Poem: Diamond Baby

My diamond gem
not so rough in form.
There is no norm.
Your delightful structure
driven to capture
every moment of rapture.

Mama's best deal.
Your soul to heal.
Your ways so smart.
Your essence an art.
God's gift to man
You are perfect in all the land.

For you dear friend
I pray for all amends.
Life is so dear.
May you never fear.
Never a tear to fall.
For you could be
God's first call.

This poem is 100% original created June 2006. Submitted to Belly Draggers Ranch newsletter 
poem contest and inspired  by my  two pigs and my belief that all sentient creatures are precious. 
Ann K. Sibary

Story: Gordo's Story

A True Pig Story by Shirley Howard

This is the memoriam I sent to friends and relatives:

Gordo was brought home in September 2003 He and his sister, Babe, were 3 weeks old. The previous owner was going to throw them out because they were part wild hog. I couldn't stand it and I brought the pair home. Gordo was injured in November 2003 and taken to the vet. His hip was hurt and I had to give him shots twice per day to help him. He never recovered but he did father Ethyl's first litter. He was a sweet pig and will greatly missed as he left this earth April 17, 2006.

He is survived by his owner, Shirley; his wife, Ethyl; his children, Gracie Allen, Hambone, Teddyboar and Lucky. He has two daughters that were adopted out and live in Kileen. He has 3 grandchildren, Little Ethyl 3, Brewster and Alvin. He was preceded in death by a son and daughter that died at birth and 5 grandchildren that died shortly after birth.

Gordo will be missed beyond belief and I hope that he is with the God of Pigs in heaven.

Internment will be in the pet cemetery on the home place.

I have a story about Gordo my half pot belly and half wild hog.

In September of 2003, a man was going to throw out 2 little black baby pigs at the age of 3 weeks old. They were half black pot belly and half wild hog. I couldn't stand it since I already had 3 at the time and fell in love. Babe was solid black and Gordo had a little blotchy pink and black nose. As they grew up, the wildness in them would never let me hold and touch them but they liked being fed when I held the bowl.

Ethyl, Fred and Bobaloo took these little orphans under their wings as did my cat, Star. Wherever the pigs went, there was my little Star Kittie faithfully watching out for the new arrivals.

In November, I noticed that Gordo was laying in his bed and not moving. I finally got him and took him to the vet (of course the vet could handle him with no problem). She didn't see any real problem but he did have a noticeable limp in his hind leg. She gave me shots to give him daily. He lived in a pen I built on my back porch around the large dog house (dogs got kicked out). I put Babe in the pen with him and a light in the house for warmth.

He seemed to get better and he went on his merry way after about 3 weeks of nurturing and being fed up with the enclosure.

I scheduled him to be neutered and he went through that well. 2 months later I couldn't figure out what was wrong with Ethyl. I had to take her to the vet and she got a sonogram. Figured out what was wrong. Gordo had fathered babies at the age of 3 months old. Must have been right before I took him for surgery. You have to remember I did not know they could breed at 3 months old. They were my first pigs.

As Gordo grew, he still had a slight limp in his hip area. He did not seem in pain but after nearly 3 yr., it became very bad and the vet only thought it was arthritis from the injury. (They are only vets that do exotic animals around this area).

On April 17, 2006, the decision was to let Gordo rest in peace as it was best for him. His suffering was becoming too great. I still have 11 black pots (8 part wild hog because of their dad) and 1 white true mini. They are my love and my life.

Bobaloo could not be found this morning for feeding. After searching, I found him lying on Gordo's grave and he is still there after 4 hrs. He will only eat and drink there so I take it too him until I can fence the area off. So sad.

Story: Kirby's Tail

Some men have dogs. Some men have salt water fish. My boyfriend has a pot belly pig. I found this to be interesting, even funny when he put his snout to the phone or sent me a picture of what looked like a surreal animal by the pool or laying on the kitchen floor.

All of this was great in a long distance relationship. All of this was great until my boyfriend became my fiancé and it was moving in time.

I had never seen a pot belly in person. And I am ashamed to admit that before I met Kirby I went so far as to look up the life expectancy of pot bellies on the internet. I was terrified and didn't know how to handle one. Not realizing how ignorant I was.

