These Little Piggies Stay Home

These little Piggies Stay Home

There is a very serious side of being a potbellied pig family. That is the awareness that your dear piggy might not be welcome where you live.

There are Potbellied pig companion pets that are losing their homes all over this country every day. In the Unites States especially there is a very big problem with neighbors that don’t either like their neighbor or one that does not want to live next door to a Pig as a pet.

This is where we have had to step in, and help to keep the mostly older ,pig in their home.

I have been involved in numerous cases these last ten years where a Potbellied pig has been a household pet for many years, and all of a sudden someone decides that this animal is not a pet, but it is livestock. The papers are filed and the family receives a notice from the municipality that they have anywhere from ten days to two weeks to remove the beloved family pet or they will be fined in some cases up to $300.00 a day.

Of course the first thing the family does is panic which is the very worst thing they can do in this situation. They don’t understand nor do they know that they are able to fight to keep their pet piggy.

Here is where all the information about out Potbellied pigs being pets comes in to play. Over the years I have been able to compile key information to be used to fight “City Hall”, and win I might add.

With the strategies that I have acquired ,and used successfully in other cases I am able to send the families to a zoning hearing board very well prepared to win their cases.

Over the years I have found in most cases if they use the proper information, and don’t panic . If they present their case in a well planned ,and professional manor they will win hands down.

The key to winning is to acquire the right tools to fight the case. I might also add that not all cases are alike but almost all the cases are based on the livestock laws or swine laws that were put on the books long before the Potbellied Pig was ever in this country. Pre 1985 The laws that they use to kick the pet pig out of their loving home ,are always laws that if given the real definition, pertain to breeder, and feeder pigs which we can prove, without a shadow of a doubt , do not pertain to our pet Potbellied pigs, and never have.

In most municipalities there is absolutely no law at all either for or against the pet Potbellied pig , and any law that is drafted ,and passed after the Potbelly is sited can not pertain either so any potbellied pig living in that city must be grand fathered , and should be safe ,and sound at home on their couch watching TV.

This is what I have been doing for the last ten years there is a zoning website that anyone can use the information ,and a phone number , e-mail address to contact me for help.

http://www.petpigzone.com/

Rebecca DiNolfi

　

The Silent Rescue



Stories come and stories go about the very sad situation in the Potbellied pig sanctuaries and all the wonderful people out there doing potbellied pig rescues all over the world..
It is my contention that nobody ever really realizes there is another very sad side to the rescue story, and that is the house pigs that already are in good loving homes and are being kicked out to die or be killed or to live the rest of their lives in a sanctuary after being a couch potato for 6 ,or 7 years. Just because a neighbor hates a neighbor. In most cases it never has anything to do with the Potbellied pig. Stories done by over zealous news paper and TV reporters about the sad situation in sanctuaries does help the sanctuary side of the rescue, but they really hurt the silent side very bad when a municipality looks at them they say ,"Look see what did we tell you "?
There was a study done years ago by the Ohio State University that showed:

34% of pigs in sanctuaries were there because of zoning problems.

So please use good judgement when you are asked to do a interview about your sanctuary ,or your rescue group, and let the news paper or TV know about the silent rescue side of the story also.

Potbellied pigs are not the companion pet for everyone, but for those of us that have them they are the greatest pets in the entire world, and we wouldn’t ever give them up for all the money in the world.

One Pig person alone has paid as high as $40,000.00 to keep her pet pigs and had to move anyway. Many others have relocated because of their companion pigs. The fight goes on all over this country every day to be able to keep a potbellied pig as a companion pet. I have 7 cases at this very moment. from Washington State to New Hampshire. So please choose your words carefully as not to harm the pigs already in homes. Fla and other states like Texas and California are hot spots because of the bad problems they have with back yard breeders.

It is getting harder and harder to win zoning cases because a lot of places are now trying to lump the Potbellied pig under the Exotics laws instead of the pet laws already on the books. Because of all the problems with Exotics not just cities but entire states are banning Exotics so be very careful about this. The sanctuaries could end up with a lot more pet pigs than they will ever be able to handle and there will be no place the Potbellied pig will be safe in the home.

