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Why Did You Get Piggies?

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I won't lie I probably did the worst thing you can do! We'd been talking about getting guinea pigs for ages and I mean ages but in the end we got another rabbit- Bigwig (love him!). We had already owned a rabbit called Bailey so it wasn't an uneducated buy. Luckily my grandad had found a huge hutch which he'd installed in my garden whilst I was away. It was a few months later and we still discussed piggies every now and again when a sign came up down our road - piggies for £10. Now first I know - why you buying from a breeder?! But we didn't quite understand how you could sell a living animal for only a tenner and decided to take a look. And we came away with a beautiful blue agouti sow called Vinny. Well from that day I was hooked! Literally nothing separated us and she went from a piggy who you never saw to a piggy I could have run freely across the lawn or anyway in the house and she always came back. And that only took a week! Sadly she was taken too soon by what was believed to be meningitis I say believed because the small animal vet we were supposed to see instead turned out to be a dog/cat vet and he never actually diagnosed anything.Yet I know in my deepest of hearts that any vet we saw would not be able to help her. Despite reacting quickly she was gone. I missed her alot and for a whole year I didn't want another guinea pig- clearly i had done something wrong and how could I ever look after another when I did that to Vinny. Buy I finally realised that you can't go what if? I didn't kill Vinny and she'd want me to love another and well we found Mo.
 
That's such a lovely story. I don't know why we got piggies, I think it was walking in a pet shop, & I fell in love. I did the the wrong thing, I bought from breeders & pet shops, I've been exceedingly lucky that I have not bought home an ill one or one that, had died. Knowing how many have been unwell & pregnant from pet shops. I have only lost one, that's Molly in my avatar, they thought she had ovarian cysts. She never showed any sign of illness but the day before she'd only ate 1 blueberry which was so odd. Next day they operated & found cancer everywhere. She broke my heart, I cried forever, they'll never be another Molly.
I found this forum after I'd got my piggies. The advice I've had, the funny stories, the sadness, I've felt through other members, this forum is 100% brilliant. It is fantastic being one of the people whom can pass on your knowledge. We have 7 piggys l duck the hard work, hubby does that, I just get all the cuddles. I love everyone of my piggies, I have the intolerant, the funny, the bonded the totally nutty ones. I wouldn't swap any of them. They give me love & I hope I give oodles of that back.
 
I was 14 and we had a dog but I wanted a pet of our own. I wanted a couple of rats but Dad "didn't want those stinking creatures in the house" and we knew rats couldn't live outside. So, I got a guinea pig and he lived outside.

Happy ending was that the pigs ended up living inside after one got a URI and needed to be kept warm so they moved inside... and then never went back outside.
 
I asked my mum if I could have a rabbit for my 19th birthday but she said no so I saw two gorgeous pigs at the local pet shop and she agreed on them.Id never even thought about guinea pigs before and knew nothing about them.A few years later and I ended up having a couple of rabbits, one I had from someone who wasn't looking after him properly and he was kept in a very tiny hutch and one I adopted from the rehoming section at pets at home.Now I've got 6 piggies, my 1st 2 were lovely pigs and started me on my piggy journey lol.
 
Many moons ago I fell in love with a little furball who I called Angel at a pet store. I was a teenager at the time, and 37 now, so count the moon's if you must. I've adopted plenty of guineas since then, always enamoured by their little lips and the little sounds they make. Our home isn't a home without Guinea pigs!
 
I loved animals as a child and was desperate for a dog. Both my parents worked so I had a cat and then, some years later was allowed a guinea pig. Little Cobby Cavie was glorious. She was silver agouti and white and was very tame. She would sit on my lap eating dandelions and grass.

After that I had many guinea pigs and recently adopted two very sweet sows from a local rescue. I love their noises, their looks and their sweet natures.
 
I grew up having small animals and have always loved them. We couldn't have larger animals (hubby is allergic to cats, my parents are kind enough to let us share their cottage in the summer, but have a 'no dog' rule so owning a dog would rule out any vacation at the lake.) For years we actually had African Pygmy Hedgehogs, but out last hedgehog was a rescue who was neglected and really never warmed up to people, and once we had kids, the kids really wanted to interact with her and she wanted nothing to do with them, so after she passed away of old age I wanted to get a pet that would be docile enough for the kids to interact with. Guinea pigs seemed a natural fit- they were similar in size to the hedgehogs, had a similar longer lifespan for a small animal (I have been through so many small animals over the years so longer lifespan is a big thing to me!), and I had fond memories of our classroom guinea pig, Caramel, who I got to babysit over the summer when I was little. So we ended up with our first pair of guinea pigs (Linney and Frenzy) and now it's been about eight years and here we are, now with guinea pig number four and five.
 
