Swine, Sans Flu

The kids raised pigs for the county fair for a few years. Last year they did not because they used their pig money profits to buy dogs and had no money to buy pigs with. It was their choice; we're just helping them to learn about real life and that a dollar only stretches so far.

Their respective dogs have not had puppies yet to replenish their savings accounts, so the pigs were not going to happen this year, either. They were okay with that right up until Becky became BFFs with one of the vet's daughter. The vet's daughters show pigs on a grander scale than we will ever aspire to. Did you know there was a science to raising pigs? Me neither.

Becky asked if she could show a pig this year because it would be so cool to show one with Vet's Daughter. I reminded her of the status of her savings account, and she very maturely said, "oh, I forgot." And that was the end of that.

Right up until I relayed the story to Sam, who said "you can't tell the kids No." To which I replied, "um, yes I can. I already did, in fact." Which prompted him to say, "we'll buy the pigs for them and they can pay us back from their profits after the fair." What was I going to say?

I talked to the vet the next time I was at the office (thank goodness I had puppies and we were making weekly visits - sometimes daily visits - and could discuss these things) and he graciously volunteered to pick up some show piggies for us when he got for his daughters. I kinda cringed about this because how do you delicately tell your vet that while his kids are in it to win, mine are on a budget? In the end, I did just that. I also refrained from saying that if I didn't have such a high vet bill I could probably afford a better quality porker. He reassured me that there would be pigs in all price ranges and if I gave him a range he wouldn't deviate from it. Thank goodness for those who understand what a budget is.

I used puppy money to buy the pigs with. (So much for paying off bills.) And now I had a new dilemma. Does one put a large wad of money in an envelope and write on the outside what, exactly, it is for when one gives a large wad of money to an adult? I don't want the vet to think that I think that he's one of my kids. And yet I want to give him a reminder that I did pay up front for my pigs. He's picking up a number of piglets for a number of 4-Hers across the county and I just don't want confusion as to who paid and who owes. Why does something so simple have to be so complicated?

Turns out that it was a moot point because when I stopped at the vet's office to drop off the envelope containing a wad of cash, he'd already left for pig retrieval. And now I'm the one who expects him to foot the bill up front, which is way worse than thinking that he's irresponsible with money. I think.

So over the weekend, our pigs arrived. They are cute little buggers, aren't they? And no. They do not have the flu.



Micah is thrilled. He loves pigs. A lot. A WHOLE lot. He spent the evening signing PIG and repeating GIG, GIG, GIG a hundred and eighteen thousand times but my head didn't explode because anytime the boy talks with real words I'm happy. Who knew that pigs were good for speech therapy?

20 comments:

Suburban Correspondent said...

They're cute. And they don't look virulent at all.

Karen said...

That is awesome. "GIG, GIG, GIG" They are really cute.

Side note....I would love to hear how you know that it is not just estrogen and questions that don't mix. I smell a story...:)

SunflowerStories said...

cute pigs! what a life full of rich experiences your kids are having! we live in the town where the st fair is held, so i have seen lots of prize winning pigs.

Shellie said...

Ohhh! How cute! And I think they were worth the price to hear Micah say GIG! a gazillion times, weren't they?

the planet of janet said...

the pig gig is a good thing.

they're so cute ... until they grow up. then, not so much.

imbeingheldhostage said...

well they're awful good blog reading, so why not speech therapy?

I had no idea you were the type of woman who carried large wads of cash in envelopes... do you need me to drive you around places? (In my car where lost envelopes might go unnoticed for months?)

Good Luck RP kids!!

Karen said...

Karen - You lost me somewhere. What?

justmylife said...

They are cute...We had pigs growing up but not for show purposes. I did however refuse to eat the meat from the first two, I got really attached before I realized they were meant to be dinner at some point. heh!

Karen said...

HMMMM which one will get the blue ribbon? Is that what they get at a pig show? I am a city dweller, not sure on how that works.

they are awefully cute!

Burgh Baby said...

You? ARE NUTS!

Karen said...

Karen - the winner gets a blue ribbon, goes on to another class for another blue, and somewhere around 1 AM a grand champion is named. Trophies and bragging rights are freely given. And the much coveted top bid at the sale.

Trisha said...

Such cute little porkers! Does Micah's voice have Pig on it? That would really add to the fun at your house!

The Sports Mama said...

So it might be just me, or maybe I'm the only one who wants to tell you this, but no, they're not really that cute. Kinda like a new baby, I think. Adorable as all get out to the mama, but not so much to people not so piglet-inclined. Of course, like I said... could be just me.

Although I'm still sitting here giggling.... my mind is going 'round and 'round over the age-old dilemma of "robbing Peter to pay Paul", and as I read this, it went to "selling puppies to pay for pigs". I'm pretty sure that some of my creditors might take offense to being mentally connected to pigs. No matter how true it may end up being. :)

caramama said...

I absolutely love pigs! Not quite as much as puppies, but pretty darn close. And I'm totally jealous that you have puppies and pigs (although not jealous of the work involved). Those pigs? Super adorable!

KG said...

So cute that I just want to lick one.

*ah-choooo!*

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

They are too cute. Do they become bacon or chops?

Krista said...

I think that sounds like investing. Good teaching opportunity as as long as they don't file Chapter 7 or expect a bail snout, I mean bail out.

Karen said...

Krista - it is an incredible teaching opportunity. I love 4-H for that very reason.

JennyH said...

cute but ugly!
look forward to watching them grow in pictures!

Michelle said...

Oh I love pigs, too! Especially when they're little and want to suck on your fingers :) And are cute and cuddly. Granted, they aren't like that for long, but I still like 'em.

So pig became four pigs? Gotta love Sam fronting the money. Or having you front the money.