"So sorry about the delay," I said as I approached the twenty or so guests waiting patiently under the willow tree. I tilted my head back for a good long drink of the water and juice mix I carry with me on tour days. Another day without lunch.
I took a seat on one of the benches, but just as I was about to begin my introduction, Franklin the pig looked up from his spot in the far corner of the pasture that borders our waiting area, and I had an opportunity that couldn't be ignored.
"Kids!!" I summoned the group. "I need your help!"
I pointed to my friend with the pink skin and fuzzy ears. "See that pig over there? I said. His name is Franklin, and he loves children. If you help me, I bet he’ll come over.
Do we have to go get him? asked an outgoing little girl of six or seven.
Nope. We just have to call him over. I'm going to count to three, then I want everyone to shout as loudly as you can, "FRANKLIN!"
As his name left our collective lips, Franklin leapt the creek that divides his field in half, and trotted in our direction, grunting in anticipation.
"Whath he doing?" a wide-eyed child of five or six lisped through the hole in his top teeth, uncertain whether to laugh or to flee in terror from the 700-pound body barreling right at him.
I squatted so that we were eye to eye. "What's your name, sweetie?" I asked of the little boy, by now nothing but breath and bulging brown eyes.
"Malcolm," he whispered, glancing furtively at his mom. Franklin was
now a mere foot from us, pushing a soft snout into the wire mesh fence, his requests for company growing louder by the second."He's talking to us," I explained. "He's saying, ˜Malcolm, come right here so I can meet you: I bet you'd be a great friend.
"Thath really what he's thaying?" Malcolm asked.
"AbsoLUTEly!"
Malcolm smiled.
"Hi, everbody," I say to the group. "I'm Kathy Stevens, founder of Catskill Animal Sanctuary. "In just a moment you'll learn about the mission of CAS--who we rescue, how we make our choices, why we encourage all our guests not to eat animals like my friend here. But right now, we've got some pig kissing to do." A few chuckles emanated from the group, and one woman says, "I've been looking forward to kissing a pig all summer."
I edged over until I was right in front of Franklin, and offered my hand to Malcolm. He took it.
"Pigs are very loud, Malcolm, and that's a scary thing if you're not used to it. But look: Franklin can't come any closer because he's behind this fence," I explained, touching the top rail of Franklin's pasture.
"Sit right here," I encouraged him, and little Malcolm folds his legs and sits so that our knees are touching. "Hi, best pig in the world, hi, you good, good pig," I said to my friend as I flattened my hand against the metal mesh so that he can push into it with his muddy snout. "I love you, Franklin."
I took Malcolm's hand and held it beneath mine, and watched the child's smile grow as Franklin greeted him.
"He's all muddy," Malcolm giggles.
The group had gathered around us, and I sensed another opportunity.
"Well, everyone," I turned around to address the group, focusing on the children. "I haven't given 'Franklin a kiss yet today, so I'll be right back."
I hoisted myself up and over the fence, and stepped down beside my porcine pal. Franklin rubbed his cheek against my thigh and oinked his most emotional hello. I knelt, and was smothered in pig kisses: wet muddy snout against nose, cheek, mouth, head. I kissed him back then smile to the group. Most were laughing with delight; one woman looked like she wanted to grab her child and flee from what was surely a demonic cult.
"Anybody else want to kiss a pig?"
Two young girls squealed with glee, entreating their parents.
One at a time, Dad passed each of the girls over the fence. Franklin, of course, was beside himself, and the girls were instantly both filthy and in love. "I love you, Franklin," the older one said. "I love you, Franklin," the younger one mimicked through delighted giggles as a cool snout greeted her.
I passed the human packages back over the fence.
Malcolm, frozen in place on the other side, looked up at me, his eyes saying everything.
"Ok, trooper," I smiled as I held out my hands to help him over. "Ready to have some fun?"
