My pig keeping history

[Piggy Slave]

It's a frightening thought that I've been keeping piggies on and off for coming up to 30 years

It was October 1989 I got my first pair, a pair of sows called Branston and Pickle (!) I seem to remember it was about 1996 they died so not bad going. I've had numerous ones on and off ever since, one that springs to mind was called Mop, he was a sheltie and he came from a friend who ran a rescue. I also had a sow from her lodge with me whilst she had her babies (My friend had taken her in pregnant and asked if I wanted to have her and experience a piggy giving birth, she didn't need to ask me twice!)

I remember how the piggys used to stay with my Gran when we went away, the other Gran mind you was terrified of them and was the classic, stand on the table and hold her skirts lol

In more recent years I asked my Mum if they would have the piggies whilst we were away, she was only too happy to but wasn't sure what my Dad would say, well it turned out that he was delighted at the thought of piggy houseguests for two weeks and the first night they were there, pulled his chair up close to their cage, my Mum asked if he intended to sit like that for the following two weeks and I'm pretty sure that he did!

Tom and Mini have the luxury of our neighbour coming into see them so they don't need to be taken anywhere when we go away, she'll spoil them rotton!

Sorry to ramble, just an insight into my piggy keeping over the years!

 

[Abbie Brooks]

That was so nice to read. My pig is currently with a relative and the thought of them cuddling is quite comical. Thanks for sharing your tales with us!

 

[Merab]

That was an interesting read.
It’s lovely to hear how others have come to guinea pig slavery and stories of your experience with them.
I’m a novice compared to you.

I had guinea pigs as a child but as an adult I’ve only been keeping them for nearly 7 years.
Now so can’t imagine life without them.

 

[Piggy Slave]

I started out with them as my parents had (sensibly) done their research as to suitable pets for children, I remember my Dad cleaned them out and I was expected to feed and water them which I did, I don't ever remember saying I didn't want to or getting fed up of them, they were my pals!

Dammit I am a bad guinea pig Mum, I've just remembered Branston was my third piggy, origionally we had Pickle and Spice, sadly we didn't have Spice very long and I only have a vague memory of her. I remember watching her in the indoor run and suddenly she toppled sideways into the food dish I rushed and fetched my Dad and Spice died in his arms. Branston (Bran) came shortly afterwards as a companion for Pickle

I remember about 15 years ago at our previous house, there was a family who's young son had guinea pigs and he would come over occasionally asking for advice and he was a well meaning young lad. Sadly one day he came across and told me that his parents had demanded he get rid of the guinea pigs and had left it to him to "get rid" of them. He told me that he didn't know what to do and was just going to have to set them loose in the woods (Dreadful I know but what kind of parent leaves it to a small child to "get rid" of an animal) I told he he couldn't do that and that I would take them in and he duly brought them over. Thankfully hubby understood and my friend with the rescue took them in, well all bar one male as I fell in love with him!