It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... a pig? Gwen and Steve Howell, proud owners of seven pigs in Shropshire, England, are proving that pigs can fly -- on a trampoline, that is.
The couple plans to bring their 6-week-old acrobatic piglet named Scarlett to meet Simon Cowell next week at Britain's Got Talent auditions to show off her bouncing skills, reports the UK's Daily Mail.
The couple plans to bring their 6-week-old acrobatic piglet named Scarlett to meet Simon Cowell next week at Britain's Got Talent auditions to show off her bouncing skills, reports the UK's Daily Mail.
"Scarlett will be trampolining and two of our other pigs, Arthur and Polly, will be doing their own dances nearby. We hope the judges will be impressed," Gwen told the Daily Mail.
Originally the couple began their piggy circus experiment with Scarlett's father, Percy, who loved the trampoline so much that he never wanted to get off of it. When Percy gained weight, Scarlett took over as the lead bouncer, Gwen told the Daily Mail.
Gwen says that even though Scarlett has only been bouncing for three days, she already loves her trampoline and attracts a huge crowd of fans. "The pigs seem to love the trampoline even more than our two daughters," she told the Daily Mail.
The town had originally told the Falk family that they had until December 1 to find a new home for their pet, or face a fine of $100 per day. The Falks, who rent their home, consider Strawberri a part of the family and were prepared to uproot their lives to keep her. A vote on Strawberri's fate could come as early as January, but hopefully the Falk family and Strawberri will be able to enjoy the holidays at home. Town Councilman Doug McKay will testify before a magistrate to help the family get an extension on their deadline until the council can vote.
McKay said that at least ten other pigs who would be in violation of the code also live in the town so it was unfair to single out the Falks. Town officials responded that they don't typically go around counting swine.
"Strawberri is pretty big, but she's like a big puppy," the Falk's 11-year -old daughter Kai told the Tribune. "This is putting a lot of stress on me and Strawberri.
Micro pigs are the biggest newest trend in itty-bitty pets. They're adorable, extremely clean, and look quite manageable at only 14 inches high.
Looks can be deceiving. Micro pigs maybe not be as manageable as they appear on the surface. Besides carrying a possibly unattainable $1,160 price tag, these cuties are more high-maintenance than you might think. The UK's Daily Telegraph has rooted up another side to ownership of the pint-size porcine that is considerably less cute than the pigs themselves, saying the micro pigs could be a maxi-disaster. The Telegraph spoke with Kirsty Bayley, who is the Pig Herd Manager at the Institute of Animal Health, and who shared a few details that might make you think twice before bringing home a tiny piglet.
For one thing, because the precious pigs are bred so exclusively for their size, the risks of inbreeding and its associated health risks go up. Among these myriad health risks is decreased fertility, which is a major problem if you're hoping for a portly profit.
Pigs are very social and surprisingly active creatures, so they're happiest with at least one companion pig, lots of room, and lots of toys. If they're not properly entertained, they can quickly begin exhibiting signs of depression, such as lethargy or repetitive movements, according to what Bayley told the Telegraph.
Bayley also warns potential pig purchasers to be wary of buying from a breeder without a reference, as there have been numerous documented stories of people purchasing what they believed to be micro pigs, only to have what were actually piglets grow into full-sized pigs once they hit their growth spurts.
Though the urge to get your hands on one of these delightful, darling pets may be irresistible, don't let it become an impulse buy. A toy-sized animal isn't a toy. Do your research, and make sure you and your family are thoroughly prepared to handle a micro pig or any other pet before you reach for your wallet.
What do you do if your eight-year-old autistic son finds dogs too hyper and cats too dull? If you're Lisa Pia of Fayetteville, North Carolina, you get your little boy a pet piglet. A black potbellied pig, to be exact.
"Soon as he saw her, it was love at first sight," Pia told WRAL News, recalling Anthony's first meeting with the female pig they named Loopey. Anthony doted on Loopey, wrapping her in a towel like a baby. As the piglet grew, they comforted each other through thunderstorms and played in the family's enormous backyard. Each night, the 80-pound hog slept in Anthony's room. Each day, Anthony raced home from school to be with his pet pig.
For a year, boy and pig were happy. "We were just excited for him that finally, he's coming out and he's not in his shell anymore, and he's doing things, and playing and interacting," Pia said.
Then came an unexpected letter from city inspectors, informing the Pias of the Fayettevile ordinance that makes it "unlawful to keep hogs within the corporate limits." A city inspector had spied Loopey in the Pias' backyard while in the neighborhood on an unrelated matter.
Miniature Poodle Miniature Poodles, like all Poodles, are excellent swimmers who originated as a water retrievers. All Poodles, Standard, Miniature and Toy are actually one breed, just different sizes. Miniature Poodles, who can be white, black, apricot or gray, are usually 15 inches or under, according to the American Kennel Club.
David McKelvey/http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/3748491903/
Miniature Dogs
Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Daschund, only 11 pounds or under, is not a separate classification of the Daschund -- it's just a smaller version of the Standard. The miniature dog, with its long bodies and strong sense of smell, are both hunters and lapdogs, according to the American Kennel Club.
Miniature Poodle Miniature Poodles, like all Poodles, are excellent swimmers who originated as a water retrievers. All Poodles, Standard, Miniature and Toy are actually one breed, just different sizes. Miniature Poodles, who can be white, black, apricot or gray, are usually 15 inches or under, according to the American Kennel Club.
Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is of German descent and was originally bred to be a small farm dog. The most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer is a attentive, lively and a favorite among celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore and Bill Cosby. The strongly built miniature dog is between 12 to 14 inches, according to the American Kennel Club.
Miniature Bull Terrier
Just like the playful Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, who originated in England, has a similar personality. Don't let its size fool you – the Miniature Bull Terrier is strong, energetic and audacious. Miniature Bull Terriers are between 10 to 15 inches and can be solid white or colored, according to the American Kennel Club.
Miniature American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of three separate categories of the American Eskimo Dog. Between 12 to 15 inches, the bright white dog is loving, protecting and sociable. Now a great companion dog, the miniature dog was once a circus dog, according to the American Kennel Club.
Miniature Pinscher
Also known as the "Min Pin," the Miniature Pinscher is a German Breed whose ancestry includes the Daschund, Italian Greyhound and the shorthaired German Pinscher. The quick, curious dog is the perfect apartment dog. Despite its small size, the compact pooch makes a wonderful watchdog. The spirited miniature dog, about 10 inches to 12 1/2 inches, can be red, black, or chocolate with tan, according to the American Kennel Club.
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