George's Story

George arrived in a wire crate in the back of a van a few years ago. The women who contacted me told me a co worker needed him looked after for a few weeks when she lost her job. Story is, she never came back for him. Now this women was reaching out to me to take George and we corresponded by email a few times.

According to this women George was neutered and his house had three sides made up of pieces of leaning plywood with hay inside. My thought was "only three sides?" How did he keep warm in the winter?

To my surprise at about 5 one night a van was outside my driveway. I looked in the back of the van and saw a little pig peering up at me from his confines. I immediatly assured him he would be safe here and knowing he would smell the others I added for him not to worry that i would not let the others get him. I assured him , there was good food here. This would be very important for any pig arriving at my gates to know.

And all the while doing this i was evaluating his condition. He had the distinctive look of a boar , a pig who is not neutered doesn't have that rounded look a neutered male would have in the face. And as I blurted out "he's not neutered" his tusks caught my eyes. Anger swelling up in me i asked her if the tusk on the other side of his face was going threw his cheek too.

Mad now all i wanted to do was get that pig unloaded and crate carried to the empty paddock, and her off my property. She was not as strong as i was and this helped reach my boiling point inside as had of she let me know she was coming and couldn't do this i might of been able to have help here. I wanted that pig out of that crate and all this stop and starting was wasted energy on lifting him and setting him down and adding more stress to this pig.

Once out of the crate her added hay for his comfort must of come out of his old house and its filthy dusty condition would of provided no warmth from where he lived. A dried up french loaf of bread was tossed to him by this women and promises to send some financial support for his care. The offer of a rotten wet bale of hay was declined and i could barley speak to her at this point as she walked up my driveway and back into her van and out of our lives forever.

The following morning volunteers arrived and George rolled over for a belly rub immediately. Giving himself to us this way only hours after arriving showed such trust in his new caregivers. While laying down i fed the wire between his cheek and his tusk and ended his torment in 8 seconds. Blood gushed from his wound and the release of that pressure, the tusk was in threw his mouth almost 1 1/2 inches.

Tusks do not grow over night, this growth took between 1 and 2 years. It would of started rubbing on his cheek when he laid down. Then within a few months it would of started to put pressure on his face causing a white scuff mark up and down his cheeks as he opened and closed his mouth to eat. The pain of it pushing into his face would of started a few months later and as it grew the tusk would tear into his flesh opening the wound wider as he chewed. By the time he arrived this little pig was not able to naturally open his mouth to eat as those tusks and the pain prevented him from being able to do so.

For the first few days with me he refused carrots, every pig loves carrots! Poor George suffering from the inability to eat them , refused them because of the pain it would cause him to eat . It took 3 days for him to realized he could chew and open his mouth all the way without searing pain.

If you click on the picture in the blog it opens the size. You can see how the tusk has rubbed his cheek white from simple opening and then chewing his food. That was the better of the two sides, the other one was right threw his cheek and into his mouth. Basically speared by his own tusk. He has two deep dimples from where they penetrated his flesh. Not all tusks will grow into the cheek, you see it happen a lot with over fed pigs as well as the ones growing inward . (I keep tusks trimmed to prevent them being hung up in wire fencing . And remember when you do trim , trim so the tusks are still poking just outside of the lips and NOT to the gum line. Tusk trimmed incorrectly can cause them to grow into the face or upward into the roof of the mouth. Also NEVER EVER let anyone use breaking pliers to do tusks either. The lower tusks are part of the jaw and more pigs have died this way from hairline fractures. Infection is almost immediate and then death. Jiggley Wire saw only.)

George who comes into the house and manages the stairs only as a pig who was used to doing this at some point in his life. He likes to be covered with blankets, takes his treats so very gently and all of this again is learned from his past experiences. Someone at some point was very good to this pig , but why did they not care about his tomorrows??

Gorgeous George has been threw many experience in his life before arriving here and ones that might of left any one of us with some severe emotional baggage. George however did not loose the goodness within him and is not bitter or angry with humans who betrayed him so terribly. He was able to hold onto his gentle soul and he has flourished.

