28 Comments
Oct 7Liked by James Breakwell

Ein Porkergeist!

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Well played!

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Super interesting how much more intelligent and/or inquisitive he is (or hungry?) than the other two pigs. Not going to endear himself to Lola that way though. Glad there was no major catastrophe from his escapade.

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Not a major catastrophe for me. Betsy was pretty devastated at the loss of her chips.

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I love reading about how smart Onyx is and how you problem solve. Taking notes for when we have to toddler proof our house.

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Here's hoping your toddler isn't as strong as Onyx. If they are, you're doomed.

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The "James vs. Onyx" battles are highly entertaining, and Onyx is clearly a worthy challenger. Imagine if he had thumbs!

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If he had thumbs, it wouldn't be a battle. I would automatically lose.

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First thing that came to mind: "Who let the pigs out! OINK OINK OINK"

Also, that is one gorgeous staircase!

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I don't own pigs. I do own 1 year old Lab/German Shepard mix male dogs. By the photo I'd say they're taller than Onyx and weigh about 80lbs each. They're especially high energy and unless I "run it off" nothing is scared. Before we got them I had a lovely living room. Now? Not so much. We don't entertain so I've learned to just "let it go" because it's never going to look the same as it did. Once they get to wrestling in it NOTHING is safe. One fun story though. When they were small I made a gate by tying two metal fences together. When I wasn't downstairs I always put the gate up in front of my chair. I have a table there also. They learned NOT to go past the gate. Now they're big enough to just move it with their noses but I've put the fear of God into them so they don't bother. Now I no longer have to put the gate up around my chair BUT I learned a great use for it. When I had new windows installed on the kitchen level (we have a sunken living room) I worried about how I was going to keep the dogs from bothering the guys. So I took the gate and positioned it at the top of the stairs. One butt of their heads and they could have knocked it down but they didn't even try. They went as far as going to the top step before stopping. Honestly I was surprised as hell! It's a bit like the electronic collars I have for them. I seldom have to use the buzzard anymore. All I have to do is hold it up so they can see it. They stop whatever they're doing immediately. They may start back up again in a minute, but I get that free minute, LOL

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I wish I could instill discipline an Onyx like that. He fears nothing. I assume dogs have a basic allegiance to humans that pigs lack.

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Kind of reminds me of my nephew and the wooden spoon! 😂😂😂

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Congrats on finding solutions that work! :-) That's so satisfying. I actually thought about suggesting the landing the other day, but I couldn't tell from the photos whether it was much narrower than the base of the stairs. I had a tension gate like that pressed up against my bottom step in my old house, and it contained my sister's dog well when they lived with me.

I'm currently working on a complicated way to install a cat door in my RV without permanently cutting/ drilling holes in the external envelope. I've gotten it partially installed, but decided to hire a carpenter to help me with the rest so I don't screw it up. (It involves keeping an underbelly compartment door permanently open and covering over the opening with plywood with the cat flap installed in it.)

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That sounds like a rather ingenious solution for the cat door. You have a whole different set of challenges when you live in a house that moves.

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That front staircase is stunning. I want your house!!!

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And the pigs? You could be Lola's hero if you take Onyx.

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Hilarious! I am glad to know you are smarter than a pot-bellied pig! At least for now. Onyx will now spend all day, every day figuring out how to thwart your feeble human attempts to have your way.

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I wouldn't say I'm smarter than him, but I do have access to more resources. If he could use the same tools I do, I would be doomed.

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I read the title of this newsletter/email, and (having kept up to date with previous pig escapades) I was filled with excitement. I have never clicked on an email faster. You (and Onyx) did not disappoint. Bravo on besting the beast once more!

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I won this time, but I'm not looking forward around to round number two.

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Worse than a toddler! 😂😂

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So much worse. He has the strength of a grown man, but without the thumbs.

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I mean… Onix contribution in Shennanigans and stories is fueling your fans. This has to count for something in Lola’s heart! I cant be thr oinkly one ao delighted!

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I love how fancy your pet gate is now! Also, you could make a pre-emptive strike and put a baby gate at the bottom of the kitchen stairs. Just sayin...

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I've been pondering that as well. I'm sure he'll sneak in there someday when I let my guard down.

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The main reason you took that pig in was for newsletter content, admit it !

We are loving every minute of it.

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Oct 8·edited Oct 8

Well, now. That sure kept you both from having a boring day. I'm really going to be disappointed if Onyx gives up his dream of conquering the house and you have no adventure to tell us about.

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Pig slobber 😁😁

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