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From Shaky Start to Safe Haven: Floppy's Journey

The Pet Pig Podcast

Release Date: 05/20/2025

Piggy the PTSD Therapy Pig:  A Story of Healing, Friendship, and Hope show art Piggy the PTSD Therapy Pig: A Story of Healing, Friendship, and Hope

The Pet Pig Podcast

          In this powerful and heartwarming episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn welcomes Kevin to share the remarkable journey of his beloved pig, Piggy. Kevin’s love for animals began in childhood, but severe allergies to cats and dogs made it nearly impossible for him to have a traditional pet. After years of searching for the right companion — and even navigating the need for a doctor’s prescription to keep a pig within city limits — Kevin’s path led him to Piggy, a Juliana pig who would forever change his life.          Piggy...

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Help!  My Pig Screams When Touched show art Help! My Pig Screams When Touched

The Pet Pig Podcast

         Why does my pig scream when I touch them? If you’ve ever brought home a piglet or even an older pig, you may have been surprised (or alarmed!) by how dramatic they can be when handled.           In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn explains why pigs squeal, what they’re really trying to communicate, and how you can gently build trust through patience, consistency, and positive experiences. From understanding prey animal instincts to practical tips like starting with less sensitive areas, pairing touch with treats, and...

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What Is Your Pig Trying to Tell You?  Understanding Pig Body Language show art What Is Your Pig Trying to Tell You? Understanding Pig Body Language

The Pet Pig Podcast

            In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn dives into one of the most important parts of being a great pig parent—understanding your pig’s body language. Pigs are incredible communicators, but they don’t use words like we do. Instead, they communicate through posture, eye contact, energy, and subtle cues.           Autumn breaks down the most common signals—like tail movement, head position, eyes, body posture, and even ear placement—so you can recognize when your pig is relaxed, curious, stressed, or on guard....

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Rooting:  The Instinct That Drives Your Pig show art Rooting: The Instinct That Drives Your Pig

The Pet Pig Podcast

           In this episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, host Autumn takes a deep dive into one of the most frequent questions she receives from new pig owners: “Why does my pig root so much?” Rooting—whether in the dirt, on furniture, or on you—is one of the most recognizable and instinctual behaviors pigs display. But it’s often misunderstood.           Autumn breaks down the five main reasons pigs root: to search for food, to cool off and regulate their temperature, to build nests, to communicate and bond socially, and to explore...

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Joanna on the Joys (and Challenges) of Raising Rosey show art Joanna on the Joys (and Challenges) of Raising Rosey

The Pet Pig Podcast

Instagram:   pig_ture_perfect_rosey A short bio about Rosey’s family:           My name is Joanna and I am married to my husband, Nathaniel. We live 10 minutes north of Boston,MA. We have one dog, one pig and two cats. When we first got Rosey (when she was 8 weeks old) we had 2 dogs and one cat, but sadly one of our dogs passed away last November.            I am a school adjustment counselor and I am a licensed mental health counselor. Luckily I have the summers off :)           My husband is in graduate...

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Why Pigs Love Food:  Appetite, Taste & the Gut-Brain Connection show art Why Pigs Love Food: Appetite, Taste & the Gut-Brain Connection

The Pet Pig Podcast

           In this episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn  explores one of the most common (and misunderstood) pig behaviors: their obsession with food. If your pig begs constantly, roots endlessly, or always acts hungry—there’s science behind it! You’ll learn: • That pigs have 15,000–20,000 taste buds and how that makes food even more rewarding for them • How their gut-brain connection differs from ours, making them feel less full—even after eating • How food activates the pig brain’s reward system and why begging often becomes a learned...

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Thinking Pigs:  What Science Says About Your Pig's Mind, Emotions and Personality show art Thinking Pigs: What Science Says About Your Pig's Mind, Emotions and Personality

The Pet Pig Podcast

                    In this episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn dives into groundbreaking research from the paper Thinking Pigs: A Comparative Review of Cognition, Emotion, and Personality in Sus domesticus by Dr. Lori Marino and Christina M. The study compiles decades of scientific research and confirms what pig parents have known all along—pigs are highly intelligent, emotionally complex, and deeply individual animals. Autumn breaks down the most powerful findings from the review, exploring: • Cognition: Pigs are strategic thinkers...