When your approach George he looks up into your heart with an innocence from his deep brown eyes. They twinkle back at you, and a soft touch to his bristles will have him almost fall over as he lays on his side for a good belly rub. He sings in a rhythmic piggy chant as he oof oof oof's in delight. As he lays all stretched out from deep inside of him a little heavenly whine every now and then in response to shear pleasure that has arrived in his life.

I am so happy your here George so the love in you is free and received with as much pleasure as it is to give it back to you.

Pictures Speak A thousand Words

There Is Much Good

An amazing donation was handed to me by both Clare and Jenn who travel a long ways to get here and help when they can. Young and beautiful girls who look like a million bucks in rubber boots. They work at a trendy bar down town Vancouver and cashed in there tips for the animals here. How cool is that!!!!!!!

Lee continues to pick up produce for the pigs weekly and her donations are really helping keeping our costs down. She arrives with a smile on her face and ready to listen to my woes and always bring apples when i need them the most. Last night she brought ten water melons, some bread treats and kiwi. On top of her offerings she too left me a generous donation last night.

Saturday mornings as you all know is designated clean up for the animals here and once again i hope some one beside my sister will arrive to help. Yesterday she offered to pick up 230 lbs apples for me and 50 lbs of carrots so now we have enough produce here to keep the pigs in produce for the week.

The motor on my truck has packed it in again. I bought that truck with a new rebuilt just put in, replaced it a few years later and now this one is gone. Must be a factory reject as now they can't find one to put in the darn thing and if they do I am looking at another 3000.00. I simply can't be without a truck here so i am pushed into the market to look for another used one.

I have been with out transportation all week here but that has made me deal with the office work inside and i feel a weight lifted somewhat from getting caught up again.

I also spend about 3-4 hours every morning here returning emails. I get approx 65 emails a day here and many require a great deal of thought to reply. Questions ranging everywhere from how do you trim a pigs hooves to what should i feed. I suppose if my website was more up to date and addressed some of these questions it would save me a ton of time. And most information is on the net but if you don't know what to look for your not going to find the help there. And it is for the pigs everywhere that i do this , it is what i do.

I also keep Hearts On Noses out there any way that i can and down loading a movie onto utube last week netted a surprise sponsor for Tuskers!! A kind person saw our movie and went to the website and is sending us 25.00 a month! All the way from Texas. I told Tusker's some one saw his picture and picked him from all the pigs in the world to choose from to support. I am sure he smiled at me when he wagged his tail in response.

Yesterday while laying in the sun with Penny I saw her beautiful brown eye look at me. I didn't need to pull the fat folds away, she opened her eyes and looked at me. "I told you" i exclaimed and she "oofed" in agreement. Meaning once she lost some weight and took off that old suit she would feel so much better and see the blue sky's of summer again. Little things i whispered into her ears at night when i tuck her in.

Pam reports Daphne is settling in and taking over the place, fat blind or not. This over fed unwanted pig in Kamloops found a great home after repeatably posting her picture on face book trying to find her a home. Pam is like us and couldn't turn away from the sad picture of this pig and even though this pig is far from perfect,to Pam and Dave she is . Fed hog grower all her life she is about 300 lbs and totally over weight and huge besides all the extra fat she is wearing. But she has landed in pig paradise and is blooming now as she learns what it is like to be loved.

Muddy Waters

Every time i go to sit down its late and I still need to feed the kids inside like my dog Buddy and the cats, Luke and Patou.

The last few weeks have been exhausting with the garage sale Mom and my sister and I put on to start. We made 350.00 and that is including the 1.35 in the donation tin. We were supported by two friends who drove a hell of a long way to come, Marion and Donna thank you so much. Donna also brought along 30 bags of popcorn and the pigs had there party with it last night.

The first day of the sale a Mission Brownie Team leader stopped in to tell me 14 kids were loaded with apples standing at the gates of the Sanctuary. I did need to go back and check on the animals anyhow so i raced back here to give them a tour and then raced back again. Pigs had breakfast before i left and lucky them they had lunch too ;o)

The rain is brutal and some of the pigs areas are so muddy you can't tell where the poop or the mud ended. To muddy too push filled wheel barrows threw i simply park it outside the paddocks and then heave over a 54" fence. Tonight my shoulders are killing me.

