PATINA PIGGY SCHOOL - A LESSON IN JOY

How often do you do something just for joy?

In the daily grind of work and responsibilities, it’s easy to let ourselves drift through life without making time for simple pleasures, casting them aside as futile or deeming them unproductive. As a society, we’ve become completely overtaken by the idea that our time must be devoted to achieving monetary gain or producing something our culture deems important. However, when we focus solely on efficiency and performance, we lose a key aspect of the human experience: a sense of wonder that revives a childlike joy in us all.

A couple of months ago, during one of our daily morning walks, Steve and I had an idea: what if we trained our piglets to trot alongside us? There was no "real reason" to do so. Usually, when it comes to decisions involving our animals, their health or the health of our land is the motivating factor. But this endeavor was inspired purely by a vision of life that brought a smile to our faces.

This wasn’t the first time this seed had been planted in my mind. When we lived in Santa Monica, on another morning walk, Steve and I once saw a miniature pig walking with its owner, its tiny trotters clicking against the cement with each step. Years later, when we first brought home our potbelly pigs, I embarked on a similar pursuit, training them to come when called and to follow simple commands, deepening the bond between us. But we stopped short of harnessing them and leading them on leashes.

So this time, I set out to research how to bring our vision to life. Article after article showed me that not only was it within reach, but that it would be a worthwhile pursuit to challenge our piggies intellectually.

Though they often get a bad rap for their love of mud and their ravenous appetite for what we consider scraps, pigs are incredibly intelligent. In fact, they’re considered among the top five smartest animals on earth, with cognitive abilities that surpass those of dogs and even three-year-old children. Alongside their impressive problem-solving skills and long-term memory, pigs also demonstrate emotional intelligence, showing empathy and affection toward both their fellow pigs and their human caretakers.

Armed with this information and two specialty pig harnesses, Steve and I set off toward the barnyard to bring piggy school into session.

First, we needed to choose two piglets to serve as our first students. After so many daily interactions with our herd, we’ve become quite familiar with their unique personalities, and we decided that our red-headed Dagny and our spotted Atticus would be the most inclined to participate in our folly.

Once selected, our model students had to get acclimated to their harnesses. With treat-filled pockets, we began draping the harnesses over their backs, letting them warm to the idea. Each time they allowed us to adorn them with their new accessories, we handed out a treat, creating a positive association. Since they’re already used to daily interactions with us, this step didn’t take long. By the end of the session, they were ready to graduate to the next level.

The next day, we clipped the harnesses on completely. Once again armed with treats, we began with the first command: sit. I pulled a treat from my apron pocket and held it above their heads, slowly moving it back. As their eyes followed the tasty morsel, they plopped into position and were rewarded accordingly. Soon, we paired the hand motions with a spoken cue, and before long, they sat with ease.

Next, using the same method, we taught them up-up. We held the treats just above their reach, encouraging them to stand on their hind legs to claim their reward. Once again, they happily obliged.

Now, at the end of our morning chores, Steve and I pass through their gate to continue their education, reinforcing what they’ve learned and slowly working toward our aspiration of taking our daily walks accompanied by our piggies.

While the time we’ve devoted to this pursuit could easily have been spent answering the never-ending stream of emails or tending to tasks that would further our bottom line, this practice has enriched our lives in ways that can’t be measured. It allows us to begin our days with delight and laughter, infusing our lives with immeasurable value that will never show up on a spreadsheet. And that, to me, makes it a worthwhile pursuit, because seeking joy is never wasted time.

So I challenge you today: set aside time to do something, anything, for the sole purpose of smiling. Start that project you’ve deemed “unimportant.” Take that walk just to soak in the splendor of nature, without worrying about how many steps you’ve taken. Live simply to live. Because at the end of the day, this life is a gift, and it deserves to be celebrated and enjoyed.

xx,

Brooke