Our pig died yesterday, she was 9 years old. Rosa was our first farm animal rescue, arriving a month after we bought this place. She was originally saved by another rescue in NY state, along with numerous other pigs who had been abandoned by their farmer. Many were already starved to death by the time the rescuers got there. Rosa was about 6 months old when she arrived, clean and pink and tame. The first day we let her loose in the farm yard (figuring she'd just poke around and explore a bit) she high-tailed it down the driveway and out to the road, full speed ahead right down the center line. Had to send the kids (ages 3 & 6 at the time) over to the neighbors (who were already wondering about us at that point) to ask for help. Don came over with half a cattle panel to help herd Rosa back where we wanted her. (Herding a pig! With a fence panel! How very clever!) Knowing we were vegetarian, he asked why we had a "feeder pig". "For a pet!" we said. He laughed and proceeded to tell us why we couldn't keep a pig as a pet. (Funny, now that I think of it...my neighbor on the other side said the same thing 6 years later about the veal calves that arrived one winter day. "You can't keep Holstein steers as pets!" And now that the beasts weigh a thousand pounds a piece, I'm almost ready to admit he's right. Almost.) Anyway, a year later, neighbor-Don killed his own non-pet pig. At the time, we were out in the yard with Rosa, just playing or working or whatever. The pig screams from next door caught all of us off guard, especially Rosa. She screamed herself and began running frantically around the yard. We calmed her and got her penned, and then called Don to tell him that he had upset our pig terribly, and would he PLEASE give us a bit of warning next time he was going to kill something. Indeed, in years following, we always got a courtesy call just prior to the event, and then again when it was "safe to come back out". Rosa was a dear pig, and she enjoyed her life for nine whole years, even when she ceased being a pet & became a part of the herd of two dozen rescued swine. Her absence is deeply felt today.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), December 05, 2001

Answers

Response to A Tribute to Rosa

I am very sorry over your loss of Rosa! I cried for days when my Lucy chicken died! Husband thought that I had gone off my rocker! Some pets are just special! HERE'S TO ROSA! MAY SHE LIVE ON IN HOG HEAVEN!!!!!!!! And here's to you Shannon!!!!!!! God Bless!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), December 05, 2001.

Response to A Tribute to Rosa

Thank you for providing a small window into your life.

-- Rick#7 (rick7@postmark.net), December 05, 2001.

Response to A Tribute to Rosa

For you Shannon, you are a special person! :Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so that they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends there are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to perfect health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again just as we remember them in our dreams of years and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing- they each miss someone very special to them, who had to stay behind when the beloved pet went away.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks up -- the bright eyes are intent, the body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group his body flying over the green grass, his legs hurrying faster and faster. You have been spotted, when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The sweet loving kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your dear pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

-----Anonymous

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), December 05, 2001.

Response to A Tribute to Rosa

Hi Shannon-Your letter reminded me of the pet pig I had when I was about ten. My parents and I came home from town one day to find a very cute pink baby piglet running around the house. My oldest brother, who no longer lived at home, had dropped her off in a cardboard box. Needless to say she didn't stay in the box.

Anyway to make a long story short I fell in love with each and every piglet she produced when she was grown. One day it was time to take the first batch of piglets to the sale barn. I watched them in the ring with tears running down my face calling each little piggy by name. The man who bought them came over and told me he had a nice place for them to live and they would live long and happy lives. Knowing the man really intended to raise them for slaughter I calmly looked him in the eye and called him a liar loud enough for all to hear. Needless to say he and my Dad were quite taken aback.

Pinky lived with us for several years until she tried to kill Dad one day. Hey, now Rosa and Pinky and all the piglets can play together in piggy heaven!

-- debra in ks (windfish@toto.net), December 05, 2001.

Response to A Tribute to Rosa

Shannon,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss of rosa. She sound slike she wa squite a gal and so blessed to ahve shared her life with you. I got weepy eyed reading your post. Heres a *big HUG* its so hard loosing the ones we love. they are with us for only a short while but they will remain forever in our hearts. I had a hard time letting go of my Jackie (my beloved Alpine), I cried and cried over her for months, still do. I know it sounds foolish to others but to me my animals are my babies. Take care.

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), December 05, 2001.

Shan, Even though I'm your mom, and already told you how terribly sad I was that day, to hear of Rosa's death, I thought I'd jot a few words to you here.(I hadn't seen the "comments" field). I had the privilege of being at the farm that night Rosa joined your family 9 years ago. I just hold a simple, and vivid, memory - of Rosa, as a little pink piglet, and you sitting in the barn with her on your lap, about 10 at night, against a bale of hay. I asked you what you were going to name her, and you just replied that she'd tell YOU her name by the next day - not vice versa. I didn't understand that concept then, but it really touched me. I understand it today, of course, Shan. I know you loved Rosa so much. And I, who never even owned a pet, came to love her too - and so many others in her sanctuary family. You ARE a special person, and I'm very proud of you, Shannon. What Kate Henderson wrote above, about the "Rainbow Bridge", and how we meet our animals on the other side there was beautiful ---- and so very comforting; it's definitely something I hope, and feel pretty sure brought some peace to you as these few days have passed since Rosa moved to her next experience~ Kate's description held words I will treasure. Love, Mom

-- Marty Lentz (mfiona123@aol.com), December 09, 2001.