Thankfully Carolyne and Alex joined my sister and I with the work here today as i wasn't at my strongest.

CDART which stands for Canadian Disaster Animal Rescue Team arrived at around lunch time to go over our itinerary for an October Pig Handling Course.
Deb, Heather and Cheryl and I ate lunch, belly rubbed pigs and went over our rescue plans if and when needed. It feels good to have a team like this in your corner as they have been for many years now. If we ever have to be evacuated they are ready for us in Kelowna , but will have an immediate plan to get us out of here and somewhere temporarily if needed.

My truck has been giving me trouble and i did make to buy hay on that one sunny day we had last week. After picking it up yesterday from the shop, today it sounds worse then ever. I need to make a dump run and more critical is i am out of everything for the pigs. No produce , no breakfast and maybe one night of dinner and we need shavings.

The guys from B.C. Regional Corrections were here three times this week and the perimeter fencing is done. As some of the guys were finishing that up the rest of the crew was cleaning up bush and trimming low branches. Tons of work done and we have been discussing the mud issues and where to start digging ditches. The place is really coming together with the help of this crew and it is really looking good. My dog Buddy loves these guys and awakes early in the morning to go look out the window. He wants out so excited and returns to the house disappointed a few minutes later when there not out there.

My friend Jean lost two of her dog kids a week apart , i can't imagine the sorrow .. Oliver lost his life after a sitter let him off leash at the beach and that 16 year old dog never recovered after the shock of almost drowning. Belle after emergency vet care came home and drifted away in Jeans arms the day after. Another friend prepares to help her senior cross over in the next few days.. all loved tremendously.

My unemployment insurance ran out so the search for work is on me..i do have an idea here lets hope it sells once completed.

Well my eyes are ready to close and i better get the rest of us fed , have a good night everyone.

GARAGE SALE JUNE 5 AND 6

GARAGE SALE FUND RAISER FOR HEARTS ON NOSES

NOTE : THIS IS NOT AT THE SANCTUARY

Where: 33470 -12th Ave., Mission

When : Saturday 9-4 June 5
Sunday 9-1 June 6




We have been collecting for a year again friends. Assorted vintage books , paintings , lamps, china and glass ware. Craft stuff , pet stuff including horses tack and pony winter blankets.

We are also asking for donations of quality stuff we can re sell but ask that clothes, computer stuff incl books, foot ware, ski stuff , magazines and plastics be left behind.

Contact Janice if you have some good stuff and hope to see you there!!

Volunteers

The long week-end was really quiet except for two families who visited here. I had started the pen work on Friday so when no one came to help Saturday morning at least I had a jump on it. I worked every day for about 5 hours raking , pushing wheel barrows and then doing fresh waters for every one. Its really all the physical labor I can manage and normally come in around 2: 30 eat, shower and take a couple of hours before I go out and feed dinner to everyone. It takesme four days to do the pen work by myself.

Penny is having trouble again and watching her strain is heart breaking. Every day sometimes twice a day I try and help her before I get cleaned up and then again just before I go to bed. By Thursday night she welcomed my assistance and laid there while I cleaned her out. A new diet , I keep trying and have seen positive results for my sweet kissy girl.

Tuesday morning the guys would return from B.C. Corrections I left here at 7:30 to head into town to buy another roll of fencing and a load of 2x 4’s so they could continue there work here. The perimeter fencing is almost done now and the animals will be safe from getting out and into trouble. So I was back by 9 and I pretty well spent the morning following the crew around , getting extension cords out , finding hardware to use back and forth from one end to the other side of the pasture . And then putting them all away when they leave. Other then that I took the day pretty easy and considered this my day off.

Wednesday after the crew left I went to town to get feed , another roll of wire , the food for me and it was 4 when I got home. It took about an hour to get everything put away . Cleaning up the feed room as I unloaded and getting the wire off my truck and then putting the groceries away. Had something to eat a break and back out for dinners for the kids.

Thursday the guys weren’t coming but it wasn’t raining so off to Pitt Meadows I went to pick up a load of bedding for the pigs . I got home and added hay to all the pigs houses , put the rest of it away and I was done by 1 but tired as moving hay is heavy work again and pushing it one bale a time by wheel barrow to each house . Once you get in the sheds you pull it apart to fluff it up and see how much more required if needed.

