My Name is Maurice

A Heartwarming Tale of Love and Resilience - Based on a True Story

My name is Maurice, and I live with Mum and Dad. They had to fight for four years in court, hire lawyers and advisers, and call the animal rights associations to the rescue to get permission to keep me with them. Here is my story.

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Hurt and Hungry

I can't seem to recall how or why I ended up there - all alone at the edge of a forest, lying on tiny twigs inside a big bush. All I know is that I felt hurt and hungry. I couldn't remember anything before that moment – no thoughts, feelings, or pictures in my head. It is like they were all gone in a flash! Sometimes I try to remember if I had a family, a mummy, or even some brothers and sisters, but no matter how hard I try, I can't recall anything. My life started in that bush with that awful pain that made me cry.

I don't know how long I stayed there. The sun and the moon kept coming and going, and my tummy was grumbling louder and louder. I wanted some milk - I think I had it in some distant past - so I cried and cried until my voice was gone. No one came to give it to me…

 I tried to wiggle and crawl out of that bush many times, but it hurt so much in my back legs that I passed out - or at least that's what I think because everything went black like in the nighttime.

Then one day, I stopped struggling and fell asleep. I remember it felt like flying. I thought one of these wispy white clouds had descended from the sky to wrap me in its softness and carry me away.

But it wasn’t a cloud; it was Mum and Dad. It was a Sunday afternoon, and they went for a walk in the nearby forest. Strolling along a small path in a secluded area, they heard me moaning in my sleep. Even though Mum was a little scared of the deep, dark forest, Dad just knew he had to follow his instincts and find me.

When I finally woke up, I wasn't in the bush anymore! I was in a cosy little nest - a basket - snuggled up in a blanket that turned out to be one of Mum's cashmere pullovers.

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Happy Times

The next few months were the happiest of my life. A vet came over to our house and fixed up my hurt back legs. He had to be sneaky about it, though, because apparently, I was a wild animal, and you can't just keep those as pets without a special license. But I didn't understand all that fancy stuff - I just loved getting all the cuddles! I wasn’t a wild animal. Every morning, when the postman would come, I'd race over to the door and give him a big snout kiss. And at night, I slept in a cosy little basket next to Mum and Dad's bed. During the day, I played outside with my buddies Mistigri the cat and Toto, the doggo. We had so much fun together!

But my favourite adventure was when me, Dad, and Toto went to the beach to fly kites! Dad would make these cool paper things and send them flying high. Toto would bark and chase them, and I'd oink and squeal with delight to congratulate Dad. Sometimes we even forgot about dinner because we were having too much fun! But Mum would scold us when we got home - she just wanted to ensure we weren't getting too carried away.

After dinner, we would all gather in the living room to watch that talking box Mum called a television. Toto would stretch out at Dad's feet, Mistigris would curl up on Mum's lap, and I would wiggle my way into the cosy spot between Mum and Dad. It was the perfect way to end the day - just snuggled up with my family, watching all sorts of exciting stories and adventures on the screen. There was even a beautiful pink girl called Miss Piggy! She was just that amazing, and I would daydream about all the adventures we could have together.

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Even though I was as happy as a little piggy could be, I couldn't shake the feeling that it might not last forever. It was probably because of that old bush in the forest, where I had to go through all sorts of scary things like hunger, thirst, and pain. Sometimes, I still dreamt about it in my cosy basket. My brain couldn't forget it, no matter how hard I tried.

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Left Behind: Abandoned in the Wilderness

Mum and Dad have been taking us with them for walks in the forest since I grew up. How wonderful those Sunday afternoons were! After a delicious meal and Dad's nap, during which we were asked to go outside and play, we would set off. Toto and I would race far ahead of Mum and Dad, and they would follow hand in hand, chatting and laughing at our antics. Mistigris preferred to hop around in the tall grass and disappear before we even reached the forest. She enjoyed watching field mice and chasing butterflies.

We, dogs (back then, I thought I was a dog too), would dash around the trees, race back to Mum and Dad, and bark (well, Toto did, I squealed). Sometimes we would wander deep into the forest, to places where the trees concealed the sky, and I thought the night fell suddenly.

Occasionally, I could hear Dad saying to Mum, "His home must be in a place like this. His family must live around here."

Mum would reply, "Oh, dear, please, we can't do that. He is still so small."

