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Deleted member 139433
Guinea Pig Feature Week-Rainbow Bridge Piggies
Well today’s the day... my main man Odin.
I’m sure you’ve all heard me talk about this little guy so much over the last couple of years, so I’ll try to write a shortened piece today. There really aren’t words to describe the love I have for him or the bond we shared.
Odin arrived with his buddy Stark and from the minute I met him, I knew just how much this little guy was my soul mate. From that minute on, from being a tiny baby, Odin wanted to spend every second with me. At every opportunity he was calling for me so that he could follow me around, sleep in my arms or just happily sit on my shoulder on the couch and watch his favourite TV shows. There really aren’t words to explain our bond or the loved we shared, he was my baby. Only people who have experienced this with an animal can understand. And I hope that everyone, at some point in their lives, does get to experience it.
Unfortunately Odin was the result of very careless (most likely pet shop) breeding and had obviously be kept in horrendous conditions before he and Stark arrived. This left his with some ongoing health issues that started with a rare intestinal parasite problem at only months old (this is rare in piggies and is usually the result of poor breeding conditions). Being so young, it was touch and go for little Odin and I was spending many sleepless nights whilst he remained in hospital for intensive care. But he made it and he returned home! He was so happy to see me when I collected him from the vet. Even the nurses commented on just how much he loves his mum! There was lots of continued nursing with me at home, feeding and medicating throughout the day and night, but my boy made it and bounded back; full of life once again.
As a result of his poor breeding, Odin did go on to suffer more issues in the coming year: including an eye abscess, bladder issues and dental issues. Eventually leading to respiratory issues too. I spent an entire year, nursing my boy and caring for him all day and every hour through the night. And I would do it all again. As it bought him a good few months of being the happiest he’s ever been! Even if it meant weekly, 6 hour round trips to the best vets in the country (worth every minute on the road).
When I remember Odin, I try to remember the great times. I can picture him pop-Corning around the house, napping with his mummy, and playing with his best buddy Thor (we bonded him with Thor when he and Stark lost their bond as a result of Odin’s illnesses; and Thor had just lost his buddy Loki). They became very close friends. Those last few months of his life, Odin was so happy. Still pop-Corning around till the day he left for the rainbow bridge. I had worried so much about his progressing health issues (a worry that consumes your whole life), but in the end he was zooming around happily, he had gained weight; he then had breakfast and cuddles with his mummy one Sunday morning, and then lay down with his buddy Thor and off he went to the rainbow bridge, very peacefully. It was the end I would have wanted for him. He was peaceful and very happy and very much loved in his own surroundings. Guinea pigs don’t measure their lives by years, but by happiness. And I can only hope that I did enough and that I filled his short life with happiness.
The heart break I feel and how much I miss him, every second of every day, will never fade. But it’s a reminder of just how strong was the love that we shared.
I know you’re having fun with the others now my boy, and mummy will be with you again someday
Love you more than anything, always and forever my boy
Well today’s the day... my main man Odin.
I’m sure you’ve all heard me talk about this little guy so much over the last couple of years, so I’ll try to write a shortened piece today. There really aren’t words to describe the love I have for him or the bond we shared.
Odin arrived with his buddy Stark and from the minute I met him, I knew just how much this little guy was my soul mate. From that minute on, from being a tiny baby, Odin wanted to spend every second with me. At every opportunity he was calling for me so that he could follow me around, sleep in my arms or just happily sit on my shoulder on the couch and watch his favourite TV shows. There really aren’t words to explain our bond or the loved we shared, he was my baby. Only people who have experienced this with an animal can understand. And I hope that everyone, at some point in their lives, does get to experience it.
Unfortunately Odin was the result of very careless (most likely pet shop) breeding and had obviously be kept in horrendous conditions before he and Stark arrived. This left his with some ongoing health issues that started with a rare intestinal parasite problem at only months old (this is rare in piggies and is usually the result of poor breeding conditions). Being so young, it was touch and go for little Odin and I was spending many sleepless nights whilst he remained in hospital for intensive care. But he made it and he returned home! He was so happy to see me when I collected him from the vet. Even the nurses commented on just how much he loves his mum! There was lots of continued nursing with me at home, feeding and medicating throughout the day and night, but my boy made it and bounded back; full of life once again.
As a result of his poor breeding, Odin did go on to suffer more issues in the coming year: including an eye abscess, bladder issues and dental issues. Eventually leading to respiratory issues too. I spent an entire year, nursing my boy and caring for him all day and every hour through the night. And I would do it all again. As it bought him a good few months of being the happiest he’s ever been! Even if it meant weekly, 6 hour round trips to the best vets in the country (worth every minute on the road).
When I remember Odin, I try to remember the great times. I can picture him pop-Corning around the house, napping with his mummy, and playing with his best buddy Thor (we bonded him with Thor when he and Stark lost their bond as a result of Odin’s illnesses; and Thor had just lost his buddy Loki). They became very close friends. Those last few months of his life, Odin was so happy. Still pop-Corning around till the day he left for the rainbow bridge. I had worried so much about his progressing health issues (a worry that consumes your whole life), but in the end he was zooming around happily, he had gained weight; he then had breakfast and cuddles with his mummy one Sunday morning, and then lay down with his buddy Thor and off he went to the rainbow bridge, very peacefully. It was the end I would have wanted for him. He was peaceful and very happy and very much loved in his own surroundings. Guinea pigs don’t measure their lives by years, but by happiness. And I can only hope that I did enough and that I filled his short life with happiness.
The heart break I feel and how much I miss him, every second of every day, will never fade. But it’s a reminder of just how strong was the love that we shared.
I know you’re having fun with the others now my boy, and mummy will be with you again someday
Love you more than anything, always and forever my boy