Friday the guys are back and I am in the house at just before 2.00 after putting all my tools , nails ect away. I am going to eat and do nothing more until dinner for the kids. I didn’t want to do anything too heavy today so I am in good form for tomorrow mornings piggy clean up.

Two weeks has gone by with no one helping with the animals care here , i really need to find some loyal animal lovers who want to help me do this before i go back to work full time.

There has been no fundraisers since December by Karmavore and the relocation and setting everything up safe again has been costly and is on going. 100ft of wire fencing is 247.50 and i have purchased 4 rolls now , this price does not include the posts and 2 x 4s. I have spent and put everything i have into this from the property to the pen work ,now fencing and i still need outside lighting and tons of bark mulch.

During the pen work for Panda i have missing my Dads level, a battery charger, a drill, fencing hammer and several spades. During the work here for the fencing tools break and a tape measure, a shovel and a few rakes need to be replaced. I also bought two new wheel barrow tires at a cost of 45.00 each, 50ft hose to attach to the 100ft one so i can reach all the paddocks for waters.

Several of the sheds need work, new roofs , new floors , door work required and all of this will have me back at the lumber yard. And oh who is going to do the work, some one else i will need to hire who will rob me blind when i'm not looking??

Long and short of this post is to answer inquiring minds as to what i do here all day as i am not working at a full time job. When i do work i am not a carpenter or a farm worker and no way can i take anything that involves labor as i have to keep my physical strength for here. Working 4-5 hours a day at heavy work is all i can do and is only 60% of the job i do here.

I need help to do this , there has to be some one out there who can help me .

Saturday morning and its raining out , the work will be hard as mud/manure is heavy and difficult to push a wheel barrow threw. I know my sister is coming..

Edited to add my sister is the only help who arrived here so there is still two days of pen work to do.

Pro's and Con's

Burnaby Pathfinders returned to the Sanctuary Saturday morning and took care of the animals in so many ways. The girls took turns at chores like raking manure , scrubbing out water tubs , moving brush and even replaced a tire on one of the wheel barrows. I can't say enough about the girls and the team leaders here as they attack every project with a smile on there face and nothing is too much for them to handle. I see a bright future for these girls as the life skills they learn with this organization is clearly building a solid foundation for there tomorrows. Just before they must leave time is set aside to spend with the animals too. Treats and love shared with everyone and watching two little girls tossing treats over there backs to keep big Rose off of there's is an image that makes me smile and one i won't ever forget.

Community Service has sent me someone new and Nick tackled my wood pile and got almost all of it organized out front and that eye sore out of the way. Now everything is separated , easy to get too and i know what i have under that pile.

My sister was here and she did the barn and raked the pasture of manure! Then a surprise visit by both Carolyne our bunny girl, and Alex who arrived with her dog little dog Sophie. They finished up the last two piggy paddocks , thank goodness !! And what a treat it was to just sit around after and visit in the sun, and then take little Sophie for a walk around the acreage.

B.C. Corrections has a work program for low profile offenders and i have hired about ten guys and they have been down here every day since last Wednesday. They removed all the salmon berry brush that was climbing over the 8ft fence line on the acreage out back. Posts and wire needs to be replaced and we will reuse what we can. I also needed boards put down on the bottom of the entire fence line to keep snouties from rooting under and ending up at my neighbors for dinner. This will also bring safety to the animals here and not make it so easy for black bears to climb over. When you look out back you see the forest now and we have added some square footage too as the fence is being moved back about 40-50 ft in some places. This gives the pigs some natural habitat to explore and shade for my horses.

I do let out some of the pigs when the guys are here and of course Buddy and some of my more professional moochers set up camp around the cook as he prepares lunch for the crew. What they did in life to have them end up where they are is none of my business but i will tell you they are polite, respectful and mindful of me and the animals here. Sharing there lunch and left overs , petting pigs and horses is a common sight. And my dog Buddy is exhausted when they leave. ;o)

So this morning Mom has baked two large apple pies and she will arrive with her gift for our working crew this morning. A small diversion from prison life with a token of our appreciation , what could be better but a slice of Moms apple pie.

