Momma is Pregnant

This is Olivia and her 2 babies (Toppy & Binoo), 3 of the 5 rescued pigs from August. When we found her, she was still nursing 2 (from 6) of her 3 month old babies and she was very thin. We weaned the babies and took them in and had them neutered, as they can begin breeding as early as 6 weeks and will breed back to mom.

Olivia has been putting on weight, we were hoping just because she was now eating properly, but because she was being housed with a male (15 year old Todd from other posts...and the father of her first litter) when we found her, we always suspected another pregnancy. We took her in yesterday to be spayed, but had the vet do an ultrasound first to be sure. It confirmed that she is, indeed, pregnant.

Her previous owners didn't want any of these pigs. They weren't being cared for, they had no shelter and were not being fed the right food, or enough food. They were on Kijiji "to give away"...for anyone to take, yet they thought it was their right to breed not only one litter of piglets, but two and give these babies away, unfixed. Pigs can have up to 12 piglets in a litter. Do the math attached to this logic.

There are a few misconceptions about breeding that I would like to clear up. First, OLD PIGS CAN BREED!! That was the excuse this woman gave for the first litter...she thought Todd (dad) was too old to breed at 15 years. What's the excuse for the second litter I wonder? Second, NURSING MOTHERS CAN GET PREGNANT!! Olivia was still nursing when she became pregnant. I have even been told by a vet that this isn't possible. IT IS!!! Third, as I've already said, BABIES AS YOUNG AS 6 WEEKS CAN BREED and will breed back to their mom.

Seeing those babies on the ultrasound yesterday deeply touched something in my heart. Their little heartbeats blinking on the screen...a result of total irresponsibility. There is no real place in this world for these babies. They are sweet, they are precious...and they are unwanted. Don't get me wrong, I am keeping them and cannot wait to meet their tiny little selves and they will be loved to death and cared for throughout their entire lives (God willing I will still be here to do that), but did even I want more pigs being brought into this world? No. I don't have the money to take more pigs. Spaying and neutering that many pigs alone costs close to $4000, not to mention food, shelter, electricity for heating shelters all winter, worming medication and various vet costs. My family will have to sacrifice to care for possibly 12 more pigs (possible total of 22)...all the result of other people's extreme irresponsibility.

PLEASE help fight against this. Do not support breeders of ANY kind...from the people with their expensive, fancy sounding pigs (all the same breed, but they don't want you to know that), to the backyard breeder asking $50 for a muddy old pig from their pen out back. If you are serious about owning a pig...do your research. If you can honestly say it's still for you (for up to 30 years), then adopt from a rescue. Bringing unwanted pigs into the world to be neglected and killed or passed off as another's responsibility is not someones right. Please let them know this.

Todd & Grandma

Here's Todd & Grandma, 2 of the rescue pigs from August. The longer I have had them, the harder it is for me to imagine how someone who had these pigs for 15 years could possibly consider ending their lives...because "they are too old and too fat for anyone to want them". Todd is one of the sweetest, gentlest personalities I have ever met (with his noticeable under bite) and Grandma has a spirit that is full of life, even though her body is not. They've lived a miserable life of neglect, but have now found love and compassion and will live out their remaining days in comfort, knowing someone loves them. Whether human or animal...there is no better feeling...I can see it in their eyes.

I've been trying them in the house, hoping I will be able to keep them inside for the winter. I don't know if Grandma has another year left in her, and the thought of her spending her last days outside in the cold is not sitting well. Our shelters are insulated, and have a heat source...I know she would be fine out there but I am hoping if I can get them in the house, I will be able to get her up more during the day and her condition might improve. So far it's not going well. After 15 years of just "existing" they don't understand the house and they are scared. Todd wants to be outside on the grass, and I am finding it very hard to get Grandma in and out on my own. She doesn't do the ramps on the deck very well with her limited mobility, but I am hoping a little practice is all she needs. I think I will hold off and try again when it gets a little colder outside... when the warmth of the house might be a little more appealing to them. They do like the fire once they settle in. :)

Winter Shelter for Pot Bellied Pigs

It's getting to that time of year. We built a shelter this spring and moved my pigs outside for the summer and I am really feeling the fall chill in the air when I go out to feed them in the morning. I've never had pigs outside during the winter, but because of the recent rise in numbers, I won't be able to bring them all in this year. This will be hard for me. :(

Many people believe that pigs are fine in the crudest of shelters and this is not true. Pigs have a hard time regulating their body temperature and need a lot of help. In the summer they can get overheated quickly and need access to shade and fresh water at all times. In Alberta winters, they need to have a properly insulated shelter with an outside heat source (such as a heat lamp placed high enough that they can't touch it). It must be large enough for them to comfortably move around in, as they will spend most of the winter in it, but not so large that heat is lost to extra space. It should be filled from floor to roof with clean straw for them to burrow into, and it's never a good idea to keep just one pig. They snuggle together in the straw for warmth, and it's much harder for one pig to stay warm. The door should face away from the winter winds and shouldn't be bigger than needed for the pig to come and go. Our's has a big swing door for cleaning that always stays closed except in the spring when they like to lie in the shelter and enjoy the sunshine. A blanket of some type should be hung in the door to keep the wind and blowing snow out. The shelter should be on skids...to keep the floor from rotting so will need a ramp for the pigs to walk up. The roof should be slanted and shingled to prevent leaking.

I have seen people who keep their pigs in small, plywood rickety old dog houses during the winter with a handful of straw to lie on. This is cruelty. Those pigs live miserable lives. If you are considering getting a pig, please make sure you are able (financially and physically) to provide the proper care throughout its life. They will depend on you.

Pigs and surgery

Yesterday was an emotional day. Todd, Toopy and Binoo all went in to be neutered. These are always hard days for me.

Pigs are VERY sensitive to anesthetic and it's VERY important to use a vet who is familiar with Pot Bellied Pigs or there is a good chance that you will lose him/her during the surgery. The preferred anesthetic to use is ISO (spelled either Isoflourine or Isoflorine Gas). This puts them to sleep quickly and they wake up quickly with no after effects. Please make sure that your vet knows to use this on your pig ... not all vets know this as not all vets are familiar with Pot Bellied Pigs. We have found that very few vets are.

All in all everything went well. Toopy was cryptorchid, so his surgery was a little more difficult. One of his testicles hadn't dropped, so they had to go into his abdomen. It was a little scary because it was buried in his intestines, but all turned out well. A little more medication for him to prevent infection, but he's alright.

The vet decided to keep Binoo's extra two feet on. He said that they are fully formed feet (with bone), so it would be major surgery to remove them. They shouldn't cause him problems, he walks just fine, but the hooves will have to be kept trimmed at all times. He's my special pig...I think his extra feet will make him fly. ;)

I am just glad yesterday is over. In a few weeks Olivia will go in to be spayed and I will be in for another emotional day, but until then...all is well!                                                                            

Pig Tusks

I just wanted to post a photo of a pig tusk that was trimmed from one of my pigs today.

People tell me time and time again that breeders are telling them that pot bellied pigs don't grow tusks. This is NOT true...they grow impressive tusks and they need to be trimmed. They are sawed off using a wire and pigs DO NOT like this activity. Please be aware that performing this task on a 200 pound pot bellied pig is not easy and many of the people who bring a baby pig home don't look far enough into the future to consider this.

