Things I've learnt about pigs in 2008

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Having gone from 4 pigs in 2007 to LOTS in 2008, I've learnt a few things along the way that I thought might be familiar to others out there!

1. They never get ill at the same time, or in standard working (vets) hours. No. They take it in turns, and they wait until Sunday evening or worse still, a bank holiday, before falling ill.
2. When you get to the vets, they act like nothing is wrong - and the vets think you're a mad guinea pig lady
3. No-one (family) understands why anyone would want more than 2 guinea pigs, or that they're all different
4. Most people think guinea pig are hamsters, or vice-versa, or that they bite, or have tails.
5. Most people react to you having guinea pigs by reciting some sort of story, you know the sort - 'Oh, I had guinea pigs when the kids were little, until next door's dog got in the garden and ate them'

Also, most people (not inc. Vikki and Ron!) don't understand why I'd rather be having a 'shed day' than be at work or on holiday!

Sophie
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haha thats great and also true. However i get "they are just rats" which annoys me. xx
 
Ah yes, rats! Of course. That's what my neighbours say when they see me with a cat carrier - 'More rats?' - I've learnt to just smile and say 'yes'!

Sophie
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haha, i know that feeling well. I love the look i get at the vets as well. People see the carrier and say "ohh what have you got" and the minute i say guines pigs they look at me like am daft from taking guinea pigs to a vet and stop talking to me. x
 
Yep, all my pigs have gotten ill on saturday evenings. Thats so true about them acting like nothing is wrong when they go too ;D
When I was at school everyone used to say ''Oh yeah I had guinea pigs, then one got ill and died and the other one got sad and nearly died so we got a rabbit.'' ::) or ''why on earth do you have so many guinea pigs?'' ;D
 
my husband thinks I'm a bit nutty cause I always go into a pet store when we are near one, and when we are in the grocery store Ishop for my guin ea's to (veggie shopping) :)
 
Moomin had a really bad nose bleed recently, covered in blood, all over the walls of her cage - by the time we got to the vets (emergency!) she had cleaned it all off and was sitting looking smug and healthy. The vet obviously didn't believe my 'it was a total blood bath' story one bit!

I always have to go into pet shops too, just to check!

Sophie
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AAHH Shed days! heaven!
The OH getting used to me disappearing to do the Guinea pigs at the bottom of the garden!
my routine is get home from work in the morning (work nights) breakfast & forum - walk George - Guinea pigs - bed usually first two done by 10 and then rest of day till 1pm with piggies!
Have learnt to get a sensible sleep and day pattern now no ;lounging around all day which is the usual pre piggie routine!
Have learnt to put on a plastic smile and then forget what people have told me when dealing with rescues as it doesnt match with what i find!
and piggies will always escape or fight when OH home alone and He has a panic! ;D ;D
Dogs like guinea pig poo as a treat! :P
 
that is great to read mate

Well put

Sheds are the best place to be..

O0
 
When I was a teenager and having a sulk, my Mum would always know where to find me... in the shed with a guinea pig! I used to lock myself in there until the world went away. No different now, I've just got more pigs than I had then! ;)
 
Sophie those points are so true! they are always asking how my "hamsters" are at work, and my mum and the vets think I am a mad guinea pig lady! Plus the guys at work are always finding me recipes off the 'net for roast guineapig, or game pie with the rabbits and hamster in too!
 
I just find Guinea pigs aloy easier to deal with after working with people all night and thats usually the staff being childish!
and sitting with a guinea pig is SOOOOOOOOO relaxing!
 
I agree Ron!

Katie - my parents said if there was a war on we'd have to eat the pigs, but we all agreed not to eat Elvis ;D

I talk to them all, drives my Dad bonkers, he says at least the chickens lay eggs and earn their keep!

Sophie
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My mum talks to them too when she's round at ours so she undertands the madness!

Ron I find it so relaxing to get home from work and plonk a chubby pig on my knee for a cuddle! No wonder Peter Guerney used to take them into hospitals for the patients to cuddle - they are so relaxing.
 
If I was in hospital I can think of nothing better than being given a pig to cuddle - that or a PAT dog labrador! But pigs are much more convenient in size! :smitten: :smitten:

Love 'them!

Sophie
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I absolutely love coming home from work to my cats/guinea pigs - you could have the worse and most stressful day ever at work and just want to cry but the minute you get in and they wheek (that's not the cats) and run to the door to greet you, its just the best feeling in the world (I don't have kids so they're my version of them).
 
roninnorfolk said:
Dogs like guinea pig poo as a treat! :P

That is so true.
My dog clears up after they have been in the run, how disgusting (but helpful) is that. xx0 ;D
 
On a serious note Bubble taught me how to recognise and treat uti and impaction and Fugly has taught me all about spurs

On a light note (this is disgusting) Fugly has taught oh not to leave toenail clippings on the floor as he will eat them (Fugly that is) that also goes for belly button fluff oh now has to put them in the bin so they cant harm Fugly
 
Well, we live and learn! Toenails - hmm!

Yes that's true though - I can now recognise all sorts of ailments I didn't know about before, I've learnt loads from the forum (and Vikki!) in the last 6 months and consequently am now more paranoid about my pigs than ever before! ::) All interesting though.

Sophie
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