The pigs we placed are doing well in there new homes and have spoken to both families. Polly and Anna's Mom called worried because one of the pigs wouldn't eat dinner one night. The following morning that pig got up and headed out with new Mom tailing her. And that took her right to the shed where the chicken feed is kept and lead her to the bag she had got into the day before.

Daphne the over fed girl is learning all about love and trust at her new home as the fat has left her blind and deaf. Pretty scary for a pig to be moved some where new and not having sight to see where she landed. But her new family is proving to her she is safe now and she can root to her content if she wants too.

Lugar ( 3 legged Shepard) is still missing on the island and now another dog( boxer) is missing in Langley who needs medication.

Following these stories and the pet rabbit slaughter at the Victoria University and then watching the CBC footage taken at a Calgary horse slaughter plant is enough to make any one sick. If one of those horses or rabbits was in your back yard you would be facing Animal Cruelty charges. But animal production plants and government agencies are clearly above the law. A handful of us in this cesspool of sickness has me wondering if we will ever evolve into a compassionate society.

An up close shot of our cute Panda Man and new guy Sherman checking out where he has moved too.

We are grateful to all of you who have helped me create Sanctuary, where our residents are safe and surrounded by love here.

The Three Pigs

Over a month ago a gal contacted me who had just moved into a rental property in Langley. Two pigs had been left behind and in a matter of weeks her call regarding care went to i might keep them to i have to get rid of them. I assured her i would take care of them to just give me some time to try and find them a home. Her life also fell apart as did her marriage and the pigs were abandoned once again. Enter Karen who adopted two of our pigs a few years ago jumps to my emergencies for transport agreed to foster them for a confident two weeks max. Just how many pigs can i take care of by myself during the week, i have 40 here now? Miracles do happen and an email came in from our out reach and networking, these two pigs were wanted by a family outside of Kelowna. Home check and vet references aced , Karen transported the kids on monday to there forever home. These two girls have some pretty nice artwork in there heated house complete with automatic water stations and hay nesting materials.


About two months ago a family contacted me from Kamloops. They had a 4 year old female house pig who was tying them down. They could never go any where because of there pig. Not only was this pig over fed she was massive thanks to the hog grower she was fed. Fat blind and huge i didn't think i would ever find her a home and wondered where i would put her here. Its hard enough to find good homes for pot bellied pigs here never mind a huge one. Her one and only picture supplied by her family is one of a fat depressed pig. Awwwww but the wonders of technology and face book i posted that picture and met many new pig friends. Daphene arrived with her frying pan for a dinner dish and her blankets to her new forever home in Sorrento on Monday. This fat blind cranky pig wasn't allowed on the grass at her old place and she doesn't know it yet but she has been transported to paradise. There she goes with her little step brother in pursuit on grass like any pig needs.

What to feed?

Every once in a while a conversation about feed comes into play. I have addressed the issue on my website and it really needs to be updated. The topic makes me crazy and on my website i have basically said:

"Pigs are just that, pigs. You would not feed cat food to your dog nor should you feed dog food to your pig. People way smarter then us have scientifically developed feed which contain the correct nutritional value , minerals and vitamins they need.
Over feeding or feeding the wrong food can cause so many medical problems I can't begin to address them all here.
Pigs who develop too much fat around the head causes blindness as the fat closes in over their eyes. They will also go deaf as the fat smothers everything.

Too little feed or the incorrect one will not keep your pig small, it will just cause development problems and you will have a starving pig in varied stages of malnutrition. "

Sadly many still think they are doing right as they have followed advise from the feed stores and they may be the biggest problem here. Some people take there jobs seriously and educated themselves so they can represent the product they merchandise on behalf of the animals they stock food for, some do not. I think some merchandisers will sell you anything to make the sale for various reasons. Maybe they don't bring the correct feed in, they can't be bothered too or they make more money selling you a bag of cheap rabbit pellets then they would on a bag of specialized feed.

The base for many of the grazing farm animal feeds is the same, for example it maybe hay based or alfalfa based. It will have added selenium,vitamins and minerals for example to support the species it is being milled for. What i am saying here is that you may see many of the same things listed on your feed bags from one animal to the next. However the ratios for different species is totally different , these feeds are NOT the same or good enough.

