CAMP SKIPPING PIG  SANCTUARY

        5 week old Brad            Brad about 4 months       looking dapper @ 4 months

    It started with one. Little did I know that when tiny five pound Bradford, the five week old potbellied pig, arrived on Labor Day weekend of 1997, we were about to begin a new chapter in our lives. He was only supposed to stay a day or two, then move on to another home. After all, I'd never even thought about having a pet pig. As it turned out, he moved into both home and heart and in less than 24 hours, took over. I'd never met any little animal so smart, funny, easy to train and full of personality. He was small enough he could fit in my sneaker. Within a couple of days he went from a wild, terrified, unsocialized little fellow to being his "momma's boy", cruising in the truck, riding in a pouch pinned to my sweatshirt, sleeping cuddled on the couch or stretched across my lap as I painted. Obviously, more so to me than Don (my poor unsuspecting husband), he wasn't ever going anywhere....and so it began.

    I quickly contacted the vet, knowing that the dog food the backyard breeder sent with him couldn't possibly be a proper diet. Within two days I'd located a source for Mazuri potbellied pig food, arranged his initial vet visit and began educating myself about proper "pig parenting". There's more to it than meets the eye. By eight weeks, Brad was neutered, fully vaccinated, free of the mange he arrived with and totally a member of the family (well, at least in my view...Don was non-committal and still thinking I should be "committed").

    Despite numerous fans, untold love and attention, Bradford opted out of his role in the small petting zoo I operated where I sold my art and crafts. Though few knew my name, Bradford was known around the area as the pig that wore a hat, coat and scarf. During a doctor visit in Rochester, an employee of our vet clinic overheard a couple of women discussing the little pig that was "all dressed up". They were surprised when the vet clinic employee could provide his name and said that she had worked with him. Small world! Even Brad had his 15 minutes of fame.

     By mid March of 1998 our first rescue had arrived. Snorkle was found in an open barn, in a pen four inches plus deep with poop soup, and living with a market hog scheduled for slaughter. The wind and snow blew straight through and there wasn't a dry, draft free place for either pig to lay down. The shallowest spot was four inches deep, and Snorkle was unable to even keep his belly out of the wet. The deepest was ten to twelve inches deep and surrounded the feed trough. Ice rimmed the puddles outside and the two pigs stood shivering in sloppy filth, awaiting their destinies. Snorkle arrived home after I lost several nights of sleep and forked over $20. He was to have been "shot and smoked". The guy, a butcher by trade, "wondered what the meat would be like". (Read more about Snorkle's story on his page)

    In May of 1998 Mitchell arrived, purchased to fill Brad's slot in the petting zoo. Brad hated all the attention and was becoming snappy. It seems everyone likes to touch a pig's nose and after a while they get fed up! Turned out Mitch liked the attention but hated the required bath beforehand. Thus came mid June and the arrival of Alix, who loved attention and didn't mind a little bath now and then. Silver with spots hides some dirt and didn't require a bath for each trip out! (Alix thrived in his role in the petting zoo for about six years, when he retired and a younger rescue named Snurdle took his place.) Ali enjoyed special treats that those at home never got. He could spot a styrofoam container a mile away and looked forward to sharing potato salad or baked beans, eating them gently from his own plastic fork. If he heard the trailer being hooked up he'd begin crying. If his ramp wasn't down he'd try to jump in. Ali always loaded himself and once the zoo fence was up he'd unload and head straight for his pen...no leash required. At two day events where I'd camp out, he'd lie at my feet like a dog, share the sleeping bag, and enjoy his mini one-on-one "vacation" with undivided attention. Alix still appreciates special attention. If I'm kneeling he likes to lay across my legs, effectively pinning me in place. He'll also sprawl across my lap if I sit, and if I lay flat on a blanket he'll climb on and lay the full length of me. I should mention...Ali is about 125 pounds!

    And so, within a few short months there were four pigs...a nice number and easy to care for. The older Snorkle took youngsters Mitch and Alix under his wing and all thrived, none of us suspecting this was only the beginning.

 Alix, poolside in Dallas, Tx           Mitch, painter's helper         Brad in his raincoat at 2 yrs

        108 degrees!