Made great progress today, even though it was incredibly hard to watch. I let MacGyver out free today with the other pigs. I've known all along that they were going to have to fight it out to establish the new pecking order, I was just putting it off as long as I could. When I tried putting him and Lukie together last week, it didn't go well and I separated them. I hadn't made enough progress with him yet to risk bringing more fear in, so I decided to wait. Today, he was ready to go outside free...and in order to do that, he HAS to get along with the boys.
His first meeting was with Tanner and it went great. Tanner took one look at his size and voluntarily decided that he would take the lower rung of the ladder! It was quite funny, he actually got down on his knees and crawled away! No problems there...they are good friends now and were rooting side by side.
When he met Lukie again, things didn't go so smoothly. They both laid down an obvious challenge. Within seconds they were fighting and fighting hard. It is awful to watch. Most of it is just a lot of pushing, but they also go for the ears, so we were close by to break things up if need be. They fought hard for several minutes before Lukie finally walked away. The instant he did, things were fine. I couldn't help but feel bad for the poor guy. He's been at the bottom of the pecking order for so long and figured this was his big chance to move up. It was sad to see him realize that he had bitten off more than he could chew. MacGyver is a big boy. Not a fighter by nature I don't think, but someone who will stick up for himself if need be.
Nothing so far with Tucker. They crossed paths on the driveway, but both just kept walking. Maybe MacGyver was too tired to offer any challenge...I don't know. I'm sure something will happen between the two before long. Maybe MacGyver just picked up on the fact that Tucker is king! :o)
All 4 pigs came inside shortly after the big event. I was so happy to see MacGyver come to the door of the house as his "safe place". I was sure he would now, but it's always scary letting them go loose for the first time. He knows this is home. I had some doctoring to do...Polysporin on bloody ears...but it's over. I know there will be smaller "squables" here and there, but the big fight is over. MacGyver has come SO FAR since I brough him home 2 weeks ago. He went from totally wild and untouchable to a sweet, trusting, friendly house piggy in a very short time. I wish people would open their eyes and see this potential.
Then...
Now...
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