The following is the story of Abner, a young farm pig rescued from a university's agricultural program, as told by the person who raised him and facilitated his rescue to Chenoa Manor.

I needed one credit. One credit was standing between me and my long-awaited degree. Ten years in the making, many obstacles overcome, and now one credit could end it all.

I contacted a Dean I had become friendly with to see if there was something, anything that could be done. She responded promptly with a course code and a web site. I checked out the web site that described the class she was suggesting. It was a one-credit course in Animal Handling that started after Spring Break. Six weeks long, it required me to "train" an animal to be shown at the school's Agricultural Field Day. This wasn't exactly something your average Communication major would jump at the chance to do, but I was willing to do anything to finish school.

There were many animals to choose from, but I chose to work with the pigs. The class required us to spend a total of 20 hours with our assigned animal. My first day on the farm I was given a brief orientation by one of the student organizers. It was there that I learned about the pig's fate. The day after Field Day they would all be taken to market. This put an obvious damper on the whole experience. As time went on my partner Kate and I would go to the farm whenever ever we could to be with our pig. The more time we spent with him, the more comfortable he got with us, and the more his personality shone through.

Before we knew it, Ag Field Day had arrived. Abner won first in his class, and Reserve Champion. The class was over, my one credit achieved; I would finally be graduating from college! But this was a very bittersweet victory. I had grown very attached to Abner and couldn't shake the overwhelming guilt and sadness I felt at the thought of his fate. There was nothing I could do. Or was there?

A week after the event I received an email from the student organizers telling us we could still visit the pigs. They were still alive! She gave a date that the pigs were slated to be sent to market.   I felt like I was given a second chance and immediately went to work, emailing the student organizer to ask if it would be possible for me to buy the pig from the school.   Not possible - I could however, purchase him from market, but I would have to find out when and where that would be.   I contacted the powers-that-be at the school to get this information. I also started emailing anyone I could about my situation. I emailed Pig Placement networks, farm sanctuaries, PETA, Best Friends, and many others. I posted on forums like a local animal friendly board and the ALF message board.

Abner was going to market on May 13 th and much needed to be done! It was at this time that I received an email from Chenoa Manor, who offered to take Abner if all other options were exhausted.   I kept in touch with Dr. Teti as I continued my search, and when it didn't prove fruitful, made arrangements with him.

I then found out what market Abner was being sent to and called them to get a "livestock purchasing" tutorial. I posted an ad on a shipping web site looking for someone to help with transport. Things were coming together nicely. Then everything changed.

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