Sunday, November 27, 2011

Bud, part 3 of 5 - the camping adventure

I wrote this one in 1995.

We traditionally go camping with a large group over the Labor Day weekend. This year, I had another commitment, but Art decided to go anyway, and to take our potbellied pig, Bud, along with him. When I heard about his plan, I was skeptical. I said, "What are you going to do with him when you're sitting around the campfire?" Art replied, "He'll sleep at my feet." I said, "I doubt it. He'll want to explore outside. And where will he sleep?" Art answered, "In the tent with me." I said, "I doubt it. He'll want to explore inside." "Besides," I continued, "what about all the dogs
that will be roaming around?" After a few more questions, we decided to buy a large dog kennel so that Bud could be restrained when necessary.

As I pulled into the driveway at the end of the weekend, I could see that Art had gotten home before me. He'd pitched the tent in the front yard to dry it out, as it had rained on the last day. I was pretty impressed with his efficiency. As I headed for the house, I noticed a tear in
the netting at the front of the tent. It looked like it had been cut with scissors, and I was concerned that vandalism had been a part of the camping weekend.

Inside, I asked Art about the tear in the tent. He recounted the following story.

While Art was putting up the tent and organizing the campsite, he had tied the pig to a tree with a long line. In the space of 15 minutes, Bud rooted up all the grass and ground cover within ten feet of the tree. Since he'd already destroyed all the vegetation in his area on our property, fresh vegetation was a treat.

When the campsite was set up, Art untied the pig and let him explore the area while he went to get water nearby. He was gone less than a minute.

Finished with his initial rooting, Bud explored the campsite. There was a grocery sack inside the tent, full of food, but the tent opening was zippered. A loaf of bread stuck of the top of the grocery sack. Bud bit through the netting close to the sack, poked his head through the hole, and grabbed the loaf of bread by the wrapper. Just then Art, returning with the water, saw the pig doing his dastardly deed and shouted at him to get away from the food. A fruitless shout. Bud pulled the loaf of bread through the hole in the netting and started running. By the time Art chased him down, the bread was half gone.

Bud had an excellent time on the camping trip. Art has decided that next year he will get a pigsitter.

11 comments:

DJan said...

Well, you know what they say, Linda, pigs will be pigs. :-)

Bud sounds like he was a lot of fun, even if he was a handfull. Or two or three... I'm really enjoying hearing about the trials and tribulations of owning a pig!

Sally Wessely said...

I am loving your stories about Bud. I guess if one is totally bored with life, one should get a pig for a pet.

Rita said...

Sounds like Bud was the one having all the fun on that camping trip! LOL! :)

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Omigosh. That's a great story, and it's fun to learn about what it's like to have a pig as a pet.

Out on the prairie said...

funny!I think they are sounding like a lot more work than some pets.

Terra said...

I think Bud told all his friends what fun he had camping!

Beth said...

I can't stop laughing...

Joanna Jenkins said...

I am LOVING that header pic of Bud-- And this story is a hoot! You made me smile.
Cheers, jj

wheels4me said...

First time I ever heard of someone taking a pig on a hunting trip...

RIP Bud.

Arkansas Patti said...

It is hard to come between a man and his pig, but it appears Bud found a way. Are there really pig sitters out there?
What a fun story.

Linda Reeder said...

I love the "Bud Goes Camping" story!