Their words made me feel uneasy, and a shiver ran through my body. Were they talking about me? Then Dad whistled, and we knew it was time to return home. Sometimes I was so exhausted on the way back that Mum had to carry me in her arms, just as she did when they first found me in the undergrowth, a helpless little piglet. This made me so happy that I would drift off to sleep, only to wake up when we arrived home, where a nice snack awaited us on the garden table.

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Then one Sunday, something incomprehensible happened. I had sensed since the morning that everything would be different that day. I couldn't hear Mum singing in the kitchen as usual. I went in to see what was for lunch. She said, "Your favourite dish, my love," and kissed me on the head, but I saw her wiping away a tear.

And indeed, the meal was so succulent that Toto, Mistigris, and I filled our bellies to the brim. We just had enough strength to crawl under the big chestnut tree at the end of the garden and spread out for a well-deserved nap.

However, in the middle of the afternoon, we were awoken by the sound of an engine. Dad had pulled his car out of the garage. It was time for our Sunday walk! We rushed to the car, Toto jumped on the back seat, and I tried to climb in but failed. Dad picked me up and placed me next to Toto. I wanted to curl up to him, but to my surprise, Dad grabbed him and carried him into the house. I protested - what was all this? Why wasn't Toto coming with us? I needed him to protect me; how could I survive without him? Toto barked as loud as he could, and I felt so sorry that I almost cried. Why were we going off on our own? I wanted to leave the car and return to the house to fetch Toto and Mum. But before I could jump down, Dad closed the door, and I saw the house rapidly receding. Only Mistigris tried to run after us, but we were going so fast that she couldn't catch up. I was sad and worried and kept calling for Mum and Toto; I kept asking Dad a thousand questions, but he didn't answer me. We drove for so long that I eventually fell asleep.

I was suddenly awakened when the car stopped. I thought we were back home; Dad would open the door, Toto would come running to me with happy yelps, and Mum would be there to hug me. But nothing like that happened. When Dad put me on the ground, I looked around; we were deep in the forest, in a part I didn't know. It was so dark here that I got scared.

"It's nothing," I thought to myself. "Dad is here, and we will play together like we always did with Toto.” I started to run in circles around Dad. But he sat down on an old tree trunk and gestured for me to come closer with a tapping of his hands.

"Maurice," he said, "you must understand that we will always love you. However, you're all grown up now and deserve to live your true life - the life of a wild animal. It's unfair for us to keep you as a pet or domestic animal. You belong in the wilderness among your peers. Trust me; you'll be happier here. You'll find friends, start a family, and truly thrive."

I didn't comprehend what he was talking about. After all, I already had a family - Toto, Mistigris, Mum, and Dad. I loved them all. But dad wouldn't listen to me and didn't even want to play. Instead, he brought a large box from the car filled with apples, carrots, salad, and all kinds of food cut into pieces. He spread it all out under a giant oak tree and told me to eat for a few days while I learned to search for food on my own.

"There are plenty of good things in the forest," he said. "Acorns, chestnuts, berries - you'll see."

As he spoke, he leaned in and hugged me almost too tightly. "Never forget, Maurice, that we love you," he whispered. Then, he quickly got into his car, shut the door, and started the engine.

I couldn't understand what was happening. Was this a new game? I watched as the car drove away, convinced my dad would turn around to pick me up any moment. But he didn't, and I began to doubt myself. I started to run after him, but the car had already disappeared down a path through the trees. All I could hear was the sound of the engine in the distance - and then nothing.

Fighting to Survive

I kept running for a while, then walked, and finally came to a stop. Immense anguish overcame me, and I began to shake. I had to sit right there in the middle of a narrow road, unable to move forward. Soft sobs shook my body as I called for Dad, Mum, Toto, and Mistigris. I felt deep down that I was lost forever. Daddy would never return for me, and I would never see Mum again. Who would bring me dinner? Who would I sleep with at night? Who would hold me and comfort me now?

I remained there for an eternity, shaking and sobbing uncontrollably. When I finally managed to stand up, it was already nighttime. The sky was dark and intimidating, and the forest seemed filled with unknown dangers. I started roaming, searching for something familiar, a place to spend the night. At home, Toto and I often slept in the garden when the weather was mild, in an old hut under the chestnut tree. But there was nothing like that around me now. The ground was littered with pine needles, and the trees seemed unfriendly. None of them offered me any shelter; there weren't any branches bending down to protect me. I thought I would go back to where Dad left food for me before going away; maybe I didn't notice, maybe he also left a basket so I could curl inside and sleep. But I didn't manage to find that place.

