Rosie arrived on August 1st, 2008. She'd originally been purchased from a Texas breeder who purports to sell micro mini pigs. After spending a considerable amount of money to purchase Rosie and to ship her to New York, the buyer discovered that she wasn't a micro mini pig at all and that she'd bought into the "micro mini pig myth". No longer wanted, Rosie was sent to a farm and within two months was sold. She is a beautiful two year old, and yet another example of what happens to pigs bred by untruthful breeders and sold to irresponsible homes. She was purchased from the farm for $50 by a terribly unprepared young man with absolutely no experience caring for pigs. The day after he bought her, he called me and told me about the pig he'd bought and that he'd made a mistake and didn't want her. He'd never been told what and how to properly feed her, had no housing ready, and had only a small dog kennel for a pen. Obviously the farm owner cared more about her $50 than she did about the well being of this pig. She had called me about taking this pig just a month prior, but was holding on to her until a small piglet could be found for her to use in her petting zoo.The farm could certainly have provided a safe home for Rosie and all of the other potbellies they've passed off over the years after using them in the zoo. Instead they choose to make them someone else's "problem" and won't take responsibility for their security. This is an all too common situation with most petting zoos. Animals are bought as babies and discarded when they're no longer percieved as being cute. The general public doesn't get to see the true size of an adult potbelly because they're replaced within a year or two, before they're full grown. Thus the common belief that potbellied pigs will stay very small and pigs like Rosie end up without a home when their owners discover their "never over 35 pound" piglet now weighs a good 140. I've always made it a point to use the same pig, no matter how old, as long as it was happy being out in public. Alix did the zoo for six years, and Snurdle for several more. When the Ahurei, the Kunekune arrived he went along, not as a replacement, but as a companion to the other older pig. All too often people said they were surprised at how big the potbellies were...because they'd been exposed only to babies at other petting zoos. Rosie is spayed, and is supposed to be house and harness trained. Once settled into a secure home, she's made a wonderful companion for our 2008 Kunekune babies. She stands up on her hind legs at her gate for hugs, kisses and scratches. She's a very affectionate and loving girl who would love more attention than I have time to give her, though I find it impossible to walk past her without at least a quick hug and scratch. Her original people are missing out on the enjoyment of having such a wonderful pig as a companion...all because they were hung up on her size. Do not buy into the micro-mini/teacup myth!!