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Piglets & Toddlers:  More Alike Than You Think show art Piglets & Toddlers: More Alike Than You Think

The Pet Pig Podcast

          In this insightful and entertaining episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn  explores the many ways that pet pigs behave like toddlers—and why understanding these behaviors is crucial for any current or future pig parent. Drawing from her two decades of experience, Autumn breaks down common pig traits like tantrums, selective eating, curiosity, and emotional expression, highlighting their parallels to young children.           Listeners will learn why pigs need supervision, structure, routine, and social interaction just like...

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Hot Days, Cool Pigs:  Why Summer Hydration Is Critical show art Hot Days, Cool Pigs: Why Summer Hydration Is Critical

The Pet Pig Podcast

          In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, host Autumn highlights the life-or-death importance of keeping pigs cool and hydrated during hot summer months. Whether a pig lives indoors or outside, summer heat poses real dangers—especially since pigs don’t sweat and can’t regulate their body temperature like humans.          -Hydration is essential: Fresh, clean water is non-negotiable. Cold water helps cool pigs internally, but it must be paired with external cooling methods.          -Cooling methods:...

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From Hollywood to Hay:  Lena Dunham on Life with Her Pigs show art From Hollywood to Hay: Lena Dunham on Life with Her Pigs

The Pet Pig Podcast

          In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, Autumn welcomes actress, writer, and director Lena Dunham to share her deeply personal and refreshingly honest journey into the world of pig parenting. From childhood dreams of being a pig farmer (without knowing what that truly meant) to life with her two beloved pigs, Victor and Cherry, Lena brings humor, insight, and an immense love for pigs to the mic.           Lena recounts the magical — and messy — experience of bringing Victor home for the first time, learning how different pigs...

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Podcast Episode Summary: “From Shaky Start to Safe Haven: Floppy’s Journey”

           In this heartwarming episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, host Autumn interviews Chelsey an animal lover who shares the remarkable story of her pet pig, Floppy. Born in January 2020 with a severe case of “shaking head syndrome,” Floppy was given only two weeks to live. When veterinarians recommended euthanasia, Chelsey and her husband stepped in to give the piglet a fighting chance.

          Despite having no prior experience with pigs, Chelsey hand-raised Floppy—bottle-feeding him every three hours, maintaining a warm environment, and managing the anxiety of not knowing whether he’d survive. Miraculously, Floppy defied all odds, outgrew his symptoms, and is now a healthy, happy 850-pound pig living in their house at five years old.

           Chelsey also shares about their second pig, Peanut, a two-year-old Yorkshire and a foster fail who’s become part of the family. Together with three dogs and three cats, both pigs live indoors and have unique personalities—Floppy is calm and emotionally intuitive, while Peanut is goofy and energetic.

           Challenges of raising full-sized farm pigs indoors include structural damage, frequent modifications (like replacing doors), and managing their high energy and strength. Despite HOA restrictions, Chelsey's supportive neighborhood rallied behind her, embracing Floppy as a beloved member of the community.

           The episode highlights themes of dedication, adaptability, and unconditional love—showing that with commitment and compassion, even the most unlikely pig can find a forever home.

Autumn’s Links: 

Website:

https://www.autumnacresminipetpigs.com/

Email:

https://stan.store/autumnacresminipetpigs

Educational Membership Group:

https://stan.store/autumnacresminipetpigs/p/autumn-acres-educational-membership-group

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/autumnacresminipetpigs/

Facebook: 

HTTP://Facebook.com/autumnacresminipetpigs

Free Community:

https://stan.store/autumnacresminipetpigs/p/autumn-acres-free-community

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/channel/UCGue5Kp5AwOXkReCGPUyImA

Stan Store:

https://stan.store/autumnacresminipetpigs

Newsletter:

https://stan.store/autumnacresminipetpigs