Doris and Dennis : Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pigs
Did we mention the pigs?
We have two black vietnamese pot bellied pigs that moved in with us on 7th July 2004, they were my birthday present! Doris and Dennis have become the talking point of the village that we live in, as their pen goes to the bottom of the garden, consequently anyone walking along the river gets to meet the “infamous pair”.
The locals always have bits and pieces for them to munch on, and often they are treated to cakes, bread and vegetables. Although it is fairly well regulated by myself, as I don’t want either of them to get overweight, as it is so bad for their health.
Doris is the tamer of the two and certainly the boss, she nags Dennis, bless him, to death. He gets to do all the housework, make sure that she gets the food first, and is often bossed into taking exercise by her.
Doris, since she had a litter of babies, thinks that she is some kind of athlete, and I am now going to consider putting her in the high jump for the next Olympics. Houdini has nothing on her! She is forever getting over the fence of their pen, and then running riot around the garden. The trouble is that even when she has been naughty, and she knows it, she is still unbearably cute, so I can’t be cross with her for too long!
Both of them have distinct characters, Doris being mischievous and naughty, definitely a glint in her eye, yet Dennis is far more laid back and you will find him, during the summer, just hanging out in the sun.
You would be surprised at how clean they are, and they quickly set aside parts of their pen for feeding, grazing and digging for example. They certainly are not smelly animals, as many people believe. In the summer they do like cooling off with a mud bath, which they absolutely relish, although you had better be quick to get out of the way otherwise you will get a mud bath too, the way they belly flop into it!
The pigs get on well with the other animals, apart from when the dogs try to eat their food, at which point Doris will often head butt one of the dogs and chase them round the garden. Doris loves to be scratched, so much so that she often leans into you, and you end up on the floor.
They get on great with anyone, especially if you have food. The favourite treat being “Pain au Lait”. Doris will feed from your hand, although Dennis is a bit more cautious, but is getting there. They are great with kids, and kids seem to like them too.
Pigs are very sociable animals and very intelligent, so they quickly learn who is good for food, and who isn’t. With a pig, the way to its heart is definitely through the belly!!
