For The Love of Pigs, Dogs, and Jam

I am sure that it has become quite obvious to you over the past year that
Maddie is in love with the piggies.

She fell in love at first sight when we brought them home...
tiny and just a couple of months old.
And over the past year her affection hasn't waned.
She visits with them whenever she can...
patiently allowing them to sniff and investigate her furry body.


Yesterday she took a ball into the pig yard with her.
(Maddie loves her balls better than anything!)

The sweetest thing happened...
she dropped her ball and pushed it with her nose towards MaryAnn,
who had come out to say hi to her.


MaryAnn sniffed it, 


tried to pick it up in her mouth, and tasted it with her tongue


before decided it offered nothing edible to her.


With that, Maddie took it back.


Such sweet friends...
it makes my heart just ache with love.
These two completely opposite species who share a mutual affection for each other...


it just makes me swoon!

After swooning, I headed to the house to deal with the vegetables 
that had taken over every counter in the kitchen.

Amanda and I quickly turned several pounds of tomatoes into a tomato/basil jam
(sounds great on a bagel with cream cheese, or on a grilled cheese sandwich!)


and also a batch of ground cherry/orange jam...
yummy!


Oh, and check out the kitchen help...
this is our 17 year old Hickory, partially blind, totally deaf, and somewhat senile...
but, there's nothing wrong with her nose.
She knows where to find the tastiest morsels.


Believe me, this is not an accepted practice in our house...
she did it behind my back!

Comments

I love terriers and your Hickory makes my heart swoon! They are too cute and because of that cuteness get away with more than any other pet in your life.
I live this daily with a Cairn Terrier...I'm such a sucker.
I love how you love and appreciate all your animals. There is so much happiness and friendship among everybody. I keep going online looking for farms in Vermont. Soooo expensive. Enjoy your day, I know you will.
Lisa (BassetMom) said…
Oh Bev, couldn't the human race learn so much goodness and acceptance from the animals? Today's post just made my heart melt! Thanks so much!
Anonymous said…
A dog and a pig is just about the sweetest thing I've ever seen. Our boxer pup will sometimes share his ball by rolling it with his nose to our younger boxer... but not very often. He is quite protective of HIS ball... Love that Maddie shared hers, what a great pup!
Unknown said…
I adore this post! Love, love...totally love those two sweet babies together!! And that last picture of the oldest....still getting in trouble! Love it!
jean said…
I'm telling you, I swooned. How good do your jams look!! Gotta love Hickory.
Anonymous said…
Very cute pictures! Even the one of Hickory in the dishwasher! Classic!
Mary Ann said…
What great pictures... I made tomato jam last year and it was great and RUINED my first batch this year! Trying again next week!
Bringing those piggies home was the best thing you could have ever done for Maddie. I think they are better than puppies:-)
Anonymous said…
How heartwarming to see the love between those two! But then, Maddie looks like she would love any creature that she comes in contact with. So sweet. Becky
Country Gal said…
Oh what a wonderful post and photos ! Our Miggy like's to sneak a lick or two of the dirty dishes in the dish washer to . Hey life with out animals would be boring ! Have a great day !
Kris said…
What a sweet love story! And look at that pupper up there on the dishwasher!!! So cute. That jam...oh my ...i am drooling!!
Kris
Sandy said…
Just adorable Bev! How cute of Maddie to share her ball with Mary Anne. And cute that little terrier on the dishwasher door is precious. You can tell you have very happy critters.
Meghan Grace said…
Those photos make me swoon too! Maddie looks like such a gentle girl. I would love to give her some love!
This N That said…
From the sublime to the ridiculous...Sweet, sweet Maddie..What a nice gesture...Hickory..soo funny..I wouldn't think she'd be able to get up there..It probably wasn't easy..
Sharon said…
Your photos in this post are beautiful. The expressions on their faces tell such a sweet story.

I would love to have your recipe for tomato basil jam.
Michelle said…
Hickory gave me a good laugh!