|
|
Guinea Pigs Gone to the Rainbow Bridge |
|
|
It is said that when we lose a friend, there is a new star in the sky at night. On these cold, bleak Winter nights I look up, and through my tears I see the stars of a constellation twinkling in the sky. I hope your spirits run free, dashing and playing in meadows of sweet timothy grass, with cool waters to sip and sweet fruits to nibble and play with. May you have places to explore, treats beyond measure, and cardboard to nibble. To all our gentle beloved piggies, we will always love you.
- T. Green, 1996
Crissy, the last of our three original guinea pigs passed over the Rainbow Bridge on Sunday November 14. We lost all three within two months of each other and it is very sad to see the three headstones out in the garden. Crissy's stone is a river rock we took (probably illegally) from the Blue River in the Rockies.
Crissy was our only potty-trained cavy, using a ceramic dish for her waste. She also tossed in leftovers, such as scraps of crackers or vegetables, making her our only housekeeping piggie. To keep her food clean, we placed her feeding dish inside one of those metal dishes with a ring holder. Crissy would get quite upset when I removed the food dishes for cleaning. She would peer way down into the metal ring in disbelief, astounded that her beloved dish was gone. Then she would wedge herself under the ring and stare up through it, just to be sure. I must have seen her do that a thousand times, but it still cracked me up.
Crissy was a lovely white and "lilac" silkie, with golden ears. She was quite smart, but nipped a lot and terrorized our poor St. Bernard. For so many years, family conversations often related to the antics of Crissy and Penny, our first two piggies. One day, my son was flipping through the mail and I thought I heard him say, "Water bill, catalog for Crissy and Penny,..."
"What!" I shrieked in amazement, "Do you mean those two are getting mail now?' My son replied, "Calm down, Mom. I said 'catalog from J.C.Penney.' " Oh....
Crissy, you were our first little
darling and, I must confess, my especial favorite. You were five years
of joy and we miss you, Mom, Dad and kids
Kathy in Colorado
Abby, my adorable "punkin pie," you were like a child to me. I was out of school, but not yet started on my life, and I needed something. Something to take care of, something to focus on, something to love. Something that was just MINE. You were it.
I knew you were the one. All of the others ran away, but you were friendly and chirpy and started purring and cuddling as soon as I picked you up. I knew I had to take you home. You were so cute, with that crazy hair that all of my friends made fun of. But that was why I picked you! It was the best choice I ever made.
I could never have survived those first few months on my own without you. I was working too much, but I never had to come home to an empty apartment because you were always there, waiting for me. You always called out when I came in the door. I looked so forward to that. I always ended up late to my second job because I wanted just "a few more minutes" to cuddle with you. I loved to lay on the couch with you by my chin, or under the covers on a saturday morning. I talked to you and I swear you knew what I was saying! You and I had a language all our own. You gave me a feeling of peace that I never felt before. You helped me make sense of my life, in your own little way.
Then my life turned around, I got a real teaching job and I got you a friend. I felt bad for all the time you had spent alone. You had been queen of the castle, mommy's baby girl. And for a while that remained, even though you now had to share your home. But when Franny started to get bossy, you took it all in stride. You never complained or fought back, you kept your distance and were a very very good girl. You were still the queen, we just could't tell Franny! You still comforted me in times of trouble and I loved you more than anything else in the whole wide world.
Abby, you survived my family's dogs, numerous moves, a freezing apartment last winter, a new piggy roomie, and all of your little sniffly colds. I wish you could have stayed with me longer, I hoped to share much more of my ever changing and improving life with you. I looked forward to our big move to sunnier places this summer. I hate that I will now have to leave you behind.
I guess all I can do is to be content to remember the important role you played in my life for the wonderful year and a half I was blessed enough to have you. You will forever hold a special place in my heart and you will be deeply missed.
Allyson and Franny-pie
You tried to act dignified and even indifferent. Sometimes you seemed downright ornery, but later I learned that you just had PMS! Truth is, you had your own way of demonstrating your affection. When others held you, you'd turn your head toward the sound of my voice- I loved that!
