Goodbye to Ffwlbri

Wiebke

Wiebke

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How can I possibly compress nearly eight eventful years with the Tribe and hundreds of pictures into a short tribute for such a pivotal lady like Ffwlbri (pronounced Full-bree)?

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Ffwlbri ‘Moonlight’ (because her markings reminded me of a full moon shining from behind a dark cloud) and her sister Tesni ‘Sun-warmed’ arrived in rescue as no longer wanted 3 months old pets unhandled and totally matted in a superficially cleaned but essentially filthy unsuitable rat cage in May 2011. Sadly they didn’t receive any acceptable adoption offers, so I made one of my infamous long railway trips to pick them up in Mid-Wales in October 2011.

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Ffwlbri with her sister Tesni and niece Tegan soon after her arrival

The sisters joined the big Tribe group once Tesni’s baby Tegan was fully weaned as a closely knit family group within the Tribe. I knew the moment I saw Ffwlbri interact with the Tribe that she would be my next Top Lady after Nia. However, it would take another year before Ffwlbri staged her successful coup after Nia started developing health problems.
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During the Tribe bonding

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With the Tribe just after her takeover
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First Lady Ffwlbri and Tribe Patriarch Hywel are holding court!

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Ffwlbri’s leadership style did differ massively from the previous one, not helped by Ffwlbri having to fend off one or two minor contenders; the perus were a rough lot, and Ffwlbri a very dominant sow who ruled with an iron paw. While the Tribe went up to a group of 13 sows living with patriarch Hywel, underlying grudges and problems started to surface. It took me quite a while to sort them all out as by far not all were caused by Ffwlbri herself. In the end, I split the remaining piggies into two groups along existing alliances – the top brass perus with Hywel and the ginger under-sows at the start of 2014.

Front or back?
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During a piggy wash
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The Tribe before the split
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(please wait for part 2)
 
I am so sorry Wiebke you have lost your gorgeous golden oldie, she was such a stunner and so full of character who has left her mark on all her friends over the years. One of those feisty piggies who can’t help but adore. Sending you lots of love mate x x

Sleep well stunning lady

RIP Ffwlbri
x x
 
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sister Tesni - Hywel - Tanni - niece Tegan - Ffwlbri in 2015

Much to my relief the split did bring the desired stability for two years until Ffwlbri herself laid down her undisputed leadership and the group fell apart as the other three sows were fighting for the top spot while an aging Hywel could no longer step into the fray. Ffwlbri ended up living Tanni, as the only piggy Tanni would tolerate; they had a good partnership until Tanni’s death in January 2017 when Ffwlbri joined my then other near unbondable widows.
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Ffwlbri with Tanni in 2016

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Eventually and after several attempts, Ffwlbri moved in with her sister Tesni and Tesni’s beloved ‘toy boy’ husboar Gethin. Tesni passed away last year not long after the sisters celebrated their 7th birthday.
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Ffwlbri with Gethin and her sister Tesni in 2017

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With Carys and Gethin in September 2018

Last September, baby Carys joined Ffwlbri and Gethin. Despite the vast difference in age, she has given Ffwlbri a renewed zest for life that has carried her well into this year past her 8th birthday in February until old age started catching up with her big time recently.

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Gethin, a much grown Carys and Ffwlbri

Sadly the added stress from last week’s heat spike has tipped the precarious balance.

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My last picture of Ffwlbri

I will never forget my regular ‘peru karate’ wrestling bouts with Ffwlbri on haircutting days; some of my ‘piggy whispering’ tips have come about courtesy of her!

She always loved lawn trips and she has made her journey to the Rainbow Bridge with the taste of fresh grass in her mouth as the only food she would tolerate that day. Here she is enjoying life on her last outing to the lawn!

Ffwlbri was one of the big Tribe personalities and leaves quite a large hole after nearly 8 rather memorable years here with me; especially as her loss is coming right on the heels of her contemporary Heulwen.

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Ffwlbri on her 8th birthday

Sadly there are only Ffwlbri’s niece Tegan and Heulwen’s sister Hedydd left now who can still remember the old Tribe days; but they are both old and frail ladies themselves, eyeing up their own 8th birthdays in not so many weeks’ time…
 
@Wiebke we as you know are only allowed to borrow piggies from meeting them until Rainbow World calls. if that's a day week or whateve it's in that time what we do with them.
Ffwlbri had some history with you filled with adventure and the way you given us a brief and detailed account you my dear should be very very proud.
I send you my heartest off love as you are a bond between us slaves and the best for our piggies.
Only last week you help me so much and thank you . .
Rip little well loved piggie you sleep well you deserve it. Ffwlbri x
 
I’m so very sorry, guinea pigs are wonderful creatures and their lifespan doesn’t ever seem nearly long enough. It’s a terrible shame but these things must happen x
I’m sure Ffwlbri loved (and still loves) you very much, as you did her
She will be meeting all her friends over the rainbow bridge, and having lots of fun

Once again, I’m so sorry x
 
Such a lovely tribute. I am sorry for your loss, it doesn’t get any easier :( sounds like Ffwlbri had quite an adventure in her long life and none of her joy would have been possible without your caring self.
Popcorn free, Ffwlbri!
 
I am so sorry to hear you have lost your beautiful Ffwlbri. What a wonderful life she had with you and all her friends.
RIP gorgeous Ffwlbri. Xx
 
I am so sorry for the loss of Ffwlbri, I get the feel of what Ffwlbri had become & what she meant in the group, its as if you opened a door & let us in. I bet she was fun at hair cutting time as she got you with her steely eye, she looked a very formidable lady.
Sleep tight Little Ffwlbri, you will be sadly missed. 😘
 
Loss of a beloved pet is heartbreaking, but she had a wonderful time on this earth with you and her friends and she is now meeting old friends over the Bridge.
Treasure the memories and keep her in your heart. RIp beautiful lady x
 
Sorry for your loss, she was a right character. I'm here for when you're ready with a sig update. :(
 
So sorry for your loss especially so close to the loss of Heulwen must have been such a shock. Ffwlbri was a stunning girl and looked and sounded like a right character a true one in a million.
 
I'm sorry for your loss,Ffwlbri had a big personality.I'm sorry you are having a difficult year with piggies at the rainbow bridge.
 
So sorry for your loss.
She sounds like a super special piggy, who had the most amazing life full of love, friendship and many adventures.
Sleep tight special lady.xx
 
Just catching up with the forum and saw this.
My heart sank to hear that you have lost the beautiful Ffwlbri
Holding you in my heart as you grieve.
 
Brilliant age! I'm sorry to hearabout your loss whilst I was having time out. Al the best..❤️
 
I'm very sorry for your loss.
What an amazing life it looks like she led with you and the various incarnations of the Tribe.
She lives on through the piggy whispering tips you've shared!🌈♥
 
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