At Sisu Refuge, every rescued pig is guaranteed a safe and happy life on the sanctuary’s wide-open farm. But for one special resident named Elmer, the refuge gave him even more than promised. Not only did he find a forever home — he also discovered his true love.
Elmer’s story began when he met Hermoine, a longtime resident of the sanctuary, while both were in medical quarantine. Hermoine, who had lived at Sisu since 2019, was known for her striking personality — smart, strong-willed, and a little hard to win over. Elmer, a shy newcomer battling social anxiety, was captivated from the start.
“Elmer was smitten!” the refuge shared on Facebook. “For months, he courted Hermoine — offering her snacks, fluffing her side of the barn with fresh straw.” At first, Hermoine seemed unimpressed, but Elmer’s steady devotion eventually melted her walls. The two became inseparable, quickly earning the title of the farm’s most devoted couple.
“Elmer adores everything about Hermoine,” caregivers wrote. “He lets her choose the best spot by the air conditioner, shares every bite of food, and thinks she’s the most beautiful pig in the world.”
Before long, the pair moved into their own cozy cottage, where they even raised foster piglets together. Elmer relished fatherhood, while Hermoine — though not always patient with little ones — happily built a family alongside him.
“They really balance each other out,” the refuge said. Over time, Elmer grew braver in social situations, and Hermoine softened, becoming more relaxed and tolerant.
But in August 2024, tragedy struck. Caregivers noticed an infection in Hermoine’s foot and rushed her to the hospital. Despite every effort, the infection was too advanced to treat. Hermoine passed away, leaving the staff — and especially Elmer — devastated.
When the caregivers returned without her, they found Elmer sleeping by the gate where he had last seen her. He hadn’t been able to join the long drive to the clinic, and no one could explain to him that his beloved partner was gone.
“We don’t know if he realizes she isn’t coming home yet,” the refuge shared. “It breaks our hearts to think of him waiting for her.”
In the months since her passing, Elmer has been showered with love, apples, and endless comfort from his caregivers. Though his grief was deep, the lessons he learned from Hermoine — especially how to trust and connect with others — have helped him slowly rebuild his life. Today, Elmer is smiling again, surrounded by new friends, though his heart will always carry Hermoine’s memory.
The refuge staff grieve her loss alongside him, but they remain committed to honoring her legacy by caring for Elmer with the same love she gave.
Hermoine may be gone, but in Elmer’s world, she will forever live on.
“He thinks she’s the most beautiful pig in the world” 💕