I honestly don't know why I decided on owning piggies. I've always loved animals, and the first pet I ever really called mine was a rabbit, Toffee. Loved that guy. But then...the pet shop (I know it was wrong) we got Toffee from had two guinea pigs, and I just fell in love. They lived in a nice big indoor cage, and were very spoilt. So much so that one of them, Cinnamon, ended up getting a bit overweight.

Got two more after Cinnamon & Nutmeg died. Those two brothers ended up occupying a further 7 years of my life. After I lost them, couldn't really face owning guinea pigs again, so took a two year break. But then saw Chutney & Radish (my current boys) on a rescue centre website, and well...fell in love all over again!
They've been with me for 4 1/2 years now (moved house with me as well last year!) Then got the girls from a family who needed to rehome them last year.

Just love piggy lips and their noises. And the popcorning as well.
 
I had two boys as a young child (well, my mum had them :))) and used to love the way they wheeked every time you went out with veggies into the garden as sadly we kept them outside in those days.

One day about 2 years ago I was making a roast dinner, looked at the carrot peelings and something pulled at my heart strings. I didn't want to compost those peelings. There used to be two furry things who would tear your arm off for those peelings.

So I did some research for a few months, to make sure I could give them the life they deserve and found that I couldn't stop thinking about them. I bought everything, set everything up and went out to my local rescue, set eyes on two tiny baby pigs and the rest is history! Now they're about 1 and half and I have two more girls and possibly a boy on the way... Completely smitten with everything about them.

:wub:
 
I have kept hamsters for about 30 years (or close to it). I had been researching Guinea pigs on and off for ages, but always decided that they were not for me. My OH loved Guinea pigs and was often on about the one he had had as a pet when young, but I still decided that they were not right for me.

I even visited a local rescue and left deciding that piggies were not the right pet for me AT ALL!

Then I found a box dumped on my doorstep one Sunday night, with two baby piggies in it. No one else around. I must have been spotted with bags of stuff from P&H for the Hammies otherwise who would have known?

I went in to full panic mode. Bought stuff for them the next day, except a cage. That came a week later from Zooplus, and they were in a huge run in the meantime.

It went on from there. Now I have a 7 strong herd (6 sows and 1 neutered boar) living in a 10x2 C&C cage with a 2x2 loft. And I will never be without piggies!
 
I always wanted pets as a child but was never allowed them. Mum had hens in the garden for eggs but they were never really pets. When I was 19 we moved to a small village and Mum and Dad bought some ducklings. They were lovely and they were my first pets. Nelson was very tame, much tamer than the 2 girls and followed us everywhere. After I got married and had kids we had hamsters (8 in total) then we decided to get 2 guinea pigs. My 2 eldest sons chose Lenny & Gizmo. We decided to have guinea pigs as it taught my sons that living creatures needed to be looked after and loved. When Lenny & Gizmo trotted off over the rainbow bridge we had a break for a few years and then we got 2 more sows as we missed their little noises (it was my hubby's idea although he denies all knowledge now). One of the sows was pregnant and now we have 5. They all get lots of love and attention and wheak every time we walk past them and they do little popcorns when its veg time and squeal in excitement. I love having piggies again. What you put in you get back in bucket loads. I should have had more years ago! I'm now addicted. :love::love::love:
 
I won't lie we went to get our 9 5. And 2yr old rabbits but p and h said that piggies would be better as they are gentler then the rabbit who could hurt the kids by accident of course as they are so strong in the legs and that they were easier and cheaper lol they must have read the wrong leaflet that was in March and already spen nearly 300 on vet bills as 1 of mine is allways getting eye pokes but I think I was same piece of hay that they only found on 3 rd visit to vets
 
My piggie journey began when I fell in love with a massive longhaired ginger piggy about three years ago who was at a local rescue centre when I went to ask about volunteering. I had never really considered piggies as at the time, I was in the process of getting two bunnies, so time went on and I thought he would find a home. About a year later I had a look on the website to see him reserved, in a new home, back at the centre, reserved, let down and I really felt sorry for him and thought it was a sign he was supposed to come and live with me. Overall he was at the rescue for well over a year.

