Recap of the 13th Annual Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival

Despite the generous rain, the 13th Annual Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival attracted several hundred attendees and received a lot of publicity in local papers and on television.

In the chaos of packing up in a downpour, we didn't get our usual tally for the Adoption Fair, but we do know that two of the participating rescue organizations adopted out three deserving animals each. We hope the other organizations had similar success! And Georgie, the rescued potbellied pig from Gallastar Equine Center, was a great ambassador for his species. With his super-affectionate personality and constantly wagging tail, he charmed everyone he met.

We greatly appreciate the support of the Festival sponsors and exhibitors, the dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the event happen, and the intrepid souls who came to Lee Park to celebrate a humane and healthy lifestyle.

If you'd like to be on the planning committee for next year's Festival, please email Cavell at cavellanna@hotmail.com. THis artiicle was provided by: Voices for Animals

Weaving Rainbow

This shop has some really awesome items. I spent a couple hours going through trying to decide what items I wanted to blog about it was very hard to decide.

Yet another easy clothing pattern to knit for your favorite critter. This 2- button vest was knitted using Froehlich Die tolle Wolle, a variegated worsted weight yarn. You may want to experiment with a solid color vest, then crochet a narrow border around it using a complimentary color. Time to use your fuzzy imagination!

http://weavingrainbow.com/

Helping Community Cats Workshop

Sponsored by Voices for Animals and Alley Cat Allies Date: Tues., Oct. 13, 7pm-9pm
Location: Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA training room

For the first time ever, Alley Cat Allies -- the national feral cat advocacy organization -- will bring its popular Helping Community Cats workshop to Charlottesville.

Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided.
Learn how you can help stray and feral cats in your neighborhood, expand your knowledge, and get your questions about feral cat issues answered by national experts. This workshop is geared for animal advocates, animal shelter and control staff, cat caretakers, and anyone interested in humane, progressive solutions to pet overpopulation.
Topics will include:
safely trapping and handling feral cats
the science of trap-neuter-return: how TNR programs reduce populations of free-roaming cats
tips for ongoing care of outdoor cats
how to tell the difference between a tame stray and a feral cat
and more!
All participants will receive packets with information on resources for helping feral cats, including low-cost and free veterinary services. This article was provided by voices for animals

HuckleberryArts

I wanted to take a second to show you this awesome artist and just one of her awesome shops.

Huckleberry Arts makes so many awesome items to I like. For example this painting.

Say Hello to Mr Whiskers.And his Crow Griend they go everywhere together. Seems the crow has found a perfect place to be. Mr Whiskers is a creation of mine, he hasnt popped into my head in over a year last night he appeared and boy what an appearence he made.Completely Free Hand Painted. With a Whimsical Primitive fill to him.Painted on Smooth Watercolor 110lb weight CanvasUsing Acrylics Signed Dated numbered 1/1A Fun Kitty to add to your collection to add to your Collection. He is one to put a smile on your face. for more of these awesome paintings and much much more please visit: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=28421&op=new&body=1

pigstuff.com is having a special sale

For the next days I am running a special on all Christmas card orders.All card orders received by Oct, 10th will receive a 10 percent discount. Go to www.pigstuff.com and check out the wonderful holiday cards.

While you are there check out the new blank card assortment as well as the all new 20 card assortment pack that will always have you prepared for those special days for the special people in your life.

Pig Santa Candle by DeesCandleDeelites

Now the fisrt candle I saw in this awesome shop was the santa pig candle on the left I email ed deescandle and soon found out that there are many many pig candles some not even listed at the moment on this awesome site. I have tons of pig stuff but have never seen these candles before. The quality on these candles is just awesome. Go and check out deescandle shop for yourself: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7261107

Hungry Henry Candycane Holder christmas ornament/decoration

I love this shop Aunti Franni always has the most awesome stuff. This machine embroidered pig is a cute way to hang a candy cane on your tree, also a cute ornament without the candy cane. Great gift for your child's teacher, coach, newspaper boy etc.3.89"(w) x 3.76"(h) (98.9 x 95.5mm)Want different colored stitching than what I have just let me know. for more of these awesome items please visit: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=9966&op=new&body=1

