I *heart* bacon.
The St Valentine’s Day porker: Piglet born with heart-shaped spots
A cute little piglet born with heart-shaped markings on his side is the centre of attention as lovers gear up for Valentine’s Day this week.
The 10-day-old Gloucester Old Spot piglet christened Valentine – what else? – is one of a litter of seven born at Byford’s Farm in Taynton, near Newent, Glos.
Farmer Eric Freeman, 75 – a founding member of the Gloucester Old Spot Pig Breeders’ Club – said Valentine’s mother Mandi Lou has already got used to her piglet stealing the show.
“Some sows get really annoyed and squeal but Old Spots are known for being quiet,” he said.
“Mandi Lou was very good and didn’t mind Valentine having her picture taken.
“I’ve bred thousands of Old Spot piglets over the years but this is the first ever to have such a clear heart-shaped mark.
“It couldn’t be more appropriate with Valentine’s Day just around the corner.”
Mr Freeman has been breeding Old Spots at his farm for 25 years and said the breed has come back from near-extinction in the past few years.
“I think there are probably around 400 members of the breeders’ club and they have spread far and wide,” he said.
“There has been a lot of interest because they are a fatty breed and it’s a different taste to the normal type of pig – it’s much more succulent.”
