Allowed to grow old
Frankie arrived at Kindred Farm on his 13th birthday on Halloween 2023. There is quite a history behind Frankie that very few people know. His story with us began in September of 2022. I first met Frankie at a property for sale that our charity put a purchase offer on. Our offer was $3,575,000 with a 6-month close. We worked tirelessly to secure the downpayment, by offering a shared ownership arrangement and shared accommodation in the gorgeous home. Frankie resided on this property with lots of other farm animals.
Frankie was housed in a box by the blue barn. He was introduced to us and did come out to say hi and then quickly when back inside. But that first meeting made a huge impact on me. He was blind and deaf but could easily manage moving around the grounds. Myself and others thought his name was Winston at first which was fitting since that was our realtor’s name. Our offer on the property included us adopting all the animals living there.
His home was eventually sold. Frankie and all the animals were at risk. Kindred offered to take Frankie and he arrived on Halloween Day, 2023. He was 13 years old.
Frankie is the first pig we rescued at Kindred Farm and because of him, he won’t be the last. He made such a good impression on everyone who met him, that he became an ambassador for his species.
And we became advocates for his species.
We did everything we could think of to give Frankie the best life. And this was done with so much joy. You would never ever hear one single complaint from anyone about any chores for Frankie. Maybe only about sore backs from bending over and squeezing into his box to give it a good clean. He received two portions of mini pig food a day that were measured out to help him lose weight with lots of water to help him stay hydrated. He was a very enthusiastic eater and would end up tipping his food bowl. We were continually trying different things to stop the food being tipped onto the ground, but in the end we just placed mats under his dish so he could get at every last drop. We loving made him two salads every day with the freshest veggies. Prepping his food and presenting it to Frankie was one of the favourite activities of our volunteers. We wouldn’t just place it down, we would watch him savour every bite.
When the new Children’s Barn was finished, it was so exciting to move Frankie into his new space and no more sore backs. This was done as seamlessly as possible to cause Frankie the least trauma. We spent weeks walking Frankie closer and closer to the new barn so he would eventually walk to the new barn on his own without any coercion. His box was cut down to a size that would fit into his new stall to help him settle in. Slowly we made his box smaller and smaller until it was no more. It was now fall and the temperatures were dropping. A favourite ritual was tucking Frankie in for the night and covering him with a warm blanket.
Frankie was cherished and was a favourite of just about everyone at the farm and our community. I loved sharing about Frankie in our newsletters and on social media. I thought I would share this email that I received in 2024 with the subject line: Animal Cruelty. It is the nature of animal rescue that you can trigger many feelings—good and bad. Especially special needs animals.
“I just watched Frankie, the pig on the news. He creeps are actually keeping a pig alive to hear stories from kids. That’s actually deaf and can’t hear them and blind???? Animal cruelty is you putting this on the News trying to raise money and torturing a pig that’s going through sensory deprivation! You guys are disgusting and depraved !!
Put the poor pig out of its misery.”
And this response from Marilyn Gough
“I wanted to contact you as clearly the global news story was very upsetting for you as an animal lover.
Frankie the pig is an amazing animal. He has adapted to being deaf and blind in exceptional ways which I would have never thought possible.His sense of smell has developed to the point that he knows all of his caregivers when they approach him. He immediately begins to vocalize and comes to greet them. He loves to be brushed and enjoys meal and snack times. In the summer he enjoys time in the sun around the other animals.
He is showered with love by his caregivers every day and he gives love back in equal measures. We are planning a very special spot for him in our new barn. Because of our generous donors, we have raised enough to start construction this year.
I have volunteered for Kindred for 10 years and am very impressed by the level of caring. Many of our forever animals are disabled in some way and considered ‘throw aways’ to many, but it is amazing what these kind souls can teach us when they are loved and cherished. We strive to not only give them a good life, but also a good death when their time comes…one free of pain and suffering.
I hope my words help you to feel better about our little farm sanctuary and about Frankie. Thank you for caring.”
And then the reply email.
“Thank you so much for the response Marilyn! Sorry if my vent seemed harsh – you really made me feel heard and feel a fair bit better about it. I respect to you being a volunteer for 10 years!!
Warm regards.”
https://youtube.com/shorts/OuDeRJThU3g?si=Vt6wTFpDXcKjvydT
Pigs have so many things in common with dogs: intelligent, loyal, social, food motivated, potty trained and life span.
We knew Frankie was a senior when we got him and he slowly became more and more arthritic. His naps were challenging the Guiness Book of Records. He loved his naps! He got to the point where it didn’t matter if he smelled his favourite volunteer, or the smell of his grooming brush, he would only wake up if he smelled his food 🙂 And then he would begrudgingly, ever so slowly – so slow you could have gone out and made lunch and then come back to maybe see him at his bowls. It was a sign that the end was near when he was even slower than usual to come out and eat watermelon at our July Open House 🙁 But this is hindsight.
When you were with Frankie, he would just make you smile. I’m slowly getting to a place again where I can smile when I think of Frankie.
On a summer day, Frankie ate dinner and then passed away shortly after with two barn managers by his side. That is something to smile about. A very loving and kind passing that is so fitting for a beautiful soul who brought nothing but joy and love into this world.