A Pig For A Pet
This is a story about a young boy named Jack that always wanted a pet of his own. He is 10 years old and he has never had a pet. His mother got him a dog, but the dog made Jack sick. They had to give the dog away because Jack had a real bad allergy to dog hair. Jack’s mother tried to find an animal that Jack could play with, but every one that she brought home she had to bring back because Jack could never get close to the animal without sneezing. The only animal that Jack could be by without getting sick was a goldfish, but Jack didn’t want a goldfish for his pet. He told his mother, “I can’t play with a fish. All I can do is watch it swim in the tank. That’s no fun at all.” Jack’s mother said, “I know. I’m sorry,” and she gave the fish to the next-door neighbor who already had a great big fish tank. They were back to square one.
Jack’s mother could see that Jack was sad that he couldn’t have an animal for his pet because of his allergies. He would see other kids walking with their dogs and it would make him feel really sad. Jack’s mother asked all her friends and family if they knew of a small animal that Jack would be able to keep as a pet. Nobody could think of any animal that wouldn’t make Jack sneeze.
One day Jack’s mother asked him if he would like to take a ride to a farm with her. She said that she needed to pick up eggs that she had ordered from the farmer. Jack said he would like to go. They got to the farm in a short time. Jack’s mother pulled into the farmer’s driveway and parked her car. She said, “If you want to get out and look around the farm you can. I have to go into the house to pick up the eggs up and I want to talk the farmer’s wife, Amanda, for a little bit. Amanda and I went to high school together. We were very good friends and I haven’t seen her for a long Time.” She told Jack to not go too far away though because she wanted to head back home shortly. Jack said, “I won’t go too far Mom, I promise.”
Jack was walking around looking at the chickens and cows in the barn, when he saw a wooden pen that didn’t look like it had anything in it. He walked over to the pen, stood on the bottom rail, looked around, and there, laying in mud, he saw a little pig. He laughed out loud and said to the pig, “Do you like laying in the mud?” The pig heard him, got up from the mud, and walked over to where Jack was standing on the rail. Jack got off the rail and knelt on the ground so he could pet the pig. When he pet the pig he ended up with a very dirty hand. He said to the pig, “Look, you got mud all over my hand. I can’t pet you anymore until you get cleaned up.”
Jack heard someone talking and when he turned to see who it was, he saw the farmer. The farmer said, “Hi Jack, I am Amanda’s husband, Alex.” Jack said, “Glad to meet you. I am Jack. My Mom is friends with your wife.” The farmer said, “I see you like the pig. We call him ‘Piggy’. He is the only one of his kind on the farm. He is a special pig. He doesn’t get fat like the other pigs do. No matter how much he eats, he stays about the same size as a small dog. He is called a ‘teacup pig' and he is very easy to take care of.”
Jack’s mother came out of the house and called Jack to go home. He thanked the farmer for telling him all about the pig. The farmer said, “Anytime you want to come back to the farm to visit Piggy, you are always welcome.” Jack thanked the farmer, then ran to the car and got in it to go home. Jack was telling his mother about seeing the really small pig and told her that the farmer said it is called a tea-cup pig. Jack’s mother said, “I wish I could have seen that. Maybe the next time I need eggs, I can see the tea-cup pig while I’m there.” Jack said, “Oh Mom, I would love that!” She said, “We will talk about it.” Jack said, “I hope it will be soon.” His mother just smiled.
About a month went by and the eggs were almost gone. Jack’s mother said, “I think we have to go to the farm to get more eggs. I will call Amanda tomorrow to order the eggs and see when we can pick them up.” Jack got all excited and said, “Mom, can I go with you?” She said, “I would love your company, now get to bed, you have school tomorrow.” Jack said goodnight to his mother, gave her a kiss and went to bed, but he had a hard time falling asleep thinking about seeing Piggy again.
When Jack came home from school the next day, his mother was in the kitchen. She asked him if he wanted some orange juice. He said, “That would be great”. He sat down and his mother poured the orange juice, then sat down next to Jack. She said, “I have very good news for you, Jack.” Jack said, “Good? What is it?” His mother said, “I talked to Amanda today and we made a date for us to pick up the eggs on Friday after you get home from school.” Jack said, “That is great news Mom! I can’t hardly wait until Friday gets here.” Jack’s mother said, “It will be here before you know it.”