You were not a very vocal pig; you expressed yourself in other ways. On my lap, it was that puppy-like tug 'o war you had with my clothes whenever you wanted to go back to your cage to pee. At feeding time, you would stand at the edge of the cage looking up, your pink-nostrils in white fur sniffing all around as you awaited that faithful delivery of some green leafy first course. Then you'd leap up onto your hammock, looking for more greenery there. Sometimes I'd look over to see staring in my direction? and that was enough to motivate me to get up, have a snuggle first (always!) and then give you some more treats!
You loved to eat and devoured your salad as if you hadn't eaten for days. Yet, every morning, we had our "meditation" before breakfast. It didn't matter what time it was, early or late, your food could wait. I'd sit in a high back comfy chair; you'd scramble up to my shoulder and snuggle against my neck. I supported your weighty round butt with my hand and petted your silky, soft fur. I'd lean my head towards you, give you kisses and rub my cheek against your soft, warm side. Then you'd begin to chortle, gurgle and murmur in my ear. This was our routine, and it was a terrific way to start the day. Cuddles, affection, coos- Oh, Shelby, I miss you so much!
How fortunate for my students and me that you could have the same calming effect on those of us at school who were overwhelmed by stress? ("Whaddya mean I have to stay in for recess to finish my homework?"? "That reading is too hard!"? "More reports and paperwork to turn in? I'll be in my classroom? (with Shelby)."
Remember when I brought Zeke-a-boo home with you? You guys were so small; you fit in my palm. And Zeke loved you so much. He always stayed by your side. When Zeke started doing the rumblestrut, I had to build a divider in the cage, which I made with those neat ideas cubes. I secured the divider and put you on one side. Then I put Zeke on his side and turned to get the food bowls. Upon turning back, I found Zeke on your side purring happily!! I could not figure out how he got around that divider. Finally, I discovered that he just walked *through* that one inch square space! (?back to the drawing board!) When Zeke got sick and was in the hospital, he even purred when he saw your photograph. After Zeke died, you'd look at the space where his cage had been and from time to tim, you'd stare at his photograph.
So here I sit, staring at your photograph, Shelby? little Plumpkin. You've left a large hole in my heart. I take some comfort in imagining you over the Rainbow Bridge; Zeke and Zoe Rose were there to greet you.
love forever,
Heidi
At about 5am this morning (Thursday 14th October) we lost a little piggie named Dylan. We hadn't known him long - just a few days in fact. He'd been brought to our house when he became poorly - it turned out to be a nasty bladder infection. Although we started him on his prescribed medicines, sadly we were too late. Although we hadn't known Dylan for long, he really did touch our hearts. He was such a brave little piggle and so very sweet. Even on his last day he still managed to lift his nose up to greet me.
Rest peacefully little Dylan in a place where there is no pain.
Karen and Phil, Ginger, Pepper, Fudge, Sooty, Tigger and Piglet.
Last Sunday our little Rexie, a female Peruvian, died suddenly. She was a lovely little thing with long, flowing purply-taupe hair and a white and golden face. We got her as a tiny thing, not knowing she was not only a "she" but pregnant. That is how she went from "Rex" to "Rexie." She had two gorgeous red-haired Abyssian sons, whom we kept, and was a perfect little mother. We miss hearing her call me "Peeet! Peter!" and seeing her fuss about her little hutch, arranging her dish and hay. We miss you Rexie.
Love from Kat and John and Mom and Dad
Bodger and Badger were our first and favourite guinea pigs. They were so tiny and frightened to begin with but soon grew into two beautiful adults with very different characters. Poor Badger suffered serious eating problems for many months in 1998, but was miraculously cured by Dave and Ann's tender care. Meanwhile, without having had a moment's illness in her life, poor Bodger died suddenly and unexpectedly in August 1998, of renal failure. Badger soldiered on in quite good health, her ability to eat restored, for another 6 months, and after a period alone got used to some new young company at home. But since last March or so, she was really not well, with various ailments which never fully cleared up. She took all the treatment so quietly and stoically and never complained - Badger was a real soldier. At the end of August she just had too many things wrong with her, I guess, and gave up her long fight.
