Can You Massage a Pig?

Jason the pig was surrendered by his owners when they no longer could or would care for him.  As a six year old, he was grossly overweight and blind with skin issues and overgrown tusks and hooves.  He never enjoyed the benefit of an appropriate diet before The Good Life Refuge.  “He was the most depressed pig I had here," said Nicole Brecht, refuge founder.  Jason didn't eat for three weeks, and no one could touch him.  He would bark to scare people away.  It took the tremendous efforts of Nicole and her amazing volunteers to get Jason to eat and to trust everyone.  Now he’s impressively on the mend, turning nine next month, on a proper diet, and on medication to alleviate his arthritis pain.

Ha, then I came along!  Truthfully, it was love at first sight.  I couldn’t believe, from the moment that we met, how sweet and gentle Jason was. 

Jason was instantly receptive when I laid hands on him, and even started yawning, a sign of pressure release as well as relaxation.  I started to notice that he would stand up and shift his weight for me to work in certain areas or, if he was feeling lazy, he would lay down and then flop over to the area I was trying to reach.

Jason’s favorite targets for treatment now are around his jaw and head.  Hips are definitely a day-to-day thing, and, with unmistakable grunts, he lets me know if it isn't it for him that day.  Normally pigs go crazy if you even touch their legs, but Jason knows that I'm there to massage them and that nothing bad will happen.  It also helps, when he does something good, that I reward him with a cookie or fruits.  In fact, if I go too long without offering treats, he starts sniffing the air for them.  What a ham!  Jason knows my voice, and always cheerfully responds with his sweet smile and cute nose in the air.  I was even able to nudge him outside so that I could more closely observe his gait, even though he would much rather be huddled in his shelter under straw with all his blankets.  Jason’s arthritis is serious, but these days he actually seems optimistic, perhaps even content, when I work on him.  I do hope that I’m making a meaningful difference in his life.  He deserves it!

If you’d like to set up an appointment for your favorite pig, visit here or call me!