 Since February is considered the “Love Month” or as pig lovers call it: “Valenswine’s Day” and/or “LOVEuary” as The Hallmark Channel calls it, we thought it would be heartwarming to include a LOVE story which led to a touching and fun Wedding. Here is Nancy’s story for this month. Intro about Nancy: Since 1981, Brian and I own and have lived off a gravel road, far from the beaten path. It’s a 200-acre property with many ponds, creeks and woods. Our house cannot be seen from the road. We consider this our paradise away from the maddening crowds and noise of big cities. It is peaceful and picturesque and close the city of Columbia, Missouri. We have starlit night skies and gorgeous sunsets. There are pastures, paddocks and corrals for working and loading of cattle. As well as buildings for storage and repairs of farming equipment and hay harvests. The pig building has outdoor runs defined on east and west sides of building with pig fencing that attaches to the interior space that is climate controlled and with defined areas for farrowing and keeping pigs in pens suited for their age and sex. This was designed by Nancy and carried out with Brian’s expertise in hiring contractors for excavation of the site and construction of the building. Brian, myself, and a skilled friend did all the plumbing, electrical, and interior features needed in the building. Various stalls with housing designed and built for farrowing and resident pigs. There is a storage room separated from the main building. This provides space for a washer and dryer, small frig and microwave, medications and farrowing supplies and other necessary items. Hot and cold running water are in both Palace areas. Circulation fans are installed in the main pig area. Each pig’s interior house is equipped with a heat lamp installed in such a way that a fire cannot occur. This building project was quite a feat that we both are very proud of. It has been proven a well-designed and built space expressly to meet potbellied pigs every need. Hence, the Piggy Palace. Sorry, this has been such a long explanation but demonstrates the intention put into this two-year project. Now for the fun part: It is our custom to host two big parties each year. In the summer there is a wonderful pond party. Folks bring coolers and refreshments to share and it’s a day at the beach, as it were. We hauled what seems like tons and tons of sand to our pond so we would be walking on sand and not grass or dirt. Folks brought their canoes and tents and we spent the day splashing, rowing, sunning and sharing funny stories. Winter parties always had a pig theme. Banjo’s Birthday was the usual, but January 27, 1990 was the wedding of my first pair of potbellied pigs. Yoda being the boar groom, and Jitterbug the gilt bride, would be joined in Holy Pigtrimony. There was much preparation to be done. I made an appointment to take Jitterbug to my hairdresser to have a fake diamond stud ear piercing. As you can imagine this caused a ton of attention and frankly disbelief. We took her in the back room so I could hold her while the deed was done. Obviously, the pig squealing ensued and was heard in the main salon. You are all aware of how that sounds! High and loud screeching! Then Jitterbug pranced proudly through the salon down the sidewalk back to the car with her new adornment. Fancy, fancy Jitterbug. Next came the designing and marking of their wardrobes. The groom would be wearing a pink satin cummerbund with matching bow tie. I made Jitterbug a lace veil worn over her neck and a pink garter on her front leg. A most dashing couple. The bridesmaid wore a Banjo t-shirt stuffed to form her potbelly along with a pig snout. The groomsman also had a stuffed shirt and a pig snout. I believe I remember a flower girl who was assigned to keep tidbits of kibble in front of the betrothed to urge them to keep moving forward. The Pastor was me, dressed in a two-piece dress suit, adorned with a black bowtie. The attendees watched in awe, or perhaps a better word would be ‘dumbfounded’ by this most unusual display. The Wedding Vows Read by Pigstress & Pastor, Nancy Shepherd Dearly Pigloved We are gathered here this evening in the presence of thee witnesses to join this gilt and this boar in holy piglock. If any boar or sow has just cause why these piglets should not be joined in Holy pigtrimony, let them grunt now or forever hold their peace. And now Jitterbug and Yoda wish to exchange their personal vows as translated by their matron of honor and best boar. (Pigs talk to each other privately) “Ouff-ouff-ouff-ouff” I now pronounce you husband & wife. Yoda, you may now snurddle the bride. What God has joined together, let no swine put asunder. Enjoy these photos and captions. Wish you could have joined us!