Friday finally came and Jack was all excited about going to the farm with his mom. He ran all the way home from school and into the kitchen to see if his mom was ready to go. She had made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, his favorite, so Jack could eat it in the car on their way to the farm. On the way to the farm, Jack’s mother asked him what he was going to do when they got there. Jack said he hoped that the tea cup pig would be out in his pen. He said, “I would really like to see him.” His mother said, “I would like to see him too.”
Amanda was sitting on the front porch swing when they got there and she told Jack’s mother to join her. Then Amanda looked at Jack and told him to go to the barn so he could watch Alex milk the cows. Jack said, “I would like to see that. Mom, is it okay if I go to the barn?” His Mom said, “Be careful and don’t let the cow kick you.” Jack said, “Cows don’t kick unless you get too close to them, and I’m not planning on doing that. I want to see the pig too. I’ll see you later” and he headed for the barn.
When he got to the barn, the door was closed, so he knocked on the door, but no one answered. He waited awhile, then yelled, “Hello? Are you in there Mr. Farmer?” He stood there a few minutes then opened the door and went in. He saw Alex the farmer milking the cow. Alex turned and said, “Hi Jack. Glad to see you. I’m sorry I didn't answer the door, but I need to finish milking the cow.” Jack said “That’s okay. I just wanted to make sure I got to watch you milking the cow.” Alex finished milking the cow, then washed his hands. He turned to Jack and asked “So what do you want to see on the farm?” Jack said, “I sure would like to see that little pig if he is still here, Mr. Farmer.” Alex said that the pig was still here. “Come on, I’ll show you where his pen is.” He added, “You know, my last name is Farmer, so I’m farmer Farmer! But you can call me Alex.” Jack smiled and said that was funny that Alex owns a farm and his last name is Farmer.
Alex and Jack walked over to the wooden pen. Jack said, “There he is in the corner. He is sleeping.” “That pig sure sleeps a lot,” said Alex. When Piggy heard Jack and Alex talking he woke up
and came over to the pen rail where they were standing. Jack got down on his knees, put his hand on out and the pig came over to let Jack pet him. Jack really enjoyed this little pig. Alex told him that there were a lot of people that were taking little pigs like Piggy into their houses as pets instead of dogs. “Pigs are a lot easier to take care of than dogs. They will use a litter box just like a cat, they never bark, they don't have to go for walks, and they are also very lovable animals.” said Alex. Jack said, “I never knew that a pig could be a pet. That is really interesting.”
Jack heard his mom calling him and he yelled back, “Mom, I'm over here. Come over here. I want you to see this pig.” When Jack's mom came over to the pig pen, she got the biggest thrill seeing this little pig. She said, “That is the cutest pig I have ever seen. He is so small!” Jack said, “That is why they call him a teacup pig.” Jack's mother said, “We have to get going home. Your dad will be getting home from work soon.” Jack said, “Goodbye Piggy. Goodbye Mr. Farmer. I mean Alex.”
When Jack and his mom got into the car all Jack could talk about was the pig. He really does like that pig. He told his mom everything that Alex told him about what the pig could do and how he was like a cat. His mother said that she also didn’t know that people kept teacup pigs as pets. When they got home, Jack told his dad all about the pig and how people keep them as pets. His dad said, “Yes, I have heard that before. I have never known anyone that had a pig for a pet, but I guess there are people that do have the little pig as pets.” Jack said, “Dad, do you think that we could ever get a pig for our pet?” Jack's father said that he never thought about it but would consider it. Jack got all excited and asked his dad if he would take a ride out to the Farmer's farm to see Piggy the teacup pig. Jack's dad said, “We can go take a look at the pig, but I won't promise you anything. I have to do a lot of thinking about this.”
Jack's father talked to Jack's mother after Jack went to bed and asked her what she thought about having a pig in the house. She said that when she saw the little pig it was so cute she kind of liked it too. She said, “You know how many animals we have tried to get for Jack so he could have a pet and none of them worked out for him with his allergies. He didn’t sneeze once around that pig. We could try to find someone who has a teacup and see what they say about having a pig for a pet.” Jack's father said, “That’s a great idea. You can do that tomorrow when Jack is in school. Hopefully you will find someone with a pet pig.”
