“Always remember,
A cat looks down on man,
A dog looks up to man,
But a pig will look man right in the eye,
And see his equal.”
Winston Churchill
Miss Belle, the potbellied pig, arrived at Misty Hollow Farm several years ago. Practically a newborn at the time, she was small, cuddly, and very cute, so her new human caretakers quickly allowed her access to their home, never realizing just how resourceful and clever she really was.
First, she studied the behavior of the many house felines. She would follow them around, play with them, take naps with them, and even use their litter boxes. Miss Belle was definitely a quick study; and for her fine efforts, she was soon rewarded with delicious fruit treats and jelly beans.
As little Miss Belle soon began growing in size, she now began studying the many dogs at Misty Hollow Farm. These dogs were allowed to wander in and out of the house in the enclosed backyard, to play and romp in this yard, and to very happily nap on cozy rugs in the den.
And since these dogs were house-trained, Miss Belle now began heeding the Call of Nature with them, outside. For her new efforts, she was soon rewarded with yummy pieces of cheese, and even more and more delectable jelly beans.
As the extremely happy Miss Belle began dozing off one night on a warm plush rug in the den, she must have decided that it was now time to study human behavior. And, she soon discovered that humans ate three scrumptious meals a day, each and every day. Since Miss Belle now weighed in at a whopping 75 pounds, her appetite and her desire for the better things in life were also growing by leaps and bounds.
Soon, she too, was now receiving three meals a day, just like these humans. For breakfast, she chowed down on cereal and fresh fruit; for lunch, granola bars and fruit juice; and for dinner, delicious salad greens and piggy kibble.
Life now for Miss Belle was indeed, extremely good, and it was getting better, each and every day. But she still had a little homework to do. So now, the crafty Miss Belle began studying her human caretakers in earnest, as they retreated to their cozy family room, each evening.
On a typical night at Misty Hollow Farm these days, these human residents can be found sprawled out on their favorite recliners, watching a movie, reading, dozing, or munching on delectable snacks. And now, beside them on the comfy sofa, often reclines a rather unique couch pigtato – none other than the now truly content, and truly rotund, Miss Belle.
She has already convinced her best friend and constant companion, Taylor the Cat, to join her on this extremely comfortable piece of furniture.
And these days, the extremely joyous Miss Belle can now be found pig-napping the evening away on that comfy sofa, with her best friend Taylor by her side, snoring quite loudly, and dreaming of breakfast!
©2009, Mr. Ed
One of the many true animal tales from my book,
Curious Creatures – Wondrous Waifs.
Miss Belle’s story has also been featured in:
Pets: part of the family Magazine,
And The Almanac for Farmers & City Folk.
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