Anyone contemplating a job as Kevin Bacon’s handler should be prepared to learn the rules.
For starters, the left loveseat cushion is his and only his. He loves apples and peanut butter, but hates carrots and celery. He relishes basking in the sun on the front porch, and midnight snacks are not just preferred, they’re expected.
To remain in Kevin's good graces, it's crucial to master these guidelines. However, there's one rule of paramount importance when overseeing the domestic affairs of Kevin Bacon: never, under any circumstances, refer to him as a pig.
That’s because this cantankerous but cherished member of a Preston family has no idea he’s a mini pot-bellied pig. There’s no point in trying to convince him.
Anyone who attempts to have some fun at Kevin’s expense by mimicking grunts in his direction will face his wrath, enduring weeks of cold shoulder treatment.
Anyone daring enough to imitate pig sounds to his face could find themselves chased out the door.
And beware because Kevin never forgets.
“He knows how to hold a grudge,” confirms Lucy Goddard, one of Kevin’s handlers, AKA adoptive mother.
Why would anyone make room for such a high-maintenance hog?
Lucy’s husband Adam, who thoroughly researched mini pot-bellied pigs, doesn’t skip a beat.
“He’s my pig,” he says as he and his wife watch Kevin munch maple leaves on the grass. “He’s my pig. That’s it.”
Even after a brief visit to the Goddard home, it’s evident how much affection the family has for the five-year-old mini pot-bellied pig – and the feeling appears mutual.
Kevin, who also answers to “pig,” is emotionally intelligent and intuitive, explains Lucy.
“Whatever room I’m in, Kevin will come into that room. He just wants to be where you are.”
While the behaviour is typical of most dogs, Kevin instinctively knows when Lucy begins experiencing effects of a brain injury suffered when her brain lacked oxygen during the birth of her third child.
Kevin lies across her, pressing on her vagus nerve which helps relieve symptoms. This skill has earned Kevin an official designation as a service animal.
Kevin isn’t her only animal keeper, however. The family’s dog Sloan is a certified service animal that travels with her outside the home, providing trigger alerts.
While the pup’s job is to watch over Lucy when they’re out, Kevin considers it his job to take care of her at home. They often try to rescue her simultaneously.
“The dog and the pig are almost competing to see who’s going to be my support animal,” she laughs.
Such charming traits have helped Kevin earn that cushion on the couch, as well as a cozy fleece bed in the living room, and his 3 a.m. snack rituals.
“He’s definitely a creature of comfort,” quips Adam.
This is what it looks like to be part of the family, he explained. Like his canine companion, Kevin greets everyone when they return home, he “roughhouses” with one of their sons, and honks snide remarks when his rules aren’t followed.
He’s also judgmental, Adam says. If Kevin sees him dressed in his work uniform he knows Adam is leaving and lets everyone know – in tantrum form.
Evening walks are brief but never boring, according to the Goddards.
A stroll down the sidewalk and across the street – Kevin knows to use the pedestrian crosswalk – are always a conversation starter. While their Edgar Street neighbours adore Kevin, and often run outside to greet him, his portly presence is an eye-catching experience for strangers.
Everyone wants to meet him. Kevin Bacon has reached celebrity status in Preston.
When asked about the most common question people raise when seeing Kevin, Adam doesn’t hesitate.
“Is that a pig?” he chuckles.
Questions about how much he weighs and what he eats are also standard. And yes, Kevin is housebroken.
Response to Kevin moving into the neighbourhood has been positive, assured the family.
“We checked with all of our neighbours if it would be OK,” Lucy says.
They also checked with city officials and were told relevant bylaws are under review and they were fine as long as there were no complaints.
Kevin hails from Ingersoll where he was raised in the comforts of a home and received quality veterinary care. While his arrival home was akin to “a screaming ball of fury,” the family soon helped him settle in with snuggles and the security of a caring family.
The importance of emotional security is no joking matter, Adam says. Pigs are emotional, and if mistreated or abandoned, they become stressed and depressed.
This is also one of the primary reasons Adam offers stern advice to those interested in getting their own Kevin Bacon.
“Don’t get a pig,” he states.
Pigs are a lifestyle choice, he cautioned, because they require a lot of time and financial commitment. A recent urinary issue cost $7,000 for veterinary care. Hoof care and proper diets are essential. Vacations are rare.
“It’s learning to do away with the vacations because you have to get a pig-sitter and they’re hard to come by,” Lucy says. “ He needs to know them beforehand. Pigs know their people.”
The Cambridge couple knew what they were getting into because they did their homework. They understood their plump piglet was not going to stay that way.
“People don’t realize they grow into 200-pound animals,” Lucy says. “Too many pigs lose their home in their second year.”
Pot-bellied pig owners often lose motivation when they learn how challenging it can be to home a pig, and want to re-home it. Pigs are known to live more than 15 years.
“We always make sure it’s understood it’s a lifestyle,” Adam says. “They are a massive commitment. You need to be able to understand that. And not a lot of people do unfortunately, which is one of the reasons why there’s such a huge number of re-homed pigs.”
