Esther The Wonder Pig: One Year Later

Exclusive Excerpt from ESTHER THE WONDER PIG (Paperback Edition)

9 min readApr 27, 2017

How much does Esther weigh now, and will she get any bigger?

Esther currently weighs about 650 pounds, just a little bit bigger than the 70 pounds we were told she would be when we got her. Although she shouldn’t get any bigger, pigs like Esther are bred for commercial purposes, and they have been genetically modified to grow really big, really fast. As a result, we will forever be monitoring Esther’s weight, to make sure she stays as healthy as possible. Large pigs can be prone to numerous health issues such as arthritis and leg problems, especially as they age.

What are Esther’s favorite and least favorite foods?

The list of favorites is much longer than the list of things Esther doesn’t like. Among her favorites would be cupcakes, or any “Esther Approved” baked goods, for that matter. She also loves fresh fruit like cantaloupe, mango, apple, and watermelon. She doesn’t like potatoes, turnip, oranges, or any citrus. She also detests flavored medicines from the vet, even though they’re supposed to taste like maple!

Did Esther take to the new farm immediately, or was there an adjustment period?

There was definitely an adjustment period, but I think it was more for us than for Esther. We went from a small property — with a fully fenced backyard — to a huge fifty-acre, wide-open piece of land, and Esther wanted to see every inch of it. Pigs are natural explorers, and even though we wanted her to feel at home, we had no fences up to keep her safe. The result was numerous arguments in the forest, as Esther tried to go on an adventure. It was the first time we had to “make her” go somewhere she didn’t want to go, and that was no easy task since she’s three times bigger than us! Otherwise, Esther loves the farm, and it was obvious from the day we arrived that she was going to have a great time here.

What is Esther’s favorite room in the house?

I would have to say it’s the sunroom. She has a daybed there, and she can see the yard from her mattress. She likes to keep an eye on things, and often sleeps with her head toward the windows. It has the sliding door she uses to go outside, too, so she comes and goes as she pleases, which I think she really appreciates. Otherwise, she will explore every room in the house, except the second floor. It’s a century home, so the stairs are very steep, and she won’t even attempt them. Sometimes it’s nice to know you can leave a pair of jeans on the floor and they won’t be slobbered on by a piggy pocket inspector! Other times, I wish we had a way to get her up there, because hearing her stand at the bottom of the stairs looking for us makes me sad. I often go down to lie with her in her bedroom, or the sunroom, because I don’t want her to feel alone. One day, maybe we can install an elevator for her : ).

How many animals do you have at the Sanctuary now?

As of this writing, we have forty-two animals living at Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary, including eleven pigs, nine sheep, five goats, four rabbits, four chickens, three cows, two roosters, one peacock, one duck, one horse, one donkey, and a barn cat named Willma Ferrell.

Did you approach the new arrivals differently based on your experience with raising Esther?

Yes and no. We have learned a lot from Esther, but every animal, and every species, acts differently. We had absolutely no experience with cows, horses, sheep, goats, etc. Therefore, each arrival presented its own unique challenges. It seems we learn something every time a new resident arrives at the sanctuary, and how they handle the transition can depend on a number of factors. Particularly, where they came from and how they’ve been treated. You never really know how an animal will react to the move, new surroundings, and new people until they actually arrive and meet you face-to-face.

Do the other pigs have similar personality traits to Esther?

The personality of the pigs varies as much as it does from human to human. Some are lovey, some are playful, some are adventurous; but they’re all different in their own way. Herc, for example, rolls over the second you touch his belly, he LOVES belly rubs. Whereas Peggy just wants a snout kiss before she goes on her merry way. One of the most rewarding parts about the sanctuary is getting to know the amazing personalities of every individual animal that arrives.

Who is Esther’s best furry (and non-furry) friend?

Esther has slowly started to make friends with the Sanctuary residents, but she’s taking her sweet time. At home her best pal is Shelby, our sixteen-year-old mixed-breed dog. They walk together and take turns with toys. Occasionally we find Shelby in bed with Esther, although Shelby doesn’t like being kicked by Esther’s restless legs while she’s sleeping. More often than not, Shelby sleeps close by, but allows plenty of legroom for Esther.

Outside, Esther has been spending a lot of time with our resident guard duck, Moby. He comes to the house every morning and will waddle around behind Esther on her way to and from the barn, almost like her own personal escort. Otherwise, Esther likes to say hi to the other animals, but does so from a distance. She seems to be afraid of the big pigs in particular, and prefers the company of her human and canine family members the most.

