t want Tima getting out either. But the more time Jude spends with the other pigs, who will discipline him, the better.
He is spoilt!
I go away to California for a Christmas in a week so I need to have it sorted by then. 
Tane’s back problem was very bad yesterday and I was in tears with the realization that he might not last the winter. He is so crippled. Not eating properly and he seemed unable to swallow. Then in the afternoon he chased me around the field, running on all four hooves like a trotter and ate a huge dinner. So, I don’t know.
I have got another batch of his pain medicine from the vet and we have nice mild temperatures ahead as far as I can see so that will help. His back problem comes and goes. Poor chap.
The three Grouchy pigs have a bed full of rags that they burrow under and Wai came out with this on his back yesterday. 
He is so overweight but only ever eats a small ration – my theory is that his burns went so deep that they have compromised his system. Some areas of his body have no fat at all but his jowls ( that were not as badly burned) seem to collect all the fatty deposits.
However he is happy and quick on his feet and such a friendly fellow with visitors and looks almost festive in his little girls dress up coat. 
Manu continues to improve which is good but time will tell if his penis is permanently damaged.
When I let the dogs out earlier it was still raining so this mornings chores will be pretty messy.
I hope you have a good day and once again – thank you for yesterday.
Celi
C
The Kitchen's Garden 
45 responses to “CHECKS AND BALANCES”
I start my mornings with coffee and you! Hope you stay here. I love little Jude
I’m sorry I didn’t get back yesterday to lend my support also. I had planned to say that you are so kind and thoughtful in your treatment of your animals. I think about this often. I like your clear headed descriptions of your thinking and decision making process. And your humane treatment of your animals is very inspiring. I find it so tragic that those who choose hatred and anger are coming after you. I am sorry you have to read their comments and I’m glad you delete them.
I hope Jude responds well to some piggy manners training from his elders. I feel so grateful that Wai has such a caring and insightful owner. That red coat is wonderful!im hoping for Manu!
That has to be the most stylish pig ever! I send your blog on to our 90 year old mom every so often and this one is heading to her today. She doesn’t subscribe as she doesn’t want to be over run by emails! So instead I send her ones she will certainly enjoy. I love getting up in the morning to have breakfast with you Celi! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day to share your life and photos with all of us. Merry Christmas to you from Alberta.
Hi celi, just wanted to say I love your blog, and all of your animals are so photogenic…glad to hear you are staying and not letting them bullying trolls affect you and your farm!..happy holidays x
It seems like old animals have radical ups and downs. One moment you are sure this is the end and the next moment they are acting like a playful kid. But those playful moments – are such an extra joy to me. I hope Tane has lots more playful moments in him. And that the down moments aren’t too impossible to bear. He’s such a trooper.
I’m happy to see Jude searching out his tribe and being schooled by them. Good plans you have. Your mind must always be working overtime. I come here as soon as I open my computer, even if it’s late in the day. You are the first blog I read and it always feeds my soul. My friend, Sabine and I met for a walk and coffee yesterday, (she was at the conference with me) and we discussed what is happening to you. She is a vegetarian (I am not) and she agrees that no one should say awful things to you. We each get to choose how we are in the world. They are choosing pure meanness. I so enjoy visiting you each day. Giant hugs from Portland.
I can’t imagine Tima putting up with any nonsense from Jude. Poor Tane! I’m glad to hear he was feeling better yesterday.
Oh, lovely Wai in his Santa-style bat cape. He’s the most unlikely superhero, but what a gift of a photo!
I’m so glad your mental tone sounds more cheerful today; I think it’s good for us all to tell you how we feel about you, the Farmy and the work you do here from time to time. Love your work, Miss C, and the loony brigade can just go choke on their vegan sausages and narrow self-righteousness.
LMAO Kate!: )
🙂
Orphans have to be taught manners, otherwise they can become pests later on, even dangerous. We always try to foster orphan foals for that reason. But I’m sure you’ll sort Jude out. Always lots to do before Christmas!
I’m glad that you’re feeling a bit better about the blog and not letting the ‘haters’ win.
The daily update is good for my soul … whenever I miss my parents, I can picture my dad having a little farm like this (but with a couple of horses and the strength to take care of them) in heaven. Growing veggies and fruits, making a crock of home made rakija with the overripe and fallen fruit and then bringing out a bottle to share with visitors. My mom’s job was taking care of the chickens though my dad would collect the eggs in the morning. Usually he’d spent too long petting and talking to the chickens so my mom would have to give him a shout to come in for breakfast. And she was the one who ‘prepared’ the chickens for roasting etc.
I appreciate your blog and appreciate how you take care of your animals and your land. Having worked on many small hog farms and cattle ranches back in the day I have to say that your farm excels in the care and treatment of your farm animals!! I work at a job where everyone is complaining about everything and your blog gives me a great sense of grounding every day!!
I have been one of your tag along readers for several years….I look forward to your posts…thank you for your wonderful contributions…. Janis
I intended to comment yesterday and didn’t get to. Remember the people who talk about animal abuse etc. have most likely never had a pet and if they do they tend to be badly behaved and also they do not know anything about farming. They think it is all sweetness and light and not the hard work that it is and of the tough decisions that have to be made. Don’t let them get to you. You do a good job.
Sweet Tane. It is so hard to watch our animals suffer. I’m glad he rebounded. We have an old grumpy cat who takes a turn for the worse and rebounds again. He now has kitty stairs so he can get on and off the bed more easily. Wai is looking very festive! He needs a hat, preferably in the same animal print..ha
I needed to sit on my comments yesterday, as the ability for people to spout off their ugliness and disrespect on the internet (social media) has me disgruntled on a daily basis. I really can not fathom why there is a need for people to be mean. What happened to common curtesy and live and let live ? What happened to mind your own business ? Ok , you get how I feel. I will not go on and on…. I find your choice to live on a sustainable farm an inspiration. I admire your courage and perseverance. I say cheers to you, please stay…..