Revision 733286881 of "Joy MiniPig" on enwiki

[[File:Joy_Mini_Pig.jpg|thumb|right]]

Joy [[Miniature pig|MiniPig]] is a local celebrity, who is internationally famous as the Spokes-Pig for the historic Capitol II theater in [[Newton, Iowa]].<ref>[http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/2016/04/02/joy-the-pig-saves-newton-movie-theater/82390110/| The Des Moines Register]</ref>

==History==

[[File:Joy_as_a_Cute_Witch.jpg|thumb|right]]

Dawn and Paul Bleeker purchased Joy on 5 April 2012, from a breeder in [[Texas]] after two years of intense research. The decision to adopt a Minipig as a pet was made due to the allergies which made most pets not possible. Adopting Joy was only possible by the Bleekers convincing the City of Newton to change the city code to allow keeping a pig as a pet. Joy originally came to the theater because she needed close supervision, and the newly purchased theater consumed most of their time. Joy eventually became the theater's mascot.<ref>[https://www.babble.com/pets/joyful-living-with-a-mini-pig/| Babble: Joyful Living With a Mini-pig]</ref>

==Public Service==

Joy often appears in schools, retirement homes and the local library as a public service.<ref>[http://www.newton.lib.ia.us/archive/2016/may/PS2Joy|Newton Public Library Announcements]</ref>

==Television Appearances==

On 1 July 2016, Joy appeared in an [[Iowa Public Television]] Clubhouse video spot featuring her human sister, Madison, entitled "Pigs as Pets. <ref>[http://site.iptv.org/clubhouse/story/16059/pigs-pets| Iowa Public Television Clubhouse, 1 July 2016 "Pigs as Pets"]</ref><ref>[http://www.newtondailynews.com/2016/03/31/iptv-to-feature-joy-the-pig-on-new-childrens-show/ap910y5/| Newton Daily News]</ref>

==Books==

Joy was part of the inspiration for the fictional character "Mr. Not Bacon" in the book "Green Tea Latte to Go" by the author [[Aven Ellis]].<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/AvenEllis1/photos/a.174405976050953.1073741827.173467962811421/603754083116138/?type=3&theater| Aven Ellis Facebook page]</ref>

==Modelling==

Joy has modeled miniature pig fashion for "Snort Life", a business dedicated to designing, promoting and selling Miniature Pig fashion.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/1521594131416885/photos/a.1521617034747928.1073741828.1521594131416885/1734221450154151/?type=3&theater| Snort Life]</ref>

==External Links==

[http://site.iptv.org/clubhouse/story/16059/pigs-pets Iowa Public Television]

[https://www.facebook.com/joys.page.14/?fref=ts Joy MiniPig Facebook page]

==References==

[[Category:Visitor attractions in Jasper County, Iowa]]
[[Category:Pigs]]