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Monday, November 15, 2010

Pigs Gone Wild

It was about 7:30 and chilly on Friday night when husband and I  stopped at a red light in Payson, Arizona. How innocent I was, unaware that I was about to encounter a wild animal of such hideous ferocity that my very life would hang by a bristle.



Out of the razor sharp corner of my finely honed vision I caught a  flash of hairy movement on the sidewalk. 

To be honest, this is not unusual in Payson, which is a town known for it's hirsute population, but this bushy creature had delicate little legs and a snout more prominent than the norm.

image found here

Husband pulled around the corner and I got out with my cell phone, preparing my camera to snap a picture for you, dear reader.  Did I know what the beast was?  Yes, I had my suspicions, but until I came face to face mujer contra javalina and stared into those beady eyes positioned north of the agile snout, I did not know for sure.

There it was...a brush pig, a stinky wild swine 
come to town to terrorize tourists...
an Arizona javelina.  

Time stood still as  blue eyes bore into boar eyes and then he lost the staring contest and was off like a shot, heading across the highway.
Now I realize this blurred shape does not do justice to what I saw and so I have used my prodigious photoshopping skills to refine and clarify the image.
    
I hunted the cowardly swine, combing through the untended landscape of Payson's main street.  I caught glimpses in the tall dry grass and smelled the musky aroma but as my bristly friend melted into the night I wiped away a tear and raised a hand in salute while softly singing...


Born free as free as the wind blows
As free as the grass grows
Born free to follow your snout 

Adios amigo, until we meet again.


13 comments:

Unknown said...

Ha! Snorting away over here.

just call me jo said...

Have you ever read the Josephina Javelina books? They are so cute. There's one called Don't Call Me Pig. I have wanted to see a live javelina, but haven't been so "lucky" yet. We have seen two dead ones by the side of the road. I love your post.

Hoosier at Heart said...

Looks like we took the same photoshopping class. What the heck were you doing in Payson, it must have been freezing! You are so brave.

Pondside said...

Whew, from the grainy crime-scene-like photo I can see that was a large pig! Now that's something I didn't know about Arizona - that pigs run wild!

Laurel said...

I'm still gazing at the man in the fancy chair. I had no clue that there were men as obsessed with their hair as we women.

Susan Anderson said...

Yep, those are some pretty impressive photoshopping skills you've acquired.

;)

MTeacress said...

That javelina is going to get hit by the semi! You're lucky you got to see one. I've seen one in the zoo, which isn't nearly as fun as staring one down in real life.
Will someone tell me what the hairy man has to do with your javelina encounter?

Tonya said...

Hi! I was just looking through some of the people that follow my blog that I just never had checked in on yet, and I love your blog! You sure know how to write; and your laugh-inducing techniques are amazing! Thanks and I'll be back! :)

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Arizona has javelina...Georgia has possums. Lots and lots of possums. All of which are apparently suicidal or carry a genetic desire to be roadkill. Ick!

Shawn said...

Thats a pretty good catch & story to go with it.
Shawn

karen said...

I got all excited when I saw Payson - I was born in Payson UT. But alas, it was AZ... When we were in Sedona a month or so ago we were on our way back up the canyon one night and we caught a quick glimpse of two boars - but perhaps they were the famous javelinas? Whatever - they were stealthy.

Julie Harward said...

Thanks for your visit and the kindness. You are a funny lady aren't you?! I looked through a few of your posts and what a sense of humor here! I think I am going to follow you! Come say hi any time ;D

The Keylors said...

Woo Pig Sooie!!!
I'm an Arkansas girl ya' know. : )
Seriously impressive photoshopping. ha!!!