Friday, August 28, 2009

Mighty Momma Mouse

We are doing some major clean outs & repairs of the big pigs houses the last few days...getting ready for winter. Our friend Ben (contractor) came out to help us !
Yesterday was Forrest & Earls house & what a mess to clean out! During the "clean out" this little mouse ran out the door ....I thought "oh no, I hope she doesn't have babies in here"....sure enough I found about 10 little new born babies in the straw. I carefully picked them up & took them out of the pig area & placed them under some hay & put a piece of wood over them like a lean-to.
I was hoping their Momma would find them, but I had my doubts because they were now a little ways from the original spot.
Sure enough this morning they were all gone (&  the wood piece was not moved) so I don't think anything else got to them.
She must have been watching us & went to them when we left...I think that is a very smart mouse & a good Momma!!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

visitors at the farm....



This weekend we had some visitors come stay here at Snooters. These are friends of mine from public school....we have known each other for over 45 yrs...yikes!!
For the past several summers they come out to visit, eat, drink wine & see the animals...always a pleasant combo! 
This weekend was very hot and sunny, so we enjoyed a nice day. The pigs entertained everyone with their mud wallow diving & blowing bubbles in the water! Always good ambassadors!  It was Gracie's 4th birthday so Brian gave her 1/2 a beer (she loves beer!) 
We had an entirely vegan dinner & everyone enjoyed it (or said so anyway!) Visiting here has had an effect on them by seeing & learning about the pigs. No one eats pork anymore so that is a very positive step!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

In honor of our "Trix"....


We had planned this dinner out with friends prior to our Trixie's passing. It was to be a "thank you" dinner for our dear friends who have gone above & beyond with their help for Trixie & her mobility issues. This dinner turned out to be a celebration of her life instead ! 
It is just so nice to be out with people who totally & completely understand your love & devotion for your animals! No having to explain WHY pigs are so special or WHY you don't eat meat or WHY you can't always get away.....they just know !
These are people who have come into our lives because of the pigs...we would never have had the pleasure of their friendship had it not been for our common "pig obsession " & situations throwing us together. These are people who we know can be called at a moments notice to help in a crisis & who, I hope, also know we would drop everything to help them out as well. It is comforting to know friendships like this exist.
We had a lovely dinner & a special toast to our girl, Trixie ! How many pigs have a dinner in their honor (& are not the main course  ;(  ...sorry, I just had to add that !)
Thanks Kim, Roy, Marianne & Ben for everything!

Monday, August 3, 2009

awww that feels nice.....


Yesterday I was trimming some grass & happened to notice that "Roy" had a little tag along friend on his back....one of those large black birds !
 Roy was standing VERY still out in the paddock with this bird walking up & down his back! I could see his mohawk going up & pretty well knew what was coming next....sure enough "bam" down he went on his side into "belly rub"position! Unfortunately the bird does not understand this silly pig behaviour & flew away! 
So there is Roy laying on the ground with no belly rubbing bird to be seen....he quickly gets up looking almost embarrassed & walks away...LOL!