It’s so hard to say good-bye
Nick Houser
City Editor, Xenia (Ohio) Daily Gazette
Copyright Xenia Daily Gazette
Used by permission

Charles Caperton/Greene County Dailies Used by permission

XENIA - With tears in her eyes Ella stood perched over her precious pigs and tried to say good-bye one last time.

The pigs weren't prize-winning, they didn't make market weight, nor were they hers for that matter, but it didn't stop the 3-year-old girl from having to suddenly sever emotions with the animals she became fond of.

“I just want to say good-bye to the pigs,” Ella said repeatedly in between sobs on Wednesday afternoon.

Her parents and older brother, Aaron, helplessly look on and tried their best to console the Xenia girl, but it didn't stop her eyes from welling up as she continued to say good-bye to her favorite pig, Bridget.

Since she arrived at the fair over the weekend Ella spent hours looking over the small pen, her mom said.

The love between Ella and the pigs blossomed in the Spring when she helped her big brother take care of them for the first time. Over the last few months she often brought the pair of market hogs water and feed, her mom, Debbie, said.

With a heartbreaking frown and after minutes of crying the little 3-year-old petted her favorite pig, Bridget, before she was finally sent off to be sold for consignment.

The scene is frequent around the livestock barns during fair week after months of bonding. Both mom and dad grew up on farms and didn't think much of the attachment, but for their girl it was unexpected.

“She's having a hard time understanding why they're not coming back to the barn,” Debbie said. “We thought she kind of knew about it, but apparently she didn't pick up on it.”

Her parents didn't have the heart to tell her about the reality of the situation. Instead they told her the pigs were simply going to another barn to stay.

Ella will likely join her brother in the Country Challengers 4-H group next year and compete in the junior swine showmanship.

At times the youngster composed herself before looking back down at the pigs and produced more tears.

After a few more strokes to Bridget's coat, her father, Thad, stepped into the pen and made a deal that she couldn't refuse.

Clinging to her dad she gave out another brave good-bye and sought comfort in his shoulder as she left the barn.

The pain was still there, but it wasn't anything some homemade vanilla ice cream wouldn't soothe.