Burnie’s Memorial

Memories of Burnie…

Burnie was and will always be my best friend---May 23, 2003---June 20th 2019. I want to thank Nancy Shepherd for educating me and being there for the 16 years we shared our lives with him, she opened up a new world for me. With her encouragement I had him doing tricks 2 days after a got him! We were not club members then and behind in the pig world not knowing how as everybody else had pigs way before we did. Melissa Maxwell really helped me learn more and suggested I could do shows with him! At that time I thought all pigs did tricks! Not true! Burnie was unique because he loved his tricks! That's why he was called "The Trick Master". He did many shows at the Pet Expo fair that used to be held twice a year in Hillsboro. There were also shows at local feed stores to promote Dr. Cole's mini pig feed. I also want to thank Chris Patton who has been my right hand person to help with all of Burnie’s shows. In 2009 Burnie developed a lump on his jaw so we took him to see Dr. Cole. The diagnosis was “Lumpy Jaw”, an infection in the jaw bone. This condition is very resistant to treatment but Dr. Cole tried numerous conventional and non- conventional treatments and remained in a supportive role even after she retired and up until his last day. When he passed Burnie’s condition had progressed to double lumpy Jaw. After Dr. Cole retired, I found Dr. Blake. In 2015. Dr. Blake was working at Woodburn Veterinary Hospital and one of the few local Vets that would work on Pet Pigs. Now days he is a mobile now and recommended by the NWMPA. Dr. Blake is also the Vet we use for the club sponsored vet clinics. He has proved unbelievably helpful and supportive through Burnie’s problems. In 2012 Burnie started to suffer from noticeable arthritis at 8 years old which was very worrisome! I distinctly remember Dr. Cole telling me “the lumpy jaw won't get him but the arthritis will.” About 2 weeks before we had to euthanize him he started walking on his back ankle's not on his hoof, Dr. Blake increased his Gabapentin and no improvement, his whole back end was out now, we tried Prednisone no luck, it was something in his spine perhaps a pinched nerve, or a tumor, or possible arthritis in his spine. It was obvious he was in pain and could no longer get up or walk without two people supporting his body with towels, which was no easy task for Ron and me! It was then that we made the choice to euthanize him. The process went very peacefully, again, thanks to Dr. Blake. A heartfelt THANK YOU to each and every one for being there for Ron and I. We loved him so much and his memory will be with us forever! ~ Ron/Patty Hill 

Burnie’s Memorial

Memories of Burnie…

Burnie was and will always be my best friend---May 23, 2003---June 20th 2019. I want to thank Nancy Shepherd for educating me and being there for the 16 years we shared our lives with him, she opened up a new world for me. With her encouragement I had him doing tricks 2 days after a got him! We were not club members then and behind in the pig world not knowing how as everybody else had pigs way before we did. Melissa Maxwell really helped me learn more and suggested I could do shows with him! At that time I thought all pigs did tricks! Not true! Burnie was unique because he loved his tricks! That's why he was called "The Trick Master". He did many shows at the Pet Expo fair that used to be held twice a year in Hillsboro. There were also shows at local feed stores to promote Dr. Cole's mini pig feed. I also want to thank Chris Patton who has been my right hand person to help with all of Burnie’s shows. In 2009 Burnie developed a lump on his jaw so we took him to see Dr. Cole. The diagnosis was “Lumpy Jaw”, an infection in the jaw bone. This condition is very resistant to treatment but Dr. Cole tried numerous conventional and non-conventional treatments and remained in a supportive role even after she retired and up until his last day. When he passed Burnie’s condition had progressed to double lumpy Jaw. After Dr. Cole retired, I found Dr. Blake. In 2015. Dr. Blake was working at Woodburn Veterinary Hospital and one of the few local Vets that would work on Pet Pigs. Now days he is a mobile now and recommended by the NWMPA. Dr. Blake is also the Vet we use for the club sponsored vet clinics. He has proved unbelievably helpful and supportive through Burnie’s problems. In 2012 Burnie started to suffer from noticeable arthritis at 8 years old which was very worrisome! I distinctly remember Dr. Cole telling me “the lumpy jaw won't get him but the arthritis will.” About 2 weeks before we had to euthanize him he started walking on his back ankle's not on his hoof, Dr. Blake increased his Gabapentin and no improvement, his whole back end was out now, we tried Prednisone no luck, it was something in his spine perhaps a pinched nerve, or a tumor, or possible arthritis in his spine. It was obvious he was in pain and could no longer get up or walk without two people supporting his body with towels, which was no easy task for Ron and me! It was then that we made the choice to euthanize him. The process went very peacefully, again, thanks to Dr. Blake. A heartfelt THANK YOU to each and every one for being there for Ron and I. We loved him so much and his memory will be with us forever! ~ Ron/Patty Hill 