(Berkeley Animal Rights Center Newsletter)

By Priya Sawhney

When I first met Miley, I was anxiously waiting in the car for my fellow investigators to come out as part of an open rescue, in which animal rescuers go into farms and rescue injured animals. It was a cold and dark night, so I had heated the car in case we rescued a pig at Farmer John, the notorious “finishing facility” for pigs being killed for food. In the distance, I saw a figure carrying a blanket. Inside the blanket was Miley, sick and freezing cold.

I drove Miley to her forever home shortly after that. During the ride, I was anxious about how heavily Miley breathed - as if she had never slept before. If Miley slept at Farmer John, she risked being trampled by other piglets. Every few minutes I would stop and see if she was breathing, if she was scared, and if she was in good hands. When we got to her new home, we took her temperature, gave her food and water, and let her sleep in peace.

When Miley and I went for walks at her new home at a loving animal sanctuary, she squealed really loud - the first time I saw her with the energy to express herself. When Miley was a little piglet, I would lie down next to her. I could not believe that Miley was going to be killed for food before we rescued her.

After a week, Miley and I grew very attached. I drove Miley to a far away vet visit one day, and she was weak and unable to walk. She was getting sick and scared, and I was worried I would lose her. When I went to leave, I saw a sign on the vet’s office that was like a punch to my gut: “Certified by the Beef Association.” I called the vet’s office every few hours out of fear at that sign.

Before long, the vet called to say Miley would be okay. I brought her home, and over the next few days she started to recover. She was stronger. She didn’t just walk - she ran. She played in the water fountain. Nothing is as joyful as a little piglet rescued from a life of misery running through green fields in plain bliss.

I left Miley with the most amazing caregivers anyone could ask for, but I couldn’t help but return after a few weeks. When I did, Miley looked up and recognized me. The joy of being recognized by her gave me chills. Seeing Miley recover was the greatest gift I’ve ever gotten.