This Couple Believed They Adopted A Tiny Pig, But Got A Surprise Instead

Steve and Derek took a chance on Esther and never could have imagined the impact she would have on their lives. Esther is a reminder that love and acceptance can change the world.

They had three cats, two dogs, two turtles, and a koi pond in their backyard. The two were animal lovers and the home was filled with love and care. Steve enjoyed playing the bagpipes in his free time, and Derek was passionate about his career as a magician. This was the perfect home for them and all the animals they loved.

It was at Montana’s Cookhouse Restaurant that the two met. While Derek performed magic, Steve was a waiter, and it wasn’t long before their shared love of animals formed an unbreakable bond. But what challenges awaited them? Would these two passionate animal lovers be up for the task?

He figured the micro-pig would be a great addition to his home and act as a third dog. The poster said the tiny pig wouldn’t grow beyond 70 pounds, so Steve wanted to take a chance. Although he knew the situation came with risks.

Nevertheless, Steve took the chance, knowing it was easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission. Fortunately, his courage paid off, and the pig was given a happy home to call her own.

Derek Walter, Steve’s partner, was initially unimpressed with the arrival of the micro-pig. However, his opinion soon changed when the snuggly piglet melted his heart. “Anybody who has a bleeding heart loves baby animals,” Steve said. “You can’t help but fall in love.” And that’s exactly what happened to Derek!

However, the only downside was that she ate a lot – around one pound per day! Steve and Derek provided her with pig food, supplementing it with tomatoes and cucumbers. Whenever they ran out, Esther would happily munch on whatever they were eating.

After months of speculation, the two dads began charting her growth – to their surprise, Esther was already 60 pounds at just a few months old! Derek and Steve soon realized they had been duped – their micro-pig had grown and grown!

Despite the vet’s prognosis, Steve and Derek refused to give up hope that Esther was a micro-pig and continued to love her unconditionally. But as Esther grew to a whopping 250 pounds, it was finally time to accept the truth – Esther was not a micro-pig. Despite her size, the couple could not deny that Esther had already won their hearts.

Knowing that Esther would have been slaughtered and eaten if not for their adoption, they stopped consuming bacon. Thanks to their courage and compassion, Esther was saved, and Derek and Steve’s lives were forever changed.

Not only that, but her cleverness was evident as she managed to quickly master a peanut butter-filled treat ball that her canine siblings, Shelby and Reuben, couldn’t keep up with. With her unstoppable energy and intelligence, Esther left her owners in awe!

The clever pig soon learned to go to the bathroom outside. She was rewarded with a tasty treat for her efforts, but she also figured out that if she pretended to squat, she could get a cookie from her owners by tricking them as if she was going to the bathroom.

Steve realized that farm animals are only different because people see them differently. Esther’s intelligence and presence shifted Steve and Derek’s view of commercial farm animals and made them realize that they are not so different from the animals we love and know.

They had read online that she would continue growing, so they upgraded her bed from a cat bed to a kiddie pool. It wasn’t long before even that was too small, and they knew they were in for a bigger surprise. Esther had already far surpassed their expectations – what would the future hold?

Surprisingly, the couple refused to surrender Esther to a commercial farm, even when she reached a staggering 420 pounds at 18 months old. In the end, the couple’s love for Esther kept growing, and they couldn’t bear the thought of letting her go.

In just 80 days, their page had amassed 10,000 likes, and by May 2014, it had skyrocketed to 250,000 followers. The two owners were overjoyed; their beloved pig had become a beloved part of their family – including the dogs! Esther had everyone laughing, and it was clear that her charm and character had won over thousands of hearts.

Esther was 450 pounds, a detail they made known on social media. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the necessary space to provide Esther, their pet, with the best life. But they were unable to give her up either. It was a challenging dilemma for the couple.

They started a crowdfunding campaign and rallied their followers to donate. Thanks to their dedicated supporters, they had the chance to turn their million-dollar dream into a reality—and, in the process, create a safe and loving home for Esther and future rescue animals.

Over 9,000 people from 44 countries had donated, with the largest donation being an impressive $5000. “It was so much bigger than anything we’d ever thought of,” Steve recalled. “It was a phenomenally overwhelming moment.” This inspiring story is a testament to the power of collective giving and a reminder of the potential of crowdfunding.

They named their new home and sanctuary Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary. Steve and Derek had the vision to provide animals with a loving home. They consulted with animal experts to build the best environment for Esther and other pets. Today, this farm is devoted to providing abandoned animals with a happy home.

Steve recalled, “It’s been the weirdest change of pace.” The two used to be meat-eaters, and Steve doesn’t even like most vegetables, but they’ve managed to transition to veganism! Derek’s family was stunned at the switch, but he and Steve were determined to make their new diet work. It’s been a challenge, but they’re proud that they’ve been able to stick to their commitment to animal welfare.

The farm even has a team of dedicated volunteers who show up to help every week. On special “workdays,” dozens of animal lovers come together to spend time with Esther and take care of the animals. Steve and Derek have been driven by one simple goal: providing a safe and loving home for Esther.

When a contractor encountered Esther, he was pleasantly surprised to find that she didn’t have an odor. Through their sanctuary, Steve and Derek are helping to break down the walls between humans and animals and create a more harmonious relationship.

Steve and Derek have also made sure to protect Esther’s influence and image from the “vegan police” by hiding any negative comments. They stick entirely to funny and relatable posts, always ensuring that Esther brings laughter and joy, not controversy. Steve believes that people love Esther because she makes them smile, and it’s no wonder why!

Derek explains, “You can adopt a pig by paying for its food and upkeep, and you can visit the pig at any time.” By adopting a pig from a sanctuary, you can still enjoy the company of a pig without the stress of raising one! If you’re thinking of bringing home a pig, take Derek and Steve’s advice and adopt one instead.

She is quite the fashionista, too, with a trunk full of bonnets, coats, and evening gowns that she displays proudly on her social media pages. But Esther’s life of luxury doesn’t end there! This house pig shares her home with two dogs, two cats, three rabbits, and several minnows – talk about living the sweet life!

The sanctuary gained even more attention, with notable visitors such as the Dixie Chicks and donations from Ricky Gervais. Steve can’t help but marvel at Esther’s ease in front of the camera, noting the “mind-boggling” eye contact with the lens. It’s almost like she knows the impact she’s making!

Instead of relying on shock value to promote veganism, they focus on Esther the Wonder Pig. They offer “Esther-approved” recipes, which do away with the negative stigma associated with the word “vegan.” Instead of scaring people away, they want to start a conversation and make a positive impact.

Seeing her potential, Derek decided to have her join him in his magic routine. Surprisingly, Esther didn’t need to be taught any tricks. She just had to walk next to Derek and sit on command. Esther’s presence brought a new level of joy to Derek’s show. She was a magical addition to Derek’s performance.

While Steve still keeps up with real estate and Derek performs magic on the weekends, their work with the farm and its social media has become an unexpected success. In Derek’s words, it has become “bigger than us,” and both men are surprised and humbled by the results. Their mission is to get the message of sustainable living out to the world, and they are succeeding.

Steve Jenkins said, “We want people to build a relationship with her, and we hope that opens the door and makes them start questioning everything else.” The Esther Effect continues to grow millions of followers and hundreds of tourists each year. It’s clear that Esther is more than just a pig – she’s a powerful force for change.