Get facts before going hog wild over piglet

Dear Readers: Some exotic pets start out small and cuddly, but can end up requiring a lot of work and expense, and they grow much larger than expected! A good example of this is a potbellied pig. It is a popular pet, but you must realize the commitment needed to bring one into your home:
Even though the pigs are little and adorable when they are young, depending on the breed they can end up weighing 100 or more pounds. And, with proper care, these pigs can live up to 20 years!
The pigs do need veterinary care, so before getting one, you need to make sure that there is a vet in your area who will treat your pig. The pig breeder should be able to give you information about the vaccines that will be required for your pig.
It is necessary to have your pig fixed so that it doesn't exhibit aggressive traits. Again, the breeder or veterinarian will help you judge when is the best time to do this.
Pigs can be good pets; they can be housebroken and add joy to a home. But, it is important that you realize the care that is required for this animal. Every year, hundreds are brought in to pig rescue centers because families can no longer handle them. Heloise
Dear Readers: Dick and Bettie Black of San Antonio sent in a photo of their dog Molly sitting up begging. The Blacks say: "Molly is a shepherd mix adopted from the San Antonio Humane Society. When you ask her if she would like to go for a walk, a ride or if she wants a treat and then say, 'Well, what do you do?' she assumes the sit-up posture. Then you can say, 'Give me a high-five,' and she will touch her paw to your hand." Visit my Web site at Heloise.com and click on Pet of the Week to see the photo of Molly. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I have a large dog that stays outside some of the time in the summer. Whenever I get home, I let him in. The problem is that he always digs big holes in the backyard. It was annoying, because as fast as I covered the hole up, he would dig it up again. A friend suggested that I sprinkle some red pepper around the dirt once I fill in the hole. This did the trick -- no more digging! Hooray! George in Norman, Okla.
Dear Heloise: I have two small Chihuahuas, and whenever I feed them, they slide their dishes all over the kitchen. To keep this from continuing, I put a small piece of shelf liner under the bowls. Now the bowls stay put, and everyone is happier! Sandy H., Cleveland
Send a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate