|
 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|||
Perched high on a cliff, above the sea near the tiny fishing town of Gig Harbor, WA, a bevy of pampered porkers basks in wading pools, munch sweet grass, and occasionally wander indoors, hoping to receive a low-fat cookie and a belly rub. Due to the maritime influence, summers on the harbor are comfortably warm, and winters are mild, with virtually no freezing or snow. Life is good.
The heavily-wooded secluded acreage includes a massive 30,000 sq. ft. lawn surrounded by a lush, protected rain forest. The perimeter of the lawn has been left totally natural, and ancient cedars and evergreens tower over old growth stumps, wild blackberries, ferns, and endless snapdragons and wild poppies. The swiners love to explore the fragrant and always changing wild vegetation, or just lay in the sun, soaking up the warm rays reflected from the nearby sea.
Deer can be seen almost every day, as well as an occasional bald eagle, red fox, or raccoon.
The pigs even have their own saltwater beach, where they can chase seagulls, root clams, or tentatively dip a hoof in the foamy surf. They are encouraged to exercise and keep fit (after all they are professional athletes) and Steve Valentine jogs with the pigs.
The housebroken hoofers live indoors, and are fastidiously clean compared to most pets. Several of the pigs have their own room, and Nellie's is adorned with her own publicity stills, TV and newspaper articles, and trophies earned at pig shows, the precursors to her fame. The house is adorned with a plethora of unusual pig collectibles, including a full-sized carousel pig, a 300# pig bench, and antique Victorian piggies.
The stage stars are trained using only postitive reinforcement and the swiners' tails wag like propellers when it's time for a training session. They love a challenge, even if the reward is only one kernel of popcorn.
To Steve and Priscilla Valentine, the pigs were not pets...they were family, and have been for years. TV camera crews from England, Germany, and Japan have flown to America just to film the oinkers in their home, as well as the National Geographic "World Magazine" and scores of TV shows and newspapers. They all want to see how the primadonna of pigdom, "Nellie", and the other super star porkers lived. Of course, you have to have a sense of humor to live with "hams"! |
|||
|
Maintained by Wimberly's Web Works For more info, E-Mail the Webmaster |