I politely smiled and looked at him from several paces away with bewildered curiosity. It just seemed so strange. Then again so did a kayak in the middle of the living room in place of a couch.

The excitement of starting a life together mixed with the quirks of a man, his pot belly, and yellow Labrador left little room for boredom. I slowly tried to take it all in from a distance.

Then one morning as I came out of the shower Kirby was in the bathroom door staring at me. At least I think he was staring. I tried to make out his eyes as I modestly reached for a towel. My fiancé was out walking the dog, so it was just me and him.

If I wasn't mistaken there seemed to be a smirk on his face which said, "What are you doing here?"

When I first met Kirby I tried to get close to him and must have scared him because he snapped at my legs. Obviously he didn't like me and now it was just the two of us.

I was too scared to ask him to leave so I just turned to the mirror and whistled to myself hoping that he would get bored and meander into another room. But he didn't, he just stared.

Then as I began to put lotion on my legs he advanced. To my surprise he snorted my legs which both tickled and knocked me to the floor. As it turned out Kirby was a fan of lotions, scented candles, and lavender oil. How could I resist such exquisite taste? We bonded.

Now I give him lavender massages and he snuggles me like a hot water bottle which is a God send for cramps and the thermostat wars that go on in the house.

I didn't realize how intelligent, warm, and loving these beautiful creatures are. His ears also feel like velvet.

We use diapers instead of a litter box and I nearly fell out of the chair one day when I saw Kirby pick up a diaper with his mouth, place it on the floor and then pee on it. Contrary to many myths our yellow lab Dakota absolutely adores him and protects him like a little brother. Of course they're both still young so they chase each other around the house like two year olds and the other day Kirby's snout put a hole in the wall. But I find that lots of love and lavender keep us all happy.

By Shaunte Shayde

Poem: Pigs In The Parlor

Story: Feeding Time At Janet's Place

A True Pig Story by Meri Martin

Just wanted to let everyone know about Janet's pigs....they are all liars, cheats, and sneaks!! It's the truth!!! Janet sent me out to feed night before last......all by myself. She's told me for months that every pig knows where it belongs and will go right into it's pen and wait to be fed.
Yeah, right!!!

They must have all had a collective mind far* the other night. It had to be them as I'm sure I left my "I am a sucker" sign in my house under Jimmy's careful watch. So, I go out with great expectations that everyone will cooperate like Janet said they would.

Matilda was cool, and the Babes....everything okay so far. On to the front pen with 6 pigs in it.....someone forgot how to count.  LOL Ten pigs crowded around the trough. At this point I'm not even sure any of them belonged in there! With the help of the pen police, Buddy BadAss, we got that pen all worked out. Of course by then Matilda was done with her dinner and looking for more. I'm trying to latch the gate while she's trying to move it out of the way. But we got through it.

Then, I figure by this time everyone else is in their proper places and I can begin feeding in earnest. I couldn't have been more incorrect!! I found 10 pigs, 4 chickens, and 3 peacocks where there's supposed to be 4 pigs. I look outside the pen and realize 2 of the pigs who belong here are out there staring in.

So, we finally got all of that straightened out and off to the next pen. Nine bowls mean 8 pigs. Did you know pigs can't count???? There were at least 2 pigs for every bowl plus some wanderers. Pen police helped me out here too-sorta. LOL

By the time I got to the last pen, I turned around to see I had several pigs with me who had been following me around eating everybody else's food and having a great time doing it. Sausage, the pig with 5" long legs was there, so was Blue Eyes and deaf Billie Jean and they were all using their "disabilities" to selfish purposes.

I looked at Sausage who was running from bowl to bowl and I said "I thought you got fed in the barn because you had a hard time traveling up and down the stairs?" She just looked at me like "Yeah, don't give my little secret away, okay?" Blue Eyes was staying in the shadows as I'm sure her light colored eyes are very light sensitive... yeah right! She was hiding so I wouldn't notice she'd eaten in every pen so far!

