graham has kindly tagged me to share 5 facts about myself :o) The rules are.....
Rules:Link to the tagger and post these rules on your blog. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
Hmmm.....here goes....
1. I am obsessed by horses and riding and have been since I was about 3. Years ago on a farm holiday there wasn't any horses available to ride, so I rode a cow. Within minutes, the cow had dumped me head first into the slurry pit :o)
2. I work in Milton Keynes where the beautiful Prince was from originally. It's a small world isn't it?
3. I ADORE the smell of my dogs. They both smell completely different but to me, absolutely fantastic. I love to just bury my face into their necks and breathe.
4. My first job was with horses, I now work in IT. Now, what would I rather be doing........:o)
5. To date I have shared my life with 7 dogs, 5 rabbits, 2 horses, 32 cats, 2 hedgehogs, 1 guinea pig, 1 tortoise, many fish and a duck. Plus a number of "foster" animals over the years.
OK, so now I have to tag some others.....these are they - Linda Seid Frembes, Blogs From the Dogs, The Tails of Harry and Cassidy The Airedales, HandH,
Apologies that there is only 4 tags (and one duplicate :o)), since I am new to "blogging" and time always seems to be an issue, I tend to follow a few blogs closely.
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11 comments:
Graham and his brother Damian had a tortoise for 17 years!
Fiona could you help me with some advice please? Approx. 4 years ago Graham handed over his 2 Guinea pigs he and his girl friend had once been playing happy family with. They seperated and he couldn't manage them alone. One died after 12 months and so we took another rescue Guinea pig so that the one left wouldn't be lonely. Every twelve months or so one dies and I end up having to get another so that the one left isn't lonely! You say you had one Guinea pig but was it alright by itself? I really didn't ever want Guinea pigs (even though I have become very fond of them)and don't want to have to continue this pattern forever. At the moment I am worried sick because one died two weeks ago and I now have one Guinea Pig again!
Hi Lesley, I had my Guinea Pig many years ago and I kept him with a rabbit. But I'm not sure that is a great idea. Do they live outside? How did they die? Was it always the new "pig" that died or the original one? What sex is the remaining one and how old? I know what you mean though about keeping them in pairs. I will try and find some information for you. Do you manage to spend a lot of time with the single one? Sorry if this sounds like a bit of an interview :o) It's just that I'm not sure the question of whether they are happier in company or not is quite as straight forward as it seems. I think much depends on the personality of the remaining one. But I will try and find out for you and well done for taking them on in the first place ! Hope you are well.
Hi Fiona,
Yes they do live outside but I had a hutch made for them which is made of strong wood and has cavity walls. We are in a warm area and the hutch is on the patio facing south . We also cover them up every night throughout the winter.
The first to die (Scamp) was being treated for a scratch on her eye (she had been having eye drops for about a fortnight) and then one morning we found her dead. She was approx. 7 years old. The second to die (Skip) was approx. 4 years old and we found her dead one morning during the very hot summer of 2006. She and her new partner (Rosy) had been out in their run all the previous day but with a cover around 3 sides and over the top to keep off the sun (in a semi-shaded area anyway). They also had an arched wooden hedgehog type of house to go into while in the run. We think it was simply the heat and possibly she had a heart attack. The new partner had been with her about 5 months. The new one was female of course, as they all were, but she was very dominant and seemed to keep the original one out of the sleeping area which she treated as her own. They didn't fight but you wouldn't say they were good friends.
We then took a baby (Poppy)to put with Rosy and they got on very well together. They would have been together 12 months this last summer approx. Rosy who was 2 died a few weeks ago because of Bloat. The vet said it was a build up of gas in her stomach which could have been caused by change of diet, even though they always had straw and dried food in plenty with the vegetables. The pair of them were good pals - the one left (Poppy) saw Rosy as her mother. Rosy was rescued from a home where she was placed having had 2 lots of babies when she was not much more than a baby herself. Poppy who was the baby came from a pet shop.
I do not spend time at all with Poppy as I only see her when I feed her. As I said I was looking after them when Graham needed me to. They have been very well cared for with a very clean hutch, fresh water daily, lots of fresh vegetables (we probably killed Rosy with kindness!) but I didn't spend time with them and they didn't get handled unless there was a need to.
Poppy must be missing the other terribly but you can see why I don't want to go on and on with a succession of them, as they are a commitment and when we go away I have to find someone to look after them, even though Graham will sometimes have them back not always willingly!!
I care very much about where Poppy would go to if I were to try and rehome her.I couldn't bear to think of her being taken by children who might lose interest and neglect her and so I just don't know what to do. I probably just wanted to hear you say that one is alright alone but in my heart I can't imagine that she is happy.