So I spoke to my parents and they agreed that I could go and meet him. When we arrived I was told that he had been reserved by a member of staff because he had been there for so long, I was gutted but just went with the idea it obviously wasn't meant to be. Then the lady said they did have some other pigs, so we went out to a big outbuilding and Rosie and Betsy were both up at the bars and the minute I saw them I knew I would be taking them home :luv:

Looking back I was so lucky to have ended up with them as the rescue centre said it was the busiest rehoming weekend they had ever had and so many pigs were reserved. Safe to say I am now addicted to piggies all down to my lovely Rosie and Betsy :nod: x
 
Got my first pig from carfields local pet shop, probabay for around 2 shillings ,
I fed them on chopped up carrots turnip ect and l mixed them with bran and oats ,
Ocasionaly l would add cold tea and tea leaves for there antioxidant and digestion aid
Properties, they were kepted outside on a south facing wall for best protection from the
Elements. Though cages had to be designed very carfully to make the sleeping quarters
As cosy as possibal
Small animal Vets were vertualy unheard of in the 50 's so good husbandry practices
Had to be lurned pritty quicly
 
I always wanted them since I first saw one. I love their little faces but had 2 rabbits instead. One day my cousin called and said her friend bought 2 Guinea pigs from pet shop and one was pregnant. She had 3 babies 2 girls which my cousin had and a boy which we had and called him Nazeem. Since I was only little and we didn't know anything about guinea pigs it and wasn't until years later when we got him a friend. His name was pippin and bought from a small pet shop. I think he has something wrong with him because after a couple of weeks they both passed away :( so we didn't have anymore until some years later.
Then me and my brother wanted one each so went to pets at home and got a massive pig called jerry and a baby called Henry. Henry had quite afew health problems and passed away about 2 years after we got them. So we decided we didn't want anymore because we were all heartbroken so Jerry lived alone for the rest of his life as a very spoilt, free range house pig.
Then we didn't have any again for years and really missed having them. So one day me, my boyfriend and his brother went to look in an exotic pet shop that was closing down and they had 1 little pink eyed guinea pig left and he was reduced to £5. I asked to hold him and could see he was in a right bad state so my boyfriend and his brother kept telling me to get him even though I knew my mum would go nuts because she said she before she doesn't want them again because we always end up heartbroken when they pass away I bought him anyway. Long story short mum did go nuts for about 5 mins then fed him carrot and fell in love :) we got him a friend called fudge and unfortunately both have now passed over the rainbow bridge but our house is now a pig house with 5girls and 2 boys. And my mum even suggested getting the latest one :)
 
When I was 12 my friends guinea pig had babies and my Mum said my sister and I could have one each. My sister tired of looking after hers after a few weeks but I was hooked. My Mum supervised their care but I didn't need much persuading to look after them. When my friends were meeting up in town on a Saturday morning I was cleaning them out and at the disussed allotments down the road picking dandelions. That was the start of a life long love, I've had big breaks from owning piggys along they way but never lost my love of them. Piggy slaving has altered hugely in the last 40+ years but my love affair is stronger than ever.
 
I volunteer at a farm for children to come and pet the animals. I have worked cleaning out the rabbits and guinea pigs since October. In January, one of the sows mysteriously fell pregnant (strange as the boars and sows are separate but not neutered). Soon, two little fluffy boys were born. I'd never had a mammal as a pet before and I didn't ever imagine that I would be allowed. I had only ever had a fish and a crested gecko. Anyway, I was in charge of cleaning the hutch from the day they were born and I named the mother May because I made friends with her. They have a whole family at the farm, aunties and cousins. My friend and I agreed to name one each, I named mine Olly and she named her's Ringo. From that moment I fell in love with them and wanted more than anything to have them and my friend supported me (she might've got them but she already had two rabbits and was getting a puppy so decided against it), she saw how much I loved them. I did a month of non-stop research and made a package of info on them from grease spots to diet to different types of bedding, I was addicted to the piggy world. The babies were going to be given away to a rescue centre or nursery so I begged and begged to have them and finally, I was allowed! I was so happy and got to work making a shopping list and buying everything with my own money.

Almost 4 months down the line and my babies are thriving, sampling hay for you (but mainly for them) and making the move from wood shavings to aubiose. They popcorn and wheek like there's no tomorrow and eat much better than I do. I would do anything for them, they are the apples of my eyes. :luv::love:
 
I got Ginny first at a small local pet shop in probably 2011 or 12, he was the last one and completely alone in his pen. I'd been planning to get piggies for a while before that, must admit he was a bit of an impulse, his little ears and face. For months we suspected he was another species lol, he had the nose shaped like a rat which I had never seen somehow (despite two neighbours owning pigs at the time). Eventually we got Minja and Teddy (guilty of P@H). I can't remember if he was neutered before or after we got them. Either way they eventually got together and coexisted peacefully.