Billie Jean: "Oh, did I step on your foot and break your toes trying to get to that dish of food??? I'm deaf so I just didn't hear your blood curdling scream. You know, my loss of hearing is due to a nutritional imbalance, so the more you give me the better my hearing may become. Of course there's only a .000000000000000000001% chance of that happening but, hey, let's try it, okay????"

By the time I got up to Janet's house two hours had gone by and my boys hadn't even been fed yet!!! Janet greets me with "Did everyone get fed?" All I could say is I think so, I hope so, I'm not sure. I'm going to bed now, night." LOL What a night that was!!!!

Looking back, I realize everyone of them except Winston (he doesn't associate with pigs, is NOT a pig, and how dare you feed me pig chow!) are liars, cheats, and sneaks.....double dippers!!!! They didn't care who's food they ate as long as it wasn't there's and that they got theirs too! They acted like a bunch of pigs!

Meri, who hopes tonight will go a bit smoother – Janet made me a map!!!!

Story: Catching Loner

The rest of the Eight Little Pigs Story. The catching of Loner the last pig. By Sally Sullivan-Hall

First, I have to give credit to the Lord and His Angels for our success in catching Loner!! I firmly believe that ALL your prayers and mine were heard and answered! God gave us safe passage over the mountain passes by providing buckets and buckets of rain instead of snow. It was actually warmer on the top of the passes than it was below in the lowlands! I can only say this was Gods doing!

I don't usually get to religious on the lists but this time is different, sorry if I offend anyone. We fully intended to stay until Sunday if needed but we didn't have too. Again, Gods doing! There were other things that God did for us but, the main thing was catching Loner.

We left yesterday morning in a torrential downpour, hoping it was raining on the passes and as I said, it was. As soon as we got over the second pass, the weather cleared and was surprisingly warm on the eastern side of the mountains. We rolled into Oroville about 5:30pm and we were hungry. So, I stayed at the motel and Wally went in search of FOOD!!

Wally got some burgers, which were pretty tasty! Bons, our pig, and the 2 dogs(Cracker and Dusty) had traveled really well. Bons had to ride in the back seat of the truck with Dusty and Cracker rode on the council between the 2 front seats. Well, after scarfing down our burgers, we both crapped out for a nap. Anyway, on to today.........

It's cold up there but not as bad as it has been, only about 34 degrees today. I had on my long johns, ski gear, snow boots, etc and was very comfortable. We drive up to Neil's and there is about 10 inches of snow on the ground. I look around for Loner and didn't see him. My heart started to sink a little.
I took Bons out of the truck and started walking her to the big barn, thinking Loner might just be in there. NOPE, no Loner, just the chickens. Now, I'm looking at Bons and thinking how stupid to bring a white pig for bait in the snow!! DUH!!

Anyway, I had this feeling that the barn was not going to be the place that Loner would hang out, so Bons and I walked down to the chicken coop. From these lists, I have learned that pigs and chickens always seem to be friends.

As I approached the coop, I got a better feeling. I turned into a hunter. I spotted Loners tracks in the snow and started tracking!! Thank the Lord. He put snow on the ground!! The tracks led to the coop and there was a trail around the coop too and the trail had pig poop in it. There happens to be a fenced area attached to the coop also.

I figured if I could get the chickens in the coop, Loner would follow. BTW, by this time I had spotted Loner peaking at me from around the coop! He had no interest in Bons, but I don't know if he saw her either, I do know he heard her because she squealed a couple of times (she didn't like the snow!). At first, I was just calling the chickens, here chick chick chick. Then I switched to T T T T T T T T T T T T T T, nice and soft.

This is what worked....I put a Hansel and Gretel trail of food on his little trail and then a big pile of food inside the fence. I also put a big bunch of food in the coop for the chickens. I figured if the chickens would stay in the coop eating, then Loner would go in the fence and I could use the salmon net to catch him.

He did go in the fence. It was touch and go because I had to stand back about 30 feet so he would go in the fence and then run (in my big clunky snow boots) and trap him. Once in progress there would be no stopping. I'd either blow it or not.

He saw me coming and started to run out of the pen, I slammed the net down, preventing him from getting out of the gate. Then I put the net over him and HOLY COW, I had bronco pig in a net! I'm yelling, WALLY HURRY!! Well, Wally gets a hold of Loner, net and all. Oh, I forgot to mention that the crate for Loner is still way the hell up by the big barn!!

