Toni D
Junior Guinea Pig
Today's old photo is of two boars submitted separately to the rescue. Silas was a stunning ex-show brindle abyssinian who had been used lots for breeding. He was a biter and a fighter. The owner was going to 'knock him on the head' as he was so anti-social/nasty. Instructions were that he had to re-homed alone as he had attacked every boar he had been introduced to and would try to mate any females even if he was neutered; as that was all he knew. Putty was a pet piggy submitted to the rescue with his back ripped to shreds. He came in with two other boars that he lived with and they had all been fighting for a while. One boar died of his horrific injuries and the other came out of it all very well. Putty was not to be rehoused with boars but could be neutered and housed with a female. I took them from the rescue and housed them in an 8ft hutch split in two by wire mesh so they had each other for company. Initially Silas would bite me and wriggle about but Putty was the cutest little boar ever. He had a quiff (doesn't show up in the photo) and reminded me of Pepe Le Pew (yes the cartoon skunk with the quiff). After a short time I would find them both laid against each other with the mesh separating them - no rumbling or strutting about either. I noticed that Silas no longer tried to bite me or struggle when I handled him. After another short while I risked putting them in an open topped run on the garden with towel at the ready to break up any fights but they turned out to be the best of pals. Such super boys and super characters. They lived together for around 4 years before Silas passed. Putty had horrific deep scarring on his back but lived until he was 7.5yrs old. RIP Silas and Putty (miss you lots).
To be honest I am quite surprised at just how upset I am getting whilst posting and remembering each piggy.
A lovely story and a beautiful photo. It sounds like Silas was just glad to have a rest!
