You can see the story of her rescue in this video:
I’m an emotional guy, so I wasn’t that surprised that the cement pig got to me. Crow’s feet were starting to spread out from her eyes. Cobwebs hung from her ears. Her body revealed the scars that come with a long life.
But, still.
I’m in the hustle and bustle of an estate liquidation and home cleanout project and I’m stopped in my tracks. By a cement pig. An animal that many would argue isn’t “real” — but all yard art animals are real to me. I’m an animist who takes it a step further. I believe all creatures, including sculptures, have certain spirits about them.
Finding out if the pig already had a new home lined up
I asked her pet parent, Stacie, if she was taking the pig to a new home. She said she had no room for her, and tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, too. We obviously had to join forces to save our porcine friend.
I told Stacie about all the other technically-not-living animal rescues Orion’s Attic has conducted over the years. Our hearts go out to them all, especially the old and the crippled. I relayed our passion for taking these critters home. How we love doing our best to mend that which can be healed. And how we still give unconditional love to the animals whose injuries can’t be remedied.
Our entire front and backyard, not to mention much of our house, looks like a wildlife rehabilitation center.
Stacie told us it would give her great joy to know her friend for decades was going to find new pet parents and new animal friends to hang out with in her old age.
I brought the pig home, my wife Won-ok so used to the drill now. We broke out our paints and brushes and crack fillers and got to work.
Listening to what the client wants
“How can we help you today?” I asked. I do converse with all beings.
The aging pig said she’d like to feel young again.
Not a problem.
We promptly painted her graying skin hot pink, did some optical work on her eyes to bring out her youthful inner-pig, and gave her hooves a nice shine.
Then we sent her out to pasture to explore her new home. She made quick friends with a family of sheep that had lost limbs but not a zest for life.
Our 12-year-old heartdaughter Nava stopped by, took one look at her, and accepted the honor we always give her — naming the newest addition to our family.
“Diva!” she said. “But not because she’s difficult. She’s going to be a star, like Miss Piggy.”
Welcome home, Diva.
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About Orion’s Attic
Orion’s Attic is a full-service estate liquidation, downsizing, and home cleanout company based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Founded in 2011, we complete more than 100 full-home estate liquidation and cleanout projects each year, helping families through complex transitions in a professional, stress-free way.
As a “green choice” estate liquidation and estate solutions company, we prioritize donation, reuse, recycling, and responsible disposal whenever possible.
We serve Montgomery County (Ashton, Aspen Hill, Barnesville, Bethesda, Boyds, Cabin John, Chevy Chase, Colesville, Derwood, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Glen Echo, Laytonsville, Montgomery Village, Olney, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Spencerville, Takoma Park, Wheaton), Frederick County, Howard County (Columbia, Ellicott City), Prince George’s County (College Park, Greenbelt, Hyattsville), Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia.