Barney Bubbles - The Piggie With Nine Lives

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lauraboara

lauraboara

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It has been three months since we had to let Barney Bubbles go - it has taken me that long to post a tribute because bascially I didn't want it to be true. But the piggie he left behind, Fred is boar dating and a new chapter is starting for him so I must really let my BB go.

And his story is one of struggle and also hope because he battled against the odds a lot! He first appeared on this forum in 2011 - hopefully that is the right thread. Be warned, there is a distressing photo of the state he was in when he was handed to @Salt n Peppers mum who fostered for BARC. He was a stray and his back was so horribly sore and matted that someone mistook him for an ill hedgehog. He nearly died in Paula's arms but she fed him some drips of water and he came round!
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/posts/1142330/

I was moved by his story then and once he was well, he was paired with the beautiful gentle, laid back Leonard by BARC and they came to live with me.


When Barney arrived, he was a little terror! He was neat and compact but also strong and could climb anything. He wriggled all the time and we had to put covers on all the corners of their C&C cage to stop him escaping. We loved watching him - always entertaining.

Sadly, Leonard died after we had only had the boys a few months after an emergency operation. BB was such a live wire I thought bonding him to another boar would be a nightmare but Barney proved actually he was a great friend and he was bonded by Paula to another of my boys who was much older and more sensible, Gregory.

More in a minute...
 
Story continued...
BB then settled nicely with Gregory who mainly tolerated his antics - BB climbed all over whoever he lived with. Gregory was much older and developed a very difficult jaw infection and so yet again Barney was left alone.

He then met his soul mate, Sudoku. I can't tell you how amazingly well these to got on. They would potter around together, rumbling away just so content. Here are a couple of pics Paula took when bonding them


:)
You can see that BB liked climbing!
They ate together, played together, slept side by side - lovely to watch.


In between all this bonding and playing, Barney was on a health roller coaster. In his life he had fungal skins problems, breathing problems, dental problems, very poor eyesight (right eye pretty much blind) , a period of gut stasis and eventually a malignant tumour. He approached these all the same way - he just got on with it. He was even dropped by my little girl (no other piggies have been dropped) and just got up and trotted away! He ruined my 40th birthday by developing gut stasis and requiring syringe feeding through the night. He loved, loved Metacam and must have had several pints in his life!
After fungal bath
 
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Last chapter... Sorry nearly there.
Unfortunately we lost Sudoku in Feb this year from kidney failure and BB was lost without his best mate. So Fred came into our lives

And Barney enjoyed a last summer of grazing and relaxing. He had an operation to remove a malignant tumour in October 2015 and unfortunately it returned and in June this year we knew his time was coming to an end. But he eeked every last drop out of his life. We miss his funny ways, his bandy legs, the way he would move his head to focus on you due to his evesight, his love of herbs and I miss syringe feeding him and giving him METACAM!
Good night lovely Barney Bubbles. Sleep well.

His favourite place for cuddles - on my shoudler.

Asleep on my knee in his final week. xx
 
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful special little guy. You gave him such a great life, from hearing his story you can see how far he came on with you and his buddies. He lived his life to the full and it was one full of love.

Huge hugs to you x

Sleep well handsome boy

RIP Barney Bubbles
x x
 
Got tears in my eyes reading your post; what a fantastic piggy and a wonderful life full of fun, friends and love :luv:

Hope Barney Bubbles is clambering over the piggies over the rainbow bridge :)
 
What a lovely boy Barney Bubbles was. He had such a sad beginning but went on to have such a happy life with you. I hope you realise what a wonderful piggie slave you are and that this can give you some comfort.
 
What a loving tribute to Barney B. Laura. He came through hard times for a young guinea pig but he was lucky to be cared for and fostered by @Salt n Peppers mum. His life then changed again when you adopted him after reading about him on this forum. He could not have had a better home than with you. The photos of him relaxed with you say it all and shows how he returned the love and affection you gave him. Despite his health issues he lead a full and interesting life with you. RIP little Barney.
 
So sorry for the loss of the beautiful BB - I lost my Bumble nearly 3 months ago and I still look at the photos of him on my phone nearly every day - it's so hard when they go - you were an amazing piggy mum xx
 
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing guinea pig.
I simply can not believe the condition he was in when he was found - frankly he must have had a heart the size of a horse to get through all of that.
He was obviously destined to lead a wonderful life as part of your family.
 
Swissgreys said:
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing guinea pig.
I simply can not believe the condition he was in when he was found - frankly he must have had a heart the size of a horse to get through all of that.
He was obviously destined to lead a wonderful life as part of your family.
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Interesting that you say that! In amongst all the vet visits, xrays etc for other issues, the vet said that his heart was the strongest, healthiest bit of him! He was a super special determined piggie and taught me a lot so I think his legacy will go on to hopefully help my other boys.
 
What a fabulous tribute to your very special boy. He overcame so much from his poor beginning but looks like he had a fabulous life with you. I'm sure he's left such a big hole behind. Popcorn free Barney Bubbles xx
 
Dear Barney B, what a fabulous tribute to your amazing life with a wonderful family.
I had the honour of you staying for a week when l bonded you to Fred, you were a lovely boy and l know your family miss you very much. Popcorn free in piggy heaven dear little man xx
 
pig in the city said:
Dear Barney B, what a fabulous tribute to your amazing life with a wonderful family.
I had the honour of you staying for a week when l bonded you to Fred, you were a lovely boy and l know your family miss you very much. Popcorn free in piggy heaven dear little man xx
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Thanks B. I do miss Barney B, he was an independent little character.
Even though Fred could be a bit much for Barney at times, I am very glad BB had piggie company for his last few months thanks to boar dating and your bonding. Hopefully, a new phase for Fred will start soon :)
 
Barney, your very special lad, just brought tears to my eyes reading his story. I am so sorry for your loss. How very lucky he was to have so much love and care that he got from you and your family. Especially after such an awful start in life! R.I.P Barney, i'm so glad you were rescued and rehomed to a wonderful home.
Best wishes that Fred finds a lovely friend to keep him company. Lots of love and hugs :hug:
 
Barney Bubbles was such an unforgettable little man with a big character.
How he landed on his feet when you came forward to adopt him, so lucky and so so loved.
I can understand he will leave a huge hole but lots of memories.
Will never forget this special little man x
 
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