Also be aware that pig tusks cannot be removed. They are part of the jaw. When I got my first pig, our vet (at the time) told me he could remove them. He pulled 4 little teeth and we thought we were done with the problem. Once my pig started to mature (2-3 years)...so did his tusks. You cannot have them pulled...yet many vets who are not familiar with pigs will tell you otherwise. Don't believe it.

This is ONE of the FOUR tusks that were trimmed. Picture a 200 pound pig with four of these in his mouth when you are considering adding a pig to your family. ALL MALE PIGS GROW TUSKS. Females do as well, but they are smaller.

More pigs

It happened again. A very sad story has led to me being the proud new owner of 5 new pigs. I went on a 12 hour journey to pick these ones up. Living where no one cared about them, in a small dirt pen with so little human contact that they were scared of everything and serious medical issues went unnoticed.

Here's Todd. He's anywhere between 8 and 15 years old and not fixed. He was going to be killed (for no reason). He's a very sweet guy and is going to be neutered in a week.













This is Grandma. She is also anywhere between 8 and 15 years old and was also going to be killed (for no reason). Although this picture doesn't show it (don't ask me how that happened!!), she is very overweight, limps and is completely blind due to the fat rolls covering her eyes. These are issues that cause her distress and someone who cared at all about these animals would never have let it get to this point.

This is Olivia. She is about a year and a half. She had 6 babies, but 4 of them had been sold by the time I found her. She is underweight and was still in with her 2 male (unfixed and able to breed) babies. She was also in with Todd, who is also unfixed, when we picked her up. Chances are she could be pregnant again. This lady was starved for attention...she follows me everywhere I go.

This is Toopy. Toopy is 12-14 weeks old and wild as wild can be. He's never been touched...his old owners couldn't even tell me...after that much time... whether he was male or female. It's not hard to tell...by just looking into the pen. Just shows how much attention was given to these pigs. We have been able to hold Toopy and his brother and get them into a harness after the first week...but they are not happy with it yet.

This is Binoo. Binoo is Toopy's brother. He has 4 front feet (that the straw in the picture is hiding well), possibly caused by his mom's malnutrition during pregnancy. He's smaller than Toopy and just as wild. They are both going in next week to be neutered and we will see what the vet says about his 2 extra feet. If they will cause him problems as he grows, we will have them removed.

Here is them arriving at their new home after a long drive. This picture (first) of Grandma shows her fat a little better. She's the one on the left, Todd is on the right.  I really don't know how she looked so much slimmer in the last picture...but I wish I could bottle that photo genius that I obviously posses!! ;)

I am sure that the people who sold/gave these pigs to this home probably felt like they were going to a good home. Most people do not intentionally give an animal to someone they think will abuse or neglect it (although some people just don't care). People who have no business owning an animal of any kind can make themselves sound like the perfect owners for the few minutes that you are speaking to them. It happens all the time. Please keep this in mind, both when you are considering getting a pot bellied pig/piglet and when you are trying to rehome one. Chances are this is the type of place they will end up if it doesn't work out with you. They are NOT easy to rehome as adults. If they are lucky, they will stay in a sad place like this until someone involved in rescue comes to get them before they are killed or sent to another equally sad existence....and then if they   are lucky, they will stay there until someone involved in rescue comes to     get them before they are killed or sent to another equally bad existence......

 All it would take to stop this is to do your research before bringing one home. Make sure you know all the difficult parts of pig ownership that breeders forget to tell you. Adopt from a rescue if you decide that a pig is for you. If you take away the demand of these precious babies, you take away the supply (more and more being produced for profit). You get a wonderful friend, who is fixed and socialized and you get ongoing support from people who care deeply for the pig you take home, and you save a life. It's a win/win situation.

     



                                     

Pigs and hair loss

Sigh. Tanner has started losing his hair. Most pot bellied pigs do this once a year, and mine usually do it in the spring, but he's started early. It's called "Blowing their coat," and it's awful!! It takes a few months for 1 pig to lose all of their hair, and all of mine start at different times which means that I have several months where it looks like I have pig bristle carpet in my house. Pig bristles are nothing like dog hair that vacuums up easily. They stick in everything...especially your socks!!! I HATE IT!!!!

On the bright side, we get a lot of laughs from their Shrek-like appearances during this process...and they do look ever so handsome when it all grows back, but I still can't say it's worth it. I'm not sure why he started so early this year. Boy, is he going to be cold! :)

Things are not always what they seem

Just saw an ad on Kijiji entitled "Happy Haven for Unwanted Livestock" which reads as follows...

"Hi we are offering a safe haven for all unwanted livestock.we have lots of room on our farm we live and work on our farm daily it is our lively hood we have on hand medication and put our hart and soul into our aniamls here.for more info call..."

When you click on "See posters other ads" you find ads offering everything for sale from cats to horses, alpacas and steer, goats and pigs for butcher. Some "Safe Haven"!!! Seems to me that is a "heart and soul" any animal could do without!

PLEASE be aware of this type of thing when trying to rehome an unwanted pig...or any unwanted animal for that matter. This is the rule...not the exception when it comes to pot bellied pigs. I just don't know how to stress enough that if you are not absolutely sure that a pot bellied pig is for you (for life) when you bring it home, chances are very good that you will be sentencing it to death if you try to rehome it as an adult. Places like this are where they usually end up. Very few people are willing to take on an adult pig and they rarely find forever homes. They are a lot of work, and the same reasons that you no longer want him or her are the reasons it generally doesn't work somewhere else. Please keep this in mind...your pet depends on you...it has no one else.

UPDATE: After emailing these people with my concern that their ad was very misleading...and much nasty-ness on their part...they have changed the wording. It is now titled "Unwanted Livestock". Still the same people...still sounds pretty good...still selling animals for butcher. Is this where you want your pet to end up? Please don't take chances with your pets life. It's very easy to make something sound a whole lot better than it actually is. Be aware that things are not always what they seem.

My Tucker tattoo

Forever in my heart and always with me. I love you buddy. <3 <3

Comfy pigs!

Here are 3 boys LOVING air conditioning during this heat wave!!! (Please remember...if it's too hot for you out there...it's too hot for your pets. Make sure they have shelter, shade and fresh, cold water at all times.)

Annoyingly smart pigs

My pigs have caught on to the fact that they will receive an hour long brushing before they are let into the house if they go roll in the mud first. Sometimes I wish they weren't so smart. If they keep it up they are going to realize their worst fear...being left outside for the night (yes, even after it's dark Tanner!) I don't think my front door would hold up, and I know my neighbors wouldn't get any sleep, but one of these days..............

Speaking of smart, I remember when Tucker was little and I was trying to teach him to come to the door when I called him. Every time he would come into the house, I would give him a grape. It took him TWO times of doing this before he caught on to the fact that every time he came through the door, he got a treat. He would come to the door, squeal to come in, come in and get his treat and then turn right around and ask to be let out. I would let him out and he would squeal to get back in and then expect a grape. He would do this for hours!

Man, I miss that guy. </3

Rest in Peace Tucker

I said goodbye to the best friend I have ever had this week and it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. It was way too early. He was only 5. His living conditions during the first 5 weeks of his life caused him a lifetime of sickness and an early death. Breeders don't care about these things. He was $75 free and clear in her pocket for very little effort on her part. I wish they would look into the eyes of these animals so they could see that they are so much more than that.

Never before has someone made such a huge impact on my life. He is the reason I am vegan. He was the eyes and heart I was finally able to see behind the ingrained belief that meat comes from the grocery store. It doesn't. He is the reason animal rights mean so much to me because he had no choice and no voice in the way he was treated. He is the reason 4 other pigs and many other farm animals are living out their lives here, free from abuse and neglect. He made me understand, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that animals have the same feelings that we do and they want to be loved. Even pigs. Especially pigs. They are like no other animals I know. He meant so much to me and I will never forget him.

He was my very best friend.

I love you Tucker.

If Pigs Could Speak

If Pigs Could Speak
By Andrew Kirschner
I am a pig.
I am a happy and affectionate animal by nature.
I like to play in the grass and nurture my young.
In the wild, I eat leaves, roots, grass, flowers, and fruits.
I have a terrific sense of smell and I am highly intelligent.
I am a pig.
I can learn tasks as quickly as chimpanzees and faster than dogs.
I roll around in mud to cool down
but I am a very clean animal
and don't excrete anywhere near where I live.
I speak my own language that you cannot understand.
I am often loved as a house mate.
I like being in groups and live a long natural life in the wild or a safe home.
I enjoy interacting with people and I am very gentle.
I wish I could do and be all of those things
but I was born on a factory farm like billions of other pigs
and so I experience none of them.
I am a pig.
If I could speak
I would tell you that I spend my life
in a crowded and filthy warehouse
in a tiny metal crate.
The owners call it a farm so you won't feel bad for me.
It's not a farm.
My life is miserable from the day I'm born until the day I die.
In many cases, I live my entire life in a gestation crate
where I can't even turn around.
I try to escape but can't.
I suffer severe emotional and physical ailments
as a result of my confinement.
I have bruises all over my head and face
from trying to get out of my cage.
I bang my head against the bars.
It is analogous to living in a coffin.
I am a pig.
If I could speak I would tell you that
I don't ever feel the warmth of another pig.
I only feel the cold metal bars of my cage
and the feces that I am forced to sleep in.
I don't see daylight until a trucker drives me to a slaughterhouse.
I am a pig.
I am beaten often by ruthless factory farmers
who take pleasure in hearing me squeal.
I am constantly impregnated
and do not have any interaction with my piglets.
My feet are tied together so I am forced to stand all day.
When I was born, I was separated from my mother.
In the wild, I would have stayed with her for five months.
Now I am forced to have 25 piglets a year through artificial insemination
as opposed to six per year I would have in the wild.
Being in a constant state of pregnancy is slow torture.
Overcrowding and the smell of being covered in raw sewage
causes many of us to go insane
and bite each other through our cages.
Sometimes we kill each other.
It's not our nature.
My home smells of ammonia.
I sleep on concrete.
I am tied up so I can't even roll over.
My food is loaded with artificial fats that cause me terrible health problems
so my owners can make more money off my size.
I am never able to search for food as I do by instinct in the wild.
I am a pig.
I am bored and have nothing to do
so I bite my tail and the tails of others
so the factory farmers cut off our tails
without any pain killers.
It is excruciating and causes infection.
When it's time for us to be killed,
we are supposed to be stunned to death with a bolt gun
until we can't feel pain
but often the gun is not properly charged or the stunner misses,
or we're too big for it
and it fails to work properly.
Sometimes we go through the slaughter process
sticking, skinning, dismembering, and eviscerating –
alive, conscious, and kicking.
I am a pig.
If I could speak
I would tell you we suffer horribly.
Our death is slow and violent torture.
It can last as long as 20 minutes.
If you saw it happen,
you would probably never eat an animal again.
That's why what happens inside factory farms
is the best kept secret in the world.
I am a pig.
You can dismiss me as a worthless animal.
Call me filthy even though I am clean by nature.
Say I don't matter because I taste good to eat.
Be indifferent to my suffering.
But now you know,
I feel pain, sadness, and fear.
I suffer.
Even though I will be killed
and deprived of a humane and natural life
You now know it is wrong
and if you continue eating animals like me
when you don't need to eat them to survive
it will be on your conscience
and you bear responsibility for the cruelty
because you're funding it by purchasing my flesh
99% of which comes from factory farms.
You have a choice
to live a cruelty-free life
and go vegan.
It's much easier than you think
and it is a very fulfilling lifestyle —
healthier for you,
better for the environment,
and most of all,
it does not contribute to the abuse of animals.
Please give it some thought.
I am no more meant to be eaten by you
than you are meant to be eaten by me.
The idea of eating me is a human creation for profit
not a divine one or one born of necessity but rather choice.
If you could choose not to abuse an animal, would you?
If the choice of ending animal cruelty
meant making some simple changes in your life,
would you make them?
Forget about cultural norms.
Do what you know is right.
Align your compassionate heart and mind
with your actions.
Please stop eating pork, ham, bacon, sausage
and buying other products made from pig body parts such as leather.
I am a pig.
I'm begging you to develop the same respect for me
that you have for your dog or cat.
During the time it took you to read this message,
approximately 26,000 pigs were brutally slaughtered
on factory farms.
Simply because you didn't see it happen
doesn't mean it didn't happen.
It did.
I am a pig.
I had only one life on this earth.
It's too late for me
but it is not too late for you to make a change
like millions of other people
and save other animals from the life I lived.
I hope animals' lives will begin to mean more to you now –
now that you know.
I was a pig.

Just when I think she can't possibly get worse!

Came home last night to see, through the dark window, a little pink piggy butt sticking out of the illuminated fridge! Piper, the little brat, got the door open and helped herself to every bit of food she could reach. She was sucking the tomatoes through the mesh bag when we finally stopped laughing long enough to get into the house to pull her out. I swear, everytime I start to think we have seen the limit of how bad this little girl can be...she surprises me. She's a hard pig to love, but even harder not to.

Now...off to the grocery store I go...

Piper's Rules of Possession

I thought this was cute. It describes my Piper pig better than anything I could have come up with myself. She's worse than any toddler I have ever known, but I gotta love her ('cuz if I don't...nobody else will!!! :o))

                                                                                                    

                                                
                                           (Except...if it's broken, it's still hers!)

So many questions...it keeps me up at night.

When will people realize that "responsible pot bellied pig breeder" is a contradiction in terms?

Why won't these same people who feel that they are so "responsible" take the time to look closely into the situation and become aware of the suffering they are contributing to by bringing more into the world, when the world has proven time and time again that they only have room for baby pigs? What do they think happens to the adults? Even when you tell them...they don't want to hear or know about it.

Why do these breeders feel it is their right to subject these innocent animals to very sad lives?

Every breeder I have ever spoken to ALWAYS says the same thing. They say that they LOVE their animals. They are VERY VERY careful about what homes they send their animals to. They are ALWAYS there for future support to anyone they sell a pig to...and are ALWAYS willing to take said animal back if things don't work out. They say that they keep in regular contact with all adoptive parents and monitor the care given to the animal throughout it's lifetime.

