A Silicon Valley executive has saved a pig at a Los Altos Hills, Calif., farm from the slaughterhouse and is now working to reunite the animal with its sister.

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David Lamar said he felt affection for the pig, Relish, and his sister, Pickles, after spending time with them during his daily jog past the historic Deer Hollow Farm, the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News reported Friday.

Lamar bought Relish after the Blue Butte pig was taken to the Healing Hearts animal sanctuary in Wilcox, Ariz., in preparation for a trip to the slaughterhouse.

"I asked and they said we're taking him to slaughter in a couple of weeks," Lamar said. "I said, `Ok, can I buy him?'"

Lamar was allowed by the city to buy Relish for $200. However, his attempts to buy Pickles, who remains at the farm, have so far been unsuccessful.

James Teixeira, recreation manager for the city of Mountain View, which runs the farm, said the city would not be able to give up Pickles without being able to replace her, and "this time of year, the breeder we're working with has a couple of groups ahead of us."