Lots of
things peaked in the '80s, from leg warmers to big
hair. Vietnamese potbellied pigs also were
"hot" 20 years ago, and, like Michael
Jackson, they have faded, but persist beyond their
heyday.
Indeed,
there is a steady surplus of these pulchritudinous
porcines, says Janice Skura of the Long Island Pot
Bellied Pig Association, who runs the only rescue
program for them in the metropolitan New York area.
"You
would not believe the amount of pigs that are
abandoned, abused, neglected and tossed out on a daily
basis," says Skura. Many have behavioral problems
incited by owners who underestimate these intelligent,
sensitive animals.
THAT
SMARTS
"Pigs
have the intelligence of a toddler, and they get
frustrated if they aren't mentally stimulated - they
will find things to do on their own," Skura
warns. Since pigs are not very agile, romps in the
park are out (though they will walk nicely on
harness). Instead, "they are more trick-oriented
- that's what keeps them busy," from pushing
balls to miniature bowling.
Paging
Cesar Millan "They want to be top pig, and you
have to let them know you are the boss," Skura
advises. "If you let them get away with something
once, they'll do it again because they're so
smart."
HOW DO
I LOVE THEE ...?
Skura
ticks off the many things that potbellied pigs have to
recommend them: "They have hair, not fur, so they
are hypoallergic," she says. "They don't
shed" - except for "blowing coat" for a
week every summer - "they don't bark or chew, and
they don't get fleas." And, despite their
reputation for, well, pigginess, Skura says they are
odor-free and easily potty-trained, happily using a
dog door to do their business outdoors.
CAVEATS
Potbellied
pigs "do need a fenced yard, they don't do stairs
very well, and they don't make good apartment
pets," she cautions.
GIMMICK
ALERT
"There
is no such thing as a 'teacup' or 'pocket pig,'"
Skura snorts, warning potential owners about such
unethical marketing tactics. Most pigs range from 50
to 150 pounds.
But
that doesn't mean they should sport sumo-wrestler
silhouettes. Krupa constantly has to rehabilitate
"fat blind" pigs that are so obese folds of
fat block their vision.
"It
even affects their hearing, because the canals in
their ears get compressed from the fat," she
says. "And their bellies are so huge they rip
them with their back hoofs when they walk."
FOOD
FOR THOUGHT
Forget
"slop" and table scraps: Skura says just a
half-cup of specially formulated pig pellet food twice
a day is ample sustenance. "An apple is a real
treat," she adds. The rest of the time, expect
your pigs to graze on your grass, not to mention your
hostas.
COUCH
OPTIONAL
"Pigs
don't have to live in the house," Skura notes.
"They can live outside if you make them a small
wooden house, filled with straw, the lower to the
ground the better, to keep heat in."
She
encourages adopters to consider acquiring two at a
time: Body heat keeps their quarters warmer in winter.
Crate
expectations. "Pigs in a blanket" is a term
to take literally. Skura stuffs dog-size airline
crates with quilts and blankets, "and they bury
themselves," she reports.
PIG IN
A POKE
In many
localities, potbellied pigs are considered domestic
pets, not agricultural farm hogs destined for a dire
gastronomic end. But Skura warns that some
municipalities do not make the distinction, and
potential owners should check zoning restrictions to
make sure they can legally own them.
I WANT
TO HELP
Find
adoptable pigs all over the country by visiting
pigplacementnetwork.com.
For
local candidates, contact Skura at pigs4me@verizon.net.
___
NOW
SMILE PRETTY AND SAY WOOF!
An
Australian shepherd as a lensman? At the very least,
Cyrus, a 9-year-old canine photog from Missoula,
Mont., will make you feel good about the quality of
your own point-and-shoots. His work, featured at
wetstinkydog.com, has been described as "distant,
detached, nostalgic, gritty." (We would dare add:
"out of focus.") Perhaps not surprisingly,
he is currently at work on a project about cats.
FOR
MALTESE FIDOS, THE STUFF DREAMS ARE MADE OF
They're
the Thelma and Louise of canines, the Paris and Nicole
of the play-bow set. Lulu and Lolly are two little
Malteses with outsize attitudes - and a Web site that
peddles T-shirts, cards and calendars promoting their
fanciful travels. Part of the calendar proceeds
benefits Maltese rescue. Go to luluandlolly.com.