This is bull. If it were true...why are there so many unwanted pigs out there? I am not saying that they don't start out with the best of intentions...but I have yet to see even ONE breeder who follows through on these ideals. I have called many, pretending to be interested in buying a pig and my home has not once been checked to see if it is suitable for a pig. I have been offered pigs as young as 2.5 weeks old. I have been told absolute lies about pot bellied pigs/their care requirements and their personalities. I know of many pigs in rescues who came from breeders with the same promises. Many times the owners surrending the pig are too embarrassed or just don't care enough to contact the original breeders. Other times they have been passed through many homes by the time they finally end up in a rescue and the original breeder is unknown and unaware of the situation. That's what happens with the promises breeders hand out. The breeder in Camrose of my Piper had no way of knowing the fate of this pig...yet to speak to her, she assured me that she is VERY involved in what happens to ALL OF HER PIGS. Same lies...every single time.

Currently there are ads on Kijiji for piglets. I bet they all hand out the same line of crap. I know that one does for sure. They are NOT responsible...as there is no such thing as a responsible pot bellied pig breeder. These people won't take the time to look into the fact that the market is absolutely saturated with the ever UNpopular adult pot bellied pig. All they see is that people like the babies and are willing to fork out money for them. They leave the responsibility of caring for the unwanted, neglected and abandoned adult pigs that they create to people involved in rescue. People who spend their own time and their own money to try to control the mess that THEY (the "responsible" breeders) have created. Then, they assure everyone of how responsible they are.

Please, do not buy a pig from anyone who breeds. They are NOT responsible. They do NOT care...or they wouldn't be doing this and chances are very very good that they will NOT follow through on their promises. PLEASE do NOT support this!!!

I just received an email today from a girl who got a living, breathing, feeling pot bellied pig baby as a Birthday gift from someone she barely knew. She didn't want it and is not willing to keep it. THIS is what is happening to these pigs over and over and over again. This boy is 3 months old, not neutered, living inside and no longer wanted. I'm sure he came from a breeder with all the same promises...but those promises didn't do him a whole lot of good. HIs future does not look bright...through no fault of his own.

This is NOT ok.

Hope for Tucker??? I sure hope so.

Tucker has gone downhill again the last few weeks. My poor guy. His skin condition has gotten worse. We took some skin samples in to the vet and found out that he is loaded with demodex mites. I think he's had them for some time and I am a little more than angry that this is the first (of many) vets who caught it (we've done this before...many times). This is something that is common in dogs, but very rare in pigs. It may be a blessing in disguise though, because from what I have been reading...these mites can cause the acne problems that he has experienced all his life, because the feces from the mites and the dead mites get absorbed into the skin...causing what he seems to have. If that is the case...maybe we are on to something here! I sure hope so. Ivermec is what you use to treat them...and he is starting to feel better already after one dose, but that is the same stuff we use regularly to deworm all of our pigs...so I don't know why he has this problem to begin with. None of the other pigs do. We are still waiting on results from other samples that our vet sent away to the lab...so we will see what they say, but I am feeling very hopeful that after all these years, we might actually be on the right track. I even read somewhere that this can be a bird mite as well...and for the first 5 weeks of his life, he lived in an unventilated, filthy shed with many birds. Maybe that's why the other pigs are fine and he's not?

I just hope that this vet will see this through and not throw his hands in the air and give up on Tucker like all the others have done. I am very serious when I tell people that finding a good vet in this area who knows how or is willing to deal with a pot bellied pig beyond just the very basic medical care is VERY DIFFICULT, very expensive and more than a little frustrating.

Now, to diligently bleach and re-bleach every surface and every piece of bedding that he has ever touched. Anything to get my best guy healthy again! Today is the first day in 2 weeks that he hasn't gone out into the trees and spent the day there in a little nest that he made. It's been so cold and it's been breaking my heart to see him out there all alone and miserable.

White pigs and skin cancer

I read something interesting and thought I would share it. It is from the Shepherd's Green Sanctuary newsletter and it talks about skin health in pigs.

It is talking about 2 of the pigs at the sanctuary...

" Mona and Sally Cream Cheese are 2 of some 30 white and silver pigs who have over the years gradually gotten more and more skin problems. A month of diagnostics and care at the University for Sally indicated no single approach was going to solve the problems. Each pig seemed a little different, but most were thin, had weeping sores and a generalized redness and "dirty" look.

The Cause.
The root cause is that white farm pigs get skin cancer and when introduced in 1989 into the pot bellied pig population as "Royal Whites", they brought their genetics with them. Because farm pigs are killed as juveniles in the meat industry, it doesn't matter, but now we have thousands of white and silver pigs of diminutive sizes in homes as well as a growing number of farm pigs as pets. When they get skin cancer or any of the other skin conditions, it matters!"

I was just saying in my last post about how hard it is to put sunscreen onto a pig covered in pig bristles. I have already started to notice the "generalized redness and dirty look" of Piper's skin. She's had many sores throughout the summer and has, at times, been very uncomfortable because of this problem. To me, this is just another consequence of irresponsible breeding to create more variety to make more money. There's really no way to help a white pig. You can try with the sunscreen...as I do, at least getting the ears, but other than making a cover for the entire pig (which none of mine would even allow), they will be exposed to the sun most of the the time.

Definitely something to think about. As I have said before, vet care for serious problems in pigs is very difficult to find in this area.

Another summer come and gone

Hard to believe it's that time of year once again. My pigs have decided that it is too cold in the mornings to go out early and they are screaming at the door to come in much earlier at night. It's almost time to bathe and deworm them, replace their carpet and buy new blankets. I buy them new ones every fall because they shred them so bad, but I figure they don't need big fluffy ones in the summer anyways. I could spend a fortune keeping them in fluffly blankets. (If anyone has any to donate...please let me know!)

It's been an eventful summer. Piper is getting along with her brothers now (mostly). I knew she would, it just took them being outside together to make it happen. I'm sure she got put in her place more than once while they were out there and Mom wasn't watching...but I'm happy for whatever fixed the problem. This winter won't be quite as bad as last winter...not having to keep them seperated. That wasn't fun. She's also over her drinking problem! ;o) I can keep water down for her at all times now and she only drinks when she's thirsty...which also means that she doesn't pee as much. I did also learn this summer that white pigs sunburn very easily and it's not easy to spread any type of sunscreen on pig bristles!!! She was a lot of work, but she has come a long way and I am so happy to see it. I wish people could stick it out and try harder instead of giving up so easily on their pigs. She's a good girl. Snotty at times...but a good girl.

MacGyver has come leaps and bounds too. He's often the only one in the house...he asks to come in during the day for a nap while the others are outside. He's comfortable with me and my girls, but still a little unsure of Scott. I think he's had some pretty bad experiences with men and may never get over that. He's become a real sweetheart and is the most "Shrek-like" of all my pigs when he loses all his hair! You just can't help but love the guy.

Tucker is doing ok. The medication we got has stopped working and we can't find another vet who has any ideas what to do for him. He is still fine, but his nose is running again. I feel awful that we can't find anyone to solve that problem for him. It's not as bad as it use to be...so I guess that is a good thing. He's taken to sleeping on the floor in my bedroom during the day, instead of the living room where they all usually sleep. I have to remember to put some blankets down for him or he helps himself to the ones on my bed. :o)

Lukie and Tanner are Lukie and Tanner. Those two never change. Easy going, laid back, happy go lucky brothers. They have both put on a little too much weight over the summer from grazing and rooting all day every day, but they will slim down again over the winter. That can be a huge problem with pot bellied pigs (pardon the pun!), but I don't worry about the summer chubb. They work hard for it!