Bodger and Badger, we loved you and miss you, and will never forget you. Guinness and Ginger are missing you too. They, too, are beautiful guinea pigs, but they will never ever replace you.
Rowel and David
Zen'ya was lost and eaten by a fox. He was a father of 2 litters. Both Litters had 3 guinea pigs, the second one was born two days before he died. He would be a grandfather if he was still alive, his first litter daughter had 1 new baby. He was born December 24th, 1998, and died July 27, 1999.
I am heartbroken to write that my sweet little Sunny passed away this afternoon, August 27th. She has been struggling ever since Fonzie's death in May of this year, first with depression, then with serious molar problems. She was coping pretty well, but Thursday she went downhill literally overnight. I left work early today to be with her, and she died on the couch next to me an hour later. My little girl was a fighter to the end. I know she waited until I got home before she finally gave in. Her little feet were moving quickly right before she passed away, and I would like to think that she was running to meet Fonzie at the Rainbow Bridge. She is back with her soul mate once again.
Sunny is the piggy who enlightened me to the wonderful world of guinea pigs. I joined the GPDD shortly after getting her in December 1996. She was feisty and stubborn and very much her own pig. Yet she was also sweet and loving and very perceptive. I will be a slave for life, but there will never be another piggy like my little red-haired girl.
Tina
My son Cole's beloved and best friend and buddy Arrowhead passed away August 3, 1999. It has been a difficult time for him. Arrowhead was a wonderful pet, alsways tame and always eager to play and "talk" to Cole when he entered the room. Arrowhead's death was somewhat lessened by the fact that Princess was left pregnant with his babies, unfortunately she too succumbed. We have since found out that our problem was mites. We now have a new baby in our family, cage inlcluded, however Arrowhead and Princess are still very deep in our hearts and thoughts. Thank you so much for this tribute.
Thankfully, Cole's MOM.
Yogi
( My Piggy)
? - August 12th, 1999
I miss you so much, but just remember to me you are still here with me in my heart! I will think of you every day and I hope you are happy at the Rainbow Bridge, it sure sounds like a nice place to be, if you can't be here with me!
Give Speedy a big wheek from Mom
I Love You, Big Guy!
My little warrior died Tuesday. The battle against the abuse of his former life proved too much for him, and he finally succumbed to the infection that has been raging in his foot for the last four months. Every day he was very active and energetic, every day he eagerly grabbed his veggie treats - even if Mishka managed to get more of the lettuce, what he got he ate with gusto! His best time was when I had to hold him while the ointment had time to soak in, being upside down, and not having any weight on the feet allowed him a bit of pain free time, which he used to take a nap and enjoy a tummy rub from me.
Good bye my little fighter, enjoy the peace at the bridge.
Dale
Poor guy, never even had a name. He was a vo-ag animal that I had provided for them. And the Board of Ed didn't get the AC installed, and the person paid to watch over them didn't do his job, so this poor darling dies, along with two of his sons. Where is the justice in that? How frustrating to see such useless death occur! Knowing that all of it could have been avoided with just a little care and consideration.
At least he is now at peace and living in a peaceful place.
Dale
My sweet little Evan went to the Rainbow Bridge on July 19th. Nearly 26 months ago I was working at a pet store and Evan and Ellie were found in a park, abandoned. The pet store never found a buyer and was threatening to feed them to the snake. I then bought them, knowing how sweet and tame they were. Ellie was pretty obviously pregnant. She started hemorrhaging a few days later and we had to perform an emergency caesarian section. The babies were completely developed, but quite dead. Despite our best efforts, the babies couldn't be revived. Ellie was very critical for several days but through intensive nursing care, she recovered and was able to live with her soulmate, Evan, for the rest of his life. Evan was diagnosed with kidney disease last December. I had to give him many injections and medications to keep him feeling good. A month ago his teeth became overgrown and had to be trimmed. As he was waking up from anesthesia, Ellie held a silent vigil, licking his face, over and over. When Ellie became arthritic and couldn't walk, Evan would drag veggies over to her and nudge them until she would eat. I have never seen two little cavies so in love. No matter what they were doing, they were always snuggled up together. I was going to take Evan and Ellie to work on Monday, to check their blood work. I picked Evan up and he cried out. I put him in the carrier, he stumbled a little and then fell over. I picked him up and he took two agonal breaths and died very quickly. I left him in the carrier with Ellie, hoping she would realize that he was gone. When I got to work and opened the carrier she was licking his face, as if trying to wake him. She also has kidney disease. She was first diagnosed 19 months ago, which is a very long time to survive this dreadful disease. I feel that she will be with Evan soon.