After Jack went to school, his mother got on the phone and called animal shelters, animal hospitals and veterinarians. They all had good things to say about pet pigs, but added that it is very hard to find a teacup pig and when you do find one, they are expensive. They all told her that if she wanted to leave her phone number they would call if they hear of a pig that is for sale. Jack’s mother felt bad that it seemed no one could help her find a teacup pig for Jack.
Jack came home from school and sat in the kitchen to have a glass of orange juice while his mother had a coffee. Jack asked his mom how her day went. She kind of laughed and said it was very busy. Jack asked her what she did that kept her so busy, but she didn’t want to tell him how she spent so much time on the phone looking for a teacup pig. She just said, “Oh, it was just one thing after another, but now it is all done.” Jack said, “That’s good. I’m going to go up to my room to do my homework so I can watch a movie tonight with you and Dad.” Before long, Jack’s father came home from work. Jack heard his dad talking to his mom. Jack thought to himself, “Now that Dad is home that means that dinner will be ready in a few minutes.” Jack went into the bathroom to wash his hands to get ready for dinner. Just in time too because his mother called up to Jack to come down because dinner was on the table. Jack headed for the stairs and said, “I'm on my way down, Mom.”
Jack sat down and looked at all the good food that his mother had put on the table. He said, “Mom, you should open a restaurant. Your food is always so good.” Jack’s mother said, “Thank you Jack, now eat your dinner.” After dinner Jack helped his mother clean the kitchen and then they went into the front room and sat with Jack’s Father to watch a movie.
The next morning was the same as all the other mornings. Jack's mother was the first one up and she was already in the kitchen making breakfast for Jack and his Father. After breakfast Jack and his father had to leave. Jack went to school and his dad went to work. His mother was sitting in the kitchen having a cup of coffee when the phone rang. She thought, “Now who can that be so early in the morning?” She picked the phone up, said hello and the voice on the other end said, “Hello. This is the veterinarian that you talked to about teacup pigs.” She said, “Yes, I remember.” He said, “Well I have some good news for you. Last night I got a call from one of my friends who has a teacup pig who just had a litter of four little teacup pigs. He wanted to know if I knew anyone that would be interested in them and I told him that you would be interested in taking one of them.” She said, “Oh thank you! I am very interested in taking one.” She then asked the doctor when she would be able to see them and he said he would be in his office all day. Jack's Mother said, “I will be there in about half an hour. Is that ok?” The veterinarian said, “That will be fine!”
When Jack's mother got to the veterinarian’s office, he told her that his friend who had the pigs owned a pet store just down the block and that they will have to go there because the pigs are too young to go away from the mother right now. Jack’s mother said she understood. The owner of the peg store was happy to see them. He took them into the back room where the new piglets were with their mother. They were so small they looked like little mice. The pet owner said the pigs will grow more than three times what size they are now, but they will still be small. That is why they call them teacup pigs. Jack’s mother said, “They are small for pigs, but they are very cute. I am sure that my son will like them too! But now I have to ask how much you want for the little pig.” The owner said, “These pigs can cost anywhere from $500.00 and up, but because you were the first customer and these pigs were given to me for free, I will let you have one for $100.00. That is very cheap for a teacup pig.” Jack’s mother said, “Thank you! That is very nice of you. I can give you the money now and will come back when the piglet is ready to be weaned.” She also thanked the veterinarian for telling her about the pigs because without his help, she would have had a hard time finding one.
Later that day, after Jack came home from school and his father came home from work, they all sat down for supper, then went into the front room to watch a little TV before bed. Jack’s Mother couldn’t wait until she told Jack’s father the news about the teacup piglets. Finally, after Jack went to bed, his mother told Jack’s father that she wanted to talk to him about something really important. They walked out to the kitchen, sat down at the kitchen table and she told him all about how she bought a little pig for Jack. She reminded him that Jack’s birthday was only a month away, right around the time the piglets will be weaned. She added that the little pig will make such a nice gift for him because he has been talking about wanting one now for such a long time. Jack’s father said, “Yes, you are right! That will be the perfect gift for him. I am glad that you got one at such a great price too!”