I can't get my head around how people can buy hog grower , horse pellets , rabbit pellets or chicken feed for there pigs. The key clue here is what it is being milled for and states that right on the bag. It is being formulated for that specific species ONLY.

Your pigs need the correct nutritional value and the ratio of food , vitamin and mineral content to keep your animal healthy. Everything you eat or you feed your animal should be about optimum health for long life. This equals good skeleton growth to organs and what the feed is formulated to do.

A low protein diet formulated for rabbits for example is the wrong feed ratio requirements for a pig.

Hog Grower is milled to

increase speed growth

for these doomed pigs to ready for slaughter. Do not ever feed your pet pot bellied pigs this formula.

Rabbit food is high protein do not be fooled that thinking a 12% protein designed for rabbits is a low protein diet for pigs because it is only 12%. Same as horse, chicken or big pig feed. These percentages are calculated ratios for the specific breed. Rabbit feed is too high of a protein no matter what percentage it is as that percentage is calculated by what is required for rabbits not pigs. Not only will this add fat it will cause liver and kidneys to work harder to filter /process incorrect feed ratios.

Also i will point out here that pot bellied pigs are prone to kidney stones and the feed has additives to help alleviate the probability of your pigs getting them. Male pigs die from blocked urinary tracts every day , it is why feeding the correct food and protein levels for the correct species is so important.

Please buy your pot bellied pig feed that is being milled for pot bellied pigs. It took years for scientists, professors , nutritionists , behaviorists and veterinarians to come up with the right formula to keep your pot bellied pigs at optimum health.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Leading up to Saturday our join up for volunteers wasn't looking too promising. In fact after 9;00 am that morning and looking out side with the rain coming down i feared no one was coming. I couldn't of been more wrong and surprised. Two new friends Clare and Jenn arrived with gloves and rubber boots and proceeded with doing all the dishes and doing waters. Kelly who is a long time piggy friend rounded up three friends and attacked the pasture, the barn and took out a fence that opened the acreage up even more. Mitch who is doing community hours is a a HUGE help and while i do one lane of the piggy paddocks he is doing all the rest. Alex and Sophie( pooch) arrive and even more gets done! By 1;00 we were all soaked, dirty, proud and happy!!

The pigs were spoiled with gifts of peanuts, raisins, grapes, carrots, apples , and celery. So they had breakfast, snacks and lunch!! lol

Meanwhile Marty was busy putting the finishing touches on Pandas paddock and our little fat man worked off some calories pacing and chewing on his new digs. Just so you all know one pigs paddock cost the Sanctuary over $2000.00. His impeding neuter will be another 600.00. Thank goodness Marty got the shed Panda called home since he arrived renovated and moved or that would of been another added expense.

Jane a new friend and teacher arrived with a BIG surprise a few weeks ago. With Tory starting his journey to Heaven i am only now catching up. Thankfully Panda has been sponsored by her Div 3 class at Harry Sayers Elementary School who put on an Easter egg( plastic eggs) hunt to benefit Elizabeth's Wildlife Center and us! How cool is that and i am looking forward to there visit here in the near future!

Alex and I came in the house and looked up some remedies for her pooch and alone at 4 i finally did three nights of dishes. Cheryl arrived 20 minutes into them with a case of vegan dog biscuits for Buddy and the pigs. A visit lead her into helping me feed the pigs and by 8 i was alone and starving.

I love it when people ask me what i do with my time...every day i work for the pigs ..every minute of every day.

Two pigs left behind in Langley were rounded up by Karen who has two of our pigs and helps me with transport all the time. And our good fortune carry's on with receiving an email from someone wonderful in Kelowna who wants to adopt them. Deb of CritterCare and CDART did the home check for us and me thinks these two pigs will be traveling to there new home on Monday.

We are still searching for a home for a pig in Kamloops and every day I worry when two girly pigs, who are on borrowed time at a California Shelter. And Lugar a missing dog who you can read about on Jeans Blog " My Life with Critters" that you can find on blogs that i follow here.

I am having problems with my system and will try pictures later ...