I was not prepared for how piglets enter the world. I thought they would be flopsy, mopsy little things with soft bodies, closed eyes, and weak legs. I thought they would be like most other infants, dependent and helpless. It’s simply not true. When piglets are born they seem less like frail baby animals and more like tiny pigs. They are strangely dependent on their mother for milk yet somehow, they’re utterly precocious. They hit the ground trotting, marvelous, chunky things covered in velvet and clever spots. They drink their milk. They are endlessly hungry. They oink. They squeak. When I reach out to touch them they startle and leap off the ground, all four tiny pink hooves in the air. It’s hilarious. What is most surprising of all is that their tiny bodies are rock hard with muscles, thickly coiled and ready to spring. They are powerful animals from the moment they enter the world. It’s difficult to hold them because they thrash about with that miraculous strength, kicking and squealing and ramming with their heads like lilliputian gods of snouts and thunder. Snouts. Let me tell you about their snouts. Perfect, smooth, pink snouts. If there’s anything I would want to freeze in time it’s the snout of a piglet. I wish those snouts would never grow up, but they must because there is much rooting around to do. Sneezes. Let me tell you about their sneezes. They squeeze out by surprise like squeaky exclamations and I can’t help but laugh aloud each time I hear one of these cuties sneeze. They have some teeth. They nap in a pile. They are fearless. They enjoy sparring with one another and wrestling. They approach the chickens and the adult male pigs without hesitation, with great curiosity. They know they are the sons and daughters of Pumpernickle who is truly the Queen of our farmyard. Part of me wishes they were more sleepy and snuggly like puppies and kittens but it’s also a relief to be finished with mothering things for the season. I’ll keep documenting these porkers for you over the weeks to come. I can’t believe how quickly they are growing, they have almost doubled in size in the span of a week. Four piglets is a really nice number for our place — two boys and two girls. I am thoroughly enjoying their company. Pumpernickle is a wonderful mum. She is protective but comfortable with us handling her babies. She is always extremely careful when she lays down to nurse so she doesn’t squash any piglets. She is sensitive, attentive, and always keeps a watchful eye. She’s such a great pig. We’re grateful to have her and her kiddos are a joy to behold.