I will miss her immensely, but I believe that her place is with Evan.
Evan was so tough, yet so sweet. I still can't believe he is gone. He and Ellie were fortunate enough to appear on a cable tv program last year. They sat on my lap for the entire taping, always content just to be together.
I love you sweet Evan. I can't wait to see you again one day. I hope your life with me made up for whatever happened to you before you ended up in that park. I miss you sweet friend. I will think of you each day and thank God that I had the good fortune to know and to love such a wonderful little pet.
Good bye little friend.
Sharlene
Ellie joined Evan today, at the place where all the wonderful little cavies go, when their short lives on earth are done. Ellie rapidly deteriorated after Evan died, and refused to go on. Her life was ended humanely on July 31st. Never will these two little soulmates be apart again. Never will their tiny kidneys cause them pain or illness. They are both fat and happy again, together once more, forever.
I miss them both so much! They were so tough and so amazingly sweet. Not nce did either of them ever exhibit even the tiniest bit of aggression, even when they were sick or in pain. I will always have the happy memories of them while they were in their prime, tv stars even! My heart aches for them, but my head knows they are in a better place, waiting for the day when we can all be together again.
Sharlene
I rescued Mr. Vanilla Bean from an Animal Shelter earlier this year. We called him Bean for short, but I called him my "Beaners". Its amazing how quickly a little fur-ball can sneak into your heart. We used to snuggle together...he used to give me kisses. When I petted him he made the sweetest cooing noises. Bean learned how to beg for carrots and other treats. He was always the first of my cavies to shove his nose through the bars of his cage to wish me a good morning. Just like yesterday morning. But this morning his nose didn't push through those bars. His body didn't move and his eyes looked lifeless. Deep down inside I knew Bean had passed on, but I refused to let myself believe it. I called his name, I shook his cage, poked at him, and then I went to pick him up. His body lay in my hands, still warm. If I would have woken up at 8 instead of 8:30 I could have been there, I could have done something, I could have said good-bye. There were no signs that this would happen. I never really knew Bean's birth date, so as far as I know he could have been old. Yesterday Bean ran around my room, Popcorning and squeeling...today he passed over the Rainbow Bridge, hopefully next to Howie and Bacon. Bean went to a place where dandelions grow in abundance and where the sun shines through the trees. Where there are plenty of hiding places and lots of space to dash and run and popcorn. I know he is in a good place...but my tears won't stop falling.
I'll try not to keep you waiting too long, Beaners...but God says that its not my turn yet. Be patient, and tell Howie and Bacon hello for me. Know that I will always love you and that you have a very special place for you in my heart. Know that I miss you very much. Daddy misses you too and we will see you soon! Thank you for being a part of my life. We love you Beaners!
Erika
Well little man, it is so hard to realize your life has come full circle. I remember when we first saw you in the pet shop. You were so small I was not sure you were even a cavy. I held you and you fit into the palm of my hand. How could we not take you home.
At first you were timid, but it didn't take you long to take over the house. You were our first "pig with an attitude" - always wanting your own way. But we loved you so much, and now that you are gone there is an empty place in our hearts. I only hope that you truly understood in your own way how much we cared about you. I will miss you forever, but I take comfort in the knowledge that you are now happy and free from pain.
I hope you have found Gizmo, Mr. Moe and Ben. They came before you and should have some great stories to tell. Enjoy the grass, it always was your favorite. Thank you for all the joy you gave us.
