Some Memories Will Never Fade

When you connect with another being in such a way that you can sit in silence together and know that you are comforting each other, you know you've found an eternal friend.




I feel that the bonds that are made between people and animals are more often than not stronger than bonds between people. I feel this even more after the bonds I've seen and made here at Ironwood. We have over 600 pigs here and each and every pig is special in their own way. Of course, though, we all develop special bonds with certain pigs.


We have had a wave of sick pigs lately which has also brought on deaths, either naturally or through euthanization. Each one brings on much emotional pain but also comfort in knowing that our pigs have great lives here at Ironwood and are shown a huge amount of love.



From the first time I met Boris I knew he was a special boy. I was first drawn to him because of his adorable, spotted nose and his big smile. I also had a dog named Boris pass away a few years ago that was very special to me, so I had a feeling that Boris the pig would also be special. I spent a lot of time with him and spoke of him often. I would brush him and give him extra treats and juice.

He had been battling liver problems for a while and had a rough time this winter. Last week we noticed his stomach was looking bloated and he just wasn't acting right. Wednesday was my day off so I sat with him and tried to comfort him. He laid his head into my chest as I petted him. The next morning he wouldn't get up, instead he stayed in bed with his teddy bear. Boris was rushed to the vet and we learned that his gallbladder and liver were enlarged. He also had many cysts/tumors/abscesses on and around his liver. Boris had to be euthanized. He was 17.

Boris was shown so much love and attention. We still look towards his pen where he used to stand in the sunlight. He will be missed dearly and never forgotten.

The Neverending Abscess

Poor Spike has been dealing with his shoulder abscess for months. I think we are finally making progress!!

We were given a new antibiotic to use, Amikacin. We only started using it over the weekend and it already seems to be making a difference. We have to use it once a day till the 13th and flush his abscess daily.

Spike has been a real trooper through all this. Daily flushings and subQ shots. I hope the end of this abscess is near for him!!

Acupuncture and Belly Rubs

Since I've joined Ironwood I have learned so much about pigs. One thing I have learned that I found interesting is that a lot of them like to stand in certain cacti. It feels good as it scratches their skin. We have a few that like their daily dose of cactus pokes. Today I was out in our Sunset field and caught Squealy Dan getting some pokes. If you watch closely you can see his hair stand up in comfort.
You will also see Charlotte come over for some attention. She is infamous for collapsing for belly rubs. Apparently she wants one even if it's from the pugs!

I'd Like That in an Extra Small

I'm sure we all remember when "teacup" dogs became all the rage. Everyone started getting excited about tiny dogs that stay tiny. Spending hundreds and even thousands of dollars to make sure they had the cutest little dog ever.

Then came along "teacup" pigs. Teacup pigs became popular in the U.S. last year and are still becoming more and more popular. We are still receiving phone calls and emails from people asking for one.

I know not all animals that are bred to be small end up with health problems, but the chances of this happening are very high. We have pigs here at Ironwood that were bred to be small and appealing. As they are indeed cute, they suffer from numerous health problems. The problems range from arthritis to lung/nasal conditions. And as you can see, they ended up here.

Meet Emily. We call her Bulldog Emily, and I'm sure you can see why. She weighs no more than 90lbs. She suffers from coughing and a snotty nose. She is on doxycycline which is an antibiotic that can be used to treat sinusitis.

Now meet Nate. Cute little boy that is constantly coughing and choking on his food. He comes from a breeder in the Northeast. We can't adopt him out as health problems aren't appealing and we need to be sure whomever he ended up with would truly take care of him as he will need to be on and off medication for the rest of his life. **We recently had x-rays done on his chest and his condition is not treatable so we will be caring for this sweet boy and ensuring he is comfortable and happy.

Seeing small pigs is adorable indeed, but knowing that they suffer so that people can say "awww" is just not fair. Please be aware of the process that takes place to breed dwarf animals and the outcomes. If you hear people talking about "teacup" pigs don't be afraid to chime in and let them know that "teacup" can still mean more than 60 lbs and more health problems.

Product of Divorce

Not only are the kids effected, but so are the pets!

This is Cinderella. He is a lovely but scared boy. He used to be part of a family with a little girl that lovingly named him Cinderella. He is now an old boy at 15 years old. After the divorce the dad was left with him. Apparently he did not want to build him a proper shelter or a wallow and would rather get rid of him. He had been making sure he stayed warm and such but came to the point where he didn't want to be the one taking care of him.

Thankfully Ironwood Pig Sanctuary exists! Cinderella is currently being called Cid or Cinderfella. He arrived scared and unsure of his surroundings but has been getting used to his new shelter and our voices.

Bilbo Baggins is Still With Us!

Bilbo has been having issues with an infection in his left eye and recently had an abscess produce on his forehead. We were worried that he had a serious infection going on in his head that would not be treatable.

Pokey had this issue. Months ago he was having issues with an infection in his right eye and we discovered that he had a massive infection brewing behind his eye. He dealt with having a catheter inserted in his eye so that we could flush the infection. Lately he had been acting disoriented and wasn't quite himself. He went to the doctor earlier this week and we learned that the infection had taken over his head. It had even eaten through the bones and there was nothing that could be done. Sadly, Pokey had to be euthanized. This has been really hard for us here as Pokey was quite the fixture here. He will always have a special place in our hearts.

With this recent event with Pokey we were worried that Bilbo had the same problem.
Bilbo went to the vet yesterday. I said my goodbye in the morning as we didn't know if he would make it back. To our surprise Bilbo did not have the same problem! His abscess is treatable and there was not a large infection brewing. Bilbo had a drain inserted in his abscess. He is having a hard recovery but should make it through well.

Spike also went in for an abscess this week. We've been flushing it for a good while now with no progress. The doctor had to go in deep to get out all of

the pus and infection. Penicillin was put directly on the problem areas and then a drain was inserted. He has been recovering well and should heal well.

Abscesses are a never ending issue here. Certain pigs get them over and over. We have them on a rotating antibiotic cycle and keep a close eye on them. We also have a few pigs with infections similar to Pokey's. They get infections on their jaw that are not treatable and will eventually be what kills them.

Big Boys Need Love Too!

It's hard to see so many pigs and only get a limited amount of time with them every day. I know that there are so many that would love more attention. Not all pigs can mingle well with other pigs and some are older and more lame and simply cannot be around the more active pigs.

Wilbur came to Ironwood in 2006 with his pal Pinky. They were in a petting zoo at the Phoenix Zoo and became 'too big'. Pinky died unexpectedly within 2 years of their arrival. Wilbur is only 6 years old and spends his days alone in his own field. He is a Yucatan and cute as can be. He loves getting apples, back scratches and belly rubs. I feel bad that he used to have a pal to snuggle with and now is alone. Since he cannot be with any of our other pigs I thought he should have a pillow buddy. I found a large stuffed swordfish that I thought would be a good fit for Wilbur. If he doesn't rip it to bits it will make a good pillow and warming companion.

Boris is another boy that I feel needs a companion. As you know Boris has been sick lately and is an older boy, but he sure loves getting attention and having someone around him. I found a large teddy bear that I thought he might like. Now, Boris likes to rip his blankets up and wear them, so I'm not sure if he will rip up the bear or not. Today he sniffed it and checked it out and then cuddled with it.