I don't mean to get on my soap box but I just wanted to let you know that there is another side of the rescue problem and it involves not just the pig that was sited but in most cases the hundreds that are in the very community that is trying to ban them. In Philadelphia, Pa. there were hundreds of Potbellied pigs involved in that zoning case. These are the pigs that the families will need to hide if the zoning doesn't pass.

Thankfully they are allowed to have a pig in Philadelphia PA. now if they go to city council first to get permission and the ones already there are grand fathered in. The people that fought that battle paid over $14,000.00 in attorney fees. Thanks to all these very brave heros that fight for their pigs we all can rest easier because they paved the way.

I think that the Potbellied pig community thinks that the zoning cases only involve the Pig that was sited. NOT! It also involves all the pet pigs that reside in that community. So if we save a home for one we are also saving a home for all the resident pigs and for future pigs that need a good home.

Thanks for listening I know you will all do a great job, but sometimes the reporter likes the sensationalism of the story and they go over board and are one sided so be very careful to stress that there are lots of good people that have these wonderful guys as companion pets and wouldn't change a thing about them even the size.

 Rebecca DiNolfi
zoning consultant

http://www.petpigzone.com/　

What Will Matter

　

Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end.

　There will be no sunshine, no minutes, no hours , no days.

　All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.

. Your wealth , fame , and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.

　It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed

　Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.

　So, to, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to do lists will expire.

　The wins , and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.

　It won’t matter where you came from, or what side of the tracks you lived, at the end.

It won’t matter whether you were brilliant or beautiful.

　Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter?

　How will the value of your days be measured?

　What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built.

Not what you got , but what you gave?

　What will matter is not your success , but your significance.

　What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.

　What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage, or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

　What will matter is not your competence but your character.

　What will matter is not how many people you knew , but how many will feel a lasting loss when you are gone.

　

What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that lived in those that loved you.

　

What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom , and for what.

　

Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

　

Choose to live a life that matters.

　

By: Michael Josephson

 What Difference Do you make?

Blessings, My LadyBecky

http://www.petpigzone.com/

Genesis of a Pig

author unknown

Genesis of the Pig

A very long time ago, when the EARTH was still new and the MOTHER walked among the animals teaching them the wisdom that they would later teach to humans. She gave each animal a gift. She called them all together in the GARDEN and to some she gave the gift of beauty, to some the gift of swiftness, to some the gift of strength,and so one until each animal had received a giftfrom the MOTHER, but PIG was not there.

Pig was out looking for tasty roots and did not come to the GARDEN until the MOTHER was giving the last animal its gift. The PIG cried because the MOTHER had already given out her gifts. The MOTHER saw the PIG crying and asked what was wrong. PIG said, "I was late and now you have given away all your gifts. I will have nothing to teach the humans."

The MOTHER gently took the PIG into her lap and rubbed his ample belly, kissed his wet snout, and told him not to cry. She said, "I have saved the best gift for you PIG." PIG said, "but I am not beautiful, or strong or swift. I will be despised by humans."

The MOTHER thought for a moment on how to explainto PIG how great his gift was. Finally after awhile she said: PIG, you have all of those gifts and something more within you, but because they are within you it will take a very special person who is seeking greater wisdom to find them." PIG did not understand, but PIG trusted MOTHER and went back to digging for roots.

Humans came to the GARDEN and found all the beautiful animals with their gifts. But humans didn't care for PIG. He was not beautiful or swift, or strand and the humans shunned him, preferring the other animals who preened and showed off their gifts.

Then after awhile a woman came to PIG and sat down where PIG was eating. It was the first time that a human had come to be with PIG and he stopped eating and looked at her curiously. She looked deep into his eyes and saw the gift that the MOTHER had hidden so well and she loved PIG for who he was and respected PIG for the wonderful gift the MOTHER had given him to share with humans.

I can't put into words what the gift was that the MOTHER gave to PIG. You have to look into the eyes of PIG and find it for yourself.

