Hamlette the pig took a walk one day, followed by me and her owner.
I’d planned to sit in the Southern California sun and enjoy the weather, but the thought of ambling down the street following Hamlette the pig seemed like fun.
So, off we went.
Through a gate and down a wide street.
My friend, me, his cat, and Hamlette.
Quite a little procession we made.
Hamlette the pig and the cat
The cat was hilarious.
She’d taken this walk before.
She watched from a tree.
Rolled, bored, she waited as the swine took her time.
Peered around a corner, and called off a dog, and sprinted home–long before us.
At least the cat knew how to defend Hamlette the pig from a friendly dog!
The pig, however, never looked up. Hamlette kept trudging, diligently, down the street!
Dinner was waiting–somewhere!
What do the neighbors think?
Everyone in the neighborhood knows Hamlette the pig.
Including the local dogs.
They don’t even look up anymore. (The dog above reacted to the cat!)
Hamlette enjoyed resting in the fenced-in front yard.
Children and their parents, the mail carriers, neighbors, and friend delivery people, all knew her.
They’d stop to say hello, or even toss a piece of fruit, whether the owners were home or not!
On our walk, a neighborhood runner, not moving very fast, lapped us twice!
Cars slowed down and drivers peered at the ambling porcine.
Her owner waved and they returned the salute!
You can read about the popularity of a neighborhood pig in the book The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood by Sy Montgomery.
Why does Hamlette the pig live with a family?
Once upon a time, Hamlette the pig belonged to her current owner’s daughter.
Purchased as a teacup pig nine years, ago, the first owner’s roommates didn’t like living with a pig, no matter how cute she was.
Like many pigs, she liked to eat.
And eat. And eat.
One day, the young woman brought Hamlette the pig home.
Her parents fell in love.
And Hamlette has been a happy pig ever since.
She started out at only a few pounds, big enough to hold in your hand.
Hamlette the pig weighs 250 pounds now.
Her family still loves her.
And every day, or even twice a day, she goes for a walk.
How does the walk end?
The cat keeps track of her.
And waits for her piggy friend to catch up.
Then, the two of them go through the gate.
Hamlette knows it’s time to eat once she’s home.
And then, she does her job.
Relaxing.
Everyone knows to let sleeping pigs lie.
Hamlette Goes on a Walk
Hamlette’s story releases on June 25 as a child’s picture book.
Written by Andy Greene–and based on the walk above–you can find the book at Amazon and at Green River Books.
Andy met Hamlette several years ago when he “began walking her as a side hustle to his artisitic endeavors. And he still enjoys walking Hamlette to this day.”
Portions of the book’s profits will be donated to the Hammy Fund, to help pigs and other animals in need.
Tweetables
Taking a neighborhood walk with a 250-pound pig. Click to Tweet
A pig, a cat, and two adults take a walk on a city street. Click to Tweet
Love it!! ❤️🐷