Heilin 'Generous' has sadly passed away very suddenly yesterday morning. She did come out for her early morning pellets but much to my shock I found her dead when I came with the breakfast veg not even two hours later. The way she was lying indicated a sudden fatal heart attack rather than a stroke. I assume that especially the high humidity and the hotter weather of the last week have just tipped a somewhat delicate balance. Heilin would have turned 5 1/2 years this month and has been showing her age a bit more in recent weeks.
I adopted 3 months old Heilin from Neville's Nest in May 2019 specifically because Llawen 'Merry' was unable to bond with any other free Tribe members in the wake of Heini's ('Lively') early and unexpected death. Unfortunately, that bonding was another fail but Llawen's feuding sister Hapus 'Happy' took to skittish little Heilin straight away so Llawen could rejoin Hapus's less than thrilled long suffering companions instead.
Hapus and Heilin shared a very close and enduring bond. They loved to play tag with each other. Heilin has always remained skittish and easily spooked and has hated being handled but she was one of those sows who got on with pretty much every piggy in a group - Llawen being the big exception.
They were joined by newly bereaved Tudur in June 2022 and then by twice widowed Carys and Tegeirian in October of the same year. Hapus moved together with her sister Llawen (finally burrowing her hatches) and similarly aged Hyfyrd in a short-lived old ladies group when energetic Tudur became a bit much for Hapus. Heilin moved back in with Hapus for the last 7 weeks of her life after Llawen's death in January 2023, which did give Hapus an extra little boost to get very close to her estimated 7th birthday in March 2023. A rather badly grieving Heilin returned to her new family.
Tudur sadly died over the turn of his year from a runaway thyroid tumour, so Carys and Heilin moved in with Brangwyn, Beti and Begyw and not long after were joined by Esme. However, after Llelo's widow Melangell failed to come to an agreement over the First Lady slot, Esme (who took an instant liking to Mella) and Heilin joined her to form a next door trio. Heilin, Carys and Begw (all a similar age and on the frail side) continued their friendship through the bars but Heilin didn't show any desire of wanting to return to them.
Heilin Esme and Melangell
Carys and Heilin sitting with Esme during a bonding rest
Heilin is one of the less visible Tribe piggies whose life has nevertheless touched many others over the years to provide companionship after a bereavement as I have been working my way slowly back to mainly trios and quartets instead of pairs over the last 3 years. She was a generously friendly and supportive companion to those she lived with; her name turned out to be well chosen.
She's been with the Tribe for five years.
I have laid her to rest this morning in the same burial planter with Hapus, Tegeirian and Tudur with a bouquet of lavender, honeysuckle and yellow buddleia for her loving side and marjoram, measow cranesbill and perennial wallflower for her skittish side.
I adopted 3 months old Heilin from Neville's Nest in May 2019 specifically because Llawen 'Merry' was unable to bond with any other free Tribe members in the wake of Heini's ('Lively') early and unexpected death. Unfortunately, that bonding was another fail but Llawen's feuding sister Hapus 'Happy' took to skittish little Heilin straight away so Llawen could rejoin Hapus's less than thrilled long suffering companions instead.
Hapus and Heilin shared a very close and enduring bond. They loved to play tag with each other. Heilin has always remained skittish and easily spooked and has hated being handled but she was one of those sows who got on with pretty much every piggy in a group - Llawen being the big exception.
They were joined by newly bereaved Tudur in June 2022 and then by twice widowed Carys and Tegeirian in October of the same year. Hapus moved together with her sister Llawen (finally burrowing her hatches) and similarly aged Hyfyrd in a short-lived old ladies group when energetic Tudur became a bit much for Hapus. Heilin moved back in with Hapus for the last 7 weeks of her life after Llawen's death in January 2023, which did give Hapus an extra little boost to get very close to her estimated 7th birthday in March 2023. A rather badly grieving Heilin returned to her new family.
Tudur sadly died over the turn of his year from a runaway thyroid tumour, so Carys and Heilin moved in with Brangwyn, Beti and Begyw and not long after were joined by Esme. However, after Llelo's widow Melangell failed to come to an agreement over the First Lady slot, Esme (who took an instant liking to Mella) and Heilin joined her to form a next door trio. Heilin, Carys and Begw (all a similar age and on the frail side) continued their friendship through the bars but Heilin didn't show any desire of wanting to return to them.
Heilin Esme and Melangell
Carys and Heilin sitting with Esme during a bonding rest
Heilin is one of the less visible Tribe piggies whose life has nevertheless touched many others over the years to provide companionship after a bereavement as I have been working my way slowly back to mainly trios and quartets instead of pairs over the last 3 years. She was a generously friendly and supportive companion to those she lived with; her name turned out to be well chosen.
She's been with the Tribe for five years.
I have laid her to rest this morning in the same burial planter with Hapus, Tegeirian and Tudur with a bouquet of lavender, honeysuckle and yellow buddleia for her loving side and marjoram, measow cranesbill and perennial wallflower for her skittish side.
She was a very much loved piggy by her many friends (((hugs))) I am thinking of you, Esme and Melangell xx