As for my yard...it has several more problem areas from a long summer of pig activities, but that is to be expected. It's just grass...or at least it use to be...ha ha.

Hope you all had a good summer, or at least enjoyed what little we had. I will hopefully be able to spend more time updating my blog now that it's over. I have been neglecting it a little lately.

Are people stupid?

Seriously...I have to ask myself this. I try to think that people are just uninformed, but that logic is getting harder and harder to swallow.

 There is ANOTHER pot bellied pig for sale on Kijiji...3 WEEKS OLD!!!! Come on...it doesn't take a genius to understand that this is wrong. This is a BABY for cryin' out loud who still needs to be with mom!!! Some people just don't care what they do to make a buck and these poor animals are the ones who continue to suffer.

I have a pig (Tucker) who is now 5. He was taken from his mother at 4 weeks old and suffers because of this irresponsibility every single day of his life...and I do too...both financially and just having to deal daily with a problem pig. I would need more hands to be able to count his problems...both physical and mental...on my fingers. Believe me...this is NOT what you want in a pet. They sure look sweet at that age...but look down my posts to see what they WILL become (times 10 if they are taken from mom too early.) Don't be fooled and don't be part of the exploitation of these animals. I ask every single person reading this to report (top right corner on ad) every ad you see where people are trying to sell pigs (or any animals for that matter) at this age. Please also write to Kijiji to let them know that you don't believe they should allow such irresponsibility on their site. PLEASE be part of the solution...not the problem. If you won't stand up for them...who will???

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who reported this ad. It has now been changed and they are selling the piglet at 6 weeks instead. Still too young, but apparently ok by Kijiji standards.

BUSTED!!!!!

Have you ever seen a more priceless expression in your life?!?! This was my lawn at one time. It's a good thing I love you Lukie!!! :o)

Gotta Love Pigs!

I love spring. My pigs love it too, when they can finally get out and do what they do best! Here are a few pictures of some of the damage they have done to my yard in the last couple of days. This is the rule with pigs...not the exception. Please honestly consider how important your yard is to you before you make the decision to bring a pig home. If you like grass and flowers and a neat, pretty yard, or if you hate mud...you will not be pleased with an adult pig. You may think that it's worse here because I have 5 and you are only considering 1, but you are wrong. 1 pig can do this too...in fact, several of these pictures are the work of MacGyver alone. This is just what they do and they don't care how hard you work on your yard to keep it nice, or who you have coming over on the weekend for a BBQ...they will do it. I still laugh (in an incredibly frustrated way) at the ad on Kijiji awhile back that claimed that pigs are "No worse than puppies when it comes to digging"!!! That is simply not true. Pigs root all day and it's something they never outgrow.  If a breeder tells you otherwise...THEY ARE LYING!!!!

Keep in mind that all of this damage happened in just a few days... 

 

 

Another pig attack

Well, it happened again. Tucker attacked our dalmatian Freckles this morning. The last time this happened, Freckles ended up with almost $700 worth of stitches. We were lucky this time because I was right there, but I have no doubts when this happens that Tucker is trying to kill her. I don't get it...it was totally unprovoked again - she wasn't even looking at him.

Although this isn't something that happens every day, it's something that people need to be aware of...especially if you have other pets or small children (or friends with small children). Those adorable little piglets that are advertised almost daily on Kijiji DO GROW UP. They can be called whatever tiny sounding "name of the month" that breeders can come up with, but they DO grow up to be pot bellied pigs. If you are not familiar with adult pigs, you should IN NO WAY be considering getting a baby pig. As I've said before, even the non existant breed of "micro" or "teacup" can grow to be 200 pounds. Even at 100 pounds (Tucker is 110)...they are solid and built like a brick you-know-what. They have tusks and a STRONG will of their own. The ONLY way I could get Tucker off of Freckles this morning (and there were 3 of us) was to kick him several times and push him down 3 stairs. Had I not been wearing shoes at the time, even this would not have been effective, my dog would be dead, and I'm sure I would have been back into the ER for more stitches myself (I had stitches a few months ago from another pig while trying to keep him from eating the other's food).

Just so you know, Freckles is ok. A few cuts and pretty sore, but ok. We had been doing pretty good about not letting the 2 of them out together, but we will have to be even more careful from now on. Poor girl. I am so glad we were right there.

Tucker is also ok. He's sleeping on the floor at my feet now like nothing happened. People who know Tucker would never believe he's capable of something like that. The truth is...he's a pig...and all pigs are more than capable of somthing like that. This is something that breeders don't tell you.

The new ad today on Kijiji is for MORE "micro/teacup" piglets. Please be advised that these pigs are pot bellied pigs...just like Tucker. Same instincts, same strength, SAME BREED!!!!!! Don't be fooled by the pictures of baby pigs...they grow up fast.

Spitting fire

I was just on Facebook when I looked over at the "People You Might Know" sidebar only to see a picture of 3 of my pigs (the picture at the bottom of this page actually) as the profile picture for someone with a FB page for the NON EXISTANT "Micro-mini" pigs!!! Once I weeded my way through the absolute rage, it hit me how ironic it was...and how I am in no way lying when I continue to say how hard it is to get the truth about pigs out to the public...when MY OWN RESCUED PIGS are the ones representing the pretend breed I am trying so hard to put an end to!

I've asked politely to have it removed. If not, I will have to contact FB.

When does common sense fit in???

The newest ad on Kijiji for piglets states...

"it is true They make GREAT pets!"

...yes they do. What is not mentioned is the fact that they are extremely destructive, and can also be very dangerous if not trained properly (and this training must be maintained throughout their lives)

"they are on a solid diet at just 2.5 weeks old they are ready to come home to play with you."

GOOD GRIEF!!! This is absolutely FALSE!!!! Taken from mom at that age is WRONG in every way. They do not develop properly socially when this happens. A pig should stay a minimum of 3 months with mom. Selling them too soon is a marketing tactic used to feed the lie of "tiny" pigs. Yes...babies are tiny. Adults are not. 

"Did you know you can litter train these amazing friendly pets?"

Yes, it can be done, but let me tell you how gross this would be. Pig poop stinks BAD (sorry to add more common sense into the equation). If a pig poops in your house...even in a litter box...that smell will be overwhelming. Pigs need to be allowed outside to potty and to root and to wander and to just be pigs. The reason most people want to litter train a pig is to keep them out of the yard so they won't root it up. Your house will not stand up to this logic. Pigs root a LOT and if you prevent them from doing it...they WILL use that excess energy and strength (and they have a lot of both) to destroy your home.

Please also be aware that the city bylaw in Grande Prairie is being written to include pot bellied pigs in the list of animals NOT ALLOWED within city limits.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE use your common sense when dealing with breeders. Like I've said many times before...a pig is a pig is a pig is a pig. If it sounds too good to be true...IT IS!!! If you buy from someone who is lying to you...you will have problems. Please don't support this. If you are serious about getting a pig...PLEASE contact a rescue. They have no reson to lie to you, so you will get the truth and be able to make an informed decision.

