Erika’s heart raced at the thought of the recent phone call at her Sisu Refuge Sanctuary in Albertson, North Carolina. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard about an animal falling from a truck, but something about this case hit her harder.
A tiny piglet had tumbled off a factory farm truck. She’d been found frightened and alone, taken to the local animal shelter, but she didn’t belong there.
This little one needed more than a kennel and a cold floor. She needed warmth, love, and a place where she could heal.
Erika couldn’t stop picturing her, separated from her mother, lost, and terrified. It didn’t take long for her to decide – they had to go get her.
There was no space left at the sanctuary, with over a hundred animals already under their care, but that wouldn’t stop her. She was determined to make room for this helpless soul.
When Erica and her team brought the piglet to the sanctuary, she trembled uncontrollably. It was clear she had been through something awful, and Erika gently placed her inside the house.
The piglet stopped shaking as if she somehow knew she was finally in a safe place. Erika watched her closely, noticing the little bruises and bumps scattered across her delicate skin, but to Erika, she was perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Yet, she was worried. The piglet hadn’t had anything to drink, and her condition was growing worse by the minute. They needed to get her to drink, or they could lose her.
The piglet, now named Marley, seemed completely withdrawn. She slept more than any other animal Erika had ever seen, and no matter what they tried, she refused to drink.
Erika’s mind raced considering what to do. She even thought about a sports drink, to get some calories into the little one. And then, a moment of hope – Marley finally took a sip. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
The way she drank so slowly, her tiny body still so fragile, was heartbreaking. She probably missed her mother deeply, and all Erika could do was shower her with love, hoping it would be enough to bring back a spark in the little piglet.
Fruit punch, of all things, became Marley’s favorite. It was the only thing she would drink, and though it wasn’t ideal, Erika clung to the small victory.
But Marley needed more than just sugary drinks to survive. She needed a milk replacer, the kind meant for baby animals.
When they finally offered it to her, Marley turned up her nose at the first few flavors. She insisted on only the warmest, most perfect temperature. Marley was quite picky, but Erica didn’t mind it.
When Marley finally wagged her little tail, Erika knew they had turned a corner. It was a huge step in Marley’s recovery, and her hiccups after a meal made Erika smile.
The young piglet was still so small, still so fragile, but each little sign of life gave Erika hope. Marley had been through so much – falling from a truck, stuck in a dog kennel, and now here she was, adjusting to life at the sanctuary.
Over time, Marley grew stronger. She watched the goats play, and before long, she wanted to join them.
She began exploring, getting into mischief, her playful spirit finally emerging. Erika was proud of how far the piglet had come.
As Marley thrived, the day came when Erika knew it was time for her to move on to a bigger sanctuary. A beautiful place in Florida, with 400 acres of paradise, awaited her.
It was bittersweet for Erika, knowing Marley’s time at Sisu was coming to an end, but she also knew it was what Marley needed – a place where she could be a pig, roam freely, and grow up surrounded by love.
Erika’s friend was heading down that way with a baby cow named Eli, who had also been rescued from a life that almost ended before it began. Erika thought they would be perfect companions.
Two orphans, both separated from their mothers, were survivors of a harsh world. She hoped they would find comfort in each other.
And they did. As Marley and Eli traveled together, they formed an unlikely bond.
Marley, the stubborn little piglet who had once refused everything, was such a contrast to the sweet calf who simply wanted a friend. Yet, their differences seemed to draw them closer.
The sanctuary in Florida welcomed them with open arms. As Marley explored the wide-open spaces and felt the grass under her feet for the first time, Erika watched from afar, filled with pride and gratitude.
Seeing Marley’s journey from a frightened piglet to a strong, fearless soul made every tough day worth it. Marley found both a best pal and a forever home, and though Erika would miss her dearly, she knew she was right where she belonged.