The Medicine Chest by SHepherds Green

Recommended pig care items to have on hand
Peroxide with a spray top. Very handy for cuts that he won't let you touch.
A water based antibiotic spray such as spectomycin and water. Ask your vet for the antibiotic and the solution strength. Great to have hanging on the fence and handy.
Antihistamine (like Benedryl or Zyrtec). As with any animal, breathing difficulties from allergies can occur. If he is unable to take a pill, mash a Benedryl in a little water to make a paste and smear it in his mouth. Use human dosage. There is a chewable Benedryl that tastes like grape soda for kids.. most pigs will take it.
Aspirin. If he gets a hurt leg or foot or other obvious painful condition aspirin can be used for a day or two . Longer use can be dangerous to the stomach. Never use any other human pain relievers like Ibuprophens. For long term problems like arthritis and other bone and joint problems see the section on Arthritis All PBP vets now recommend that if you use any kind of pain killer, steroidal or non steroidal, you should give a stomach acid reducer such as Prilosec or Ranitidine (both available over the counter) at the same time.
SMZ is the number one used antibiotic on the farm here. Easy to crush, easy to feed in any sandwich, its very effective for a wide range of ills. Tetracyclene and Amoxycillin are two other common antibiotics that are used frequently. Have them on hand and call your vet for dosages and recommendations at the first sign of infection. Another handy drug is Doxycyclene which is a once a day antibiotic which can make medicating a lot less complicated for a pig who hates taking pills.
All pills can be crushed and put into a pill sandwich with mayonnaise or ketchup or jam. You may have to get creative if he decides he doesn't want to take it and vary the sandwich content. Worst case, crush the pill or open the capsule and mix with a tiny amount of liquid, pull it up into a syringe (be sure to remove the needle!!) and just squirt it in his mouth. There are handy feeding syringes for this purpose (See link of the Essentials" page. )
Other sure fire ways to get him to take a pill:I have found most all my pill refusers will change their mind if I roll the pill in a nice big hunk of sugar cookie dough. Buy the refrigerator roll type and it keeps a long time. Other good taste teasers for the finicky medicine taker: Pumpkin pie mix, turkey stuffing mix, and gorgonzola cheese. Or >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Crush it and mix into eggnog or Gatorade Or >>>>>>>>>>>Break into tiny bits and put each bit into a canned peach halve or a fat jelly bean. Or >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Hide pill in hot dog bites ( there are vegetarian hot dogs available, but pigs are omnivores and eating meat does not harm them)
(Be sure that you NEVER give a pig any pork products. The risk of returning hog cholera to our country is very real today with so much pork coming from Mexico where it is rampant. Ingesting a tiny piece of ham from your plate or a left over slice of pepperoni pizza could bring back this disease that was eradicated 50 years ago. ). Any meats your pig eats should be fully cooked. Ham, pepperoni, salami, and many other pork products are not cooked.. just smoke cured..

Fire Hydrant Doggy Bucket Organizer w/bath towel and mat by Charspirit

Doggy Organizer Bucket Cover that goes on any 2 qt paint bucket (the one shown in picture) made with pre-washed fabric to prevent shrinkage with assorted pockets on side to keep all your doggy needs of medications, shampoos, brushes, clippers or whatever it needs all in one place.Includes regular size bath towel pre-washed & binded with matching material. Along with bone shaped pre-washed mat for your doggies food and water. For more of these awesome items please visit: www.charspirit.artfire.com

Adding a second Pig by Shepherds Green

Adding a second Pig.
Pigs are herd animals and it is best that they have one of their own kind for companionship. It has no effect on their relationship with you. But it gives them a buddy to sleep with, argue with, and just be with. It increases the quality of their life greatly.
If you already have a pig and decide to add another there are a few things to consider.
First, what is the size and attitude of your pig? If large and aggressive he will be very rough on the newcomer. If large and shy he will still fight but won't be as rough. In general, a young pig is the best choice to add as it is not as threatening to the resident pig and pigs will not hurt a youngster like they will another adult pig.
Almost all meetings between strange pigs result in a fight. Usually it is harmless, a few scratches down their sides and then they become friends. Occasionally they will rip an ear or a lip. Pigs with large tusks should not be mixed without having the tusks cut first. It doesn't seem to make much difference between introducing males to males or females. (Providing they are all neutered; never introduce two unneutered males). The least fighting will occur if the pigs can be put together in an area which neither has claim to. A neutral space. After they have been together for a day or two, then move them back to the regular living area. Do not introduce them INSIDE the house.
One pig will end up being "boss" and from then on there will be no more fuss. If you adopt from the us we will try to make a match that will be agreeable.
Many of a pigs woes can be cured by the addition of another pig. It is a natural condition for them. People, dogs and cats are fine, but another pig is a true kindred spirit. They sleep together and pal around together and fuss with each other, getting many emotional needs filled that we can't fill for them any other way.
If your new pig and the original pig refuse to sleep together at first, give them time. They may need many months before they feel comfortable enough to share their most vulnerable and private space. Plan to accommodate separate sleeping areas if needed. visit for more info: http://www.9sites.com/pigcare.htm#2pigs