For each human it will be different. It will be the gift they need to find to help them search for wisdom. Not that many humans will discover the gift PIG has to offer, they will be dazzled by the gifts the MOTHER gave to the other animals. But for those that do, they are forever changed and will never see the world in quite the same way.

They are the ones that root like PIG through what is on top to find the treasures hidden below the surface. They are the seekers of truth who understand that the truly great gifts of wisdom are not always on the surface but are hidden treasures to be found only by seeing with the heart instead of the eyes...

　

You will never know what you have missed until you have met and truely loved a pig,

Becky

http://www.petpigzone.com/

A Letter for Me from Heaven by Reggie---- transcribed by: My dear friend Mikki G.

Dear Mom,

I wish I could show you how great it is here. It’s just like the prime time

we shared in life. God has lent me a mom identical to you in every way. I am

healthy am never have to worry about snow. It is perfect here!

God has made me three promises. Comfort, a reason and contact.

He has greeted me with open arms and said, "You will be safe and happy

forever". His forever never quits! Then, out the white clouds an image came

to me. He said, "This is your real Mom in every way. Time is fast here, she

will comfort you until your human mother has made her life accomplishments.

You will never feel loneliness as you develop your new soul." I am to learn

how to prepare the way for you. Don’t worry mom, I am a quick learner and

will help you enter here with no pain or confusion.

I asked God What can I do to help my Real Moms pain? How can I fill her

emptiness?" "Why do you make her suffer so?".

He told me I was confused! That quickly I will learn to see the situation in

a different way.

Overnight I learned everything there is to understand about the two of us.

He said earth angels overcome bad situations. Our sufferings make us develop

and become stronger. When we become stronger we are able to provide the not

so strong with the ability to cope or show compassion.

He told me our unusual earthly companionship was designed because your heart

is weak. I was there to guide you toward strength and courage. He said you

are not of the norm and you would have to fight for your life of giving.

That is the only way humans learn to receive his gift of accomplishment. He

was proud of me for all I accomplished on earth in a short 15 yrs. Of course

he already new my divine design.

Earth Angels are his invisible arms to give you comfort in your weak

moments. I was confused because I am not aware of discomfort. God explained

and I gave thanks to him for planning my life with you.

I still pleaded with God to let me see you one more time. I know you need to

touch me now. I know my words could explain everything and comfort you. He

replied, "Look at yourself Reggie. You have wings and are a glowing spirit."

"Yes, you are Reggie in every way, yet you have left that tired old body on

earth." Remember time is quick here she will be here soon"".

As promised, he provided me with the ability by other means to write to you.

Mom, I promise that some day you will be provided with the ability to laugh

when you say my name. Tears will be replaced by pride and thankfulness.

Pride from the work we did will develop into higher levels of accomplishment

during your human life. This is meant to be your design.

I wish you could visit me. I will tell you I am a super star here! Mind you,

ego is not here, I say all this from the warmth in my heart. There is not

anyway to explain to humans what wonderful comfort is here.

Perhaps in your terms it can be compared to accomplishments. You think I

could do tricks down there, wait to you see me now! I play with souls that

love to run across green grasses. Kids that never had legs to run and I

teach them. I do tricks for the new children arriving until they have their

first learning class. I speak with adults about memories and ways we can

help a human. I am an "Official Greeter". I learned I was taken from you

so quickly because business is good here and I am in great demand! Mom, I am

booked all the time and I love it! It was all part of the plan. When you are

strong enough I am needed in other ways. God knows our bodies age, yet our

goodness continues.

Well Mom, God has kept his three promises and he tells me it is time to move

on. I am there with you but in a different way. Clear your thoughts Mom, and

start working as he planned. Mom, help my Pepper, she is confused. We were

blessed soul mates, and I continue to be blessed here.

Keep my name as positive thoughts Mom, and I shall guide you through your

human life. I love you more than ever. We will always be soul mates.

I love you Mom

Reggie

P.S. Top secret! Did you know that God takes your soul before your body

gives up? I never felt pain! He always has the best ideas!

Transcribed by: My dear friend Mikki G. 
http://www.petpigzone.com/

Getting a Grip on Reality

Well everyone I need to share this ,I hope I don't offend anyone. This is just my opinion on the happenings around us now.

