It has not been an easy few weeks for me when Hedydd suddenly took a last turn for the worst right in the middle of a very hectic time.
She is the very last big Tribe group member to join her friends at the Rainbow Bridge over the last three months.
When I had to send her after her companions, I'd just finished writing Tegan's tribute article for the next Guinea Pig Magazine issue, which I had to formulate in a way that it included Hedydd's impending passing. This was very painful for me. As was going through eight years and several tens of thousands of pictures yet again to choose the best out of several hundred from a very long life... and knowing that from now on this part of my life will forever be firmly in the past!
The large 2011 class has helped me through some very tough and taxing years; they have cheered me up and given me strength when I needed it most, having to put my own life on the back burner and be strong for others. That is why saying goodbye to four last survivors in such a short space of time is so hard for me.
Hedydd is the eighth piggy to leave me this year - a new sad record; only leavened by the fact that more than half of them have lived to the upper end or even beyond the average life span. It doesn't make saying goodbye any less heart-breaking, though!
Heulwen (left) and Heddyd (right) with their mother and their 6 rescue born sisters in December 2011
When I travelled by train at the end of 2011 all the way from the UK Midlands to Glynneath Guinea Pig Rescue in South Wales for a playmate for my surprise baby Tegan, it was not the easiest of journeys because the line between Cardiff and Swansea had been closed after being hit by a freak lightning strike – in December! Anyway, I did make it to the rescue through the ensuing chaos and a scenic tour around Welsh industrial areas, if only for a rather rushed pick up (forget about the lunch!), and eventually got back home for a belated dinner with 7 months old Hedydd ‘Skylark’ in tow, who settled into her new home and her new big family very quickly.
Her slightly older sister Heulwen ‘Sunshine' from the previous litter joined after the end of her mandatory pregnancy watch. The sisters remained close for the rest of their very long lives.
The sisters in 2012 - 2014 - 2018
Because of their horrible background from a ‘cat’s takeaway’ free roaming and multiplying back garden situation, I was hugely relieved when the sisters’ reached their 4th birthdays, never expecting both of them to celebrate their 8th birthday in turn!
Hedydd on her 8th birthday
Being both strong-willed and ambitious, Tegan and Hedydd never became best of friends, but there was quite a bit of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ going on between them as they grew up in the large Tribe group during its heyday! Despite Tegan’s ambitions and higher status through her family connection with Ffwlbri, it was in the end less flamboyant but more grounded Hedydd who ultimately had the more successful career and the happier life.
When Tegan met Hedydd - Keeping a close eye on the competition - Still keeping up with each other!
Sadly Hedydd has now joined her sister and friends of old as the last surviving member of the original big Tribe group after she suddenly lost any control over all her legs 10 days ago.
. Must have had an absolute blast of a life 
. Take care
longevity must be a ginger thing, my little lady is 7 and still going strong!