My Hilarious Adventure with a Pet Pig and a Dog
During my recent stay at an Airbnb, I had the unique opportunity to interact with a pet pig. However, it was through this experience that I came to appreciate and develop a newfound preference for dogs.
I preferred dogs after staying at an Airbnb with a pet pig.
The writer and the resident Airbnb pig. Courtesy of Jamie Valentino
Once upon a time, in the beautiful city of Medellin, Colombia, I embarked on a quest to find new friends. Tired of being a third wheel to my best friend and her boyfriend, I decided to rent a room in an Airbnb. Little did I know that this experience would involve a pet pig named Carbón, who had a habit of treating me like a professional bull rider when hungry!
Now, normally I’m not a “dog person,” but compared to this unruly pig, I found myself favoring the company of my host’s dog, Leila. But let’s rewind a bit and dive into the chaos that unfolded during my stay.
First off, Carbón, despite his cuteness, was a bit of a troublemaker. He had rough, hairy skin and intimidating tusks—nothing like the pigs I had seen in cartoons. This domesticated hog and I had a complicated relationship, to say the least. He was supposed to be kept upstairs, but every morning, he would come bounding down the stairs with his jiggly body and swaying tail. I swear, watching him do a hoof-by-hoof descent was like watching a pig version of a drag show!
But here’s where it gets interesting. If Carbón didn’t get his food on time, he turned into a full-on aggressive beast. It didn’t matter if you were a friend or a foe; he would charge at your feet like a bull in a china shop. The first time he did it, I couldn’t help but wonder if a pig could actually take a bite out of my flesh. So, as any self-respecting fashionista would do, I started wearing socks with my sandals for protection. Hey, don’t judge—a pig attack is a real fashion emergency!
In an attempt to control Carbón’s behavior, my host, Ihab, resorted to spraying him with water. I can still picture the hilarious scene of a drenched and squirming pig running away. But you know what they say, you can’t teach an old pig new tricks, right? Well, Carbón proved me wrong. He actually knew a few tricks! Whenever Ihab shouted “Vuelta,” which means “turn” in Spanish, Carbón would spin around a couple of times like a twirling tornado. It was both impressive and comical—like watching a pig audition for a Cirque du Soleil show.
Now, amidst all the porcine pandemonium, I found solace in the presence of Leila – the forgotten dog. She warmed my heart by sitting at my feet while I worked and even joined me on the couch for suspenseful horror movie nights. It was my first encounter with a dog since an unfortunate childhood incident involving a dog jumping on my back and sending me forehead-first into concrete. Needless to say, I was a bit traumatized by the whole experience. But Leila helped heal my wounds by showing me that not all dogs are toe-attacking monsters.
While my time with Carbón was undoubtedly memorable, it made me appreciate the company of man’s more common best friend—the dog. They may not have the same appetite for toes, but they sure know how to cuddle without the fear of turning you into a rodeo star. So, the next time you’re torn between a pet pig and a dog, remember that there’s nothing wrong with choosing the four-legged friend who won’t mistake your feet for a buffet.
Carbón the pig. Courtesy of Jamie Valentino
And that, my friends, is the hilarious tale of my misadventures with Carbón the pig and the unlikely bond I formed with Leila the dog. Remember, sometimes in life, you just have to embrace the unexpected chaos and find humor in the snorts and barks along the way.