I have been getting the same message for years from either my higher self

,my Faeries , the elementals, the animals, My Crystal Skulls or it could be just from the

person I call the "Nut in My head" The message is always the same .

It always comes to me when I am trying to grasp what is happening around

me.

I see all the losses, of people, animals and things we are not supposed

to get attached to. I am experiencing the high energy that knocks me out

,and forces me to regroup. I am going through that stage right now. When I

try to discuss it with friends that don't have the insight they just

give me a high eyebrow.

When I tell someone what my Tree told me about the Earth

I am told by certain friends that It looks like the pigs just aren't doing it for you

any more are they Becky ?.With a snicker..

Still The message I get is always the same. What Difference do you make?

In the complete picture I am feeling that this is what it is all about.

Don't just talk the talk walk the walk. .I know so many friends that keep

going to different classes to learn how to meditate this way and then a

new class says meditate that way or do this or do that.. They never apply

what they learned to their lives or any ones life.

We all are in a very confusing time here on this planet at this time. I

just came off another list where they are passing the word to get ready

to be lifted off this planet and the ships are waiting to load us now, We

don't need our luggage everything will be provided.. Who really knows

maybe they are.

I don't even know what I am trying to say any more it is so confusing.

In my humble opinion we all need to do what we personally feel is the

right thing to help whoever needs help at this time. If it takes grid

work with the skulls or Reiki or Drumming or helping children find the

magic in making a Faerie home for their Faerie garden. We need to just

be available to help where ever we can with whatever tools and gifts we

have been blessed with. We are especially blessed by having contact with

these special Skulls to help along the way ,but we all need to make a

difference in our own neck of the woods..

Now I have you all confused like me.. LOL

So we need to make a difference ,if only for one person..

Blessings of Love and Light

My Lady Becky

How To Summon The Fairies

　

Collect some Dew from the Flowers new.

Then place it on your eyelids.

Sit very quietly on a nearby rock so they all can find you.

Then Cross your toes and pinch your nose .

Take some time to Chase all your woes.

Stick your fingers in your ears.

Say I believe in Faeries.

Then wish real hard on a lucky stone, and

Feel them all surround you?

By: Rebecca DiNolfi©

Better known by the Faeries as:

My Lady Becky Fire Elfshimmer

Things Pigs Must Try to Remember

This was written by a special friend of mine , but it is so cute I had to share .Hope you don't mind Nancy.. Enjoy

Things Pigs Must Try To Remember....

　

I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the

toilet.

The garbage collector is NOT stealing MY stuff.

I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm lying under the

coffee table.

I will not try to get food crumbs from under the fridge by tipping it

with my nose.

I must shake the rainwater and mud off my hooves BEFORE entering the

house.

I will not eat the dog/cats' food, before or after they eat it.

I will stop trying to find the few remaining pieces of clean carpet in

the house when I am about to throw up.

I will not throw up or poop in the car.

"Kitty box crunchies" are not food or stuff to throw around outside the

kitty's box.

I will not eat any more of the family's houseplants, they are not MY

food. <sigh>

The kitchen garbage can is not food for me to "find" by knocking it

over.

I will not wake Mommy up by sticking my cold, wet nose up her bottom

end.

I will not sneeze in Mom's face while she it talking to me.

I will not chew my Mom's toothbrush, as this is not food.

The sofa is not a face towel. Neither are Mom & Dad's laps.

My head does not belong in the refrigerator.

I will not bite the officer's hand when he reaches in for Dad's

driver's license and car registration, the officer is not offering me

food.

I will not step on Mom's toes.

When I step on Mom's toes, I will not swivel around on her toes and

wonder why she is yelling at me.

I will not pick on the other pigs no matter how stupid they are....

Sincerely ,Emma Louise

--

The Touch of Love

The Touch of Love

As I lie on the couch my hand drifts down to feel the rough bristles on

my Potbellied Pig Reggie

Once again for these many years she is right there to give me

healing, and hope.

She is the scratchy feel of love and companionship that only we can

share.