Love, Dad (Bob) & Mom (Chris)
I just went through this and now here I am again. I rescued Sprout a few months ago. He had a horrible case of pneumonia, exacerbated by improper care and nutrition. He was near death when I got him. After an hour on oxygen his blue lips faded to pink. I gave him antibiotics for weeks. His entire body was covered with a horrible fungus so I had to shampoo him daily. He was so tiny for his age. His hair grew back and the infection cleared. He tripled his body weight, which is pretty impressive for an adult cavy. He continued to have ragged, raspy breathing, due to permanent lung damage. I had to rush him to emergency one night when he turned blue. He stayed on oxygen all night and came home, pink the next morning. He was somewhat of a miracle cavy. Last night I pondered over how severe the lung damage was and if it would shorten his life. I got my answer this morning when I found his still-warm, but lifeless body. He looked so comfortable and natural that I could not believe he was actually gone. I'm sad that he has left me, but I feel priveledged to have known him. I'm grateful that I could give him a wonderful life, if only for a short while. I know that for several months he was well-fed, well-groomed, and was not subjected to second hand smoke, as he was for the first year and a half of his short little life. I miss you Sproutie! You are my hero. You were so sick but you wouldn't give up. You knew I could give you a better life and I believe that you stayed alive so that you could know what it was like to be loved and well cared for. I don't care that it cost me hundreds of dollars to help you feel better. I would have spent a million. I'm glad you went so peacefully, while you were fat and happy. I wish all cavies could leave this world in such good condition, so very peacefully, just before sunrise. I am a better person because of you, my little Sprout. I thank God I had the chance to know you and to help you. You tell God to take good care of you. You are missed dearly. I will never forget your courage. Good-bye little friend. You will be in my thoughts forever.
Love forever,
Sharlene
Although The Pain Of Losing The Both Of You In Such A Short Time Of Each Other And That The Suffering That Each Of You Endured Is Done. I Feel You Are Both In A Better Place Even Though Losing Both Of You Still Hurts.
With All My Love
Karen.
This posting is a tribute to two of our friends Jason and Nick. Their special little piggies passed away and they are very sad. We will miss Buttons and Piglet very much. These two piggies had a very good home and we may never know what happened but we do know they will be missed. We love you Buttons and Piglet!
Love the Farinhas
Dana, Chris and Jon
I had Smudge for 2 1/2 years. I think he was at least 4 years old. That really doesn't make it any easier. He was diagnosed with kidney disease almost a year ago. He was so sick that we didn't think he would live. With injections under the skin and lots of intensive nursing care, I pulled him through. He became my best friend. He relapsed a couple times but I always pulled him through. This week was different. His molars had overgrown and had trapped his tongue. We cut the molars, as we had done a month before (for the first time) but this time it was different. Our best guess is that the roots of his teeth grew at the wrong angle and caused his teeth not to line up. It was horrible to see my little friend try to eat but he could not. Smudge crossed the bridge this afternoon with a little help from a kind veterinarian whom I work with. He had grown so weak that he could not even stand up. He was too good of a friend to have to suffer.
My Smudge left me, but his memories will live forever. He loved to snuggle with me under the covers. He would run up and down and then throw his head (and the covers) back, lick my face, and then DIVE back under the covers. He loved to fall asleep on my chest too. He would get so relaxed that he would slide off me and onto the couch. I can't believe I have to go clean his cage for the last time. I can't believe he won't be there, snuggling with his collection of stuffed animals. Even as ill and weak as he was, moments before his pain was to be eased forever, he still mustered the strength to lick my face. I don't think I will ever stop crying. I hope he is healthy, happy and plump again, at the rainbow bridge, with all my other little darlings and all the other little furry friends that everyone else has lost. I only have 2 pictures of my Smudge, both with me. I miss you little friend! My heart aches for you and I don't think I will ever smile again. Your great-great grand babies will be born any day now. I hope one of them is a boy and even has half the personality that you have. Good bye my special little friend. Tell God to take good care of you.
Love, Sharlene
You were such a spunky little fighter who outlived our expectations since we didn't expect you to make it. You gave us five and a half wonderful months of loving and laughter and we will never forget you and your tiny wide-eyed face or the way your little "chicken-legs" twiddled around the room and you wheeking with every step.