I do hope your mother and Yogi are doing well as they are number one concern without a doubt. I really didn't want to burden you with all of this but thank you for being concerned.
Hi Lesley, It's not a burden at all. Things like this keep my mind away from other things. I was pleased that you asked. I am meeting up with my vet nurse friend tonight and am going to ask her advice. By the way, it sounds like they have a perfect life :o) I was just trying to get some history to see if there was any clue as to why they weren't lasting i.e maybe the original one didn't want company so was acting dominant or not allowing the other food etc. As that isn't the case, it just seems like you have been very unlucky. I have had some rabbits that do brilliantly on their own and don't want company also I have had them where they pine on their own. Hope you didn#t mind me asking all those questions but just wanted a full picture. Will let you know tomorrow what Allyson says or if she knows of anyone that can help.
Hi Fiona,
I can't thank you enough for caring as most people tend to say "Oh she will be alright" because that is the easiest thing to do. Forget about the little Guinea Pig and bury your head in the sand!
However, your time is so limited and precious you shouldn't even have to spend time on your blog over this. Yogi is what it is all about and so please put your time into letting us know how the "Little Chap" is. More photos of him would be lovely.
I was surprised to discover you worked in Milton Keynes. I really thought because your course was in Denbigh you were quite near. It is amazing the picture one gets of someone - I thought you lived in the wild and rugged North Wales!
Hi Lesley, I spoke to Allyson last night and she has a guinea pig alone. It is kept in the kitchen so it will have a lot of day to day interaction and company. That's why I asked if they were indoor piggies. As a general rule though, Guinea Pigs seem to be very sociable creatures and do need company of their own kind. (not rabbits as they can dominate them) Also it sounds like Poppy is still young and as she seems to enjoy the company of other Guineas (seeing Rosy as her mum) perhaps it would be kinder to get her another friend. I can so understand your dilemma but she probably has quite a few years left - I gather they can live for about 8 years. What about finding someone else to have her who already has others? Not kids, but there are some people around who are a bit dotty about certain animals and will take them on as their own and give them a good life? I have known people with 20 plus rabbits that they absolutely dote on and would keep them for the rest of their days. I used to know a woman who turned her garden into a small animal "village" she had these amazing constructions for housing and proper burrows for a colony of rabbits to live as natural life as possible. I'm sure there are people like that for guinea pigs. It's a thought maybe?
Yes, I live miles away from you. Near Northampton, otherwise you would have probably found me on your doorstep coming round for a cup of tea and a sob on your shoulder :o) I wish I did live somewhere more rural though.
I have enjoyed doing a bit of research into guinea pigs, it has given me a lovely little diversion.
Mum and Yogi are doing great and I'm going to do a full update later (with some pics) Larry and Yogi and Fudge (who has come to stay for a couple of days) say "Hi"
Hi Fiona,
I wish you did live near to me what a good friend you would be!
The nearest I have been to Northampton was a visit to Haddonstone probably 10 years ago. I have also been to Althorp - not that I am Dianna obscessed and it was before her nutty days.
Everything you have said about a new home for Poppy seems to ACTUALLY becoming possible from this morning. Graham had placed an advertisement in his local farm shop explaining the situation. A lady with five Guinea pigs rang earlier today showing an interest (just the sort you described except there are children). Of course one extra Guinea Pig isn't a problem and so she is going on a trial period to see how she gets on with the others. The fact that she was buying fresh vegetables pleases me and she does seem to know what she is doing. It doesn't appear to be a fad the children are going through either but a genuine interest. I think we will be in tears when she goes but it does seem to be the best thing for her. I will let you have an update in the near future when she has hopefully settled in.
I am really looking forward to hearing how Yogi is progressing and how your mother is getting on. Hopefully Larry is the least of your worries at the moment and is on top form again.
THANK YOU so much for caring. We all love you for it! xxxxxxxxxx
Hi Fiona, It is a small world isn't it?! I used to work for Spillers in Old Wolverton, so know your 'neck of the woods' well.
I've heard a few tales of people going hunting on cows - I can imagine they're difficult to sit to!
I can also totally identify with the individual dogs smells - Tilly smells totally different to how Prince did, yet both have the most beautiful scent!!
Lesley I am DELIGHTED that it seems to be working out for you and little "piggy". I will keep everything crossed that she settles well. I'm sure that she will. Looks like fate just stepped in again. SO very pleased xxxx
P.S did she have pre nutty days ? don't remember them :o)
Hi Graham, cows are I think the most uncomfortable thing to sit on. Have you noticed that backbone ? Like sitting on a knife edge :o) Lets face it, they are not really meant to be ridden.
Did you live in MK?
I think I'd rather live out in the country too....
Fiona,
I think she just hid it well!
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