 Since February is considered the “Love Month” or as pig lovers call it: “Valenswine’s Day” and/or “LOVEuary” as The Hallmark Channel calls it, we thought it would be heartwarming to include a LOVE story which led to a touching and fun Wedding. Here is Nancy’s story for this month. Intro about Nancy: Since 1981, Brian and I own and have lived off a gravel road, far from the beaten path. It’s a 200-acre property with many ponds, creeks and woods. Our house cannot be seen from the road. We consider this our paradise away from the maddening crowds and noise of big cities. It is peaceful and picturesque and close the city of Columbia, Missouri. We have starlit night skies and gorgeous sunsets. There are pastures, paddocks and corrals for working and loading of cattle. As well as buildings for storage and repairs of farming equipment and hay harvests. The pig building has outdoor runs defined on east and west sides of building with pig fencing that attaches to the interior space that is climate controlled and with defined areas for farrowing and keeping pigs in pens suited for their age and sex. This was designed by Nancy and carried out with Brian’s expertise in hiring contractors for excavation of the site and construction of the building. Brian, myself, and a skilled friend did all the plumbing, electrical, and interior features needed in the building. Various stalls with housing designed and built for farrowing and resident pigs. There is a storage room separated from the main building. This provides space for a washer and dryer, small frig and microwave, medications and farrowing supplies and other necessary items. Hot and cold running water are in both Palace areas. Circulation fans are installed in the main pig area. Each pig’s interior house is equipped with a heat lamp installed in such a way that a fire cannot occur. This building project was quite a feat that we both are very proud of. It has been proven a well-designed and built space expressly to meet potbellied pigs every need. Hence, the Piggy Palace. Sorry, this has been such a long explanation but demonstrates the intention put into this two-year project. Now for the fun part: It is our custom to host two big parties each year. In the summer there is a wonderful pond party. Folks bring coolers and refreshments to share and it’s a day at the beach, as it were. We hauled what seems like tons and tons of sand to our pond so we would be walking on sand and not grass or dirt. Folks brought their canoes and tents and we spent the day splashing, rowing, sunning and sharing funny stories. Winter parties always had a pig theme. Banjo’s Birthday was the usual, but January 27, 1990 was the wedding of my first pair of potbellied pigs. Yoda being the boar groom, and Jitterbug the gilt bride, would be joined in Holy Pigtrimony. There was much preparation to be done. I made an appointment to take Jitterbug to my hairdresser to have a fake diamond stud ear piercing. As you can imagine this caused a ton of attention and frankly disbelief. We took her in the back room so I could hold her while the deed was done. Obviously, the pig squealing ensued and was heard in the main salon. You are all aware of how that sounds! High and loud screeching! Then Jitterbug pranced proudly through the salon down the sidewalk back to the car with her new adornment. Fancy, fancy Jitterbug. Next came the designing and marking of their wardrobes. The groom would be wearing a pink satin cummerbund with matching bow tie. I made Jitterbug a lace veil worn over her neck and a pink garter on her front leg. A most dashing couple. The bridesmaid wore a Banjo t-shirt stuffed to form her potbelly along with a pig snout. The groomsman also had a stuffed shirt and a pig snout. I believe I remember a flower girl who was assigned to keep tidbits of kibble in front of the betrothed to urge them to keep moving forward. The Pastor was me, dressed in a two-piece dress suit, adorned with a black bowtie. The attendees watched in awe, or perhaps a better word would be ‘dumbfounded’ by this most unusual display. The Wedding Vows Read by Pigstress & Pastor, Nancy Shepherd Dearly Pigloved We are gathered here this evening in the presence of thee witnesses to join this gilt and this boar in holy piglock. If any boar or sow has just cause why these piglets should not be joined in Holy pigtrimony, let them grunt now or forever hold their peace. And now Jitterbug and Yoda wish to exchange their personal vows as translated by their matron of honor and best boar. (Pigs talk to each other privately) “Ouff-ouff-ouff-ouff” I now pronounce you husband & wife. Yoda, you may now snurddle the bride. What God has joined together, let no swine put asunder. Enjoy these photos and captions. Wish you could have joined us!