After wandering around for a long time, I finally stumbled upon an unoccupied burrow. It was just my size, and I crawled inside, hoping it didn't belong to anyone. Exhaustion soon overtook me, and I fell into a deep sleep.

As I woke up the following day, I noticed it was broad daylight, and my stomach was grumbling with hunger. I instinctively called for Mum but then realised she wouldn't bring me my tray. I needed to find something to eat quickly. Recalling the bunch of food Dad had left under a tree before driving away, I decided to search for it. However, no matter how hard I looked, the place seemed to have vanished, as if by magic. I wondered if I had missed it or if someone else had eaten my food during the night. Regardless, I had to figure out what to eat and where to find it.

I started by chewing some bark, but it didn't alleviate my hunger. So, I followed the sound of water and stumbled upon a small stream with blueberries growing nearby. I drank and ate as much as possible, but it wasn't enough to satisfy my hunger. I was feeling very weak and knew I needed to find more food. The thought of Mum, Dad, Toto, and Mistigris filled me with deep sadness. They were my family, and I had to find them. I just couldn't live without them.

So I set off. Somewhere at the end of this inhospitable forest was a clearing with a small house surrounded by a white fence. It smelled of the good soup prepared by Mum; it resounded with Toto's happy barking, Mistigris' purring and Dad's big voice calling us to calm down. There was my home, a home full of happiness and joy.

But how far away was it? In which direction should I walk? I was totally lost. I knew only one thing - I had to get home, no matter what.

I trudged through the forest, my stomach empty and my energy dwindling with every step. The journey felt like it had been weeks, though I couldn't be sure. I had crossed rivers, scaled steep hills, and pushed myself through treacherous terrain. Every obstacle felt like an insurmountable challenge, and I found myself questioning whether I would ever make it out alive.

There were times when I lost all hope. I would collapse under the shade of a tree and let out a soft moan of despair. The weight of exhaustion and hunger bore down on me, and it felt like I would never see my beloved Mum again. But then, in my mind's eye, I saw her. I remembered how she looked at me with that sad smile the day Dad took me into the forest, and I felt the warmth of her embrace and her tears on my head.

At that moment, I knew I had to keep going. Mum loved me, and I loved her, and nothing would keep us apart.

Countless dangers awaited me along the way. One day, as I explored a tiny valley, a pack of wolves surrounded me, showing their sharp fangs and slowly closing in on me. At first, I thought about running, but I quickly realised that their long legs would catch up to me in no time, and I would be torn to pieces. So, I took a risk and growled, pretending to charge at them. To my surprise, the wolves quickly scattered and ran away, giving me newfound courage and strength. I couldn't wait to share this tale with my dad and Toto; they would be amazed!

However, my family was nowhere in sight, and I had to face even more dangerous situations.

One day, I found myself trapped in a hunter's trap, and the pain was unbearable. Despite my instinct to squeal for help, I knew I needed to remain calm. With no one coming to my aid, I quickly scanned my surroundings and spotted a long stick within reach. Using my snout, I grabbed it and held it firmly between my teeth to trigger the trap and release my leg. Although I was left limping for several days afterwards, I knew I had to push forward and continue my journey home.

At some other point, a bear mum with two cubs crossed my path. The little ones were so cute – I thought they might want to play with me. But their mum got very angry when I approached and charged at me. I barely escaped, and only because she was afraid to leave her little ones alone.

Reunited with Love: A Heartwarming Homecoming

As the cool, damp air settled in, I knew that autumn was approaching. Every day felt like a battle against harsh weather, freezing nights, and fierce storms. Despite my increasing weakness, I refused to give up. A feeling deep within me assured me that I would soon be reunited with my family. It was like walking through a dark tunnel, each step a struggle, yet catching a glimpse of a small ray of light in the distance.

And then, one day, it happened. The scent of something familiar caught my attention, and as I looked around, I recognised the very tree trunk where my parents used to rest during our Sunday walks. The house, my home, was near! My heart raced as I ran towards it, my exhausted body aching with every step. I finally made it to the garden door, but the effort was too much for me, and I collapsed from exhaustion.