My Reggie , and I have passed through many trials and tribulations over

the years we have shared together.

We have been constant companions ,and very best friends for all her short

life. The feel of her rough skin is comforting beyond belief because I

know we are still here together as our Higher Being meant us to be, from

the very beginning of her wonderful life.

She has taught me so much about the real meaning of why we are here on

this planet at this time, and space.

We have worked together as pet partners doing what I am doing now just

soaking in the love she radiates to any who would like to pet her small

head, and give her a scratch behind an ear.

She asks nothing in return for all the love, and laughter she abounds .

Her little head held high to receive a small treat ,and a compliment

because she is so good, and does her tricks so well.

She is my Guardian Angel in a little chubby ,black, bristled body, and I

am grateful to my Creator for sending her to me to share with everyone we

meet to help them have a better day.

That is what she was sent here to do. So even though she is not soft ,and

furry her heart sure is, and that’s all that counts in the end of time.

It’s about what we gave not what we got.

By : Becky DiNolfi

2/1/2005 ©

My Old Man Tree

My Old Man

Here I Stand My Names’ “Old Man”

I’m Keeper of the Forest Grand

My Roots run deep

My branches High

As I turn my leaves to God, and Sky

Please Hug a tree today

By: My Lady Becky Fire Elf Shimmer DiNolfi ©

A Message from the Dolphins

　

A few years ago I was privileged to be able to speak to 26 Dolphins that had beached their selves on a Flordia beach on the Gulf Coast.

picking up my e-mail when I saw the announcement on one of my e-mail lists. to their selves.

Some thing told me that they needed to be heard, and I wanted to see just why they would do such a disastrous thing

I started by calling them in ,and I was led by my Higher Being to call them Angles. I did not know why this happened, but it did . I started the conversation with them by asking why they would beach them selves ?

I got a very clear reply that they were trying to make humans aware that what they were doing to the oceans was killing all humanity ,and they needed to stop immediately or there would be disasters, and consequence beyond anybody’s control.

I then asked just what they were talking about and if they could be specific?

I got an answer that was very disturbing to me and should be to you also. I was told then that They could not take all the big banging noises that were being created in their home and it was killing them and other marine life.

They spoke to me about the blasting that was happening under water and how it would be the death of all of us if it was not stopped now.

I thanked them for the information and wished them well and then I closed.

After that I found out the reason I was led to call them

Angles. It was the fact that almost all of them had been destroyed because they did not have a place to keep them safe, and help them heal.

I found out later that they were blasting in the Gulf for oil.

Need I say more?

It is time to start listening to nature because according to Chief Seattle

“ The Earth does not belong to us We belong to the Earth”

by: Rebecca DiNolfi ©

Happy 19 th Birthday Reggie

THIS LITTLE PIGGY WAS A THERAPY PET

By Rebecca DiNolfi ©

     My potbellied pig Reggie Would have been 18 years old today and I am writing this dedication to her and all the wonderful things she did in her short life on this Earthy Plane.

    Reggie and I were ex members of the Delta Society of, Renton Washington for service animals, and therapy pet partners. I want to tell about the important part that my potbellied pigs have played not only in my own life but also in other people’s lives. Potbellied pigs are the most sought after therapy pet in the US today. There are numerous potbellied pig partners in the US and Canada engaged in this kind of public service with amazing results for the patients that have had the pleasure to be visited by one or more of these porcine bundles of joy.
The following account is about my potbellied pig Reggie and a few of her patients.
     Funny Farms Reggie was a potbellied pig, and in her amazing life she had accomplished more than most people I know. Ever since she was 7 weeks old I had been taking her out around the public. Potbellied pigs are very social animals if they are allowed to be. As the result of this very social upbringing we started doing Animal Assisted therapy at nursing homes, schools for special needs children, and orphanages for abused children, and anywhere we might be needed we tried to go.

