Rhys.judge
New Born Pup
I posted a story on here about my beloved chunk on may 21st 2021. I wanted to share the next and last part with you all as it’s been a really tough day. Hope you enjoy my final story.
The next and final chapter…
April 2023. Another move for gumbo. And another upgrade to his home. This time a solo mission across what would seem like the world to a small pig. No chunk there this time to help him travel but with he had taught gumbo he’d be just fine. We packed up the carrots and veg, the bell ball and set on to our new adventure. Bringing chuck with us of course. We arrive at a strange new would but as ever gumbo settled in just fine and quicker than us all. His nibbling teeth chomping away at his favourite food as the success of the move set in. You always worry of your gorgeous pets will like the new home but I never had any worried with gumbo.
A new life and responsibility…
May saw me land a new role at work. My responsibility went up, my time away from home went up but my love never stopped for my wonderful boy. A later dinner time was welcomed with a joyful week. A noise very rarely heard by gumbo. A noise that would soon become a staple for the boy who had never made a sound. He had found his voice. 5 years in the making but nevertheless it had arrived. And as the months rolled on all kinds of piggy noises filled the silence, but welcomed so warmly as my gorgeous boy had found how to talk. The months went by, and new things on the horizon were staring to get closer.
Another Christmas and new year?
It was that time again, celebration and joy. Another new year had come and still no sign of the lonely pig getting older or unwell. We had a fear that being on his own gumbo would get bored or get ill but no. In fact I think he was loving his huge home all to himself. The debate for a new pig was always short and the same answer. and gumbo would always agree that he is the best Lone Ranger there is. We rolled into the new year and set sights on another amazing year.
The dog scare
That’s right, I have a dog. Barney. An old dog. 17. And in Guinea pig years I’d say they were about the same age. Gumbos secret best friend. They would watch each other eat, they would play through the cage, well Barney would bang the side of the cage with his paw scaring the daylights out of gumbo but it looked fun! , And I’m pretty sure they would talk to each other too. My poor doggy got ill. He was struggling and I really thought that I was losing him. Every night gumbo would worry as his best mate never appeared at dinner time. It was a long process but after 3 attempts we managed to solve the abscess issue with Barney and he soon returned to his normal self. And yes back to banging that cage.
The announcement…
That’s right. After being a Guinea pig dad for years and years it would finally be time to announce and new parent path! A real life baby. That’s right. In June 2023 I would get the best shock of my life. I’m going to be a dad. My first thought, rather than tell my family was to run into gumbo and announce the news. I lifted him high and gave him the biggest cuddle. Thanking him for all the practice over the years.. he smiled. And a slight week confirmed just enough to me he was happy. Of course I went on to tell the family and friends after but I’d always tell my boy the news before anyone.
The arrival.. of something not so good.
After weeks of joy and celebration things got back into the normal routine. Work had become harder and more stress full. More full on to where time would be shorter and regretfully less cuddle time with gumbo. Something I always regret. Not giving more cuddle time to them both. And it was early July that one cuddle turned into my biggest fear. As I have my boy a kiss and cuddle goodnight… I felt a lump. It was the size of a grape. And hard. And as you do in panic a google search opened up a world of what ifs. He was still eating drinking and running around so I had no doubt it was nothing serious.
Luckily the next day , at work , I bumped into my vet. I explained all and she said if he’s still himself all should be okay.
The dreaded cost…
I love everything and everyone. I would give the world to make sure I could do all I can for my boy. But this was a cost that just hung me in the balance. My boy was slowly getting worse and I had to make a decision. Do I take him to the vet and pay the £4/500 quote just to get checks. Or do I pray to the piggy gods that my fighting young boy would make a full recovery… I chose the latter. With a baby on the way and all the outrageous costs flying though the roof I just couldn’t find the money to pay. But with hope and belief I strapped myself , like with chunk, and set off with gumbo though the tough journey to get him better!
A week, 2 weeks? How?
Gumbo, my boy, was slowly getting worse. Less moving around, No squeaks and a ravenous appetite dwindling. This young brave fighter was telling my that the time was getting near. And it was on Tuesday the 4th July I knew that time had come. No food at all, no drink and no hey eaten all day. I sat with my gorgeous boy in my lap, gave him the biggest kiss and cuddle and said goodnight. I burst into tears and he went back under his home and feared the worse for the morning.