I don't remember anything after that - I must have fainted.

As I slowly opened my eyes, I saw Toto's furry face close to mine. His warm, wet tongue was licking my head, and a surge of joy and relief coursed through me. Suddenly, a familiar voice called my name - it was Mum's voice. I turned my head, and there she was, leaning over me, her eyes shining with tears of happiness. Dad was nearby, too, his face beaming with joy and pride, the weight of worry lifted from his shoulders. They were overjoyed to see me back home, alive and well, and I knew at that moment that they truly loved me.

After many warm embraces and delightful dinner, we all gathered on the veranda to enjoy a beautiful evening. To our surprise, Mistigris came running from somewhere, proudly presenting a dead mouse as a gift to welcome me home.

As we settled in, Dad began to speak. He shared with me how heartbroken he was to leave me alone in the forest that fateful day and how he searched for me tirelessly the following day but couldn't find me. He explained why he felt obligated to set me free, though I truly felt free only within the loving embrace of my family.

Despite the hardships we had all faced, we sat together, feeling grateful and content. At that moment, I thought that no one and nothing could ever truly separate us.

Little did I know then the incredible obstacles still lay ahead.

A Complaint

The first few weeks after I returned home were filled with happiness. Mum made sure to spoil me every day, bringing out a variety of treats, including apples, courgettes, cucumbers, and of course, bananas - my all-time favourite. Dad always made time to give me a scratch behind the ears or a loving pat on the head, and Toto followed me everywhere I went. Even Mistigris, despite her busy patrolling schedule, made time to come over and rub her head against my side and purr. I was living a dream - surrounded by love and attention from my beloved family.

However, my happiness was short-lived. One day, while playing with Toto in the garden, I saw two men in blue uniforms who pulled up in front of our garden. Toto started growling at them, and I became nervous. Dad went to open the door, and one of the men handed him a big blue envelope. I wondered what it could be and what they wanted from us.

As Toto kept growling, I could tell that the men weren't friendly. They kept looking in our direction, and one of them even pointed at me. I felt uneasy and wondered if I had done something wrong. Then Mum came out of the house and ordered us to go inside.

"Those people don't mean us any good," she said.

As we gathered in the dining room, an air of unease filled the house. Toto's growling grew louder and more menacing, and even Mum's usually smiling face turned sombre. I wondered what could have possibly gone wrong. I had only been back home for a few weeks, and everything had been perfect until now. Why would anyone want to come and ruin it?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the men left. Dad came inside and sat down next to me on the sofa. He took a deep breath before speaking, and I knew whatever he said wouldn't be good.

"Son, we need to talk," he said, his voice grave. "Those men were from the animal control office, and they have some concerns about you."

Dad explained that some of our neighbours had complained about me, saying I could be dangerous to their pets and children. They claimed I could attack their animals and act aggressively towards people. They admitted that it had never happened but was still a possibility.

The officers said that Dad had no right to keep a wild animal at home and that I had to be released immediately to return to the forest where I belonged.

My heart sank as I listened to his words. I couldn't believe that after everything I had been through, I was now facing the possibility of being taken away from my family again.

My mind raced with thoughts and emotions. I felt angry and betrayed that someone would accuse me of having evil intentions. I also felt scared and uncertain about what the future held.

I started to tremble – would Dad lead me back to the forest and leave me alone?

But he put his arms around me and hugged me tightly.

"Don't worry, Maurice," he said. "We will fight to keep you at home, no matter what."

I was touched by his words and determined to help in any way I could, even though I had no idea how or what to do.

I was nervous and worried for a few days, as did the rest of the family. Mum urged me to come indoors whenever a car passed the house, but Dad knew that wasn't a solution. He believed I needed to run freely, roll on the ground, and live like a happy piggy. I loved exploring the garden and basking in the dust! And when Mum gave me a bath in the evening, sometimes I would get dirty on purpose just to make the bath last longer. I adored it when she rubbed me - I would splash her, and she would laugh.

For a while, nothing happened, and Toto and I almost forgot about the environmental agents' visit. But then another blue letter arrived, this time in the mail. Dad frowned as he read it. He often spoke in hushed tones with Mum, and I didn't know what they said because they became silent as soon as I approached.

