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No one knows where Rootie was born, but he was found by animal control on a street corner in L.A. He was brought to a rescue organization in Rancho Palos Verdes where he was loved and pampered. Unfortunately, it was not long before he tipped the scales at over 1,000 pounds and quickly out grew his pen. This meant he needed a new permanent home. The volunteers taking care of Rootie became very concerned that he would end up slaughtered. As soon as we heard of his plight we put the word out and began making plans to provide Rootie with a new home. Due to his size Rootie needed a special enclosure. It had to be strong enough to withstand the “Little Bulldozer” as Rootie had come to be known. Sponsors including the Boy Scouts, Rose Farley, Hank and Judy Gonzales, Polly Smith and many others donated their time, supplies and money to build an enclosure capable of holding such a large pig. Robin Henry, our Secretary and Foreman, designed a suitable pen and made arrangements with Boy Scout Troop 446 of Covina, CA to begin building the pen by digging all of the holes needed for the fence posts. These holes were no small task as they were four feet deep in tough soil. About 50 scouts and parents spent three days working to help finish Rootie’s new home. Many thanks to Troop 446 for their help in this project. Without them, we would probably still be digging holes!
Before we knew it, moving day arrived. Now we had to figure out not only how to get Rootie out of his pen but into a horse trailer for a three hour drive. Rootie was now so large that he could no longer fit through the doorway of his pen. The only option was to remove the entire back wall of his pen. Four large men and several ladies could not budge him. After several hours a simple piece of birthday cake was all that was needed to get him out of his pen and into the trailer. When Rootie got to his new home he refused to come out of the trailer and we were fresh out of birthday cake. After some time in the trailer, we found that Rootie likes Ginger Snaps even more than he likes birthday cake. After that discovery, Rootie quite happily moved into his new home.
Rootie has happily accepted his new home and friends. He is walking on a leash and seems to really enjoy his walks around the ranch visiting all of his neighbors. Although, sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s walking who. Rootie’s place is a popular stop for horses in training so he gets lots of visitors. Rootie also stared in our Cinderella Dinner and a Show Fundraiser playing the “Evil Stepmother”. In full costume of course.
Rootie has fast become one of everyone’s favorites and enjoys lots of visitors. Be sure to stop by and see Rootie. Just don’t forget the Ginger Snaps!