Piper Update

Well, she's STILL in the kitchen. I am lost as to what to do to cure her mean streak towards my other pigs. I am hoping once spring finally comes and they can be outside more that they will work things out between them in the yard rather than in the house where things get destroyed in a pig fight. This worries me a little because she's much younger and still quite a bit smaller than they are and she has no tusks yet...but she just might need a good lesson to get her to stop. Nothing else seems to be working.

I still can't give her access to water at all times either. She will drink until she convulses. I wonder if she wasn't denied water as a house training technique...as she was very difficult to house train and still will go in the house if you don't watch her closely. That might explain why she feels the need to drink whatever water she can when she has the chance. I don't know. Not sure what I will do in the hot summer when there has to be water down at all times.

She is destroying the walls in my kitchen. I think she has chewed every corner in there and ripped of any trim she can reach. We are seriously thinking of putting puck board (???) up the bottom 3 ft of our walls! She digs in my cupboards constantly, has chewed most of my Tupperware lids so they no longer fit and her new favorite game is opening the drawer on my stove and standing in it (I have to admit...that one is kind of cute!)

She's also grown quite a bit. She was sold as a "mini" who was suppose to be much smaller (40-60 pounds) than a "normal" pot bellied pig (110-200+ pounds), but is showing no signs of being any smaller than my other 4 "normal" males. For anyone thinking that there are such things as a teacup, micro mini, royal dandy, juliana, etc, etc, etc... that grow to be any smaller than a regular pot bellied pig, please be aware that there is not. They are ALL pot bellied pigs. The pictures you see of tiny pigs are BABIES. If the parents are small, it's because they were bred too young and are STILL babies. Breeders take these young pigs, breed them and then don't feed them properly to keep them small. This does not make for a healthy pig or a long life. Piper (who was assured to weigh between 40-60 pounds full grown) is already 50 pounds and she is only 8 months old. Pot bellied pigs grow until they are 3 years old! She's got a LOT of growing to do yet and is right on par with the growth of my other boys (110-200+ pounds). THERE IS NO DIFERENCE!!! Please don't fall for what breeders tell you. It's a business and nothing more. Who WOULDN'T want a cute little piglet that stayed the size of a cat? They are very easy to market that way because that idea is so sweet...but it is just an idea. Please don't fall for it and find yourself with the almost impossible task of trying to rehome a large adult pig once you learn this truth the hard way. There is NO MARKET for an adult pet pig. :o(

Please also be aware that the Animal Control bylaw in Grande Praire has been rewritten to include pigs (and goats) in the list of animals NOT LEGAL in Grande Prairie, AB. 

Teacup Pigs All the Rage, But Animal Welfare Group Urges People to do Homework Before Taking One Home

http://www.prweb.com/releases/teacup_pigs/Animal_Welfare/prweb3119874.htm

YAY! New by-law says Pot Bellied Pigs are NO LONGER allowed in Grande Prairie!!!!

YAY!!!!!! I couldn't be happier. Pigs don't belong in the city...and this new by-law will keep them out. Although I know the problem isn't only with city pigs,  I hope this will have a huge impact on pigs being abandoned once they out grow city living.

Please be aware...and tell your friends...

:o)

Don't always believe what people tell you when getting a pig!

What continues to amaze me is that I am still shocked by what some people will do and say when it comes to pot bellied pigs. I KNOW BETTER...SHAME ON ME!!! We found out a couple of weeks ago that MacGyver, my rescue pig who was being sold as a butcher pig because he was neutered and therefor of no use to the owners who wanted to breed MORE pigs into this area...is NOT neutered. I've had my doubts all along because he just looks (slightly...which is what threw me) different from my neutered boys, but because I have not had any experience with adult boars, I didn't know what I was looking for...and he was not displaying any of the normal boar traits. Over the last few weeks...maybe because spring is in the air, or maybe it has something to do with my other little rescue female...he has been showing me his true colors. For those of you who have not had any experience with boars, believe me when I say...it's NOT something you want to have to deal with (and it starts very young). Needless to say, tomorrow afternoon, after months of building trust with him, we have to load him up and take him to be neutered. :o(

Once again, I will send my husband to do the dirty work. He trusts me now and I don't want to damage that trust. He's a bit of a man hater anyway (no doubt he has good reasons) and still doesn't quite trust Scott. If Scott moves into MacGyver's space, he will bark at him and back away. He doesn't do that for me. Scott will have to start from square one with him again I am sure. Maybe that's not fair of me...but it's the way it's going to be. I spend more time with them so I win the discussion! Besides, I tend to cry during these things. There's not much out there that breaks my heart like the cry of a terrified pig. :o(

The frustrating part is, we would have taken him even if he wasn't neutered. We would have had him fixed right away and it would be over and done with now. It wasn't necessary to lie. So often this happens with pot bellied pigs. The truth of who and what they are and will become is hidden and people often do not realize what they are getting into. If the truth were told, there would be much fewer people rushing out to get one of those adorable little pigs on Kijiji. We were also told that he was 1 and a half years old. It was obvious just looking at him that he is at least 5. We knew this as soon as we saw him, so what was the point in lying?

Just be aware that ALL pot bellied pig breeders are in it for the money. If they weren't, they would be aware of what is happening and they would not be breeding anymore. They will tell you whatever you want or need to hear to get you to reach into your wallet and pull out the cash. They don't care that you will not be prepared for what is to come, and they don't care what becomes of the pig they sell you. They don't care that adult pigs are almost impossible to rehome and that is what you will be faced with if and when things don't work out for you (because of their lies). I have 5 pigs here now and know of hundreds of others who prove this is true. When I contacted Piper's breeder, she offered nothing. The pig...that SHE brought into this world...was no longer her concern. This is a breeder from Camrose who often advertises her pigs on Kijiji. Her website "looks" very good. Unfortunately, her ethics are not.

PLEASE don't buy from a breeder just because the pictures they post are adorable. Bear cubs are adorable too, but they are not the pet for the average person. Pigs are no different. Those babies grow up fast and don't look like that for very long. Buy from a  pig rescue if you are sure a pot bellied pig is for you. A pig rescue won't lie because they truly care about their pigs, even though they are not the ones responsible for bringing them into the world. You will get the truth, be able to make an informed decision, help the under funded rescues and save a life in the process. What could be better?

Remember...a pig is a pig is a pig is a pig. If you bring a pig into your home, you are getting a pig in your home. Don't expect anything different or let anyone tell you that is not the case! Spend some time observing pigs in the wild doing what pigs do. Don't expect that these things will change once you bring them into your home.