     I am going to try to explain a little about what it means to be a care giver of one of the most dedicated little potbellied pigs in PA.
Hopefully when you finish reading my presentation you will understand just how important the addition of the potbellied pig can be to any City, anywhere, and how proud you should be to say so. Allow me to begin by asking all of you to please read this with an open mind, and heart to what I have to share with you about the work that Reggie, and I did.
     First of all use your imagination to picture the following stories:
It was a wonderful day at the Fireman’’s nursing home in NJ where we were making our appearance with many other potbellied pigs from our Pig club.
     As Reggie and I walk around visiting the gentlemen, in the corner we saw someone.
     Just picture a frail man sitting alone in his reclining chair, crippled from a stroke. We walk up to him and ask if I can help him move his hand to touch Reggie, and he indicates yes, so I carefully moved his frozen hand to Reggie’s out stretched snout, as she gave a little grunt to say hello, a large smile appears across his weary face, and a little tear ran down his cheek because it hurts so bad to move his face muscles, and his arm.
     Next take the little boy with a behavior problem at the orphanage for sexually, mentally, and physically abused children that our pig club did a circus for. All he wanted to do was walk the pigs, every one, and he did. .
     Then there was the little girl with spina biffida in a Phila.. School that left her tiny walker at the bottom of the steps to the stage where Reggie was performing, and crawled on her hands, and knees all the way up the steps and across the stage to the carpet to feed Reggie some treats, and get a piggy kiss.

The young woman with Downs Syndrome who brought her own stuffed pig to our show for Reggie to see...
     The little lady named Sally at Pine Run nursing home that tells her friend Reggie loved her best. She always saved a biscuit from her breakfast to share with Reggie as a special treat.

     The man named Joe who never missed our show when we came to the Nursing home. He has passed away now, but I know Reggie made the last days of his life on this earth a lot happier, and that means a lot to me.
     The blind woman who smiled all the time she was hand reading Reggie from end to end, top to bottom. She got a real kick out of feeling her daisy hat and sunglasses Even though she is unable to see Reggie do her many tricks she can still get piggy kisses, and grunts of hello.
     All the children that always came running from the playground at camp to see the pigs as their parents grab their cameras so they can take a picture for their families at home to see.
. We pose for pictures and answer questions everywhere we go. Reggie and Pepper never leave the house without their swine finery on. I made all their costumes for every holiday.

     Like the beauty pageant our club did for the opening of the show State Fair at the Miriam Theater on Broad St. in Phila. PA. In Dec. of 1995...Mayor Rendell now our fine Ex-Governor was one of our judges. That is where he first met Reggie and me. We are 2 of his biggest fans.

     Then there is the little girl that saw us at Core Creek Park one Sat. She asked questions and took pictures for a project in school. We saw her at our fair a month later and she said that she got an A+ She was thrilled, and so were we.

     Next A father at the park we go to carried his little girl on his back, and placed her beside Reggie, and Pepper so she could touch them then he apologized because he had to go and wash her hands immediately. Her father told me that she had Leukemia and  was dying.
     What I am trying to tell each and every one of you is this. The potbelly pig is a wonderful addition to any community, or neighborhood, Sure they aren't the pet for everyone, but for the ones of us that want them and love them they are a wonderful addition to our families They contribute so much to our lives, our homes, our children, and our communities. .

     Winston Churchill once said’ A dog will look up to you, a cat will look down on you, but a pig will treat you as an equal".

     I have found that whether it is in a park, a campground, a flea market, nursing homes, schools, or even in Mayor Rendell’s office at City Hall. Everywhere I took my pigs I was doing therapy work for the people I meet. They always made someone laugh or smile, and that makes me very proud to be the companion of 2 of the most wonderful potbelly pigs in Penna. Reggie and Pepper. Now that Reggie has left me and I moved to the Pocono mountains of PA. I have semi retired and I now have a new little rescue piggy named Little Willow White Feather

 and Pepper is still alive and well.
 Willow and I are now doing educational shows for children at the local libraries.
     Let me finish by telling you that LIFE MAGAZINE selected Reggie as a Hero . She was one of only seven animals honored by LIFE in the May 1997 Hero special edition. She was selected for saving my life and for all the wonderful therapy work she did in the past.
     I sincerely hope that what you have read here will help you to understand how much these little companion animals mean to the families that have brought them into their homes, and hearts.
The thing we need the most is to educate as many people as we can about the potbellied pig and maybe there wouldn't be so much resistance to change.
Someone once said, “Man is more nearly like the pig than the pig would like to admit.”

