GENERAL INFO

Pot-bellies can be very sensitive, and loving friends. We always know when our piggy is sad, or if her feelings have been hurt because she sulks, and her little eyes will actually tear up. It breaks her heart to be scolded by one of us, but then she's such a good piggy, we rarely have to do that.

When Piggy first arrived at our home, she was unfamiliarwith her new surroundings,  and a little frightened of all the strangers. It took her about a week or so to settle in, and get comfortable being around her new family. She was not overly willing to be touched by anyone she didn't know. One evening, I noticed that she hadn't knocked on the door to come in at her usual time, so I peeked outside to check on her. The first thing I saw was a paper grocery bag that was inadvertently left on the porch. On the open end of the bag I saw a little round butt, and wiggly little tail swishing back and forth. I ran to get my camera, but by the time I got back, "someone had let the pig out of the bag". Could she have known it was a Piggly Wiggly grocery bag?

"Miss Piggy" has learned a few tricks, and just loves to perform for an audience. A few years back she starred in a short film entitled, "Flowers On A MooMoo", and was clearly the most popular celebrity on the set. The film is currently being showcased at various Film Festivals across the country. We are all hoping "Flowers" will be televised soon on one of the cable networks, like Bravo, Sundance, or the Independent Film Channel. 

Adding to her celebrity, Piggy was the 2nd place winner in the first annual Bacon Favorites photo contest which was held on the internet. Photos were selected by popular vote, and only 4 winners in each category were selected from hundreds of entries. Piggy won a beautiful, hand carved piggy barrett which was mailed to her by the designer. Sadly, "Bacon's" website is no longer active, and the Photo Contest has been discontinued, or else I'm just not aware of the new url. Hopefully someone will start it up again because it really was alot of fun.

As in any society, there is social "ranking" among pets.  Of course, pigs believe they rank #1, so if ever there is a disagreement, that is probably where the problem stems.  Miss Piggy will not allow "Major", our mini-schnauzer, to receive any gifts that she doesn't try out first.  Such was the case when we bought "Major" a new doggie bed.  It was a hoot to watch Piggy struggle to fit inside that bed.  CAMERA TIME!!  To demonstrate her tenacity, I included a photograph of her squinching to fit, content as can be regardless of the excess that spilled over the edges. *LOL* 

Pigs rank #4 in animal intelligence behind chimpanzees, dolphins and elephants. However, we sometimes confuse a pig's independence with their level of intelligence. For example, if a pig refuses to jump through a hoop on command, it isn't because they're stupid. Just ask yourself how many hoops you jump through on command. 

Pot-bellies love to have their bellies scratched, and will collapse on their side from pure delight, so don't be concerned when that happens - your pig didn't die.  Belly-scratching is one of the most intimate, and loving moments the two of you will share. When Piggy was just a baby, she'd jump up in my lap for a belly scratch, or when she wanted to take a nap, or just needed to feel warm and secure. Piggy also had her own little security blanket while growing up, so whenever a lap wasn't available, she'd cover up under her blanket, and sleep on the floor. Blankets and warm bedding are important to your piggy. Today, Miss Piggy sleeps in her own crate with a big, soft pillow inside. She is in bed by 8:00 pm, sleeps through the night, and wakes up whenever we do.

Pot-bellies need affection, and lots of gentle, loving contact from their human family throughout their lifetime. It will determine whether your piggy will become a loving family member, or just another barn yard pet.
 

"A dog will look up to you, and a cat will look down on you, but the pig will treat you as an equal!"  Sir Winston Churchill

©1998 Betty Wills