When I knew it was time to let you go, I asked God to please make it quick and painless. Mercifully, within seconds you were gone. I held you in my arms until I was sure you were with the Great Lover of All Life.
Dylan and I miss you terribly and still cry everyday. Dylan keeps your pictures on his bed. Jaclyn doesn't really understand and Dad suffers in silence. Your mom, Miss Bianca, looks so lonely but dad Bernard is with her on weekends. You'll soon have new siblings and Dylan has asked to name one after you.
Someday we'll meet again. We love
you and miss you.
Marilyn, Dylan, Jaclyn, Mark, Miss Bianca and Bernard
Although we only had you a little
while,
You always had wheeks to make us smile.
You touched our hearts in a special
way,
When you popcorned at the smell of hay.
The wasy you cuddled in my arm,
Knowing that I would never to you harm.
You're gone now to a better place,
But we'll always miss your furry face.
We can't believe you're gone. We tried so hard to make you well, and you were so brave and tried to get well. I hope that as a held you while you took your last breaths, you could feel how much I loved you and wished you could stay.
We miss your beautiful blue-grey eyes and the carmel-colored patch on your forehead that always reminded us of Babe the pig. We miss the way you were always the first piggy begging for the morning's carrot ration and when the next person came into the kitchen, you always begged for more. You never knew that your orange colored lips gave away the fact that you'd already had your treat. I miss your "Franny kisses" and your R2D2 noises.
You took such loving care of your pig sibling Sophie when she had her surgery. She misses you terribly. Kramer is taking good care of her now, but it's not the same. I know that you are watching over us and know how much we loved you and miss you now. I hope you know how much your little life meant to us.
God speed little piggy. OXOXOX
Love,
Mom, Dad, Matt, Sophie, Kramer and Tiger
You were both so very special to us. When we first adopted you, you were both so timid and hated being picked up. Sweep, you was the boss pig - blinded by the age of six months you became a gentle giant and fair leader of your fellow gpigs. You was our blue-eyed girl and our favourite. Sooty, you was always the nervous slender sister who loved to cuddle up to Sweep - you both looked like two peas in a pod. As time went by, you both developed a trust in us which we never thought we would have due to people telling us that self-blacks make terrible pets and are very skittish. You were exceptions to these rules. Sooty - you struggled with a terrible genetic disorder for ten months. How I loathed having to file your teeth as you hated it so much but you tolerated it and all the syringe feeding every time your back teeth had to be cut - you were so brave. I feel very privileged when I think of how you used to scrabble up my front and nestle down against my neck after being fed - you showed great trust in me that leaves me with very precious memories of you. Both of you developed a dental root abcess within a month of each other which gave you incredible pain - you were both so strong and brave during this time, like true fighters. Unfortunately, renal failure got the better of you Sweep and you died peacefully one Friday afternoon. Sooty, it pains me to think how we had to have you put to sleep a month later but we did it because we loved you so much. It was the most difficult decision we have ever had to make but we knew you had suffered long enough and could not let you get any worse. We love you both so much and we will never forget you. I can see you both now - you are together with Oscar in a very peaceful grassy field where the sun never seems to set. You are very happy now as you can no longer feel pain and no harm will ever come to you. Please watch over your furry friends that you had to leave behind. Never forget that we love you. R.I.P. Sooty and Sweep.
Lynn Hudson & Stephen O' Keefe.
I could not have asked for a sweeter and more gracious piggy than you. You wouldn't have known how to be otherwise. You never demanded treats, but instead waited patiently, watching hopefully for signs of movement around the refrigerator. You always took the handout gently and gratefully. And if it was something you really didn't want, you'd take it anyway and drop it in your food dish for Sunny to find. You were perfectly content letting her be the alpha pig. She would take the lead and you would happily follow, oinking as you rushed to keep up with her faster legs. She loved you too and always slept snuggled closely to your side. You were a shy little guy, but you let me kiss your nose and ear whenever I wanted. Your lips were irresistibly loose and soft. I loved stroking the skin underneath them, making your lips go up and down, which made me laugh. And you let me.
