Re: [PyrNet-L] Have to share....

[clhenke@juno.com]

Merrilie,  Hope your doing ok with piggy today.  Haven't heard back. so I
am going to assume it is a P.B.  A few things I thought to add.

A pigs whole focus in life is food, they never get enough, and anything
goes.  They will get in to all other pet food, so be careful.  Nothing
can be left out, or they will work to get it.  Your pups may or may not
be thrilled with this over time!

Yes they like dog food, but dry kibble should only be used as a treat or
for tricks etc.  Do get P.B. food, Mazuri is a good brand, there are
others.

There are already many pig sanctuaries ( we are part of a group here for
rescue ).  Piggies have a quick turnover.  Mostly because they do get
bigger than what people are told.  A good average is 150 lbs.  Some
bigger.  Rarely are they in the sixty lb. range, average 90 to 120. is a
good small pig.

Oh, and they root, can be your carpet or flooring if they don't get time
outside.  Need a spot in the yard for this, that you don't care if it
becomes a dirt/mud hole.  They are very clean and a child's wading pool
is the perfect size for them, for both drinking and a cool place to lay
in.  Better in the summer, though.  :-)

They are very affectionate and quick to train.  They can be taught to use
a litterbox, or ring a bell hanging on the doorknob to go out.  They can
be trained to walk on a harness, though they don't move with any great
speed.  The normal dog harnesses work quite well, though be careful they
aren't to tight, because it'll cut the skin under their bellies fairly
easily.  You can teach them, sit, stay, beg, sit-up, turn in a circle,
and anything else you have the time for.  

If you put him outside, a dog house is fine for them, though take a
little extra care with winter.  Their "pigskins" are amazingly tender and
score, sunburn, and frostbite easily.

They do need vaccinations, and it's a lot nicer, and better to him 
spayed/neutered.  Maturity is at two years, and boars do get mean.  The
other thing, which isn't really that bad, is they do need their hooves
and, on males, tusks trimmed periodically.  A vet who knows pot-belly
pigs can do it.  You can do it yourself, but generally it involves
getting the pig falling down and sleeping, drunk.  Yep, you read that
right.  :-)

Good luck with the piggy.  He'll should be a lot of fun.

Cindy Henke
clhenke@juno.com
Ennis, Texas

"All knowledge, the totality of all questions and answers, is contained
in the dog."  ~ Franz Kafka

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