Guinea Pigs Galore!
When I got Cane and Bamboo last year I thought Id got my quota. I had a companion for each rabbit and they seemed contented. Sadly this was short-lived as little Bamboo died just a few weeks later. His poor start in life was not going to ensure he had a long life and he died in his sleep, showing no signs of ill-health. Cane needed company so I went to the SPCA and asked if theyd any Guinea Pigs. They didnt at that time but within 2 weeks they called to say two boys had been brought in and needed a new home. I was there within an hour.
Meet Romulus
and Remus!
These boys hadnt been ill-treated at all, but their owners had busy lives and lacked the time to give them the care and attention they needed. They were quite plump, so needed a lot more exercise and less rich food. This caused a quandary because of the nutritional needs of Cane, but we worked out how to ensure they all had the food they needed. About 6 weeks after Romulus and Remus came to live with me I was approached by a friend whose bunnies and Guineas used to come and stay here whenever she went out of town. Would you like two baby boys, no charge, offspring of Cookie and Franklin . . . theyre very cute and Id love you to have them! How could I say no?
Im a known soft touch which isnt always a bad thing! So, into my life came
Punga
and Koru.
They are half Abyssinian and half another type whose name I forget, so have very unusual hair-dos! They are skittish and vocal and call loudly whenever they see me, then run away and hide! They dont get handled as often as they ought, because it seems to stress them, but they respond to treats being posted into their cage with appreciative sounds and activity! Lastly come my latest boys, Rata and Rimu. They again, came from the SPCA here in Dunedin. Theyd been abandoned in their cage when their owner boy, that word irritates me sold up and moved away. The SPCA found them in appalling conditions, starving and stinking. They had to have some special care for a few days, but when I rang and spoke to Julie, the SPCA Inspector I know quite well, having suffered the escape and subsequent death of naughty Peanut, she asked if Id be able and prepared to take on these two boys. There were females, too, but with a male community, introducing females and their hormones couldve proved very stressful to everyone. How could I say no? I couldnt! So off to Opoho we went, offering to trade in a naughty Springer Spaniel (haahaa) in part exchange!
Heath loves his new brothers and so does Indigo, whod been very despondent after the Great Escape of her beloved Peanut.
Rimu, who looks like Remus, with his tortoiseshell markings, lives with her and suffers her attentions, which at times are very boisterous.
Rata, who has a lovely ginger top knot and rosette on his head, prefers his bachelor pad and is settling down nicely. Hes smaller than Rimu and is very shy, but time and care will bring him out of that and ensure that hes able to be loved and cuddled on a daily basis. So, thats it! My furry family has grown! Never say never, though you know what Im like!