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Area Family Goes Hog Wild Over New Pet
This little piggy…won't go to market
by Mike Turton
 | | Babe enjoys her new digs after spending the summer in the wilds of North Highlands |
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Karen Petacchi may be unique. How many people would be happy to look out their window to find a pig relaxing on the front lawn? Karen wasn't just happy late in July when that happened - she was elated. In fact, she was as happy as a…well never mind.
The pig in question was nameless at this stage of this intriguing porcine tale. Brought home as a pet by a family in the Fishkill Rd. area right around Mother's Day, the pig bolted from the family car and took up a life on the run in the wilds of North Highlands. Search parties proved futile. Periodic, fleeting pig sightings raised hopes but this little porker was not in the mood to be found. People were worried.
Then came Karen Petacchi's sighting. Karen Phillips, her daughter, quickly put out some leftover popcorn chicken produced by that famous colonel from Kentucky. There must be something to the secret recipe thing. The pig returned the next day to find dog biscuits as "today's special" at Karen's newly established Deli for Wayward Pigs. The following day, homegrown apples were featured. The menu was expanded to include bird feed featuring yummy cracked corn as the entree. This pig knew a good deli when she saw one and she wasn't going anywhere. Each morning, miss piggy tiptoed in for breakfast then spent the day just hanging out - either basking in the sun or cooling in the shade before heading back for a quiet night in the swamp. Karen contacted the original owners but they had lost interest after the pig's decision to take a walk on the wild side. The time had come. Karen named the pig "Babe." Someone was quick to comment, "Very original!"
By now, Babe was big news in the neighborhood. Everyone wanted a glimpse and Babe obliged, often posing for photos on the front lawn. "I've never seen so many of my neighbors," Petacchi said. "Cars would slow down just to have a look." At one point the garbage man tried to catch Babe, ostensibly to train her. He failed. Traffic was becoming a concern and Karen feared that Babe could meet with a very unhappy end. A bear sighting was the final straw. Babe needed a safer home
Enter Putnam Valley Wildlife Rescue, who, using just a little trail mix, easily coaxed Babe into a cage. Babe will never be accused of being a gourmet although she does gallop from time to time. Her preferred food is - well - food.
When Laurie Yodice, who lives on a small farm on Route 301, saw a picture of Babe it was love at first oink. She agreed to give her a proper rural home. However, Karen did have one stringent condition before saying goodbye. Babe will never have the words "Wow That was One Great BLT" on her tombstone. She must remain a pet forever.
Babe now occupies the luxury suite in the Yodice chicken coop. "She's a Potbellied Pig, about five months old and weighs around 60 pounds now" Yodice said. "But we have no idea how big she'll get." In-depth research by the PCN&R indicates that Babe could reach as much as one hundred pounds.
Babe has quickly become a much-loved pet for the Yodice family. "She's friendly, cute and has a great personality," Laurie explained. The pig, who loves to be around people and even gets along well with the horses, comes when she's called and routinely follows Laurie's daughters Rebecca and Rachel around the farmyard, happily and constantly wagging her tail. One of Babe's most endearing habits is to do a figure eight in and out of the feet of anyone who is willing to stand still. Her diet now consists mainly of proper pig food pellets, but Laurie is quick to point out that "she also loves macaroni!"
Yodice says that Babe debunks the notion that pigs are always dirty. "She does get dirty sometimes - but she baths regularly in a tub we keep full of water for her. She's always pink!" she added.
Babe is living proof that pigs can make great pets. But veterinarians and numerous websites urge caution. Anyone who is considering adopting a pet pig should do some research first. Not everyone has a farm yard and a chicken coop to spare. Anyone contemplating a porky pet can check the North American Potbellied Pig Association website. You guessed it: www.petpigs.com
Karen Petacchi still misses Babe. She has visited her a number of times and Babe always runs over to greet her enthusiastically. Babe never forgets a great Deli.
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