Go Ask Dad: Louie, Louie

This is my favorite time of year. The season of dogwood blooms and redbud bursts; of blustery thunderstorms giving way to shy sunshine; of birdsong, singing creeks, and potbellied pigs outside microbreweries —wait, what?!

My wife’s cousin had her wedding shower last Saturday. As we were milling among our relatives, sampling various brews and appetizers, my father-in-law said, “There’s a pig outside on a leash.” Either he’d had too much to drink, or this was something for the kids and me to investigate.

The pig’s name was Louie. He was small and round, with black and white markings. A dog harness was clasped around his shoulders and under his ample belly, and he was indeed tethered to a leash. As Louie nosed around the grass under a picnic table, a young woman was happy to let the gaggle of kids pet him.

“He’s usually dressed up,” she said. “But we are taking it easy ‘cause it’s Saturday." Before I could ask what a pig wore on other days of the week, she instructed the kids, "Scratch behind his ears."

“Like a dog?” My son asked, squatting beside the pig.

“Sure,” she laughed. “Only with a bigger snout.” Louie snorted appreciatively.

For the wedding shower, we had more strawberry cake than we could eat, so my mother-in-law brought over a slice to share. The woman broke off a small piece and held it in the air. “Dance, Louie!”

Louie turned in a complete circle, then raised up on his hindlegs. We all applauded, and Louie danced again. Yes, the seasons turn like a pet pig wanting cake. But who says there is nothing new under the sun?

Andrew Taylor-Troutman is the author of Little Big Moments, a collection of mini-essays about parenting, and Tigers, Mice & Strawberries: Poems. Both titles are available most anywhere books are sold online. Taylor-Troutman lives in Chapel Hill where he serves as pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church and occasionally stumbles upon the wondrous while in search of his next cup of coffee.