Happy New Year 2011
Western Colorado Potbelly Pig Education Health Center
& 
Pig-A-Sus Homestead Sanctuary
&
Ms. Pearlie Lo Hullahanna

Wow, what a 2010 year we have had. Out of the 15 years that we have been in Rescue and Education this is one of the most productive years that we have experienced.

First off, we would like to thank all of those who have supported and sponsored us thru the years and those that continue to make a “DREAM” come true. In 1996 when Thumper crossed to “Rainbow Bridge” there was no doubt that she was going to have a Legacy that would never let her be forgotten, But this has managed, with the help of friends, supporters of the most Unique Companion Animals in the world, and most of all Rocky, my husband, who has put up with tears, frustrations, many long hours of work, not only to support the Pig-A-Sus, but to keep us going in all other aspects, this “Dream and Legacy of Thumper and now Pearlie Jo” has spread world wide, along with the heart and soul of all the potbelly pigs that we have had cross our hearts in the last 15 years, it has been an experience that can not ever be forgotten.

We have, as the years have gone by, met and expanded our friendship with 100’s of people all over the world. Met fantastic other potbelly pig persons and have been able to develop a working and medical relationship with many, not only renowned Veterinarians, (My buddy, Dr. Carr & Dr. Kristi) plus Veterinarians all over the USA who call to consult or for referrals. The potbelly pig web sites and list of other rescues has been a wonderful “life-line” in unusual medical problems along with just day to day questions. Sharing is one of the most educational lessons that a person in rescue will ever learn. No two experiences will ever be the same. Thanks to all of you who continue to share and educate the 1st time potbelly pig owner or prospective owner.

The Pig-A-Sus and Western Colorado Potbelly Pig Education Health Center, LLC, (our non-profit division) has grown to miles beyond what we started, with surprises all along the way. One of the biggest surprises coming this year.

Like many of those of us in rescue, grants and donations are sparse, and a lot of your organization financial is out of pocket dollars that you give up out of your personal income. This year has been very difficult for the Pig-A-Sus with the economy affecting our full time jobs and sometimes health issues.

Many of you know that we started, in 2009, a “Heated-Hut Program, as we have mostly potbelly pigs with “Special Needs & those over the age of 10/11.” Last year we finished the first phase of the Program with the completion of 7 heated huts (see website). These are wonderful for the “Ole Timers” in the winter and summer plus has really depleted a lot of additional medical for these guys

Mr. Lujan, who at age 70, helped design and built all 7, passed away on December 30, 2010. We have continued to design for the other 8 huts that needed to be built and save what donations that we have received for this remaining project. We have found people who will donate time to help -and finish the construction of the 8 remaining huts.. At Christmas this year, we finally went public and ask for the public’s help to finish the program, so that we can move on to other aspects of Education and Health. We chose not to have a “Christmas Open House” to cut cost. Several of the “Special Needs Groups” that visit regularly understood that we are having a difficult time with finances and they pitched in with ways to get people to donate, which is something that will never be forgotten. It makes every minute of hard work, tears and love for the potbelly pig worth more than most people will ever understand.

We set a goal of $5,000.00 to finish the last 8 Heated-Huts in the Program. We did a redesign, cutting cost by about 40% of the other huts and went public with our plan. Thanks to one of our sponsors, Jean Reynolds, of KKCO NBC Channel 11, in Grand Junction, Colorado the community became aware of what we do for the Community and more importantly what we do for the Potbelly Pig and it’s survival to have a quality of life. We also posted a newsletter that we were becoming concerned that we would not be able to complete our projects and be able to purchase more feed for the year without additional financial assistance, something that is very difficult to ask for on our part. It was amazing the phone calls that we received, the people who stopped by with donations, saying that they love what we are doing and want us to continue to be able to have the Pig-A-Sus open for visits , kiss-a- pig and one on one for the kids to play with animals. One family, who visits frequently, when their children are out of school, told us, that they told the kids that the Pig-A-Sus was having a difficult time this year and wasn’t going to have their yearly Christmas Open House with Santa. Their little boy, age 6, told his parents that he wanted to write Santa a letter and tell him to bring some of his presents to the “Piggies” at the Pig-A-Sus, because he wanted to come and play with them and he wanted them to have warm houses to live in like him. Donations came started to come in and what came you knew was from the heart and the love for the Potbelly Pig. Some had letters saying they wished they could donate more, but here is something to use for whatever was needed and to keep up the good work, not only for the animals, but the community also.

Then, a few days before Christmas, 2 families, One who has adopted 2 potbelly pigs from the Pig-A-Sus as additions to their family, and one who has in the past helped with the 1st phase of the program of the heated huts, made ever so generous donations & together we can complete the project.
                             “ALL POTBELLY PIGS WILL HAVE HEATED HUTS.”

We are so excited and just extremely grateful, in this time of need that so many persons have stepped forward to help with our organization, What a blessed Christmas it has been for the Pig-A-Sus and Western Colorado Potbelly Pig Education Health Center.

May all of you have a wonderful 2011 and be blessed for all that you do for the animals of the world who are less fortunate in the abuse and neglect that is bestowed upon them.

Animals are “Man’s best friend and sometimes their only COMPANION.”

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR APPRECIATION OF WHAT WE DO
and
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!