Hi, sorry for the delay in replying but I had friends turn up unexpectedly.
The rescue was an amazing place and there were loads of little furry bundles I could have happily pig-napped.
There was a gorgeous 6 month old pure black boy who was very soft and cuddly who we tried with Telford first. Unfortunately they
really didn't like each other! Teeth chattering and weeing started mere mins. after they spotted each other. A shame really as he was lovely and I've always wanted a pure black pig - but there was no way that pairing was ever going to work so that was that.
We then tried Telford with a baby boar who was part of an RSPCA rescue where the animals were removed from the owner but not taken into an RSPCA centre. This little chap had ringworm as did the rest of the litter. He has not been handled apart from his ring worm treatment and is probably 5/6 weeks old at a guess the rescue think.
Anyway, Telford rumbled away at him whilst the little chap chirruped back. There was a little bit of chasing and humping - but the youngster seemed happy to let Telford boss him about and be dominant. They both ate a bit of grass and hay; then settled down together in a hut side by side.
We left them to it to tour the shelter before checking on them again. One of the other volunteers had glimpsed them out and eating together whilst we were gone and said they seemed fairly relaxed. On checking them again they were both out and exploring their cage, Telford stopped by to say 'hello' to me but was more interested in the food and youngster. All still seemed to be ok, no teeth chattering and the youngster not bothered by Telford still rumbling away.
We left them for much longer periods twice more and each time we crept back into the room we'd left them in all behaviour was very positive. I had expected to have to leave Telford behind at least for one night to check on any match, but the lady in charge of the rescue seemed to think that as the baby was so young and that as all the signs seemed positive that I should take the pair of them back home late yesterday afternoon.
So they're both here. There has been some more rumbling. They're both following each other around, but have both been eating and sitting/settling down next to each other quite happily. So hopefully the bond is ok. Fingers crossed it remains so when the youngster hits puberty in a few weeks time. He is very small though so hopefully he'll hit the hormones late.
We've temporarily named him 'Brunel' after Isambard Kingdom Brunel to go with young Telford who we named after Thomas Telford. He has got brown patches so it'll do for now and we can always change it is something more appropriate to his personality presents itself. I have left them quietly today, whilst keeping a listen out for noise levels - however I did take a quick pic. when I went out to give them their tea.
Telford may be slightly older than I first thought. He's the same size as a couple of the 6 month olds at the rescue; although it could be all the fresh diet he's been getting that have meant he's grown pretty quickly!
Anyway, Brunel is gorgeous if very, very nervous. But with a bit of work I'm sre he'll turn into a great little pig. I just really hope that the bond works out because I don't think it'll be very easy to return him if it all goes wrong and whilst I could keep two pairs here my holiday accommodation couldn't cope with two sets....... Fingers crossed for us all please.