Wally's holding on for dear life and I have to once again run up hill, in the snow, in my clunky snow boots to get the crate!! I should have been the poster child for a quit smoking campaign!! About 30 feet from the darn crate, I can hardly breathe! Now, I have to drag/carry the crate to Loner. I'm dying here because I'm so outta breath. About that time George and Neil (who I told to stay away) come driving up the driveway. George helps me with the crate. Ok, we have to get Wally, Loner and net out of the coop fencing without losing Loner. I grab the net handle and Wally has Loner still in the net and we maneuver over to the crate and WE HAVE HIM!!

I have never seen the look of terror/wild/hate like I saw today in Loners eyes. He has been through so very much. But when he got here tonight, he greeted his brothers and sniffed them all over as if to say, "I missed you."  And his brothers loved on him too, as if to say, "Where ya been bro, we missed ya too."

I spent about 30 minutes in the barn with them, tonight. It was a very loving sight to behold and they were all sleeping when I left. Tank, Gunner and Braveheart together and little Loner was by himself. I bet that will change by the morning. Loner is safe and warm and in no danger anymore........

So the pigs have been rescued and it was an experience I will never forget.

Story: Eight Little Pigs

A True Pig Story by Sally Sullivan-Hall

A friend forwarded some pigtures to me, of PBPs that were going to be shot and left for coyotes if someone didn't come and get them. I was told there were nine PBPs free ranging on 140 acres, NO PENS! Of the nine there were three sows and six babies. There was one three weeks old and 5 four months old. So the wheels started turning! I was told that Neil had already shot the adult boar and left him for the coyotes, which in fact turned out to be true!

After doing some homework there was a realization that these poor pigs were seven hours away from where I live. I knew that we had to do some brainstorming to figure out how to rescue them and bring them home and then to figure out housing.  But no matter how much we tried to figure out a plan we knew in our hearts that we were on our way. Believe me, I am just a pet pig owner, not a rescue person, but I couldn't let these pigs be killed.

Off we went to eastern Washington to get the pigs. We left on Wednesday and spent the night with our friend George and his wife. George lived next door to the owner of the pigs Neil. We had found out what Neil's only purpose for these pigs  was and that was to eat them, but he found out that they were not for eating as they didn't taste to good.

We were told there were nine pigs, but by the time we got there the tiny three week old baby girl had died/disappeared so now there were eight. We didn't know what to expect as far as their condition. The temperature was around 25 degrees and there was frost everywhere. Plan A didn't work so we went to Plan B. While we were gearing up for Plan B Neil hands me a bag of feed which I thought was some PBP feed. Needless to say it wasn't PBP food it was a bunch of used tea bags, chicken bones and almost rotten produce. I stood there horrified at the fact that this was what those poor pigs were being fed.

We managed to get them into a quancit hut. It was a metal building with sturdy wood fencing across the front of it. We closed the fencing and they went ballistic! We were unprepared for what happened next. Two of the babies went airborne over the backs of the sows and escaped over the fence. We did capture the remaining six including the sows. We then decided to leave some of the creates with the pigs in them inside the building thinking that they might attract the two babies that had escaped. Well, it worked for one of the babies. We now had seven of the eight pigs.

We tried several times to catch the last baby, who we now called Loner. We would go into the house hoping that Loner would calm down enough so we could catch him, but there was no way he was coming near us.

We waited as long as we could for Loner to go back into the building but still it was unsuccessful. We now had to think of the other pigs who were still in the crates and the long trip home.

It was very emotional for me to think that poor Loner was left behind. I just knew that I would never see him again and we had just taken all his family away. It was already very cold up there that day and getting colder and he had no one to keep him warm. I though he would be eaten by the coyotes or some other predator. We left the crate there just in case Loner would come back. It was agreed that Neil would not harm Loner and if caught we would leave on a moments notice to get there to pick him up.

As a post script, the three sows (which were pregnant) went to a sanctuary and have been spayed. There was one baby girl that has been placed in a wonderful home with a family who are my friends. The boars have been neutered and are now part of my family.