We discovered way too late that an abscess had been silently taking over your little body. Dr. L. couldn't believe you lived as long as you did, but I know you hung on for me. Before your surgery, I got to hold you one last time. You kept putting your nose out so I could kiss it. It was your way of telling me everything would be okay. I was unable to decide on euthanasia, so you spared me that agonizing decision by passing away on your own during surgery. And so you departed the world in the same manner in which you lived--by being unassuming and forever considerate of everyone else. Sunny and I miss you dearly, but at least now you are out of pain.
Rest in peace, my sweet little guy.
Tina
Pooh was only three years old when he left me. I got him when he was just a baby. I got his mate, Winnie at the same time. I had to keep them separate until they were old enough to breed. I had ordered a special cage for them and had them in separate cardboard boxes. Pooh could fly!! The boxes were 22 inches high and we finally had to cover the box to keep him in! They had 2 litters of wonderful babies together. From their first litter came Kanga who has 9 legs, 2 RIS, 1 2nd RIS and numerous BOBs. Pooh even blossomed later in life and got BOSB 2 or 3 times. He started losing weight after breeding with Winnie for the 3rd time. Bloodwork and X-rays revealed bladder stones and liver disease. We did everything possible to make him well again, but he died in my arms on May 11th. I was so happy that Winnie was pregnant with his baby one more time. Unfortunately, it was stillborn. Despite CPR and drugs to try to start the heart, Pooh and Winnie's last baby girl went to heaven. Pooh was my first and most favorite Teddy. He had such a fiesty attitude...did lots of head-butting, but secretly enjoyed having his nose scratched. I wa so hoping that his baby would help ease my pain, but instead it doubled. I love you Pooh Bear! I'm glad you have your baby there. Winnie misses you very much. Randy and I ache for your fuzzy little body that I held in my arms as your heart beat its last beat and your lungs drew in your last breath. We will remember the fat, happy, healthy flying Pooh who gave us so much joy. God bless you Pooh. To everyone who has lost a cavy..I know all too well what you are going through...have lost several in the last couple years. It never gets any easier and you never forget your favorites....but new ones wiggle their way into your heart and life begins again.
Sharlene
Dear Sweet Sugar,
You were so tiny at your birth that we couldn't believe you would even
make it through the night. You did, though, and so we named you Sugar
for Sugar Ray Leonard...because you were a little fighter!! Your mommy,
Lucy, wasn't nursing you, so we started feeding you with an eye dropper.
We got some formula that the vet recommended that was for kittens, but
you didn't care. You seemed to really like it. For a few days you would
popcorn a little bit right after you ate, and then you would get weak
again. The vet said you weren't staying warm enough to get your little
digestive system to work so we put a heat lamp on you.
We had to leave you and your brothers Larry, and Curly and sister Moe with Keli...and your mommy Lucy, too. We thought about you so much on our trip to the Carribean. I gave you my permission to pass over the bridge before we left and that last snuggle with you will always be with me. Keli tried to do "Reiki" on your little body to see if you were strong enough to accept that healing power. She is a Reiki Master. She also gave you permission to cross the bridge, too. She and Saydi, her little girl and their friend Joan tried very hard to make your last days compfortable. They said you passed quietly in the night.
Joan planted a beautiful white rosebush over the spot in the garden where you are resting. We have put a boquet of carrots there, and some pansy's. We miss you very much our sweet little Sugar!
Love,
Your mommy Teresa
and the whole family
and your other mother...Lucy...daddy Ricky and the siblings: Snowflake,
Larry, Curly, and Moe
On Thursday, May 13, 1999, Danielle Dolly, only three months old, went on a journey to the Rainbow Bridge.
Even though she only lived three months she was very much loved by both her slaves and her immediate and extended piggy family. She had one of the sweetest dispositions I've ever encountered and her memory will be a sweet one in my heart ... adieu, dear Danielle. I love you.
