6 minute read
HOME-BOUND Real-life characters in our hometowns
HOME-BOUND
Real-life characters in our hometowns
Carolyn Haines Introduces Hamsel and Gretel (and their incredibly interesting person, Dr. Traci Freeman)
“This little piggy went to…”
One thing for certain—none of the little piggies at Traci Freeman’s house will be going to market. Not ever! In fact, Hamsel, Gretel, and Clover, a trio of attractive pigs, will always “stay home,” because that is what they love.
A local veterinarian who specializes in small animals, Freeman has a lot of experience working with animals not often seen in veterinary clinics. The pigs are her special love, but she has chickens, a cat, four horses and she is also dedicated to caring for a number of species on the African continent.
Over the years, she’s made numerous trips to Rwanda and Ethiopia to help the local populations learn to care for the animals they love and rely on for survival. It is the mission of her heart to help. But when she is in Alabama, Traci loves her pigs and horses.
“Clover is 16,” Freeman said. “She’s a pot-bellied pig, so bigger than Hamsel and Gretel, who are Julianas. Clover is also something of the diva of the house. When she gets on the sofa it is all hers. She does share the bed with her siblings, but mostly Clover reigns supreme.”
Hamsel and Gretel don’t care! They have the perfect pig’s life and they know it.
As partners at TLC Veterinary Clinic on Snow Road in Semmes, Alabama, Freeman and Dr. Lynne Leonard provide care for hundreds of animals. Their clients are mostly cats and dogs, but on occasion, the pigs will visit the vet clinic, greeting guests and trying to open bags of prescription dog and cat food. The pigs figure any food left within reach is fair game.
On some days, Leonard’s pet chicken roams around the kennels, completely unimpressed with the dogs and cats. While dogs and cats make up the majority of the practice, both vets have stepped up to help injured wildlife and a host of farm animals until specialists could be found. The day-to-day practice is never dull.
Freeman and her husband, Chris Whitehead, both fell under the sway of the highly intelligent pigs, and while Clover was an only child for a while, they added Hamsel and Gretel nearly two years ago. The younger pigs are more active than Clover, but they are no less opinionated.
“Pigs are really smart,” Freeman said. “They have the intelligence of a five-year-old child.” To that end, the pigs have dozens of toys, puzzles, and games. “We’re big on enrichment toys for them,” Freeman said.
She’s taught them all to shake hands, blow a horn for a treat, and frolic in the yard, much like big dogs. Clover prefers the sofa over outdoor exercise, but she can display her intelligence when the mood strikes her. They can solve puzzles, and Clover can do over twenty tricks.
Freeman owns four horses and for many years rode competitively and participated in equestrian events around the world. Now she rides for pleasure, doing a little jumping and dressage, but the itch for showing competitively has been scratched enough.
“I ride for pleasure mostly now. I still enjoy taking lessons and learning but my interest in showing and competing has waned.” Her home is filled with blue ribbons from the days when she showed to win.
Along with the pigs, Freeman has given her heart to the African continent. In a perfect world, she’d be able to travel there regularly to teach veterinary skills to local residents. “The people are so beautiful and generous,” she said. “They need so much. I feel like I can make a real difference there.”
To that end, Freeman has spent time there learning about gorillas and the routes open to saving them as more and more of the world becomes developed. She has studied at preserves and with wildlife specialists to expand her skills.
Freeman also enjoys spending time out West. “Chris and I love Montana,” she said. “We spend as much time as we can there.”
But for right now, Semmes, Alabama is home to Freeman and the “three little pigs.”
“They haven’t threatened to huff and puff and blow the house down. Yet,” Freeman said. “But they do love to give their favorite humans some hufflepuffs.”
The pig’s nose is extremely sensitive and can elongate and change shape to allow them to root deeply in the ground. And that same nose will give kisses and snuffles—tickling even the most protected neck.
“The pigs are very attached emotionally to their humans,” she said. “They are like children. We have a schedule, a good dietary routine (pig feed for breakfast and dinner and some fruit and veggies for lunch).
“These guys are very loving,” Freeman said. “The only thing to keep in mind is that a pig is a prey animal. The only defense is flight.” If they become frightened, they are liable to bolt or panic and they are big and strong. “They really do make excellent pets. They’re very clean.”
Clean and adorable.
At the Freeman/Whitehead house, the three little pigs never have to worry about stray wolves or going to market. “We don’t eat pork,” Freeman said with a smile. “These pigs are safe from becoming bacon.”
And yes, they are smart and fully aware of their protected status. No huffing or puffing for them—just maybe a few hufflepuffs against Freeman’s neck.
When Dr. Traci Freeman isn’t traveling on foreign veterinary mission trips, taking care of her patients, or spoiling her four-legged babies rotten, she likes to paint. Here is a small sample of some of her art you’ll find in the lobby of TLC Veterinary Hospital in Semmes, Alabama.
