Couple Thought They Brought a Mini Pig Home to Keep as a Pet Only to Find Out It Grows Way Bigger
Esther was supposed to be a mini pig, the kind of pet that stays small enough to fit neatly into a city home. Instead, the Toronto roommates who adopted her ended up with a pig who kept growing, and growing, until the surprise became impossible to ignore.
Derek Walter and Steve Jenkins took in Esther after a friend offered the pig for adoption, expecting she would top out around 70 pounds. But Esther eventually reached about 530 pounds, turning their original pet plan into something far bigger than they imagined. Along the way, she became the heart of their home and the inspiration behind a sanctuary for other farm animals.
Now the tiny pig story has turned into something much bigger than anyone expected.
With how tiny and cute Esther is, you'd think she's indeed a mini pig.
Esther looked small enough at first to pass for the perfect mini pig.
You can carry her just like you would carry a dog or a cat.
And she grows really big.
That early size guess did not age well.
This is Esther pretending to be one of the dogs. It seems she's adapting very well.
She helps out in the garden too!
Esther can open the fridge and the cabinets she can reach.
It seems that being Esther is quite rough.
Life with Esther clearly came with a few extra challenges.
And if you think Esther is big, wait for the wedding chaos when a mom snuck her potbelly pig.
Now, compare how large Esther is to the first picture.
Ready to go! (But she isn't going anywhere.)
Look at that face!
Esther basking under the warm sun.
Doesn't she look great?
Esther wants to play!
At night, she sleeps on a double bed.
She was never going to stay little for long.
It's dinner time for Esther.
Esther fits well with the other pets; it's quite clear in this photo.
For a house pet, Esther sure is big!
Esther may have started as a surprise, but she ended up changing everything.
For another heart-melting bond, see how Katjinga the dog adopted piglet Paulinchen.
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