Howie was my first guinea pig. While working in a pet store, I came across a guinea pig that had come with a litter that was just shipped to the store. The guinea pig had a clubbed food, a crooked spine, and was blind in her right eye. The manager told me that he was going to ship her back to be put down. The pig didn't seem to be in any pain and was moving around just fine so I asked if I could take her home. I named the pig Howie because I thought it was actually a boy at first, but it ended up being a girl. Other than her appearance, you couldn't tell that Howie was handicapped at all. Howie was the cutest little runt! Howie used to sit on my lap and fall asleep while we would watch TV. She would beg for treats and actually give me kisses. I brought Howie a friend home one day that I named Bacon. They were both females and loved each other very much. One couldn't walk two feet without being followed by the other. Everything was great for a year and then one day I came home and Howie had passed away for no apparent reason. I couldn't stop crying. Bacon kept a silent vigil next to Howie's body. We buried Howie that day. It was the saddest thing I ever had to do.
After the loss of Howie, nothing seemed the same. Bacon would hardly eat or drink. A week later Bacon died too, I suspect from a broken heart. I was in shock. One day Howie is gone and the next Bacon. It has been a year and a half since both of their deaths. I still get misty eyed when I think of them. I have 10 guinea pigs now, two of which are named after Bacon and Howie. Howie #2 looks just like the first, with a blind eye too. Although I love all my pigs very much, I will always remember Bacon and Howie and how they touched my life so much.
Bacon and Howie, I miss you guys a whole bunch. So much has changed here since we last saw each other. I love you very much and I hope you are having fun flying around heaven with your little angel wings. Keep a space open for me and I hope to see you soon!
Love,
Erika
Gizmo came into my life a few weeks later[after the loss of Ashley]. We spoke here and talked about how good it was that he was here. He had a cold when I purchased him, I knew it but could not leave him in that horrible place. I took him to the vet right away & we thought we had cured him. But no. It turned into pneumonia and we lost him on Thursday, April 29th, 1999.
I cannot explain how empty I feel at his loss. He completely captivated us, he was the most loving piggy I have ever seen. He trusted me completely, never ran away and for the short time he felt good he scampered and wiggled till he fell over with joy.
He left such a hole, for being here such a short time. I do believe that heaven knew how special he was and that he needed a loving home for a little while, he will be missed terribly. The last thing he did was to kiss my hand and hold my finger in his mouth, he truly was my little angel.
Sincerely, Janice
We may have lost you from our family,
But we will always find you in our hearts.
We'll miss you dearly!
Love,
Spice, Sparkey, Magik, and your human family
Our sweet little Cocoa piggie....you always were a happy, perky & HUNGRY little guy. We'll miss your sweet face & happy little wheeks. Your brother Daytona misses you & so do we. With all our love,
Your parents,
Angie & Nathan
I dont have any photos, as we have been together for less than a month, but still I feel the pain in my heart as if we had been together for a million years and more.Her name is Gabbrelle.She was born January 28,1999 and died April 17,1999.She was young,but hads given me a million years of love and her memory will never die.Thanks for listening to me and my sad tale.
Kathleen Maher
Ashley was a strong willed, abby piggy with a big white ruff completely around her head. She believed that any bag that rustled held food for her, and loudly insisted that she get it.
She was not happy about being held and would jump into my arms and hide her head if we tried to put her on the floor for exercise. She was a real scardy pig.
She always knew when I was coming in from grocery shopping, and she became so loud when she heard me that if my husband was on the telephone he couldn't hear the other person.
She began to loose her hair. A trip to the vet was a shock. She had a tumor and they could do nothing because of her age (4). The tumor grew and I searched for another vet who might help her. Although I did find a vet I liked & who was very good & kind there was nothing he could do. The tumor became very large and she was not able to eat enough to stem her hunger, but she was always sweet with us.
That final vet visit was awful but I knew we could not keep her longer.
Her little light will stay with me forever.
To the previous page of memorials. To the next page of memorials.
If you would like to post a memorial to a special guinea pig companion, please e-mail it and a picture (if you wish) to Memorial -at- GuineapigsRainbow.org
The Guinea Pigs' Rainbow Bridge
Copyright © 1996 - 2005, The Guinea Pigs' Daily Digest Group