My old lady Heulwen 'Sunshine' has sadly made her way to the Rainbow Bridge on Saturday morning, passing away in my arms after falling over. She'd been hanging onto life by sheer power of will for the last week after old age had caught up with her big time.
Heulwen was my resident chirper.
She was a dainty, rather timid girl that sailed very much in the shadow of her more forceful younger sister Hedydd; but the two of them shared a firm bond that has held their whole life.
Unlike her sister, Heulwen spent the first three months of her life in constant fear, sticking close to her nonstop pregnant mother before their rescue from a 'cat's takeaway' backyard hoarding situation when Hedydd was still just a nursing baby. That has impacted especially on Heulwen taking longer to gain in confidence with other piggies and settle into a safe pet life compared to Hedydd.
Considering their horrible background, I never expected both sisters to live that long when I adopted them from Glynneath Guinea Pig Rescue in South Wales as playmates for my baby Tegan at the end of 2011.
With the Tribe in 2013
With Maelog and the ginger girls after the Tribe split in 2014
With Helygen and Maelog's successor Pioden in 2018
In the old ladies group with their several times bereaved playmate Tegan in May
I did celebrate Heulwen's 8th birthday last weekend when old age started to catch up with her big time with a last outing to the lawn while she could still enjoy it.
Hedydd and Tegan (and I, of course!) are missing their sister and friend very much after all those years. Tegan has been assiduously snuggling up with Heulwen over the last few weeks.
I’m sorry for your loss, the tribute to her was lovely. No wonder she was a happy little chirper, coming from such a bad background to a piggy paradise such as your tribe! She’s such a gorgeous piggy and she will be dearly missed I’m sure. 
But 8 is an amazing age and you should feel very proud of yourself.