Morning did come after several checks through the night. As I woke I ran to the cage to see my big still here and still going. How I keep saying. He hasn’t eaten or had a drink. This would be a process that lasted over a week. Every night for 9 days I would cuddle my boy. Tuck him in. Say goodnight. And dread the morning. But he kept going. Just like his brother chunk a fighter! Never giving up.
The actual final chapter.
Wednesday 12th July. I had gone out fishing. After a tough morning gumbo looked worse than ever. I debated leaving him but with that fighting spirt I had a hunch I’d see him that evening. And I did. I came back to a piggy looking at my with though gorgeous eyes. I settled in and the nightly routine of the cuddle and kiss began. Only this time something felt different. like I could hear gumbo talk. I felt like he said dad is it okay if I give up now. I gave him the biggest cuddle I’d ever given and what would be the final kiss on his head. I whispered if you need to go you go. And as I lowered him in I knew that this would be the last. My brave fighter was ready to go.
The morning came around , and as I woke I felt a piece of my heart missing. Before I got to the cage I knew the time had come. My brave little fighter had gone. As I saw my gorgeous boy lay there so still, his wonderful life had come to an end. I saw so much love in his eyes and a calm pose to tell me he went so peacefully. I didn’t know how to feel. I was so happy to seen him no longer struggle. But I’d lost the last half of my heart. If ever there was a pig so brave and wonderful gumbo was that pig. He was so shy but always put a smile on everyone face. He’s lost his brother but carried on and gave life the best he could give. A fighter till the end just like chunk. A gorgeous pig with a gorgeous heart. My precious boys now both together again. It’ll be tough as everyday for the last 6 years I’ve had my boys then gumbo. But knowing they are finally together again fills my broken heart. I’m sad you couldn’t meet the baby but don’t forget you’ll always be my boys.
I love you both to the fridge and back. I’ll never forget you. And I hope you’re both keep fighting though together. I’ll take your sprit and heart with me wherever life takes me.
Goodnight my boys.
The next and final chapter…
April 2023. Another move for gumbo. And another upgrade to his home. This time a solo mission across what would seem like the world to a small pig. No chunk there this time to help him travel but with he had taught gumbo he’d be just fine. We packed up the carrots and veg, the bell ball and set on to our new adventure. Bringing chuck with us of course. We arrive at a strange new would but as ever gumbo settled in just fine and quicker than us all. His nibbling teeth chomping away at his favourite food as the success of the move set in. You always worry of your gorgeous pets will like the new home but I never had any worried with gumbo.
A new life and responsibility…
May saw me land a new role at work. My responsibility went up, my time away from home went up but my love never stopped for my wonderful boy. A later dinner time was welcomed with a joyful week. A noise very rarely heard by gumbo. A noise that would soon become a staple for the boy who had never made a sound. He had found his voice. 5 years in the making but nevertheless it had arrived. And as the months rolled on all kinds of piggy noises filled the silence, but welcomed so warmly as my gorgeous boy had found how to talk. The months went by, and new things on the horizon were staring to get closer.
Another Christmas and new year?
It was that time again, celebration and joy. Another new year had come and still no sign of the lonely pig getting older or unwell. We had a fear that being on his own gumbo would get bored or get ill but no. In fact I think he was loving his huge home all to himself. The debate for a new pig was always short and the same answer. and gumbo would always agree that he is the best Lone Ranger there is. We rolled into the new year and set sights on another amazing year.
The dog scare
That’s right, I have a dog. Barney. An old dog. 17. And in Guinea pig years I’d say they were about the same age. Gumbos secret best friend. They would watch each other eat, they would play through the cage, well Barney would bang the side of the cage with his paw scaring the daylights out of gumbo but it looked fun! , And I’m pretty sure they would talk to each other too. My poor doggy got ill. He was struggling and I really thought that I was losing him. Every night gumbo would worry as his best mate never appeared at dinner time. It was a long process but after 3 attempts we managed to solve the abscess issue with Barney and he soon returned to his normal self. And yes back to banging that cage.
