A love that was meant to...

If you've been following Verde Farm for a bit you know that our kunekune sow Pansy, as a piglet, came to live with us in January 2010: Let's Get A Pig. We adored her from day one and quickly knew she wouldn't be our last. As a matter of fact, we became so enamored with her we decided to breed this wonderful variety of swine. The search began for a boar to win the heart of our Pansy. By mid-summer, a down payment was made on a pending litter from USA Kunekunes, in California.  

Miss Pansy 

In early August, we received news the litter had arrived. We looked over many photos and exchanged several e-mails with Lori Enright, the breeder, and decided on a wonderful little brown and white boar we named Porter:Pansy's Betrothed. It was early October, when we got word that Porter was ready to make the journey east to W.Va, and boy, that was an experience in itself: When Pigs Fly. Nonetheless, we did get the little fella home safe and sound.

Mister Porter

The much anticipated meeting of the potential young lovers finally arrived. I gave Porter a bath and got him smelling all lavenderish and minty. The sun was shining as my husband went to get Miss Pansy from her little house.  Camera in hand, I stood waiting, anticipating a slow motion run with Pansy's ears flopping in the air and Porter's tail wagging slowly from side to side. In the background, I imagined a symphony playing the theme to 'Love Story.'  "Where do I begin?..." A soft kiss perhaps? Well...not exactly.


As Pansy rounded the corner, as she did so often, she expected to see her snack bowl by the door but instead was confronted by something entirely different. What was it?  It wasn't the cat. She knew the cats and loved the cats.  It wasn't a chicken, she met with the chickens daily for tea and it wasn't tea time.  "What? No? Why, is it a pig? A pig? Why on earth did they bring another pig here? I am the princess of Verde Farm. There'll be no need for a prince. I didn't ask for a prince. Quickly, she ignored him and beat a path toward the barn.   

Pansy heads for the hills

Porter, on the other hand, was immediately smitten. "Oh wow, another kunekune pig," he seemed to be thinking. "And she is a cutie too. So pretty with her shiny black hair and white and black wattles. Hi Pansy, I'm your new friend Porter", he said in his squeaky little voice. "I'm so glad to see you. Pansy. Pansy?" She was headed for the hills. Porter ran after her to declare his friendship. "We can start slow, Pansy. Let's be friends. I need a friend here." 

Porter calling "Pansy, Pansy?

We certainly didn't expect Pansy to literally run for the hills.


The husband tried to calm her. They sat for a few minutes in the woods as I took Porter to meet the other farm friends. Richie told Pansy not to worry and that she would always be our little girl. "We don't have to rush this," he told her. "This is on your terms, Pansy, not ours." Pansy sniffled a little as she was led down the hill to her special little house. As a modern woman, Pansy will decide when she's ready to be with Porter. In the meantime, Porter has a nice room, with plenty of straw and furry, feathered friends in the barn.  

Pansy eating at her beloved, little house

Well folks, the progress has been slow, but steady. The kids have been on a few play dates and had a nice lunch together this past weekend. They've even taken sun baths and naps together, although Pansy, unsure, slept with one eye opened. It's not the whirlwind romance we imagined. No love at first site, perhaps more indicative of an arranged marriage. It takes time. A friendship must come first. I believe marriages based in friendship usually last longer, anyway. I've talked with both Pansy and Porter separately over the past few weeks and they are happy with the way things are. Nature will take its course.  

Porter hoping Pansy will let him come in for a visit

No wedding bells yet, but I am still hoping for spring, 2011!

Love blooming?

Oink oink,