“He started off wary—now he wags his tail at treat time”: How one rescuer gave an injured piglet the life every animal deserves

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Jul 13, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

While we do get our fair share of heroic hounds and cattos passing through our desk, it is not all too often that we are graced with the uplifting tail of a pawdorable piglet who after being given the roughest start possible in life, managed to make it back from the brink thanks to the power of love.

And that is the story that we have lined up for your viewing pleasure today. It is a story that reminds us all that every animal soul desires to live, that every animal soul wants to laugh and play, and that at the end of the day, every living creature on this planet is not so different from you and I. we all want to be loved, we all want to live a happy life and we all want to rest easy at the end of the day. 
 

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  • 01
    Greetings! Before I get to the good story- I want to preface this by saying I was a veterinary technician for 13 years before becoming a human nurse. I am very knowledgeable in animal care, health care, and understand the complex natures of pigs.
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 02
    However this is my first pig and I need some help (mostly with enrichment and "education").
    via CumbersomeCuke

  • Proof that the only truly wise person is the person who knows when to ask for help. This heroic rescuer could have easily been stubborn and assumed that their extensive knowledge in the veterinary industry would be enough to support this piglet. But being the wise person she is, she knew that there was more to be uncovered.

  • 03
    I acquired Rowdy last week. I have a small homestead in New Mexico and saw a Facebook post that a woman was "giving away a potbelly pig" but the "catch is that he has wounds". Her dogs at d the 4
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 04
    Bedsure 24088 PADES
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 05
    month old piglet and she stated she didn't trust them to do it again. She made it sounds like these wounds were all fresh.
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 06
    Wrong. So wrong. I picked him up knowing this would be a charity case. I could smell the r ng skin in my truck on the way home. I messaged her as I was cleaning his wounds (he was completely shut down) and asked her how old the older wounds were- 3 WEEKS. THREE WEEKS.
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 07
    I spent over $200 on supplies that week, plus $550 on wound debridement and his no er. I am whole heartedly an animal lover and I will do anything for helpless souls.
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 08
    His wounds are substantial and are requiring a lot of care. He has come out of his shell greatly but I want advice on how I can improve as his current home. I do have intentions on rehoming him to an appropriate pig home with experienced pig owners. I am moving in a few
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 09
    months to northern VA and I really just wanted to make sure he got the care he needed. But, I am getting attached, as he is to us and will do my hardest to afford a pig property there outside the metro area.
    via CumbersomeCuke

  • Golly gosh, this is some determined dedication right here. First of all just to get involved in this rescue is a big deal, not many people have the know how, time and resources to care for a piglet. Then to diligently make sure that his health is being taken care off. And to add another layer of complexity, to pivot and find a place to move to that could house her new friend. We could all stand to learn a lot from this lady. 

  • 10
    His routine is currently: His bedroom is currently my master bathroom. He has memory foam animal bed with many blankets in the walk in shower. He has his water, litter box with pine pellets, and mats for anti-slip throughout. He has crinkle toys, squeaker toys, and balls. He's in there at night.
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 11
    He goes into his bedroom to eat his meals, and intermittently for "nap time" when my large dog gets to have his time out in the living area. They do switch out throughout the day for a couple hours at a time for both their safety. However, my
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 12
    three small dogs are out with Rowdy and are non-prey driven. They have bonded and do not bother him. He is larger than they are except for my potato English bulldog, whom he LOVES.
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 13
    He has to have hydrotherapy in the shower once daily for his wounds. I have to hose the areas for 15 minutes. He hates being in the bath. Before we start, we do a training session in the bathroom before. He has learned to spin at this point. I
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 14
    cannot yet teach him to sit because he's sensitive on the butt end due to wounds. I have only had him a week and a half now so there's more to learn. In the bath, he screams for the first 5 minutes. I
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 15
    treat him with cheerios during the bath. He calms by the end but some times an acts like he will try to bite me (loud grunt/squeal turning toward my hand). I dry him off, and he's happy as a clam again.
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 16
    Cheezburger Image 10528909824
    via Bogdan via Adobe Stock

    Disclaimer: This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 17
    He struggles with being picked up. I know this is normal but I want him to get better about it. I know he won't get picked up forever but I do want him just better for now.
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 18
    Rowdy's meals consist of: 1/4 cup Mazuri (he's currently 20lbs) and vegetables/fruits- 3 romaine leaves, plus a mix of the following: some cranberries, a large strawberry, cucumbers, mushrooms, carrot, and broccoli. Loose veggies make up approx 2 cups per meal. He gets lunch of low cal veggies. He gets his pellets either soaked in warm water, or in a treat ball, or puzzle. He never
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 19
    gets hand fed treats. I only give him the cheerios in the bath by hand but training the snack goes on the floor first.
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 20
    He does not currently go outdoors due to the substantial wounds and susceptibility of infection. He loves to nap with me on the sofa, snuggles my Bulldog, runs around the house and plays. Once he heals, I will give him time outdoors and likely be his permanent area if he likes it. He will have access to proper shelter, straw, blankets, etc.
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 21
    Thank you for everyone concerned. We do not leave them unattended- as explained in the post. The reason why he came to me with such awful wounds was because of dogs. Outdoor
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 22
    "farm" dogs that were 50+ lbs. My chihuahua mix is 6lbs, she doesn't do anything to him (and extremely submissive), My terrier mix is 17lbs, a Mexico rescue that is very submissive. Also doesn't bother him. Winston our bulldog is 53 lbs but just because he's a bulldog. He is a
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 23
    literal couch potato and doesn't care about Rowdy. Rowdy is almost taller than him now. I'm 33 years old with substantial veterinary experience, I'm not a 15 year old thinking my animals and this experience will be a cake walk.
    via CumbersomeCuke
  • 24
    Rowdy is not going to be an indoor pig. He is only temporarily an indoor pig while he heals. I won't be getting another pig and already have him up for adoption as his wounds are almost healed. His best interest is in mind and only will be rehomed to a family who has pigs and pig experience.
    via CumbersomeCuke

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life time deserves animal stories tail reddit story treat wagging piglet injured animals rescue
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