     I miss you my little black bristly friend, but I am so glad you came to teach me not to judge a book by its cover and love unconditionally. So Happy Birthday my special little pig you are amazing.
Love Mommy

　

Fairies need Houses too.

    

Fairies need Houses Too

 A few years ago I was honored to have been chosen to teach  children how to make Fairy houses at the children’s Summer day camp here in Scranton PA.  I was the one asked because of my reputation for being in contact with the fairies who live in the forest near my home . That first day was a beautiful sunny day, it was  just the kind of morning you would expect to see a fairy or two flittering around from flower to flower. The children were already working on a project painting large butterflies and other type things to be placed around the city just for fun.

      I introduced myself as My Lady Becky Fire Elf Shimmer(my elf name), and explained to them that I was there to teach them how to find and connect with fairies and how to make Fairy  houses of their own.

     After my introduction the other counselors and I  took them on a walk in the park to locate where the Fairies were hiding. Fairies do hide you know, that is why it is almost impossible for you to see them. They do come out from time to time just to let you know that they are there and they are not to be forgotten.

       I am a professional dowser so I always have my trusty pendulum with me . This is the tool I always use to find Fairies and Fairy rings.  I carry it along with other special things in my medicine pouch around my neck.  We continued to stroll  down the path towards the tree house and on the way I stopped here and there to check the forest with my pendulum  for signs of Fairy activity. As we progressed down the path I got the distinct feeling that we were being watched. Then I spotted it. It was a ring on the forest floor. A fairy Ring to be exact. I walked over and checked to see if I was right. As soon as I placed my pendulum over the circle it began to spin very fast indicating that this was a fairy ring.

 The children were standing around it looking in amazement at what they had just witnessed. i asked them if they had ever seen a fairy ring? Some of them did not know what I was talking about so I explained that a Fairy Ring was a very special magical place where Fairies entered  and left  our Mother Earth. This was al place where they danced all night on a full moon especially on Mid Summers Night at midnight. I also told them to never step inside a Fairy ring because if they did they might never come back. Fairies will take children and adults to the underworld and not let them return if they choose to keep them there forever or if they do return them it might be a long time before they do. Do you remember the tale of Rip Van Winkle I asked them?  they all shook their heads yes and then I proceeded to tell them  he had fallen asleep inside a Fairy Ring and the elves and Fairies took him and never returned him for 20 years.

      This is when I asked if them if anyone had ever seen Fairies, and 2 little girls said yes they had seen fairies with their own twinkling eyes and were very excited to be able to share their amazing story with our group .  It seems that  one of the little girls and her sister were visiting a neighbor of theirs and had experienced the tiny fairies flying around in the gardens there. They were so excited to be able to share their story with the group and  explain how they saw lots of fairies  twinkling and buzzing as they flew back and forth between the brightly colored flowers . As the other children listened in amazement to these sisters spinning  their magical tale I could feel the excitement beginning to churn all around us.

 I knew instinctively that there were others in the group that had seen fairies too but they were not ready to share that yet. It isn't easy to tell about something that people do not believe .

So that first morning  the children learned  that fairies were not just something someone made up, but  they were real and they were something magical to be careful of.

     We continued down the path and I saw something twinkle  out of the right side of my eye. I took my pendulum to the trees on that side of the path and sure enough there they were bigger than life itself. We found where the Fairies had a strong hold. This was the place where we were going to place our  houses after we made them.

We took some time to clear trash and make room under the trees who by the way were delighted we were there to clean up the place and clear space for the new village we were about to construct for the forest fairies who reside there among them.   I was also able to teach the children that Trees are alive and have names as well as faces if you look close enough you can see them. I have a guardian tree in my forest back home who watches over me and my pigs. His name is Old Man and he is awesome.

