Goldie
Adult Guinea Pig
My beloved Umbrella has gone .... my house seems empty without my "little man". I can't believe it! Far too soon!
I am sure many members will remember Umbrella and his story, but for others that don't ... Summerleaze (Louise from Little Brambles) rescued him from terrible conditions in March 2009 and I fostered him for three months. He was very underweight weighing 750g even though we thought he was about approx 1 year old, having no access to water, proper food or clean bedding before Summerleaze rescued him. He had hair loss and skin complaints. It was uncertain even if he would survive. After a couple of weeks I had, and also my family, had fallen in love with him and couldn't bear to part with him. Summerleaze kindly agreed to us adopting him. He went from strength to strength, enjoying everything about life. His weight went up to 1kg.
Unfortunately Umbrella has been poorly on and off since July after he began to lose weight, very snuffly with watery eyes and wet nose. I trust my vet 110% and she said at the time that she thought his condition would be difficult to treat, probably more than just a chest infection. He was prescribed Baytril. I returned to the vet again in September and then again in November. In November he was also prescribed Metacam to help with inflammation and/or pain. Both Umbrella and wife Parasol have been living indoors with me for many weeks to try to help him even though normally they live in a lovely hutch in a warm shed. I have also been syringe feeding him but I couldn't manage to save him ... he couldn't shake off this illness. His weight dropped to 610g. He had always drank alot of water but lately even that had stopped although I was supplementing this by syringe.
However, I knew by the look in his eyes on Monday afternoon that he was going to pass over Rainbow Bridge. He and I sat cuddling together for nearly two hours while he travelled to the bridge. He passed away snuggled under my chin with me telling him lots of lovely things that he would see and do when he got there ... who he would meet and see again. I promised that he would stay with me forever in my garden.
I know that I gave him a lovely life but it was so hard to let him go plus I know that he tried so hard to stay. After nearly 20 years of owning guinea pigs he has the biggest place in my heart and also my family's heart. He was a legend!
Here are a few photos of Umbrella as a tribute to my little brave soldier.
A tiny, skinny little boy when I fostered him very soon after Summerleaze rescued him from terrible conditions in March 2009 ...
That appealing little face ....
Putting on weight ....
A good weight and his great personality is emerging ...
Very happy in his new hutch overlooking the garden awaiting his new wife after being neutered ...
I took this photo within five minutes of Umbrella first meeting wife Parasol in August 2009 ... a love made in heaven!
Good night sweetheat ... run free x x>>
I am sure many members will remember Umbrella and his story, but for others that don't ... Summerleaze (Louise from Little Brambles) rescued him from terrible conditions in March 2009 and I fostered him for three months. He was very underweight weighing 750g even though we thought he was about approx 1 year old, having no access to water, proper food or clean bedding before Summerleaze rescued him. He had hair loss and skin complaints. It was uncertain even if he would survive. After a couple of weeks I had, and also my family, had fallen in love with him and couldn't bear to part with him. Summerleaze kindly agreed to us adopting him. He went from strength to strength, enjoying everything about life. His weight went up to 1kg.
Unfortunately Umbrella has been poorly on and off since July after he began to lose weight, very snuffly with watery eyes and wet nose. I trust my vet 110% and she said at the time that she thought his condition would be difficult to treat, probably more than just a chest infection. He was prescribed Baytril. I returned to the vet again in September and then again in November. In November he was also prescribed Metacam to help with inflammation and/or pain. Both Umbrella and wife Parasol have been living indoors with me for many weeks to try to help him even though normally they live in a lovely hutch in a warm shed. I have also been syringe feeding him but I couldn't manage to save him ... he couldn't shake off this illness. His weight dropped to 610g. He had always drank alot of water but lately even that had stopped although I was supplementing this by syringe.
However, I knew by the look in his eyes on Monday afternoon that he was going to pass over Rainbow Bridge. He and I sat cuddling together for nearly two hours while he travelled to the bridge. He passed away snuggled under my chin with me telling him lots of lovely things that he would see and do when he got there ... who he would meet and see again. I promised that he would stay with me forever in my garden.
I know that I gave him a lovely life but it was so hard to let him go plus I know that he tried so hard to stay. After nearly 20 years of owning guinea pigs he has the biggest place in my heart and also my family's heart. He was a legend!
Here are a few photos of Umbrella as a tribute to my little brave soldier.
A tiny, skinny little boy when I fostered him very soon after Summerleaze rescued him from terrible conditions in March 2009 ...
That appealing little face ....
Putting on weight ....
A good weight and his great personality is emerging ...
Very happy in his new hutch overlooking the garden awaiting his new wife after being neutered ...
I took this photo within five minutes of Umbrella first meeting wife Parasol in August 2009 ... a love made in heaven!
Good night sweetheat ... run free x x>>