My Kiersten

Well, it has been a busy week. In fact, this has been the most busy week of my life! But, it has also been the most exciting week and I got to do and see some really cool stuff. It all started a week ago when things started hustling and bustling all around me.

Kiersten has gone on a walk with me every day for a couple months now. I always look forward to my daily walk. In fact, sometimes I run around the field to get some wiggles out. Last week, though, my walk was different. Instead of walking into the field, Kiersten's dad had a trailer parked near my fence. He seemed to want me to go into it. Even though I was a little apprehensive about getting in for the first time, I still did pretty good and figured out how to load up in only a few minutes. The funniest thing, though, was my stubborn sister. Kiersten's dad had not worked with her on walking before and had never even gotten her out of our pen. Rosemary has always been the feisty one between us and really let it all out when he wanted her to get into the trailer. She started fussing, growling, oinking, and going anywhere but in the trailer. Kiersten's dad even got the neighbors to help and she still would not go in! K's dad was sweating, huffing, and puffing and got all scraped and bruised up. No matter how hard they pushed her, she would still not go in! Even though she was disobeying I thought it was funny she was able to make the men look so silly. K's dad and their neighbor finally pushed Rosemary in the trailer after a couple hours of fussing around. Kiersten's dad called Rosemary a couple names I had never heard before. I'll have to ask K what they mean. He also said she is going to "the home up in the sky - pig Heaven." I'm not sure where that is but he sounded anxious for Rosemary to get there. That's nice of him.

Then I got to go to what Kiersten called a "fair." It is really neat! I met all kind of new friends! Kiersten wanted me to go into my new pen but it was way funner to run the aisles and meet new friends. It was great 'cause Kiersten and her dad joined in the fun by chasing me and yelling for people to "stop that pig!" It was a blast running together! What was really fun was running around after Kiersten gave me a bath. I was soaking wet and running around and skidding around corners. Kiersten's mom was the first one to help give me a bath and I don't think she was having as much fun as I was. But let me tell you she is a fast runner when she wants to be! My favorite trick, though, was to run into the wrong pen! It was funny having people try to get me out and back to my own pen.

The best day, though, was when Kiersten and I got to go into a big arena with a bunch of other kids and their pigs. A lady walked around and looked at each of us. She really liked Kiersten and I and even gave us a blue ribbon! The ribbon was really pretty and Kiersten got a lot of hugs and so did I. I even got a hug from Kiersten's mom! Kiersten hung our ribbon from my pen so everyone could see how good we did. The next day we got to go into the arena again and do the same thing. This time the lady looked more at Kiersten than at me. Kiersten called this one "showmanship." I walked and obeyed Kiersten really good and this time the judge gave us a purple ribbon! This meant we were in the top 9 walkers! We hung that ribbon up so everyone could see it, too! I am so proud to be Kiersten's pig. The last time we got to go to the arena there were a lot, and I mean a LOT, of people around the arena and this guy was on the speaker talking really fast! Kiersten got me all dressed up in bandannas and she wore the same color ones, too. Kiersten had on new pants and belt and I was all shined up and smelling pretty. We walked really proud all around the arena while this guy talked fast and people kept yelling from the audience. When it was over, we walked back to my pen and Kiersten was really happy. I guess we did really good but we did not get a ribbon. Instead, Kiersten put a sign up on my pen thanking someone in the audience. That's nice of her.

Today is a hard day, though. People are saying goodbye to me and giving me hugs. Kiersten had tears in her eyes and was really sad. This made me sad, too. It was a really hard day saying goodbye to my family. When Kiersten's dad said goodbye, though, he said I would see my sister Rosemary soon in pig Heaven. That will be good but I will miss my Kiersten. She has taken such good care of me and we have both learned so much and did so good. Kiersten said she loved me so much she is going to raise another one of my sisters next year. That's good because Kiersten did a really good job taking care of me. She's the best and her parents are really proud of her. Good job, Kiersten, and thanks for loving me. Don't be too sad - I'll always be a special part of your life.

Love,

Olive