Eva Vivian MS’13, PhD’20, a professor at the UW School of Pharmacy, has had a lot of pets over the years. These animals have led very long, happy lives under Vivian’s care, including her 28-year-old thoroughbred horse, Max. She’s also had other horses, several Labrador retrievers, a Pekingese that lived to 17, and a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig named Wilbur that lived to 15. Wilbur made several visits to the School of Pharmacy and even served as a mascot for the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity Beta Psi Chapter. Before he died in 2020, he was a dedicated companion to Vivian as she battled breast cancer. “He was quite a gentleman,” she says. “He was older, and I could tell he was tired. But he made sure that I made it through the difficult chemotherapy before he decided to leave.”
Like Wilbur, each of Vivian’s pets have brought her joy. “I almost feel like a mom that has a lot of kids, and I’d like to say they’re all my favorite because, for a mother, every child is their favorite,” she says. “They just have certain characteristics that you love that make them special.”
The fur babies currently vying for Vivian’s favor include Max and a three-year-old German shepherd named Anka. As it sometimes happens with siblings, the two don’t get along particularly well. Anka is afraid of the much larger Max, and Max is too old for Anka’s antics. But there’s no need to fight. For one, they don’t live together. And like Vivian says, they’re both her favorite.
How did you pick Anka’s name?
Anka is a German shepherd, so I wanted to give her a German name. Anka means “grace” in German.
Is she your first German shepherd?
As a child, I grew up with a German shepherd named King. I’ve had dogs most of my life, but I never owned a German shepherd again. So, when my Labrador retriever passed away, I decided to adopt a German shepherd.
Of the dogs you’ve owned, what’s your favorite breed?
I would have to say the German shepherd. I really like Labrador retrievers. I’ve owned three, and I think they’re great family dogs. I’ve owned a Pekingese. But I admire the German shepherd. They’re so regal. I would say of all the breeds of dogs, the German shepherd has had more responsibilities and more jobs than any other breed. They were originally used as herding dogs in Germany. They’re used for protection and companionship. They’re used by the military to sniff drugs and to sniff out bombs. They’re the original Seeing Eye dogs. They have so many different roles that they’ve played, and they’re good family dogs.
Do you have any other animals?
I also have a 28-year-old thoroughbred named Max, and I’ve owned him since he was four years old. I love horses. Max is incredible, and I’ve shared moments with him that I haven’t shared with any other animal. For example, I go on long trail rides with him. That’s something I can’t do with another animal. I feel at ease when I’m on his back. We have a relationship that I don’t have with a dog or a pig.
At one of the stables where I ride, the owner adopted a pig. The pig had a great personality, so I decided that one day I would own a pig.
And did you ever get one?
I got an opportunity to adopt a pig [Wilbur] from a breeder in Texas [in 2005]. I think I’m the first person in Madison that owned a pig. You may have heard recently about [Rudi]. Before Rudi, there was Wilbur. I didn’t know it was illegal to own a pig in Madison [at that time]. On one occasion, animal control stopped by my house because my neighbor complained about my dog’s barking. I invited [the animal control officer] in the house, and she saw the pig. She told me to leave Wilbur on my property and not to advertise that I had a pig because, technically, it was illegal. But she did not report me because she didn’t want me to lose Wilbur.
My neighbors didn’t mind that I had a pig. Wilbur was rather quiet. He just went outside and ate grass and laid in the sun.
How long did you have him?
Wilbur passed away in 2020 at 15 years of age.
I’ve heard that pigs are a lot like dogs.
They’re actually a little bit smarter. Wilbur would teach my dog how to do things and get in trouble. He got the refrigerator door open, and then they would go in and eat the food. Wilbur would eat all the vegetables. I had to purchase a different type of refrigerator that did not have a handle on the door.
What about Anka? Is she a troublemaker, too?
No. Anka is your stereotypic German shepherd dog. She’s very loyal and affectionate and protective toward me. At night, she’ll jump into bed with me and cuddle next to me. She’s really sweet. And when we go walking, she’s very friendly to people.
If Anka were to choose a major, what would it be?
Since she is a German shepherd, she could have a lot of majors. I made a joke on Facebook that my dog would be a university professor if she were a human because she’s very intelligent, and she works well with young people. So, I would say she would work on a PhD in the social sciences.
What would be her yearbook superlative?
Prettiest girl in the class. Every time I walk Anka, someone stops me and says, “Oh, you have such a beautiful dog. I’ve received more compliments about Anka than any dog I’ve ever owned.
What’s Max like?
Max is intelligent, sensitive, full of energy, and has a strong work ethic. He is a people-oriented horse and is always willing to please.
What are his favorite snacks?
Apples, carrots, and peppermint hard candy.
What would he be voted for his yearbook superlative?
Most likely to succeed.
