How Well Do My Friends and Family Follow Directions?
March 15, 2010 at 10:45 pm | Posted in My Pig Collection, Pig Gift Ideas | 4 CommentsTags: pig gift, Pig Gift Ideas, pig hat, pig t-shirt, vintage pig
In 2009 I created my first Online Pig Gift Guide. It was a joy to put together, because it helped me absorb the sensational pig finds, without actually having to own them, thus keeping the chaos of clutter at bay. An excerpt from the guide stipulated:
Despite constantly reminding friends and loved ones that I am not actively seeking to add to my overly abundant pig collection, I receive numerous pig related gifts each holiday. The caveat I’ve placed on receiving pig gifts is this: if it has a practical use or is a vintage find with lots of character, I’m willing to make exceptions:)
So did friends and family adhere to the aforementioned ground rules? As my pig blog readership grows (to a whopping 10 people and counting) I figured you, my loyal readers, deserved to know. So here goes:
During the 2009 holiday season I received the following items from friends and family:
- 1 Pig Hat, wool with fleece lining (that’s me above sporting it; I can relate to The Christmas Story scene when the kid wears the bunny suit)
- 1 Pig Steamer that fits on top of pots to let steam out (through the 2 pig nostrils, of course)
- Porkchops (they’re punny chopsticks with pigs on them)
- A pig t-shirt (extra points for organic cotton and local artist-designed)
- Pig Cutting Board (made of a sustainable wood = a definite plus)
- A Vintage Pig Figurine (love it!)
- A farmer pig decorative item from a local second-hand shop (2nd hand shop items=cool, less crap being added to the world)
- A pig ice-cream scooper (my second one, shhh!)
- A pig umbrella (garners much attention on the streets of San Francisco)
- Reusable pig shopping tote bag (I use this bag almost every day when I go to the produce market)
- Book The Whole Hog: Exploring the Extraordinary Potential of Pigs by Lyall Watson. This was actually his last published book, according to Wikipedia. R.I.P. Lyall!
Did these gifts meet the criteria set forth in the original blog post? You be the judge.
Do you see now why I have more pigs in my life than I know what to do with? I’m almost 40. That’s 40 birthdays, 40 holidays, and 40 National Pig Days x 11 pig gifts. You do the math.
The word gluttonous comes to mind. Pigs are not gluttonous, G-d no. I’m talking about myself. One definition of gluttonous: greedy; insatiable.
Ahhh, yes. Insatiable. That is the word I would use to describe my pig habit. No quantity of socially responsible-made pig products and vintage finds will fill me up. It’s an appetite that never goes away.
Happy Thankspigging
November 26, 2009 at 7:18 am | Posted in My Pig Collection, Pig Gift Ideas, Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: Bohemian Rhapsody The Muppets, Fair Trade, Fair Trade calendar, Muppets, pig quilt, Thanksgiving, Thankspigging
It’s Thankspigging time, and I’m giving thanks for 4 things that made me smile this year. Oh, and I promise, no more puns.
1) I love Queen + I love the Muppets = I LOVE this video!
2009 Fair Trade Calendar
2) This year I volunteered to help put together the first annual Fair Trade calendar. 100% of proceeds benefit the Fair Trade Federation and Fair Trade Resource Network, two great organizations working hard to promote Fair Trade and educate consumers about the importance of ethical shopping. Thousands of copies are now on sale nationwide.
The best part? Since I dedicated so much of my own time to this project, I felt justified in sneaking my favorite holiday in; National Pig Day March 1st. (It’s also my Mom’s birthday.)
3) Despite some pretty serious close calls this year, my dog Henry is alive at 15. Here he is resting comfortably on my homemade pig & cow quilt given to me by KCBS anchorwoman Rebecca Corral.
Henry rests comfortably on pig quilt.
4) I bought a certain someone his first piggy bank this year. Welcome to the world, Henry Shaw Gelbach!
Happy Thankspigging everyone!!!
Pig Gift Guide 2009
November 22, 2009 at 1:06 am | Posted in Pig Gift Ideas, Uncategorized | 9 CommentsTags: fair trade pig, pig candles, pig gift, Pig Gift Ideas, pig t-shirt, pig toys, piggy bank
It’s holiday shopping season, in case you haven’t noticed. Below are some pig-themed gift suggestions to help you serve the needs of your swine loving pals.
In lieu of collecting these pig finds myself, I’m hoping that sharing them with you will help purge my need to actually own them.
Friends and family, please note: This is not my holiday wish list. Those who don’t know me, here’s the deal: Despite constantly reminding friends and loved ones that I am not actively seeking to add to my overly abundant pig collection, I receive numerous pig related gifts each holiday. I’m sure you fellow pig collectors can relate.
The caveat I’ve placed on receiving pig gifts is this: if it has a practical use (like the hand-blown glass pig vase my friend Laird hand delivered to me last week) or is a vintage find with lots of character, I’m willing to make exceptions:)
Side note: I realize that my caveat is rarely adhered to, as reflected in the glutinous assembly of pig tchotchkes in the creaks and crevices of my too-small cottage.