   Well  after we finished there  we took the trash bags we carried with us  to the trash containers and headed back up to the pavilion to talk about what we learned. That was all for that day it was time to leave so we said our good buys and headed home. All the way home I could feel the love from the forest that I had just left behind that wonderful day.

     The next morning came fast and I was  excited to start our adventure. The children were anxious to see me and we started right in with trash bags to collect the things we needed to make our Fairy houses. Fairy Houses are always made from natural things just found lying around on the forest floor. They are always things that have been lying around, never take something that is still growing. You also need to ask permission to take it before you do. That is the polite thing to do and Fairies love politeness.

    We returned to the spot where the houses were going to go and began to collect pine cones, leaves, sticks, stones and acorns. nuts and bark. Everything we needed was there for us to use for our beautiful houses. When we finished gathering our building supplies we thanked the trees and the fairies for letting us to gather our things there and we headed back to the pavilion to start the building project.

     There were councilors there to man the hot glue guns and to help the younger ones cut their branches to the size they needed for what they were making. I must say something here I noticed that the boys were just as thrilled with this project as the girls were . They made things like play gyms and teeter totters , swings and  wagons. There were no tanks or guns allowed but they came up with some amazing things to build for the Fairies.

     Well the day was gone again and we said good buy after we cleaned up the mess we made and headed home.

     Another wonderful day was passing into night  as I turned out the lights on my deck and said good night to Old Man. I had just shared my story of the day with him and the fairies in my forest. I was reflecting on the day and getting sleepy so I tucked my 2 potbellied pigs Reggie and Pepper into bed  and went to bed myself. Tomorrow will arrive sooner than I think .

     The third day had arrived in all it's blazing glory so after a light breakfast  I headed to the Park. The kids were there already dragging their unfinished houses out to work on . This was the day that they should  start to see just how their sticks and stones and pine cones would begin to look like something amazing. Their things were beginning to look like the houses they wanted them to look like. They were awesome. They were learning that you do not need a lot of money to have fun all you needed was some imagination and  glue to produce something magical and awesome. I knew in my heart that these kids would never forget this experience and that they would pass it on to their children.

     The houses were coming together nicely and the kids were amazed that they were able to produce something so cool from scraps of stuff just lying around on the ground.

One by one they were finishing their houses and they even made a church as well as some things for the Fairies to play with . there would be a park with swings and see saws, there were tables and lamps and chairs . Couches and TV's as well as little beds and night stands. Out houses and sheds. Whatever these kids had at their homes they were determined to give to the forest Fairies of Nay Aug Park.

     I even had the kids promise to check on the Fairy Village from time to time when they visited the park with their families . Well the houses were finally finished and ready to be placed in the spot in the forest that  we chose in the beginning of the week. the day was done again and clean up was upon us. We finished and said good bye.  Today as I headed home I felt a little glimmer of sadness that this would all be over after tomorrow. I knew I would miss everyone especially the kids who had given me so much to look forward to every day this week. I felt a tear trickle down my old cheek as I drove home in quiet reflection. Tomorrow is the day.

     It was finally the last day of an amazing journey with the kids and the Fairies. I arrived early at the park to gather my thoughts. The others were there collecting the new houses to take down the path to be placed in the forest  glen. The kids were so excited as we started to descend to the fairy forest to place our gifts to the Fairies there. 

 They took great pains in placing everything just right where it belonged. I sat on a boulder and watched just what developed. They were scurrying back and forth as each and every one of the kids picked a tree or a rock that they wanted to use to place their creation under. It did not take long to notice that the place was starting to actually come alive with the energy of the kids that were so engrossed in building this Fairy village. They kept stepping back and looking to see that everything was just perfect and that there was not anything left un fixed. It was not only an amazing thing to see but it was also amazing to feel the love that went into this project  by everyone involved.  I feel personally that these children went away with a greater respect not only for the forest but for nature in general because I was able to teach them that everything has energy and is alive.

The  fairy village is still in the park and the kids visit it from time to time I'm sure.

     I was blessed to have been chosen for this project and I went on to do the same thing in two other parks in Scranton that  Summer. Always remember Fairies need houses too ,so  build Fairy houses in your own garden  and they will visit you .