Not so pint sized pigs

This is what breeders don't want you to know.

http://www.five.tv/shows/five-news-2/clips/the-not-so-pint-sized-pig

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/rural-life/country-view/public-warned-over-‘micro-pigs’-ahead-of-christmas/35754.article

Best Speech You Will Ever Hear - Gary Yourofsky

Thank you Gary!!! Every person on the planet should listen to this. He's a passionate and gifted speaker who really cuts through the crap and points out that wrong is ALWAYS wrong and it can't be reasoned or justified away. BRAVO!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es6U00LMmC4&sns=fb

Sigh..........Feeling alone in the world right now

Another pig on Kijiji. He's being sold as "a proven breeder" (Grrrrrrr!!!!!) who has outlived his usefulness to his owners. He's probably made them some money and now they are done with him, his needs and how ever many piglets they added to the world. He's "not friendly"...so chances are even slimmer for him to find a good home. He will be sold as food or as a breeder to pump more unwanted pigs into this area. I want so badly to go get him, but I can't. I'm not set up to properly house an outside piggy in this climate (-40C yesterday with a wind chill) and I can't have more indoor pigs. It's killing me to leave him there to face whatever fate awaits him. :o( As badly as I want to have a PBP rescue, I don't think I can. The need is endless and it's impossible to do it alone. I would have 100 pigs within no time...and then what? There will always be "the next one" after that. The feeling that I am having right now will never end. The stories of the rescues that are shutting their doors due to financial need are overwhelming to me. What do these people do with all of their pigs when this happens? The gassing trucks get brought in and they are killed...that's what happens. The best intentions in the world cannot accomplish the impossible. I wish breeders would open their eyes to this. When a market is saturated and animals are being abused, neglected and abandoned and pets are being slaughtered...IT'S TIME TO STOP BREEDING!!!!!!! It's not rocket science. The selfishness and coldheartedness of people will never cease to amaze me.

All it would take to stop it is for you to stand up for them...

...please don't look and walk away without doing something. They need you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W94PG1XR5UM

Life Changing Question

I will never understand how people see this any other way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1q3gvVLCBE&feature=player_embedded#!

Off on a vet run again today in -34C

I cannot tell you how bad I wish the vets around here would start working with pot bellied pigs!!! I have spent SO much time (and money) in the van with my Tucker over the last few years taking him to vets in other places because no one here knows enough about them to be willing to work on them. This is why I get so angry when people post untrue things on Kijiji, like saying "any farm vet will deal with PBP." It's just not true and people need to be aware of that before deciding to get a pig because it's a huge pain in the butt and a big expense that they need to be prepared for.

 Today, we need to have his tusk trimmed. It is close to poking through his cheek if we leave it any longer. I've never gone through this proceedure before, so I am a little bit nervous and glad Scott is home to come with me. I cry when I see people hurt my pigs, so I like to be able to stay out of the room and be the nice mommy (with a pocket full of treats) he can run to when the bad people are finished being mean! Why, of all of my pigs, is Tucker the one with the wonky tusk? Hasn't the poor guy had to endure enough over his life? The vet wants to try to do it without putting him under, but I am kind of hoping he does. Whatever a "nose snair" is (which is what he wanted to use) it does not sound like something Tucker will appreciate. I'd like him to sleep through it and wake up when it's done. I am hoping to have his hooves trimmed if he's under too. He hates that task as well! This is a new vet and I am hoping he might also have some insight into Tucker's chronic acne.

Wish us luck...

UPDATE: All went well. He didn't have to be put under...I was really surprised. Tucker wasn't happy, but didn't require the nose snair (man, that sounds terrible!) It didn't take long...he didn't even have to get out of the van...and I don't think it caused him any pain. Didn't get the hooves done, if he's awake anyways, we'll just do them here. We ALL hate that job. I feel better now that it's over...but I already miss his handsome tusks!

Good news for Tucker!!!

I think we FINALLY found a medication that works for his chronic runny nose! He's been on Draxxin for a couple of months now and it seems to be working. I am so happy!! He seems to feel much better and his nose doesn't run at all anymore. He's been needing a shot about every 2 weeks...which is what the vet was expecting...but it's been 3 weeks since the last one and he's still ok. I am taking that as a good sign, as at the end of the 2 weeks before (to the day), it would start running again. I have an ongoing prescription, but hopefully I won't need it. This is an answer to prayer. My poor Tucker has been suffering with this problem for the last 4+ years and I was beginning to think there was no hope for him. Now if I could just find a cure for the chronic acne. I hate the way people look at him because of it.

UPDATE: It lasted about a week after I posted this and his nose started to run again. :o( Looks like this might be something he needs to be on for the rest of his life. I was SO hoping that wasn't going to be the case. The Draxxin works wonderful while he's on it, but only lasts so long. I hate ongoing medication...it can't be good for him.

Please read...

...and look into the eyes of these living, breathing, feeling, thinking animals and ask yourself what YOU need to do about it. It's happening everywhere, please don't sit back and let it continue. It will unless people step up and be their voice.

http://www.mfablog.org/2010/12/undercover-investigation-reveals-routine-cruelty-to-pigs-at-worlds-largest-pork-producer.html

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#%21/video/video.php?v=1428864126082&comments

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/the-fda-releases-the-amount-of-antibiotics-used-in-factory-farmed-livestock-and-its-jaw-dropping.html#mkcpgn=fbpg2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bn-U5GtyYs

http://www.uproar.org.au/pig-rescue/

Reposted Kijiji piglets

I just noticed that the person from last week has reposted the ad for piglets on Kijiji. The ad sounds much better, but I hope people realize that the ad was changed only because Kijiji did not allow it the way it was originally posted (with untrue facts). Just because the wording of the ad has been changed NOW does NOT make this a responsible pot bellied pig breeder. It is the same person who was spreading lies and mis- representing the breed last week. Anyone considering purchasing a piglet from there, PLEASE keep this in mind. Pigs are pigs are pigs...no matter what anyone will tell you. Yes, they are adorable and easy to handle now, but will be much different in a few months.

Some important things to remember...

*You cannot determine the size of a PBP when they are babies. Some may stay small, some may grow in excess of 200 pounds. There are many pigs who were purchased as "Teacup" or "Micro-mini" who grew to be the size of farm pigs!!! Please seriously consider if you can take this chance. An adult pig is VERY difficult to re-home. Please check out this website for more information...
http://www.teacuppig.info/

*Neutered males DO grow tusks!!! Don't ever let anyone tell you they don't.

*They should not be fed dog food or hog grower

*Vet care for a sick piggy is very difficult to find in this area

*They are in NO WAY like a puppy! They will destroy your yard. Puppies grow out of digging...pigs never outgrow rooting. It's who they are.

I beg anyone considering a PBP to do research on the breed. Like I've said before...I love mine like children, but they are difficult pets...very time consuming...very destructive...very frustrating at times...and not for everyone. I continue to say this only because the chances of an adult pig finding a good home are almost non-existant. If you aren't absolutely devoted to caring for that little piglet you bring home for the rest of its life, it stands to be abused, neglected, abandoned or butchered once it grows up and is passed on to someone else. This IS happening here (and everywhere) over and over again. Please be sure BEFORE you bring one home and please, if you decide that they are right for you, consider adopting a pig who desperately needs a home from a shelter rather than buying from breeders who are only adding to the problem of unwanted pigs.

Piper...the bad little Piggy!!!