The days passed and finally it was the day of Jack’s birthday. It fell on a weekday, so Jack had to go to school which was good because it gave his mother time to pick up the little teacup piglet from the pet store. Both his mother and father acted very busy that morning, pretending that they forgot Jack’s birthday. Things were working out great. His mother was also able to pick up his birthday cake as well as all the decorations she needed for Jack’s party. Jack not only knew he was getting a piglet for his birthday, but he also had no idea that he was going to have a party. She put everything in the basement so when Jack came home from school he wouldn’t see them.
Jack came home from school and his mother was in the kitchen having coffee and reading the paper. Jack thought it was strange that his mom didn’t even wish him a Happy Birthday. He said, “Mom, do you want to say something to me?” His mom said, “I can’t think of anything that I want to say.” Then Jack said, “Mom, did you forget that today is my birthday?” She looked at Jack and said, “It’s today?” Jack said, “Yes, it is!” His Mother said, “Oh I am so sorry! I was thinking it was tomorrow! Happy Birthday, Jack!” “Thank you,” Jack said and went up to his room.
In a little while, Jack’s grandmothers and grandfathers, aunts, uncles, cousins and some of Jack’s friends from school came for the party. Soon the front room was full of people. Jack’s father came home from work and he and a few of the uncles quickly put decorations up. His Mother and a few cousins went into the basement and brought up the cake and the teacup piglet. When everything was set up, Jack’s mother called up the stairs for him to come down for supper. All the guests hid so Jack wouldn’t see them when he came down stairs. When he got to the bottom of the stairs everyone jumped out from where they were hiding and yelled, “Happy Birthday, Jack!” Jack was shocked. He started to cry happy tears. He ran over and hugged his mother and father and said, “I really thought that you forgot my birthday! Thank you, Mom and Dad! This is great!”
After everyone had cake and other goodies, Jack’s mother said, “Let's go in the front room so Jack can open his gifts.” Jack said, “That sounds good to me!” He went into the front room, sat on a chair and one by one opened the gifts his family and friends brought him. After he opened the last gift, his mother told him there was one more gift to open. His father walked out of the kitchen holding a big box. Jack wondered what could that be? His father put the box on Jack’s lap and said, “Now be careful opening this box, Jack.” Jack slowly opened the box and when he looked into it, he couldn’t believe what he saw. There was the cutest little pig that he had ever seen. His father said, “You can take him out of the box, but be careful. He is just a little guy.” Jack said, “I don’t know what to say! This is the best birthday that I ever had. Thank you everyone for making it so good!”
Jack was so happy. He couldn't believe that he actually got the teacup pig that he wanted. All his guests looked at the little pig and some even petted him. His cousin, Bob, said, “What are you going to name your pig, Jack?” Jack thought for a moment and said, “I really never even thought of a name for a pig. I think I will name him Piggy.” Everyone said that was a good name for a pig. The party broke up and everyone went home. Jack’s mother said that they better get to bed. Jack asked if he could stay up just a little longer with his new pig, Piggy. She said, “Just for a little while.” Jack said, “I just want to hold Piggy for a little while longer, then I will go to bed. Goodnight Mom, goodnight Dad. Thank you so much for the nice surprise party and especially for Piggy.” They said, “You are welcome, Jack,” and went up to bed. Jack hugged Piggy for a little longer, then carried Piggy in his arms up to his bed. He laid Piggy on the bed and Jack and the little piglet soon fell fast asleep.
Well Jack got what he always wanted, a teacup pig. Piggy stayed so small and cute that anyone that met him liked him. Piggy soon became a real good friend to Jack. They were always together. Piggy was so small that when Jack would go out, he would put Piggy in his pocket and off they would go. Piggy became part of the family quickly. He sleeps in Jack’s bedroom in his own little bed that Jack made for him. When the family eats their dinner, Piggy eats his dinner with them in the corner of the kitchen. He has his own dishes and bowls. I guess you could say that he is one spoiled pig. So having a pig for your pet isn’t too bad, as long as you get a teacup pig. They are small and easy to train, just like a dog. They don't even mess in the house because they know how to use a litter box. They are very clean pets.
Jack is a young adult now and he is still loves being with Piggy. Jack will tell you that Piggy is his best friend.
I hope you enjoyed reading the story. I could write more, but then the story would get too long and you would get too tired. Have a good night. Bye-bye for now.