Have your family and friends since taken to Esther and the farm?

For the most part, I think they love it. Where we struggle is finding the balance between sanctuary life and personal life. Our time has become stretched so thin, it’s hard to get away sometimes. That, combined with the fact that we can’t just pick up and go out without having a literal team of house/farm sitters, has made it tough to maintain some personal relationships, simply because we rarely get to see each other. This is probably the hardest aspect of what has been happening, and it’s the one thing we really want to improve. We have friends over constantly, and we’re always surrounded by people who support us and love what we do. But sometimes I do wish it was easier to do things the way we used to and not need to decline invitations because we don’t have time or can’t leave the property. Our friends are amazing, and they would never tell us, but I’m sure some of them feel like they’ve taken a backseat to Esther and the sanctuary. It’s really hard, and it’s something we really hope to improve as we get our feet back on the ground and the whirlwind that has been our lives for the last few years gets under control.

In the book you talk about developing Esther’s social media page and honing in on your engagement with the community. Has the relationship with Esther fans on social media changed since publishing the book?

No, not at all. That will always be a very critical part of what we do. We want people to form a relationship with Esther, even if it’s only a virtual one for many. We communicate directly with as many people as possible, and do our very best to make them feel like they are part of what we do, not just observers. Their relationship with Esther is so powerful in helping them see pigs from a different point of view, and we know that it’s those people who have given us the opportunities we’ve been given. They gave us this platform, and we owe it to them to show our thanks, to keep them informed, and to be as supportive of them as they have been of us. Having the sanctuary has allowed us to take those relationships even further, by providing an opportunity to actually meet Esther and make that bond even stronger.

We also see it as an amazing honor to know that we have helped somebody through a tough time, and made them smile when they didn’t think they could. It’s a feeling that is very hard to describe, and likely one of the most rewarding aspects of what we do. The power of “The Esther Effect” has only gotten stronger, and it’s all because of the relationships we have with our supporters.

What is the strangest question a fan has asked?

Ha . . . oh boy! We’ve had some very interesting requests, from locks of Esther’s hair to pieces of the wallpaper in her bedroom. But I think the most memorable request was when we were asked to foster two children, because their mother wanted us to raise them on the farm. Not in the barn, of course, but to basically adopt these kids and raise them as our own. It was very flattering, but it was also heartbreaking to think a mother was so worried she couldn’t provide what she wanted for her children that she would reach out to us in what we hope was just a moment of desperation. We all forget sometimes that there are people out there who feel completely helpless, and the last few years have allowed us to connect with many such people and offer them even a little bit of hope for better things to come. So maybe that’s not a weird request, but it was definitely the most eye opening.

What can people do to help rescue other animals?

There are so many things you can do to help animals, from physically welcoming an animal into your family, to volunteering your time at a facility that does. Many people don’t realize they have a farm or other animal sanctuary in their area until they go looking for one. We didn’t even know farm sanctuaries existed at all until we got Esther. But they do exist, they’re everywhere, and I can almost guarantee they could use your help! We have created a Facebook community dedicated to sharing information on various sanctuaries, assisting with the relocation of animals in need, and promoting other likeminded causes. It’s called “Esther’s Army,” and you’ll find it on Facebook. It can help you find a group or organization in your area that you can get involved with, or help you find an animal in need to welcome into your own family if/when you are ready to do so.

If you do decide to welcome an animal into your family, please do plenty of research and know exactly what you’re getting into. Over 90 percent of pigs do not stay with their first family. They end up abandoned, in shelters, or worse…on the dinner plate. Because of this, shelters and sanctuaries are flooded with abandoned “pets,” so please consider adoption; do not choose a breeder.

There are more than enough animals in shelters that are desperate for a home. Not because they were bad, but almost always because their first caregivers were irresponsible and didn’t know what they were getting into. Please be part of the solution, not the problem.

You can also make financial contributions to sanctuaries and animal rights organizations like Mercy for Animals, the Humane Society, or countless others. Many of these organizations rely solely on the donations of their supporters to operate, and would not exist without them.

Finally, you can take a step back and reevaluate your own choices. Without question, and regardless of the above, the single greatest thing you can do to help animals is to stop eating them. Stop participating in the cruelest, most environmentally damaging industry known to man, and look to kinder, healthier alternatives.