Well...she's doing great. The mange is gone, she's house trained (ok...so maybe I am the one who is trained, but it's working, so we won't mess with it!) and she's very sweet. She's also the brattiest little piggy I have ever met! She still has to be confined to the kitchen. At first it was because my other pigs didn't like her, but now it's because SHE brings out the worst in them! They are doing so good, trying not to kill her (and they ARE trying ;o)), but every time she walks by them she lashes out and attacks. This is NOT going over well with my boys! She seems to think she is a princess. I can't imagine why. ;o)

She is getting so bored in the kitchen. I try to spend as much time in there with her as I can, and between the 4 of us, there is usually someone coming or going, but she wants someone to sit on the floor and snuggle with her all the time. As soon as you sit, she crawls onto your lap and goes to sleep. The second she hears the furnace come on, she runs to the heat vent and stands on it until it shuts off, warming her little hoovens. It's funny to watch and you can't drag her away from it.  When I turn my back she's chewing on my cupboards, trying to eat my floor, ripping layers off of the walls. Ahhh, what fun! It's a full time job watching this one. We had to bring the big kennel in to save my house while we are sleeping or not home. She's definitely busy. :o)

We have been working with getting her together with the boys, and it is coming slowly. I've brought her out to the living room the last few evenings to lie on the couch with me and she loves it. Goes right to sleep. Tonight I will lie on the floor with her and see if she will go to sleep down there right beside them. Hope it works.
(PS..the yellow thing in the picture is an extension cord! Didn't realize how it looked until after I posted it! :o))

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
No thoughts of the Piggy were filling their heads.
And Mom in her 'kerchief and I in my cap,
Knew he was cold but did not care about that.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
I figured the Piggy was free and into the trash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gave the luster of mid-day to the objects below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa Claus with eyes full of tears.

He unchained the Piggy, once so lively and quick,
Last year's Christmas present, now sad, thin, and sick.
More rapid than eagles he called the Piggy's name,
And the Piggy ran to him, despite all his pain.

"Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet! On Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
This Piggy needs a home where he'll be loved by all!"

I knew in an instant there'd be no gifts this year,
For Santa had made one thing perfectly clear.
The gift of a Piggy is not just for the season,
We had gotten the Piggy for all the wrong reasons.

In our haste to think of a gift for the kids,
There was one very important thing that we missed.
A Piggy should be family and cared for the same,
You don't give a gift then put it out on a chain.

And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight,
"You weren't given a gift, you were given a life!"

~ Author Unkown

I am so frustrated!!!

Saw an ad on Kijiji today for more piglets that will be ready next month. The guy/gal sounded sincere, and probably was, but was SO off base with the info he/she was providing about pot bellied pigs. He/she was saying that they stay small (which is rarely the case. Mine are all 110+ pounds), that they don't need regular hoof trimming (not true), that neutered males do not grow tusks (all 4 of my neutered males have impressive tusks and I have stitches in my leg from trying to break up a pig food argument to prove it!!!), that any farm vet will handle your pig and it's needs (I speak from experience that this is NOT true...we have spent MANY hours travelling with Tucker because the vets around here were not familiar enough with pot bellied pigs to deal with them if/when they become ill (their words...not mine)), that they can be fed hog grower (which is true, I suppose...it won't kill them, but hog grower is made to grow pigs fast for slaughter, not to keep them healthy for a lifetime) and the best yet was when he/she said that they are no more destructive to your yard than most puppies. Puppies outgrow digging, pigs never will. I challenge a puppy to have the strength or perserverance that a pig and it's snout have! (Please view pictures several posts below to see the damage mine have done in a matter of hours...and keep in mind that they do this DAILY! It's not "bad"...it's what pigs were created to do and you will NEVER stop it.)

I feel like getting the truth about pot bellied pigs out there is a never ending battle when things like this happen. This breeder did offer a surrender option where if the purchaser was not able to care for the pig he/she would take it back, and I applaud them for this, but what about the people who read that false information and decide to get a pig from someone else? I wish these people would take the time to look into what is happening to these pigs when (usually) sincere but very misinformed people bring them home. All they have to do is stop trying to make them sound like something they are not, so people are able to make an informed decision BEFORE bringing one home. The lies being told about them in order to make a few dollars is so sad. I wish breeders would take the time to look into what is happening to these pigs. Supply and demand is a terrible thing. Baby pot bellied pigs are in high demand...so they are being mass produced for profit. Unfortunately, adult pigs are not and shelters are full to over flowing with them once people realize that the babies grow to be large and very dificult to handle.

This make my heart hurt so bad

http://flaglerlive.com/14476/pig-sanctuary-euthanized

What is unbelievable to me is that they spent the money to kill these pigs instead of using it to help this poor woman who was devoting her life to trying to help them. I do believe there were problems here, just put yourself in her position and look at the magnitued of what she was doing! But she was doing the best she could and needed HELP!!! Where was the help? People just don't realize how HUGE the problem is with unwanted, abused and abandoned pigs. PEOPLE are causing the problem and the pigs pay the horrible price every time. Those of us who care about these pigs are left trying to pick up the pieces on small budgets and little time, and getting told we are not doing enough or doing it right.
I am so sorry Lory. May they rest in peace now.

...and the Saga continues

I am a little scared to even post this. If nothing else, it will let me know how often my dad checks in on my page. I haven't told him yet that I have rescued yet another pig. He doesn't understand just how much these little guys and their horrible plight in life means to me. I'll put off the lecture as long as I possible can. (Take a few deep breaths before you call Dad, please! I know what I am doing!!! :o))

We are the 3rd home in less than a week for this little one. She's a 4 month old white pig. One blue eye, one brown eye. Very cool. Quite a contrast to my 4 black ones. She was purchased from a breeder in Camrose, and now the landlord doesn't allow pets in the house. Shouldn't that have been checked first??? Probably more likely that the owner realized that pigs are not dogs. They require a lot more time and patience, and are NOT suited for the trailer court he was living in. With this, I am assuming that this guy was her first home...who knows? She could have been passed through many homes before she made it there. The people who bought her next bought her for someone else, but the someone else didn't want/or couldn't have her...I didn't quite understand the situation. She was about to be shipped to the NTW yesterday, to "a place" the man said "where she won't last". So why ship her there??? I do have to say, the man did agree to give her to me even though he was wanting to make his money back on her. I applaud him for stopping to think about what was best for the pig. It seemed like it was a VERY impulsive decision on someone's part, and after a little thought it was obviously the wrong one. She was posted TWICE on Kijiji (2 different owners) last week as "URGENT!!! Pot bellied pig MUST go ASAP!!!" When will people realize that these guys are NOT toys? They have needs and feeings that get SO overlooked. This poor little girl is only 4 months old. She SHOULD have just left her mom a month ago, yet she's already gone through at least 3 homes. This has to stop.

She seems to be in OK shape, although she has a good case of mange and has various blisters on her nose pad and ears. She was also being fed horse feed (go figure???) I have isolated her, dewormed her and started her on proper PBP food. I expect she will be fine in a week.

I don't have any pictures on the computer yet, but I will post some as soon as I do. She's pretty sweet. It's easy to see at this stage in their lives how they can be marketed as sweet, easy to handle pets who will always stay small. It would be cool if that were true, but it's not. When the guy who dropped her off saw my boys, he was horrified that PBP got that big. He was (as is normal with someone trying to sell a pig) told that they stay very small. She was marketed in this way right from the breeder. When I contacted the breeder to let her know what was happening, she offered no help or any interest in taking the pig back. To me, this is just not responsible. The attitude that "what ever happens once they leave my house is not my business" is what is contributing greatly to the problem of unwanted and abandoned pigs.