Teddy passed first on the 1st of April 2016 from an aneurysm, Minja 26 of February 2017 from a suspected bursted tumour or something in her stomach - rest in peace. Ginny was alone up until recently, in which @Elisabeth very kindly lent her girls over Peppa and Porridge to live with Ginny until he passes. I love all of them very dearly
 
I have been mum to a gorgeous male himi rex rabbit, named Panda, for 8 wonderful years but very sadly he passed away, in my arms 2 weeks ago. I was devastated. He was so much more than just a rabbit. He was like a family member. He free roamed our kitchen all day and them had supervised free roaming in the rest of the flat while I was home. I miss him so much.

I knew I'd never get another rabbit. He was one in a million. I wouldn't want to cage a rabbit and house training a new kit isn't something I can do now, plus I now have 2 cats and 2 dogs.

So, I did consider getting a couple of piggies. I kept them before, years ago now and loved them. I didn't go looking for any and decided to wait and see if I was sure...

Fate came into play. I wont go into too many details but basically, a week ago I was offered a mummy guinea pig and her one eyed baby. The baby had just been born but was doing well. I said I would think about it. Mum is 2 years old and has had a couple of litters... I thought it would be nice to give her a nice home and no more breeding.

I have now agreed to take them both once the babies (there is a male baby who will be going to another home) are old enough.

I'm so excited. The one eyed girl will be named Ilene! Mum apparently has no name so I shall need to find something suitable.

I had my first cuddles with both of them yesterday and they are adorable. I can't wait to bring them home.
 
I got my first piggies almost 20 years ago after reading an article in a local paper about the RSPCA (we were in the UK at the time) recovering almost 100 piggies from a hoarding situation.
This was in the days before the home internet really took off, so there was a number to ring if you were interested.
I called, and the lady basically asked me when I could come round to pick some pigs!
I made an appointment for the following weekend, got an old hutch from one of the neighbours where it had been empty in the front garden for months. I knocked on their door and asked if I could have it, and they were happy to be rid of it.
DH and I carried it down the road to our house, and I painted it a hideous shade of green.

When we went to look at the guinea pigs we were totally unprepared.
The woman who was fostering some of the pigs had them all over her back garden in huge, single sex groups, out in runs on the lawn.
She basically said just pick 2 from any run and they are yours - in hindsight it was laughable, as we didn't even have a proper carrier - only an old cardboard box.
She asked if we had food, and we had totally forgotten to get any so she tipped some from a huge sack into a Tesco carrier bag and sent us on our way.

And that was how the whole adventure began.
 
I have always had hamsters. I was unwell and needed something bigger and something more interactive (I saw this as a therapy pet). I couldn't have a dog and so researched rabbits until my dad said to look into guinea pigs because he'd had a couple as a kid and said they might be better. So lots more research later I picked up a couple of sows and then adopted two more over the next year or so.

They did the trick as therapy animals and are now spoilt rotten! I can't imagine life without these lovely little critters! :love:
 
Its not much of a story to be honest lol I was about 11 and kept asking for a tortoise, quite rightly my parents decided I wouldnt be able to properly care for one so my Dad steered me towards guinea pigs because he had quite a few as a child.

Its a bit of a family joke now even 16 years later, when ever anyone moans about shavings or hay on the floor, noise etc i'll just say 'not my fault, I wanted a tortoise!'
I think my Dad regrets starting the obsession, he still adores them though.
 
I never really thought about guinea pigs as a pet actually and i'm ashamed to admit my two were a spare of the moment buy. I went into our local pet shop at the mall after seeing the male guinea pigs in the front window, just to look. At the back of the store there was some kids screaming (it was more exited screeching) in front of some cages and after a couple of minutes they left so I went over to see what the fuss was about and in one of the cages were two tiny little guinea pigs cowering in the back of the cage and I felt so sad for them. The shop owner asked if I wanted to hold them and I shouldn't of but I did and obviously thats how Patchy and Coco ended up part of the family because I had to save them lol. So then it was researching full on for over a month, buying a new cage cos the one they sold me at the shop was too small and buying up large on hay and pellets because the shop also never said they ate hay or pellets or sold hay or pellets. I wouldn't be without my piggies now though and love them very much but I will never buy a pet without researching again.
 
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