A Tiny Teacher

Mar 10

What a 4-Day-Old Piglet Taught Me About Growth

Five weeks ago, a 4-day-old orphan piglet unexpectedly entered our lives.

I was in South Florida for two months, searching for a partnership to continue my equine-assisted work. I was looking for horses, the spirit of the horse was already moving me.

And instead… a piglet showed up.

Growth Rarely Arrives as Expected

As I move from state to state, choosing freedom and experience, I’m always listening for purpose:
Why am I here? What is this season asking of me?

This little piglet was tiny, loud, and completely dependent. She woke us up every two hours. Our days revolved around mixing formula, cleaning pee pads, rooting, cleaning spills, and keeping her warm and regulated.

We thought she was a mini pig. She turned out to be a wild boar. Of course she did.

It was messy. Inconvenient. Surprisingly emotional. And yes, we technically didn’t have permission to host a pig at our Airbnb, but the neighbors loved her.

Lessons in Stretching

This experience stretched me in ways I didn’t expect:

Moments I felt overwhelmed and wanted to give her back
Moments I felt fiercely protective
Moments I wanted someone to see how much we were giving
Moments I had to ask myself:

Am I holding on because it’s best for her, or because it’s hard for me to let go?

That question landed.

Unexpected Teachers

As I continue training at the professional coach level, studying attachment, nervous system regulation, and clean leadership, I didn’t expect a 5-pound piglet to become one of my greatest teachers.

But she was.

Love doesn’t mean possession.
Leadership isn’t control.
Clean endings are an act of integrity.

We raised her for four weeks. She left confident and strong, settling into life at a horse sanctuary where she now serves as a therapy pig. Watching her walk into her next chapter without hesitation was grounding and humbling.

Sometimes, we are meant to be a bridge in someone’s story, not the whole book.

Reflection for Transitions

If you’re navigating transition, attachment, or letting go, this is the work I do with my clients:

We examine patterns
We regulate the nervous system
We practice leading with steadiness instead of fear

If this resonates and you feel stretched in your own life, I invite you to book a Possibility Call. It’s a space to slow down, get honest about where you are, and explore what’s next from a grounded place.

Growth rarely feels easy.

But it changes us.

And sometimes… it wakes you up every two hours to make sure you evolve.