The announcement…
That’s right. After being a Guinea pig dad for years and years it would finally be time to announce and new parent path! A real life baby. That’s right. In June 2023 I would get the best shock of my life. I’m going to be a dad. My first thought, rather than tell my family was to run into gumbo and announce the news. I lifted him high and gave him the biggest cuddle. Thanking him for all the practice over the years.. he smiled. And a slight week confirmed just enough to me he was happy. Of course I went on to tell the family and friends after but I’d always tell my boy the news before anyone.
The arrival.. of something not so good.
After weeks of joy and celebration things got back into the normal routine. Work had become harder and more stress full. More full on to where time would be shorter and regretfully less cuddle time with gumbo. Something I always regret. Not giving more cuddle time to them both. And it was early July that one cuddle turned into my biggest fear. As I have my boy a kiss and cuddle goodnight… I felt a lump. It was the size of a grape. And hard. And as you do in panic a google search opened up a world of what ifs. He was still eating drinking and running around so I had no doubt it was nothing serious.
Luckily the next day , at work , I bumped into my vet. I explained all and she said if he’s still himself all should be okay.
The dreaded cost…
I love everything and everyone. I would give the world to make sure I could do all I can for my boy. But this was a cost that just hung me in the balance. My boy was slowly getting worse and I had to make a decision. Do I take him to the vet and pay the £4/500 quote just to get checks. Or do I pray to the piggy gods that my fighting young boy would make a full recovery… I chose the latter. With a baby on the way and all the outrageous costs flying though the roof I just couldn’t find the money to pay. But with hope and belief I strapped myself , like with chunk, and set off with gumbo though the tough journey to get him better!
A week, 2 weeks? How?
Gumbo, my boy, was slowly getting worse. Less moving around, No squeaks and a ravenous appetite dwindling. This young brave fighter was telling my that the time was getting near. And it was on Tuesday the 4th July I knew that time had come. No food at all, no drink and no hey eaten all day. I sat with my gorgeous boy in my lap, gave him the biggest kiss and cuddle and said goodnight. I burst into tears and he went back under his home and feared the worse for the morning.
Morning did come after several checks through the night. As I woke I ran to the cage to see my big still here and still going. How I keep saying. He hasn’t eaten or had a drink. This would be a process that lasted over a week. Every night for 9 days I would cuddle my boy. Tuck him in. Say goodnight. And dread the morning. But he kept going. Just like his brother chunk a fighter! Never giving up.
The actual final chapter.
Wednesday 12th July. I had gone out fishing. After a tough morning gumbo looked worse than ever. I debated leaving him but with that fighting spirt I had a hunch I’d see him that evening. And I did. I came back to a piggy looking at my with though gorgeous eyes. I settled in and the nightly routine of the cuddle and kiss began. Only this time something felt different. like I could hear gumbo talk. I felt like he said dad is it okay if I give up now. I gave him the biggest cuddle I’d ever given and what would be the final kiss on his head. I whispered if you need to go you go. And as I lowered him in I knew that this would be the last. My brave fighter was ready to go.
The morning came around , and as I woke I felt a piece of my heart missing. Before I got to the cage I knew the time had come. My brave little fighter had gone. As I saw my gorgeous boy lay there so still, his wonderful life had come to an end. I saw so much love in his eyes and a calm pose to tell me he went so peacefully. I didn’t know how to feel. I was so happy to seen him no longer struggle. But I’d lost the last half of my heart. If ever there was a pig so brave and wonderful gumbo was that pig. He was so shy but always put a smile on everyone face. He’s lost his brother but carried on and gave life the best he could give. A fighter till the end just like chunk. A gorgeous pig with a gorgeous heart. My precious boys now both together again. It’ll be tough as everyday for the last 6 years I’ve had my boys then gumbo. But knowing they are finally together again fills my broken heart. I’m sad you couldn’t meet the baby but don’t forget you’ll always be my boys.
I love you both to the fridge and back. I’ll never forget you. And I hope you’re both keep fighting though together. I’ll take your sprit and heart with me wherever life takes me.
Goodnight my boys.
