PiggyintheMiddle
Adult Guinea Pig
Yesterday we said goodbye to Bianca, aged 5 years and 11 months. 11 months ago she was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour and the vet predicted that she would have a month to live, or six months if optimistic. From then on, Bianca's golden retirement began. Painkiller twice daily kept her as happy and lively as ever, and meant that veggies were now served three times a day rather than once. The vets were always impressed by how well Bianca was doing and she was quite happy even to be there. Bianca was the rumble-strutting piggy, keen to show Ophelia who is boss. They got on well together, better than the hooman sisters, and I have seen them groom one another when the other was poorly. When we first got them, the pet shop made sure to check that we had a suitable enclosure for them, but we knew little and it was quite a learning curve. The Guinea Pig Forum has helped immensely and I am confident that we have given them the best quality of life. Within weeks they were moved into the "shed" (@KHBz's study, which is insulated) and the newspaper flooring was soon replaced with fleece. Bianca popcorned with excitement when she first felt soft fleece under their little feet. Then came cuddle cups, courtesy of @rp1993. Camouflaged as a cow
In summer heatwaves we moved them into the coolest room in our house and I remember Bianca popcorning as she was able to cool down.
Eventually they moved up to live in mini-slave's room, where Ophelia still is. Although they disliked cuddles or hooman touch, I was able to spend some quality time with them in mini-slave's room while she deep cleaned their area.
Bianca was her happy self until her rapid decline, when we all knew that she was dying. We stayed with them until almost 11pm and then left them in peace together. The last thing Bianca would have wanted would have been being picked up and cuddled. Ophelia licked her eyes. Bianca went to hide away but when we found her the next day she was lying outside the hidey, so she probably let Ophelia say her final goodbyes. We left her body for Ophelia to fully understand and then buried her in the garden in a quiet spot which we can see from the kitchen.
Whoever thinks that guinea pigs lack personality definitely haven't seen guinea pigs for long enough. Bianca was quite a character and often the main one to train us to do their bidding Training hoomans. We all love and miss you and we continue to look after your sister Ophelia until she one day joins you as well. Sleep tight, little one.
In summer heatwaves we moved them into the coolest room in our house and I remember Bianca popcorning as she was able to cool down.
Eventually they moved up to live in mini-slave's room, where Ophelia still is. Although they disliked cuddles or hooman touch, I was able to spend some quality time with them in mini-slave's room while she deep cleaned their area.
Bianca was her happy self until her rapid decline, when we all knew that she was dying. We stayed with them until almost 11pm and then left them in peace together. The last thing Bianca would have wanted would have been being picked up and cuddled. Ophelia licked her eyes. Bianca went to hide away but when we found her the next day she was lying outside the hidey, so she probably let Ophelia say her final goodbyes. We left her body for Ophelia to fully understand and then buried her in the garden in a quiet spot which we can see from the kitchen.
Whoever thinks that guinea pigs lack personality definitely haven't seen guinea pigs for long enough. Bianca was quite a character and often the main one to train us to do their bidding Training hoomans. We all love and miss you and we continue to look after your sister Ophelia until she one day joins you as well. Sleep tight, little one.
. Big hugs to you x
