Further Tales From The Pigpen
Ah, yes, the royal cushion. They hate my leather sofa under their toes and for some reason (maybe the slight chill on their feet) it makes them want to pee on it. They settle happily on the cushion with no peeing.
Simon is now happy to be picked up and put down. He was a real scrabbler when I got him so it's major progress. He cashews on me now rather than standing up fidgeting.
Graham has been getting more of a run for his money this past week in terms of being big chief. Simon still backs down (usually just in the nick of time) but rather than immediately leave whatever napping spot when Graham tells him he should, he'll rumble and nose-off a bit first. It can get tense and I've had to leave the room more than once to stop my tension and watchful eyes interfering with natural pig business. After all, this is actually what I wanted to happen. It's also exactly how Stephen and Alan were for a while before they effectively became equal partners.
Simon is now happy to be picked up and put down. He was a real scrabbler when I got him so it's major progress. He cashews on me now rather than standing up fidgeting.
Graham has been getting more of a run for his money this past week in terms of being big chief. Simon still backs down (usually just in the nick of time) but rather than immediately leave whatever napping spot when Graham tells him he should, he'll rumble and nose-off a bit first. It can get tense and I've had to leave the room more than once to stop my tension and watchful eyes interfering with natural pig business. After all, this is actually what I wanted to happen. It's also exactly how Stephen and Alan were for a while before they effectively became equal partners.
Last night during free-range time I finally saw Simon tentatively lick Graham's ear while rumbling at him. :) Graham (as I predicted) immediately lay down with his front legs stretched right out and looked goofy. Simon lost his nerve and ran away at that point much to G's disappointment.
Today they've been bickering a lot even by their standards. But I remember all of this. It's the 2 forward, 1 back that comes with negotiating the finer details of bonding. I distinctly remember making a post years ago on my chronicle that I wasn't down with this new ear-grooming malarkey if it was going to lead to such friction. Then true bonding occured and I learned.
*crosses fingers*
Today they've been bickering a lot even by their standards. But I remember all of this. It's the 2 forward, 1 back that comes with negotiating the finer details of bonding. I distinctly remember making a post years ago on my chronicle that I wasn't down with this new ear-grooming malarkey if it was going to lead to such friction. Then true bonding occured and I learned.
*crosses fingers*