Recently I came across this great quote. (Did I steal it from one of you?)
"I am fond of pigs.
Dogs look up to us.
Cats look down on us.
Pigs treat us as equals." - Winston
Churchill
I didn't have any pig photos from Hartford, so here is one from Florence, Italy, taken in 2010. It is in the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo. There was a line of pretty girls and their boy friends waiting to take pictures of the girl rubbing the pig's snout. If this is an Italian mating custom, I can't explain it.
Hi Jack ... we've got pigs in Adelaide ...they're on my side-bar.. but not as big and cute as these Florentine pigs ...very cute.
ReplyDeleteI think that quote's true especially the bit about cats!!
:) cute sculpture!
ReplyDeletePigs are cute but I'm fan of cats! LOL
Léia
I can explain it to you: the legend says that if you caress the nose of the wild boar (it's not a "real pig") you'll come back to Florence! that's why the nose is shining so much!(And it works: I caressed the nose, and was back to Florence some years after! )
ReplyDeleteYou can tell that snout has been touched a lot. Interesting custom!
ReplyDeleteI thought to myself, I know this guy...
ReplyDeleteThat snout has been polished to a high sheen... all that rubbing!
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly no expert on the mating custom but, this is one fine looking pig. Love that quote.
ReplyDeleteSo, not a mating ritual at all hey Jack..That boar looks a bit too 'wolfish'.. Winston Churchill knew his pets well, spot on!
ReplyDeleteGreat fun shot Jack!
ReplyDeleteWonderful sculpture...peculiar custom. Sad about the graffiti in the background.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a pretty wild boar to me, and I must admit that the custom is pretty lively and not a bore.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing this, but did not caress the snout, and returned to Florence several times nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteThat's a fun shot!
ReplyDeleteFunny post and I love Churchill's quote.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with pigs is they're always trying to hog the limelight!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun shot and you did get me laughing early this morning! How about that shiny nose! Guess there are lots of people hoping to return to Florence!! I LOVE Churchill's quote! Made my day! Hope yours is a good one!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
That pig is cute! I'd definitely have to give it a rub if I was there. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat shot - one fierce looking pig.
ReplyDeleteI actually like to eat wild boar. This one looks a bit tough for my teeth though...
ReplyDelete(Sorry, I'm tired!)
I like Churchill's quote. It would seem that pig has been very popular by its shinny rubbed snout.
ReplyDeleteKansas City has a pig sculpture exactly like this (on the Country Club Plaza)
ReplyDeleteIt is commonly called 'Porcellino' (Piglet) but it is obviously a wild boar. You usually rub the snout to come back to Florence.
ReplyDeletePicturing this as a mating custom cracked me up! Thanks :)
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