Here are some rather discoloured pictures of my childhood piggies I have come across lately; they were all perus since my dad didn't like shorthaired smooth guinea pigs and those two breeds was about all that was around at the time!
Wuschel (1971-1981) (the name would translate to "tousles" )
He was our first (unfortunately single) piggy, who nevertheless lived a busy life as a beloved family pet until nearly ten years old. In his later years, he often spent his days on the lawn with the bereaved neighbour's boar who he got on extremely well - they invariably ended up snuggled together after some initial chasing round. Sadly, my mum wouldn't allow me to ask the neighbour whether Perky could come and live with Wuschel permanently because he was stuck in a tiny hutch outside for most of the time and frankly not very much looked after.
Strolch (1981-1987) (rascal)
After Wuschel had to be pts when old age finally caught up with him, my sister and I got a piggy each as a Christmas surprise present - we were both so delighted! I instantly fell in love with the tricolour boy, who I named Strolch, and my sister with the ginger and white girl, who she called Stupsi (nudgy) and who she adored. And yes, we promptly had babies! rolleyes :red
Here they are with their brood (Strolch was already neutered by this time), by chance nicely sorted into genders just before the youngsters went to their new homes with various friends of the family. The son is with his dad and the three daughters are with mummy.
Sadly, a neighbour's dog managed to bite his way through the badly maintained fence and kill Stupsi (Strolch was saved because the commotion was noticed). Because he was grieving really badly, we had to find him a new wife in a hurry. We ended up with Boehnchen (Beanie), who had a cataract in one eye. Two years later, they became victims of the same dog again, even though my dad had completely rebuilt the run and made it much safer and more solid, with a firm lid. Strolch had been going still very strongly aged six.
He was big softie, very cuddly and vocal. He still has a firm place in my memories and my heart.
Wuschel (1971-1981) (the name would translate to "tousles" )
He was our first (unfortunately single) piggy, who nevertheless lived a busy life as a beloved family pet until nearly ten years old. In his later years, he often spent his days on the lawn with the bereaved neighbour's boar who he got on extremely well - they invariably ended up snuggled together after some initial chasing round. Sadly, my mum wouldn't allow me to ask the neighbour whether Perky could come and live with Wuschel permanently because he was stuck in a tiny hutch outside for most of the time and frankly not very much looked after.
Strolch (1981-1987) (rascal)
After Wuschel had to be pts when old age finally caught up with him, my sister and I got a piggy each as a Christmas surprise present - we were both so delighted! I instantly fell in love with the tricolour boy, who I named Strolch, and my sister with the ginger and white girl, who she called Stupsi (nudgy) and who she adored. And yes, we promptly had babies! rolleyes :red
Here they are with their brood (Strolch was already neutered by this time), by chance nicely sorted into genders just before the youngsters went to their new homes with various friends of the family. The son is with his dad and the three daughters are with mummy.
Sadly, a neighbour's dog managed to bite his way through the badly maintained fence and kill Stupsi (Strolch was saved because the commotion was noticed). Because he was grieving really badly, we had to find him a new wife in a hurry. We ended up with Boehnchen (Beanie), who had a cataract in one eye. Two years later, they became victims of the same dog again, even though my dad had completely rebuilt the run and made it much safer and more solid, with a firm lid. Strolch had been going still very strongly aged six.
He was big softie, very cuddly and vocal. He still has a firm place in my memories and my heart.