I only cared a little until the van with the men in blue uniforms stopped in front of our house again, accompanied by a police car. The officers went inside, exchanged a few words with Dad, and took him away. I wondered what this was all about. Were they going to leave him in the forest to punish him for keeping me at home? I thought of a thousand dangers he would have to face. But Mum explained that they were just taking him to the police station for questioning and that he would return soon.

However, he wouldn't return until late in the evening. I was afraid he would be angry with me because I was the cause of everything happening. But to my surprise, he made me sit on a chair next to him at dinner and kept talking to me gently while stroking me.

At the police station, Dad learned that a gentleman from the village whom we knew had filed a complaint against us. In fact, this man used to pass by the house every Sunday with his rifle on his shoulder and a threatening look on his face. Dad said the man was a hunter and was impatient to see me released so he could shoot me.

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Days passed, and the situation seemed to be getting worse. Dad received a court summons and had to appear before a judge. I didn't fully understand what was happening but I knew it couldn't be good. Despite hiring a lawyer, the judge ruled against us and ordered that I be removed from my home. I had to be either released in the forest or sent to a refuge for wild animals. If he didn't comply, the authorities for wild animal protection people would have to euthanise me.

"Ha! This is what they call protection!" exclaimed Dad when he read us the court judgement letter. Despite the dramatic situation, we all burst out laughing, Toto and Mistigris included.

I couldn't believe it - my worst nightmare was coming true. After being accused of being a danger to other animals and people, I was facing the possibility of being taken away from my beloved family and released back to the forest or entrusted to a shelter for wild animals.

But I wasn't wild; I was Mum's and Dad's son!

Dad was devastated. He had hired another lawyer, appeared in court once again, and done everything he could to fight for me, but it was all in vain. The judge wouldn't budge, and I was left with a grim fate. The worst part was that no shelter would take me in - I was too big, wild, and dangerous, according to them. So they talked about the only solution left: euthanasia.

My heart became heavy, filled with fear and sadness. I refused to eat and play. I spent days under the chestnut tree, prostrated with grief, not even responding to Toto's joyful banters.

Becoming Famous

But then, something miraculous happened. Dad received a call from a famous actress who had heard about my story. She was deeply touched and wanted to help. She offered to accompany us to court and plead my case before the judge. With her assistance, a petition was started, and within a few days, it had gathered over 250,000 signatures. The support and love from complete strangers moved our family to tears. My photo was published in all newspapers. I was even invited to appear on a popular TV show, where the host asked me questions. I did my best to answer. While I couldn't judge my own performance, the audience applauded me, and Dad seemed happy with me. Mum said I looked cute and was photogenic, though I wasn't sure what that meant, but she had given me a good bath beforehand and combed me with her own comb.

Then another blue letter arrived, informing us that the judge was to deliver his final decision in the next hearing. Dad, Mum, the lawyer, the famous movie star, and I all went to court, leaving Toto and Mistigris at home to guard the house. I saw Dad and the judge having a heated discussion at the court. Dad kept pleading to let him keep me at home, but the judge remained firm. He said I was a wild animal and had to be released back into the forest.

Then, my new friend, the actress, stepped forward and began to speak. In her beautiful, melodious voice, she reminded the judge of the movies she had made with wild animals; she spoke of her love for nature. She even invited him to her property, where all kinds of animals found shelter when they needed it. She spoke about me, about my love for Dad and Mum; she bent down and kissed me on the head to show how cute and lovely I was as a boar. She asked the judge if he wanted to kiss me, too, and the audience laughed. Even the judge smiled. When she finished talking, he disappeared for a few moments.

A terrible tension reigned in the courtroom - what will his verdict be? I could feel the extreme anxiety that gripped Mum and Dad. As for me, I trembled as a leaf in the wind, and Dad had to take me in his arms.

 When he returned, the old judge granted Dad permission to keep me at home. It was a huge victory, and we were overjoyed. We hugged each other tightly, tears streaming down our faces.

I was so grateful to everyone who supported us, especially my favourite movie star. Without them, I don't know what would have happened to me. I knew I was one lucky piggy and promised to make the most of my second chance. Life was never the same again, but it was better than I could have ever imagined. I had a loving family, a warm home, and all the bananas I could eat. I played with Toto, raced on the prairie with Mistigris, and rolled around, joyfully squealing when I heard Mum calling us to come in and eat her tasty soup.

And every day, I was reminded of the kindness of strangers and how much people cared for a wild boar they didn't even know.