Check out these unique pig gifts, and if you find others, share them in the comments field. I’m sure my 5 blog readers will appreciate the recommendation:)
Pig earphones. Talk about practical! www.spoonsisters.com $12.95
Set of Mini Pig Notecards. Say what? www.etsy.com $3.25 for 5
Fair Trade crocheted pig. Designed and handmade by a Mom in Thailand. www.globalexchangestore.org $18.50
Fair Trade Piggy Bank. Pottery crafted by artisans in Chili. www.tenthousandvillages.com $16.00
Pig Pals Infant Outfit. Profits go to Pig Pals Sanctuary, a non-profit dedicated to the long term care of pigs. www.cafepress.com/pigpals $11.99
Organic cotton stuffed pig toy. Hand-sewn fabric scraps, filled with recycled fiber & eco-friendly dyed. www.kidbean.com $15.00
Veg Starter Kit. Encourage friends and family to Go Veg. www.farmusa.org FREE!
Flying Pig Art Sculptor. Made of recycled parts by artist Fred Conlon. www.snappyturtletrading.com $165.99
Vegetable-based Pig Soap. These “Trois Petite Cochons” come in a handmade gift box. www.uncommongoods.com Set of three $20.
The Humane Farming Association T-shirt. A great organization to support! www. hfa.org $12.00
Set of Mini Pig Notecards. Say what? www.etsy.com $3.25 for 5
My Green Eyed Pig
August 22, 2009 at 11:16 pm | Posted in My Pig Collection, Uncategorized | Leave a comment
In the morning with my Green Eyed Pig
Check out the newest addition to my pig collection. It’s a handmade crocheted pig I found on Etsy. It’s really well made and full of character. The maker? Marie Segares, Proprietress of The Underground Crafter. She’s been crocheting for 25 years!
Marie is a Craft Yarn Council of America Certified Crochet Instructor and Certified Crochet Teacher. She specializes in teaching individual and small group crochet classes for beginner and intermediate students. So if you’re in the New York City area and want to learn how to crochet, well, you know where to look!
In addition to teaching, Marie makes handmade items like my green eyed pig and sells them on Etsy. She also does special orders on commission.
I’m a huge fan of handmade items, and it’s always nice to find people making a living doing what they love. Go Marie! If you or anyone you know is a handmade entrepreneur, check out my other blog DoGoodBiz.com, a place for fans of socially responsible business to learn and get inspired.
What’s New With the Dachshund Nursing Piglet?
August 3, 2009 at 1:11 am | Posted in Pig News, Pigs with Other Animals | 4 CommentsTags: dachshund and piglet, dog nurses piglet, pink and tink
Mama dog nurses more than her pups
Remember internet superstars Pink and Tink, the infamous dachshund dog who nursed a piglet? Keep reading to get an update with a side of conspiracy.
If you are one of the few who hasn’t heard about this dynamic duo you can view the original story and pics here.
Since news broke back in early 08 and forwarded photos began flying around cyberspace, there have been some interesting developments in this piglet pooch saga.
For one, some doubters started questioning whether the photos were real! Come on people. Sure, Photoshop can do some amazing things. But I’m gonna go with….WHY? Why would anyone waste their time Photoshopping photos of a piglet nursing from a dog?
One such theorist who shall remain nameless (unless you click here) at least fessed up to his temporary bout of paranoia and contacted the owner. Good for him! He posted the owner’s reply along with new (also unaltered) photos.
There are some juicy updates about Pink and Tink in the owner’s reply. In it you’ll learn that Pink was born premature and lives on a 4 H farm, and will remain with his wiener dog family and not be adopted. Trust me, it’s a fun read!
Lastly, would you believe there’s a book about Pink and Tink called The Pink Puppy: A True Story of a Mother’s Love? 
If anyone’s read it, please leave a comment and let us know what you think.
Question: What’s Cuter Than a Pig?
July 29, 2009 at 12:56 am | Posted in Pig News, Pigs with Other Animals | 4 CommentsTags: dog nurses piglet, pig nurses puppies, pink and tink
Proud unknown member of the PNBNP family.
Answer: A pig interacting with a member of another animal species.
There’s nothing quite like watching animals from different species interact, especially if one of the animals is a pig.
One particular niche of this pig/other animal segment I like to refer to as the “PNBNP,” which stands for Pigs Nursed By Non-Pig.
Some are internet superstars, some local heroes. Here are a few PNBNP’s:
Pink and Tink Snuggle Between Feedings
More than likely you’ve heard of internet superstars Tink and Pink, the dachshund mom who nursed an ailing piglet. If not, you can see photos and story here. Pink was born premature and too weak to milk from its own mother. Tink had milk to spare, with only one surviving puppy in her litter. So the owner put 2 and 2 together and the rest is internet history. You can read more about them in my What’s New with the Daschund Nursing Piglet blog post.
Tequila and a Six Pack
Next is celebrity PNBNP citing out of Weed County, Florida. Introducing Tequila and her adopted six pack of piglets; Snowball, Junior, Mud, Freckles, Spot and Wilbur, born July 22nd, 2009.
Check out Tequila and her adopted six pack:
Apparently it works both ways. In the Greek village of Vritta, a generous sow does the nursing after ‘adopting’ four puppies who were abandoned by their mom. Watch them here.
Similarly, back in 2008 a mama pig in Laos nursed one lucky doggy as you can see in this video:
(Side Note: I was actually in Laos in 2008, but was not lucky enough to spot such a miracle:)
So there you have it, just a few examples of this inter-species nursing phenomenon. Imagine how many go unreported each year. If you know of others feel free to share with us all in the Comments.
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