Porkchop is growing, well, like a pig!! We're think he probably weighs about 40 lbs, now. It is difficult to pick him up — not really because of his weight, but because it is so off-balance! Just the sight of his poor pot-belly and sway-back makes my back hurt. But, that fat pig can still run pretty fast! He is so happy to get outside and run, every afternoon, and has the best time playing in the side yard, with the dogs. He wants to play with them so bad — when they start running at lightning speed — but he has learned that he'll get body-slammed, if he doesn't get out of their way!

I took him to work with me, last Thursday. It was the first time in a few weeks, and I think he was actually bored. Not that there is more to do at home, but I don't believe he enjoyed it as much as I thought he would. I know that he liked being able to go outside more often, and of course just being with me all day (LOL), but I can't help but think he would rather have been at home. He does pretty well at home, so far, anyway, so we'll most likely just let him stay there, instead.

Some of The Real Story crew did get to witness a mini-pig fit, but nothing compared to what he can throw, ha-ha! He wasn't quite ready to leave, the other day, so when I tried to make him go out the door, he got a little defiant. It's still a sight to see — once you get over how loud he can get, it's sort of funny to witness! My husband, Kenneth, stayed at home, one afternoon last week, and he called to tell me that Porkchop had thrown a "hissy-fit," earlier that day, because Kenneth wouldn't get up and feed him, when he was crying. Kenneth said that he told Porkchop that he wasn't starving, and it wouldn't hurt him to do without, for a while. Well, Porkchop decided he'd just show Kenneth how serious he was about wanting food. He started grunting and whining, screaming and throwing a little piggy-tantrum, knocking things around, throwing stuff in the air, and making all sorts of racket. But, hey — it worked! Kenneth got up and poured some feed into his bowl!

It dawned on me, earlier this week, that I could record the audio of Porkchop's late-night/early-morning, wake-everybody-in-the-house-up, fits. So, when I heard him coming through the house, whining and looking for us, I got my iPhone ready. I, then, realized that the recording wouldn't be as clear with my "noise machine" on, so I reached over and turned it off. Apparently, that's all it took. I guess Porkchop was competing with the noise maker, instead of begging for food, ha-ha! After I turned it off, all I heard was a few tiny grunts, every now and then. It worked sort of like when you finally get the camera out to take a picture, then the dogs/kids/cats stop whatever they were doing (we've all been there!).

Big Po-Po (my new nickname for Porkchop) still snuggles with me, every now and then, just not for a long period of time. It's just hard to believe how much he has grown in the 14½ weeks that I've had him. He is still as cute as he can be, and cracks me up, every day, but it is just amazing how different he looks, after such a short period of time. He is a little leery of people, at first; but, give him a treat and you are his new best friend. There's also a "magic button" on him that makes him flop down on his side for a belly rub! A friend recently commented on how much Porkchop is like a dog — even coming up to you for a pat on the head. Now, if I could just get him to "politely" walk on a leash!!

I'm so glad that Porkchop came into my life — it is an experience I wouldn't trade for anything (even with the mini-tantrums — mostly, they are just funny!) I also couldn't have asked for our "kids" to get along any better than they do. Who would've thought? Three pit bulldogs, three cats, and a pot-bellied-pig all live, side-by-side, in the house, and even sleep together, on occasion. And who rules the roost? Well, the cats do — but, then, comes Porkchop!!

And, if you think we've got an odd mix of animals, just wait for the story on Porkchop's family...coming, soon, in The Real Story!