Wilbur&Otis
Junior Guinea Pig
Lost my little buddy Otis just over a week ago now. Just 24 hours after being diagnosed with a mild URI he had a bad reaction to the antibiotic & died at the vets despite everyones best efforts to help him. I'm heartbroken but don't want to dwell on the sad bit, he's been a hugely positive part of my life & i wanted to share with you all...
Otis was my first pig - we met in a petshop 3 and a half short years ago (before i learned better from the forum) and it was love at first squeak. On my part at least.
He was one of a big group of baby pigs together in a cage and the only one brave (or daft) enough to come over & investigate me. I'd only gone in for some hamster food but left thinking about the funny looking pig with the black face. I'm a sucker for an oddball. After a week of looking into what i'd need I went back to the petshop on the off chance that he might still be there. All of the pigs had gone. My heart sank. And then a familiar face appeared from the back of the cage! Just 2 pigs left and one was him. I bought them both so that he would have a friend and felt so lucky leaving that pet shop with my boys - Wilbur & Otis.Of the 2 pigs it quickly became evident that Pote (Otis) was the cheeky one - his loud wheeking & bar chewing for veg / hay / attention was so relentless we resorted to blocking off his chewing spot in the cage with cardboard for a bit of peace & quiet.
He would steal food from under boss-pig Wilbs nose & gleefully chatter as he ran off with it. He preferred to jump from the veg platform rather than take the ramp. Or squeeze through the window of his log cabin rather than use the door. You get the picture. We developed a ritual of going to the fridge together so that Pote could select the veg he wanted to take back with him. Given half a chance the little fluff ball would bury himself into the tightest, cosiest place for a nap - his favourites being the corner of the sofa behind the cushions & wedged between my chin & neck. I loved it when he was in a snoozy mood - dopey eyes and yawny mouth just too cute. On the other hand cutting his nails was an ordeal for all concerned - he wriggled and squeaked like he was being murdererd & it took a pile of veg (for him) and a big glass of wine (for me) to calm down afterwards. I would do anything to cut his little nails again now.My life has changed so much over the last few years, 4 different homes, a failed relationship, a new job, new city, new partner... and whatever's been going on this pair of pigs have always kept me smiling - i feel very blessed.
So thanks Pote for putting up with the outfits & for making me smile every single day. I will miss your face so much (& the annoying squeaks that go with it). Popcorn away little buddy. Love always x x x x x x x x
PS Wilb has saved you a carrot! We will try our very best to send it via telepathy to the rainbow bridge for you x
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What a beautiful heartfelt tribute to your little man. He was obviously well loved. Sleep tight little one xx
